Loyola University New Orleans
Responses from the Student Interview
From a student who identifies as Major: Biology – I’m on the pre-med track
Minor: Chemistry
Student Self Identifies as: Half Hispanic and Half African-American Heterosexual Female
Summary
I’m a member of a historically Black sorority, I’m part of the Health Professions Organization, I’m in the Honors Program, I’m in the Black Student Union, and I’m a Health Advocate on campus. I’m also doing undergraduate research right now.
Background
Gender Identity: Female
Race/Ethnicity: Biracial: Half Hispanic and Half African-American
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
High School Experience: I’m from New Orleans. I went to a private military academy in Algiers, LA with a graduating class of about 100 students. There was a culture of either going to college or going to the military there.
First-Generation College Student: Yes
Major: Biology – I’m on the pre-med track
Minor: Chemistry
Extracurricular Activities: I’m a member of a historically Black sorority, I’m part of the Health Professions Organization, I’m in the Honors Program, I’m in the Black Student Union, and I’m a Health Advocate on campus. I’m also doing undergraduate research right now.
Did any of your extracurricular activities have a particularly big impact on your experience?
I think being a health advocate has. It’s something that I started doing this year and you’re a middle ground to students in the university’s counseling center. It’s really cool to see a portion of what I want to do as a doctor but on a smaller scale with students.
Academic Experience
Can you describe your weekly coursework for your major?
As a pre-med student, you’re always busy but in the best way. I have an exam or some type of quiz at least once a week. Depending on what my course load is, I’ll take two labs in a semester, so I have two three-hour labs in the evening. Depending on the professor, I might have to do a pre-lab report to make sure we understand the material and then a post-lab report or assignment afterward that covers what the lab was about. The exams usually make up a little more than half of the grade and then labs and homework make up the rest.
Is there anything you feel your major’s department does especially well or poorly?
What I really appreciate about Loyola is the community setting. It’s very small and intimate, so over the four years, you get the chance to build relationships with your professors and other students really easily. You see everyone on a day to day basis which makes it easier to ask for help when you need it and build relationships.
How would you describe the learning environment? Do you think it’s particularly competitive or collaborative?
I think it’s more collaborative. I’ve never had a really competitive experience which I think is because the STEM program is one of the smaller parts of Loyola. There are not that many of us, so there is no need to be competitive with each other. We tend to stick together, which I appreciate. [In the Class of 2017, about 4% of graduates had a degree in the Biological/life sciences.]
How accessible are your professors?
Super accessible. They have office hours that I can stop by and if I ever want to meet with them I can just email them and set up a time.
How was transitioning academically as a first-generation college student? Were there any resources that helped you adapt?
It was hard. I graduated high school [at the top of my class] but I didn’t have a strong STEM background, so when I got to Loyola I was constantly having to learn the basics and then some to catch up. My main resource was my advisor and then also the community support from the honors students who were also in my program who supported me when I thought I might want to stop doing Biology.
How easy was it to get involved in your undergraduate research?
As an honors student, you’re required to do a research thesis. I met with a Biology professor whose research I wanted to participate in and said that I wanted to work with him this semester. It was pretty smooth and really easy.
Why did you pick your major? Are you happy with your choice?
I am so happy with my choice even though Biology is definitely a love-hate relationship [laughs]. I chose Biology because I knew that I want to be a doctor. I love biology and learning about how things work. I also love the challenge of biology.
Reasons to Attend
1) They give great financial aid. [In 2019, on average, about 76% of students demonstrated need was awarded in need-based aid.]
2) It’s a very close-knit community.
3) It’s in a great city. I love New Orleans.
Reasons Not to Attend
1) I would look into the program you’re interested in and understand how you will make it work for you because the programs differ.
2) If you’re going to be a Biology student, it’s a small program, so look into the resources available to make yourself a competitive medical school applicant.
Around Campus
Where have you lived on and around campus?
Freshman: Buddig Hall with one roommate and we shared a bathroom with another room of two people
Sophomore: Cabra apartments with five other roommates
Junior – Senior: I live at home and commute.
How has commuting impacted your experience?
