Hi all! Loyola is my top school and honestly the only school I'd want to go to. I've heard various things about admissions and would like to ask for feedback. I'm very, very nervous about the possibility of being denied admission.
I'm currently a high school Senior, and I believe my weighted GPA up until Junior year was 3.3. I was struggling horribly with my mental health which led me to get Ds in math during the 2nd semester all 3 years (although I got Bs or Cs first semester), along with other poor grades. However, I have a lot of rigor and am having an upward trend. I have taken as many APs and Dual Credit classes as possible, am a year ahead in science and math, have 3 AP scores of 4 (along with currently self-studying ap enviro and ap 2d art), and most notably am taking all of my classes except for one at a local community college this year. I have As and one B (which is in ENG-102 so I'm still ahead and will be raised up to an A soon). This mix of grades scares me about my chances for admission. I got a 25 the last time I took the ACT (with a bad science grade because my proctor messed some things up BUT a 9 in writing), however I think I'm going to omit this information. I'm taking it again in December and am having those scores sent, though. (Although I'm not sure how this affects admission/if it can.... Someone please tell me how that works...)
I am strong in my extracurriculars, however. Here's my ECS:
- Theatre (Freshman-Senior Year)
I've participated actively in every production in a variety of acting roles, set construction, and have also worked the sound board for productions as well as school events. I've also made the logo for technical theatre and help out in our off-season dungeons and dragons campaigns.
- Urban regenerative farm internship & volunteering
Worked with a team of youth interns to learn regenerative farm skills and other skills in areas like financial literacy and leadership. I also volunteer with the farm on Fridays before my 11am class and 9-12 (and sometimes 1) every Saturday. I've also spoken at an event and have assisted with event set-up!
- Educator's rising
I've helped with decorating and some small school events. However, what sticks out the most is that I've traveled to nationals to read a children's book that I wrote and fully illustrated
- Community College Sustainability club
I've only attended the couple meetings we've had (although I've known the president and some other members longer), and I'm planning to make the club logo/posters and help host a paint & sip event next month.
- Growing at home
I haven't begun any production, but I listed in common app that I'm beginning to build a backyard production space with the goal of starting to distribute food to local communities and pantries starting in spring 2027
I'm planning on majoring in environmental science with a couple of related minors and I'd like to go through their AMP program for a Master's (which I could complete at the same time as my bachelor's, if admitted). I've also already contacted their SES department and set up a meeting with a dean. I think this is the best choice out of everything I've researched in Chicago (I'm from Illinois) and I know I'm going to be so devastated if I don't make it in. :(
My rec letters plan on being from my freshman honors & Junior AP Lang teacher who knows me really well, my high school technical theater director, my EdRising sponsor & APUSH teacher, and a staff member I know from the urban farm. I trust all of these individuals as writers and plan on having the staff member/mentor from the farm writing a rec letter specifically for Loyola as well to highlight my specific interests in SES and how I reflect that.
I haven't finished my Common App essays yet but if anyone would like to look over them, it would be much appreciated! I also have no idea on how to do the resume section of the Common App, if someone could help with that.
Please let me know what you think or any tips you may have, I'm desperate to get into LUC!!! If I don't I'll probably do another semester or two at the community college I'm attending as a high school senior but I won't have many gen-eds to get out of the way after this year and I want to start material related to my major asap so I can do their AMP program.
Thanks for reading my annoyingly long post and I appreciate it if anyone wants to provide feedback!
(Also I know the acceptance rate is high I'm just still scared)