Loyola University - Water Tower Campus

loyola university chicago is the nation's largest private, jesuit university.  founded in 1870 as st. ignacius college, it now has four campuses, two in chicago, one in maywood (the medical school), and one in rome.  the water tower campus, located in the heart of the city's "magnificent mile" shopping district, includes a series of graduate schools offering degrees in law, business, education, social work, and communication.  The water campus also includes the institute of pastoral studies and an art museum. 

the loyola water tower campus gets an a-plus for location, accessibility, and convenience.  It falls within the gold coast neighborhood of chicago, but barely squeezes into the boundary.  the river north and streeterville neighborhoods of chicago sit just across the line, and students seeking apartments within walking distance should explore all three neighborhoods before signing on the dotted line.  streeterville is tucked between michigan avenue and the lake and contains a generous array of high-rise and mid-rise condominium and apartment buildings.  river north is more of a gallery district with loft options, but lately includes a number of sleek new high rises.  the gold coast has high-rises new and old, vintage courtyard buildings, and beautiful brownstones.

for unrelenting action, particularly during the summer months, the gold coast is the place to be.  for a more quiet locale, streeterville is the way to go.  for the artsy-fartsy types, river north is a splendid place to call home.  all three of these neighborhoods are easily accessible by public transportation, although streeterville does not have its own el stop.  it does, however, have a gigantic movieplex, a hip, upbeat bowling alley, and navy pier.