There are times when I wish I lived closer to campus but I balance it out by planning out what I need for the day in the mornings so I have everything with me for the day. Also, as a sorority member, I have a lot of sorority sisters that live Uptown who I can borrow something from if I need it.
How do you like going to school in your hometown?
I love it. I love New Orleans. New Orleans is a fun, sporadic, spontaneous city. I also didn’t want to live too far away from my mother, so I don’t mind it.
Can you describe the level of safety you’ve experienced on and around campus?
I’ve always felt safe on campus. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a situation where I haven’t been safe. We have the blue light system that I can use if something happens. Also, being a native of New Orleans, I’m familiar with the city so I don’t have to worry about ending up in an area where I shouldn’t be.
Social Opportunities
What kind of weekend activities or nightlife do you like to participate in?
Depending on the week, there’s always something to do. I really love the festivals we have here and also speakers that come to campus that are interesting to me. On the weekends, my friends and I like to get away and check out new cities and a lot of my friends are art majors and creatives so they bring me to cool art shows and festivals like Voodoo Fest. I used to go to parties, but now I don’t because I’m prepping for medical school and that stuff. If I were to go to a party, it’d be in Uptown and be hosted by a Loyola or Xavier student. There are other things like Freewater that are cool pop up parties where people still actually dance.
What is the impact of Greek life on nightlife?
When I was a freshman, I feel like it was a bit stronger. I can only speak to my personal experience, so, in terms of [Divine Nine sororities], we are really committed to service and have a great presence on campus. It’s not just something we put on our flyers, it’s something we’re really passionate about.
How happy are you with the weekend options? Is there anything you would change if you could?
I’m super happy. I wouldn’t change anything. I’m a busy body, so I figure out things that I want to do and fit them into my schedule.
Campus Culture
How did you meet your closest friends?
One of them I knew in high school, another close friend I met during freshman orientation, and my other friends I met through other friends.
How would you describe the overall social scene?
Compared to Tulane, I think we get labeled as being more artsy and hippies. I’m really happy with my choice to go here because the school is full of super cool, calm, and collected people. The student body is also very diverse and I’m proud of Loyola for making diversity a priority. [The undergraduate population is about 43% White, 17% Hispanic, 16% Black, 3% international, and 3% Asian.]
To what extent do you think people of different races and sexual orientations mix socially?
They mix pretty frequently. I’ve never seen homophobia on campus and I have friends who are LGBTQ+. I think the school does a great job of encouraging us to be open-minded and recognize that not everyone is like you. We’re pretty progressive in that sense.
To what extent do people in Greek life and not in Greek life mix socially?
We mix all the time. Whether you’re in Greek life or not, you’re probably involved in other organizations or work with other people in your major. Greek life gives you a whole other network, but your friends are your friends before and after you join. [About 15% of undergraduates are involved in Greek life.]
How would you describe the Black community on campus? How strong is it?
I think what’s very interesting with all minorities, and especially the Black community, is that people are not just from New Orleans. We have students come from all over the country, so within the Black population you have so many different perspectives and backgrounds. It’s really cool. I feel like as a community we stick together. I also feel like Loyola is including minorities at a high rate, which is pretty great. [Loyola’s Class of 2023 was its most diverse class ever. About 55% of students come from out of state.]
How would you describe the student body?
Very quirky, but in the best way. It’s a space where you can always find someone who you feel like you belong with. There’s never been a time where I feel like I’ve not been comfortable. You find yourself talking with people who you wouldn’t think you would speak to on a regular basis because there are so many opportunities to meet and talk to them.
How do you like the size of Loyola New Orleans in terms of undergraduate enrollment? How was transitioning to a school with [about 2,900] students?
I think it’s great because of my ability to interact with new people every day. I also know my professors and know the people in my class.
Careers
What have you used the career office for? How helpful are they?
They’re always helpful. I will usually go in there for them to proofread a paper I’m about to send off to a summer medical program or to help work on my resume. They’re super helpful and super knowledgeable, so that’s always a great resource.
Have you learned any computer languages or software that will be helpful to you professionally?
I’ve used all of the Microsoft programs. We use a program for statistics called JMP. I feel pretty computer savvy. I wish I would have taken some coding, but I feel like I’m prepared for what I need in a lab setting or in my next graduate degree.