Phuong Tran

1. Why did you choose Loyola?

I chose Loyola for its tight-knit community and small class size. I wanted a school where the professors would actually know me by name and I could get individual attention if I needed it. Plus, it’s situated right in the middle of New Orleans, where I could have the feel of a small college campus without sacrificing the excitements of living in a city.

2. If you could give one piece of advice to a prospective student about the college application process what would it be?

The most important thing is to make sure to visit the campus and get acquainted with how college life might be there. Each school is different and the one you choose will be your home away from home for the next four (or more) years. You definitely want to be sure that the school you pick is right for you. Knowing what you’re getting into will not only prepare you for the transition but also will save you from unfortunately regrets later on.

3. What’s the best thing about Loyola University?  Why?

The best thing about Loyola is the people here. No matter if it’s the students, faculty, or even the janitorial staff, everyone here is super friendly and we really do look out for each other. We are a very close-knit community and I can honestly say that the friends I’ve made at Loyola are truly wonderful people whose company is humbling to say the least.

4. What’s the best thing about living in New Orleans?

The best thing about living in New Orleans is the feeling that I am part of something greater than myself. I never got the chance to visit the city pre-Katrina, but being here now, five years after the fact, I still get to be part of its history. From rebuilding homes to watching the Saints win the Super Bowl, I was here to marvel in the strength and spirit of New Orleans and its people. It truly is a unique city, one that I have grown to love and considered my second home.

5. In what ways does Loyola foster involvement in community action?

As a Jesuit institution and a part of New Orleans, Loyola greatly emphasizes community action and philanthropy. Volunteer work is a big part of campus involvement and Loyola makes it really easy to get involved. Loyola hosts a volunteering fair at the beginning of each semester where students can meet with local organizations and learn about all the different, available projects which they can get involved in. Some Loyola classes even have a service learning component, which integrates classroom learning with real-life experience through volunteering. Through Loyola’s Service Learning Center, students can be matched up to a service organization based on their interests, and the center can also help with transportation to and from the service locations as well as possible institution credits for the student’s service work.  

6. Tell us more about the organization(s) you participate in on campus?

Besides being a Loyola Ambassador, I am also a member of the Loyola Sociology Student Organization (or LUSSO for short). LUSSO is opened to any students interested in sociology, not just those majoring or minoring in it. It provides a forum for students to discuss the social issues that interest them and even enact some research/awareness projects. Last semester, as part of the Loyola Peace Conference, members of LUSSO, including myself, presented a paper on the current state of New Orleans’ charter school system, and currently, we are conducting an interviewing project of public school teachers in the area. LUSSO not only familiarize students with social research, but is also a great resume builder for those who plans on going to graduate school.

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