Choosing The Right College School Spotlight: Loyola University New Orleans Written by Emily Toffelmireon June 29th, 2020 I came to College Coach after working for many years in college admissions and high school counseling. As a school counselor, I assisted students in the college application process and wrote hundreds of letters of recommendation, while also helping them and their families cope with any emotional, social, and academic concerns throughout the year. I transitioned from the high school setting to the admissions office when I joined the University of Southern California as an assistant director, reading freshmen and transfer applications and collaborating on admission decisions for over 150 majors, including the liberal arts, engineering, business, cinema, and the fine and performing arts. I subsequently took on the role of senior assistant director in the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, where I coordinated the division's Mork, Stamps, Trustee, Presidential and Dean's merit scholarship selection process, as well as recruitment publications and outreach, and traveled everywhere from Honolulu to Miami presenting to and interviewing hundreds of applicants each year. Learn More About Emily choosing the right college, college lists, There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. And while the media tends to focus on just a handful of schools, we at College Coach encourage students to think outside the box during their college selection process and explore a wide range of colleges. As such, we are highlighting a new college each week in our School Spotlight series. Check out the college below, along with the other posts in our series, and you may just stumble upon your dream school! School Spotlight: Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, LA Located 20 minutes from downtown New Orleans and the French Quarter, Loyola is a Catholic, Jesuit university dedicated to educating the whole student: mind, body, and spirit. With just over 3,000 undergraduates, Loyola provides lots of individualized attention that begins on day one. All first-year students live on campus, and new students have the opportunity to attend an off-campus retreat to meet and connect with other members of the Loyola community. Mandatory First Year Seminars are small discussion-based courses on topics that range from “Gender & Mardi Gras” to “The Philosophy of Star Trek.” At Loyola, students are encouraged to think globally and act locally. With over 50 study abroad programs as well as numerous domestic and international volunteer experiences to choose from, Loyola offers a wealth of opportunities for students seeking to make a difference. Fun fact: Ignacio Volunteers (a division of the Office of Mission & Ministry), sponsors multiple international service trips each year. Why not immerse yourself in community service in Jamaica or Belize over winter break? Image Credit: Top, Courtesy of Kyle Encar, Loyola University New Orleans Related Resources Read | Posted on March 26th, 2024 California Colleges and Universities: A Treasure Trove of Opportunities Read | Posted on March 5th, 2024 The Top 3 Campus Safety Myths Read | Posted on March 1st, 2024 Celebrating International Women’s Day: Is a Women’s College Right for You?