Loyola University Chicago Archives - George M. Pullman Educational Foundation

Sofia Ali, a first-year biology major at Loyola University Chicago shares her experiences as a new college student.

My first year as a biology major at Loyola is almost over, and it has gone pretty well. The majority of the students are pursuing careers in sciences like biology, chemistry, or nursing, so it’s pretty easy to bump into someone and establish a connection — especially the upperclassmen who have already taken classes I am currently taking. My biology course was a review of the material I learned in my IB classes in high school and chemistry has been a bit of a challenge. But, there are many resources at Loyola such as tutoring, study groups, and practicing example problems that have really helped me succeed.

I have labs once a week for three hours, — the class does seem a little long sometimes— but the biology labs are fascinating! During my first semester I was looking at slides in microscopes and drawing images of what I saw, whereas this semester, I have done more dissections and really gotten a chance to interact with different animals from various phyla’s. Dissecting them amazes me and reminds me how similar these creatures are to us, yet are so different as well. It has definitely given me a better understanding of the animals around us and how everything works together in our ecosystem.

I’ve noticed that many of my classes have mostly females, whereas males are mostly in the school of business. It’s encouraging to see so many women learning the same things as I am. Knowing I have fellow females working in the same field gives me confidence and a sense of comfort that we are all in this together. It also makes me feel stronger and more confident in my abilities and love of science.

I plan on pursuing a career in medical research to help others and hopefully alleviate some of their pain for a longer, pleasant future. I am very excited as I move forward with my next three years in college because I will be learning about new diseases and further advances in the medical community, and hopefully, build upon them in my future.

Amel Baker, a junior at Loyola University Chicago studying psychology and cellular/molecular neuroscience, shares her affinity for science and how she gives back to the community with tutoring for four departments and starting the LUC S.T.A.R.

Any effort I put into a science class, I see it coming back again in the next. For example, when I first started out with general chemistry, we discussed the behavior of acids and bases. Almost three years later, I am being reminded of its importance in biochemistry when looking at hemoglobin’s binding affinity for oxygen. The best part is the reactions science students discuss are ongoing every second of the day — basically, science and I relate on a personal level.

In the classroom, I transform into an aspiring chemist, biologist, physicist, and neuroscientist. Once I leave, these moments follow me to influence my everyday schedule. I currently tutor for a few departments on campus where I try to dance through each session with different science partners — sometimes it’s fast-paced with organic chemistry. Other days, I get to slow dance with statistics as I discuss the importance of properly approaching the null hypothesis. I love tutoring these subjects because not only do they force me to revisit old friends, but I get to realize that there is still a lot of room for the relationship. Tutoring essentially challenges me to keep the questions going and the eager curiosity alive. To keep it fresh, I work with a freshman in CPS at Curie High School every Saturday through a Loyola program called TNT. I am one of many academic coaches who is dedicated to keeping true relationships with freshmen and seeing them not only graduate but succeed.

Some nights, I explore astronomy through a student organization I helped form. Astronomy has always been an interest of mine, but the puzzle that is my education did not have room for any extra pieces. Our small group gets together to think about the expanding universe and all the beautiful things that come with this science. We’ve done a few community engagements, observatory visits, and led our own little fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network.

Last summer, I was at Case Western Reserve’s School of Medicine for SMDEP, Summer Medical and Dental Program, now called Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP). The experience was amazing. I was able to shadow at a hospital in multiple departments including family medicine, neurosurgery, and the emergency department. After observing a C3-C5 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery correcting for alive motor cells that could not relay, my desire to pursue neurosurgery became confirmed. The program celebrates diversity in medicine by building community with groups of students from all different backgrounds and universities while exploring medicine’s role with different demographics through seminars with health professionals. Because academics are a priority in all health-related fields, there were supplemental courses in biologies, chemistries, and mathematics depending where you tested. Lastly, I was part of a public health research project that was presented to a panel of physicians at the conclusion of the program. I encourage all current freshmen and sophomores to apply for the summer. There are multiple different sites so this medical adventure could be anywhere!

By Shawn J. Mayberry, Guest Blogger, Pullman Scholar Alumnus.

In 2011, I graduated from Loyola University Chicago with my communications degree. It was the most exciting (and scariest!) time of my life. With scholarships and other money saving strategies, I graduated with less than $15,000 in student loan debt at a private university with an annual price tag of $45,000.

