i’m deciding whether i should do loyola university chicago OR uiuc.
loyola university chicago, pros:
—> in chicago with my family
—> good liberal arts program
cons:
—> pay 3k each year
uiuc, pros:
—> amazing programs
—> less expensive than loyola (full ride-esque)
cons:
—> farther away from chicago
one really big factor is my health conditions; won’t go into too much detail, have been suffering from chronic indigestion and sinus issues for a couple of years, and they are manageable, but i’m not sure how good the medical/clinical services, primary health providers, and accommodations are at UIUC, and i’m scared I won’t receive the same healthcare that staying in chicago gives me. feel like i need some sort of accommodations if i go away from the city.
What is your intended major? How do you feel about the theology requirements and core at Loyola?
Urbana/Champagne has nearly a quarter million people so it’s not a small town and they have robust medical care. Nor would I say that it’s far from Chicago (just 2 hours depending on where you live in Chicagoland) so it would be certainly possible to come home to see your current provider if needed (I believe there is direct Amtrak train service between Chicago and Champagne Urbana).
I don’t know what types of accommodations you need but have you spoken to the disability resource offices? I’d start there to make sure both schools can accommodate what you need.
Also, what does your medical team say about you going a few hours away for school?
It sounds like Loyola Chicago is overall a better choice if it’s affordable for your family. You would have close access to your health care providers if needed!
I totally respect the health concerns, but 100% agree if you haven’t already reached to UIUC’s disability or support services office do that today. Drop an email now with all the details and your questions, and if possible set up a call for after school. You still have a few more days to make a decision, and worst case you put a deposit down at both schools on Friday to buy more time. I would also reach today as well to your doctor in Chicago - do they have a portal where you can email, or call the front desk to get a message to the doctor. Again, without knowing your details you may not be the first patient who has moved to college. Do they have referrals or recommendations for local care until you can get back to see them?
You don’t have to answer these for us, but in your own mind what level of care do you need “urgently” vs what can be managed and a follow up a day or two later with your specialist back in Chicago.
My point being at the end of the day you may choose to stay close to home, but make sure you have all the information to help you make the decision one way or another.
None of us here has the financial information needed to know if Loyola is affordable, none of us has enough information or expertise to opine on your health situation, etc. Do you have a medical diagnosis and have you spoken with the Office of Disability Services at both schools?
Also do not think about transferring at this point. First that will stand in the way of your developing friendships, creating relationships with professors, and getting involved in ECs. Secondly, you cannot count on getting similar financial aid offers as a transfer student.
I’m not a fan of living home, unless you have to. Going to college is about being away. I assume, with Loyola you meant you’d stay at home.
At UIUC, your family is close enough if you need to go home - but far enough away that you can grow, mature and gain independence - so to me, I’d chose UIUC.
But - I don’t know the severity of your health and how important it is that you continue with your current physicians - how often they are needed, etc. On the other hand, it doesn’t sound like anything that couldn’t be handled at UIUC - but you might look into that over these next few days - call a few doctors near the campus, etc. or ask yours for a recommendation in the UIUC area. They likely have one. Don’t just assume you can’t be handled medically there as you likely can.
Best of luck whatever you decide.
Transferring - to what, where. You have two fantastic schools, one known worldwide - for practically free. You haven’t even started yet.
i still need to contact my provider asap and i did contact DRES but they haven’t got back to me via phone call or email. my intended major is music in jazz performance! i’m indifferent to the theology there, but the core classes should be fine?
There was a poster a couple of years ago whose kid matriculated to Loyola in Jazz performance, and loved it as their choice. If you are a performance major…your applied teacher is important. Have you had lessons with your applied teacher at both of these colleges? IMHO it is also important to be able to attend excellent professional performances…and I’m wondering if the Chicago are has more access than the Champaign-Urbana area.
These are other things you probably need to consider.
i didn’t know you could drop deposits for both schools - i don’t need “urgent” care at the moment where i need to go to the hospital ASAP, but i do need to be able to schedule appointments and follow ups reasonably. i’m still in the process of figuring out certain medical conditions with my current doctor right now