Unlike most Pullman Scholars, I had attended Harry S. Truman College, a two-year community college, prior to transferring to Loyola University Chicago. I was awarded the Pullman Foundation Scholarship as part of a pilot partnership program with another organization I was a part of.

Higher education is one of your biggest life investments, and like any good investor, you want to cut costs and save money wherever possible. Here are a few tips I pulled from my experience to help you minimize your student loan debt:

Stick to your courses: There may be a class or two that you sign up for and realize it is more difficult than you expect or that you just can’t meet the workload demand. In all four years of college, I never dropped one course. I stuck through some of the hardest courses because I didn’t want to waste my money or time – two very valuable things. Before starting a course, ask your peers if they have taken the course or know anybody that has. You can also check out sites like Rate My Professors, where students give feedback on courses and professors.

Study abroad, smartly. I had the pleasure of sitting with fellow Pullman Foundation Scholars at our Winter Celebration in December (you missed a great event if you weren’t able to make it!), and I was amazed at all of the alternative ways students found to study abroad. While I really wanted to study abroad, I feared all of the costs and the loans I would have to borrow, but I still wanted that valuable experience. Instead of spending three to four months abroad, I spent time in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico through a Jesuit program at my university. I met a lot of amazing people and heard incredible stories of people’s plight to better economic opportunities. It was life changing. For the whole experience, I only spent about $250, and they covered everything else, including food, room and board, and air travel. If you do decide to study overseas, try and cut costs as much as possible. Look for cheaper flights on sites like Student Universe, apply for scholarship programs, and make sure you will receive credits for your studies abroad. You would hate to take out student loans only to realize that you won’t receive credit and then have to extend your stay in school or take classes over the summer, all costs you can avoid.

Apply for scholarships. It can be time-consuming juggling school, work, and other extracurricular activities, but see if you can dedicate an hour or two to searching and applying for new scholarships every other week or so. You can search for scholarships on sites like Big Future, Scholarships.com, and many others.

Secure a job, if possible, through work-study, which gives you the opportunity to make money on campus, usually in environments that allow you to study during your shifts. I worked in the Communications Department of my university where I not only made long-lasting connections and gained valuable experience (I was featured on the university website and in marketing collateral), but I was able to make money. If you are able to strike a good balance between classes, studying, and work, you can get great experience and earn extra money regardless of whether you work on or off campus.

Become an R.A. Full disclosure: the only debt I am paying off is a year of living expenses at our downtown Chicago campus. After I realized the cost, I immediately applied to be a Resident Assistant. Not only is your room and board covered, but you might also receive a meal allowance and a stipend every semester. It’s also a productive way to build connections with other students and gain great experience.

Cut spending on your books. Textbooks can be a huge expense in college. Exchange books with friends who have the same classes as you, and check to see if the school and public library carry any of the books. Sometimes I would go to my professor to see if the book was mandatory or if they had a loaner I could use periodically. You can also try renting books or purchase used books at lower prices.

I wish you the best of luck in 2015, throughout your college career, and beyond. Ask me questions and keep in touch with LinkedIn and @ShawnMayberry on Twitter.

Shawn currently works at an advertising agency and is also pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors helping small businesses maximize their online and digital advertising dollars. He enjoys spending time with his cockapoo named Princess, staying fit at the gym, writing calligraphy, gardening, reading random articles, and volunteering on two associates boards, including the Pullman Foundation Associates Board.

By Shawn J. Mayberry, Guest Blogger, Pullman Scholar Alumnus.

Stick to your courses: There may be a class or two that you sign up for and realize it is more difficult than you expect or that you just can’t meet the workload demand. In all four years of college, I never dropped one course. I stuck through some of the hardest courses because I didn’t want to waste my money or time – two very valuable things. Before starting a course, ask your peers if they have taken the course or know anybody that has. You can also check out sites like Rate My Professors, where students give feedback on courses and professors.

Study abroad, smartly. I had the pleasure of sitting with fellow Pullman Foundation Scholars at our Winter Celebration in December (you missed a great event if you weren’t able to make it!), and I was amazed at all of the alternative ways students found to study abroad. While I really wanted to study abroad, I feared all of the costs and the loans I would have to borrow, but I still wanted that valuable experience. Instead of spending three to four months abroad, I spent time in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico through a Jesuit program at my university. I met a lot of amazing people and heard incredible stories of people’s plight to better economic opportunities. It was life changing. For the whole experience, I only spent about $250, and they covered everything else, including food, room and board, and air travel. If you do decide to study overseas, try and cut costs as much as possible. Look for cheaper flights on sites like Student Universe, apply for scholarship programs, and make sure you will receive credits for your studies abroad. You would hate to take out student loans only to realize that you won’t receive credit and then have to extend your stay in school or take classes over the summer, all costs you can avoid.

Apply for scholarships. It can be time-consuming juggling school, work, and other extracurricular activities, but see if you can dedicate an hour or two to searching and applying for new scholarships every other week or so. You can search for scholarships on sites like Big Future, Scholarships.com, and many others.

Secure a job, if possible, through work-study, which gives you the opportunity to make money on campus, usually in environments that allow you to study during your shifts. I worked in the Communications Department of my university where I not only made long-lasting connections and gained valuable experience (I was featured on the university website and in marketing collateral), but I was able to make money. If you are able to strike a good balance between classes, studying, and work, you can get great experience and earn extra money regardless of whether you work on or off campus.

Become an R.A. Full disclosure: the only debt I am paying off is a year of living expenses at our downtown Chicago campus. After I realized the cost, I immediately applied to be a Resident Assistant. Not only is your room and board covered, but you might also receive a meal allowance and a stipend every semester. It’s also a productive way to build connections with other students and gain great experience.

Cut spending on your books. Textbooks can be a huge expense in college. Exchange books with friends who have the same classes as you, and check to see if the school and public library carry any of the books. Sometimes I would go to my professor to see if the book was mandatory or if they had a loaner I could use periodically. You can also try renting books or purchase used books at lower prices.

I wish you the best of luck in 2015, throughout your college career, and beyond. Ask me questions and keep in touch with LinkedIn and @ShawnMayberry on Twitter.

By Shawn J. Mayberry, Guest Blogger, Pullman Scholar Alumnus.

Stick to your courses: There may be a class or two that you sign up for and realize it is more difficult than you expect or that you just can’t meet the workload demand. In all four years of college, I never dropped one course. I stuck through some of the hardest courses because I didn’t want to waste my money or time – two very valuable things. Before starting a course, ask your peers if they have taken the course or know anybody that has. You can also check out sites like Rate My Professors, where students give feedback on courses and professors.

Study abroad, smartly. I had the pleasure of sitting with fellow Pullman Foundation Scholars at our Winter Celebration in December (you missed a great event if you weren’t able to make it!), and I was amazed at all of the alternative ways students found to study abroad. While I really wanted to study abroad, I feared all of the costs and the loans I would have to borrow, but I still wanted that valuable experience. Instead of spending three to four months abroad, I spent time in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico through a Jesuit program at my university. I met a lot of amazing people and heard incredible stories of people’s plight to better economic opportunities. It was life changing. For the whole experience, I only spent about $250, and they covered everything else, including food, room and board, and air travel. If you do decide to study overseas, try and cut costs as much as possible. Look for cheaper flights on sites like Student Universe, apply for scholarship programs, and make sure you will receive credits for your studies abroad. You would hate to take out student loans only to realize that you won’t receive credit and then have to extend your stay in school or take classes over the summer, all costs you can avoid.

Apply for scholarships. It can be time-consuming juggling school, work, and other extracurricular activities, but see if you can dedicate an hour or two to searching and applying for new scholarships every other week or so. You can search for scholarships on sites like Big Future, Scholarships.com, and many others.

Secure a job, if possible, through work-study, which gives you the opportunity to make money on campus, usually in environments that allow you to study during your shifts. I worked in the Communications Department of my university where I not only made long-lasting connections and gained valuable experience (I was featured on the university website and in marketing collateral), but I was able to make money. If you are able to strike a good balance between classes, studying, and work, you can get great experience and earn extra money regardless of whether you work on or off campus.

Become an R.A. Full disclosure: the only debt I am paying off is a year of living expenses at our downtown Chicago campus. After I realized the cost, I immediately applied to be a Resident Assistant. Not only is your room and board covered, but you might also receive a meal allowance and a stipend every semester. It’s also a productive way to build connections with other students and gain great experience.

Cut spending on your books. Textbooks can be a huge expense in college. Exchange books with friends who have the same classes as you, and check to see if the school and public library carry any of the books. Sometimes I would go to my professor to see if the book was mandatory or if they had a loaner I could use periodically. You can also try renting books or purchase used books at lower prices.

I wish you the best of luck in 2015, throughout your college career, and beyond. Ask me questions and keep in touch with LinkedIn and @ShawnMayberry on Twitter.