Slightly troll-ish, imo, but, I'll oblige...
Do you think that possibly, just maybe, since Loyola isn't necessarily considered a highly ranked school, they make their secondary a beast to weed out people trying to use them as a safety school? Clearly, those truly interested in attending Loyola will have no qualms about putting in the effort to research the school and taking the time to thoughtfully complete it.
Lol... I always wondered that as well (regarding the long secondary).
I just started at Loyola (we started class Monday!), so I can add a bit more info.
True--as far as rankings go, we're not anywhere special (though the administration is trying to increase the amount of research taking place, including awarding research grants to students). Still, we're mostly in the mid-tier. At least until last year, we were slightly below the mean for scores. For fall 2009, the average MCAT went up a point or two, but I don't know how that compares to trends at other schools.
Regarding the secondary--Loyola gets a
ton of applicants--over 10,000, which is more than almost all other schools (I remember looking through the MSAR, but I no longer have one, so please correct me if I'm wrong).
Loyola really means it when they say they are looking at the whole person, and looking for people who are a good fit for the school--which you can imagine is tough with 10,000 applicants. And the Dean of Admissions and head of the Admissions Committee read every single completed application. (!)
While it's possible the secondary is long to deter people (and it does!), the main reason it is long is to give Loyola more of a chance to get to know applicants. The interview rate is rather low (about 500 people), so the school wants to make sure they are interviewing people for whom there is a good chance will fit in. While it's very difficult to interview at Loyola, it's relatively easy to get accepted if you interview--about half of those who are interviewed are accepted. If you are very passionate about Loyola, chances are they will be passionate about you.
All of this is great of course--all of my classmates are amazing people. Everyone really, really wanted to go to Loyola (I've yet to meet anyone for whom it was a back-up). Personally, I prefered it to my state schools (the UC's); that's how much I loved it.
Just keep in mind, most of us don't plan on being high-profile researchers--our main goal is to be compassionate and competent clinicians. If that is your main goal, Loyola is very hard to beat.
I'm not on SDN as much these days, but please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the school, are in the area and would like an informal tour (not that I know my way around yet...), etc. If you PM me then I'll get an e-mail notice.
Anyone else find it odd that the Assistant Dean for Admissions and Recruitment for Loyola is a JD and not a MD?
I thought it was interesting too! But you will never, ever, meet a more amazing dean than Dean Jones. If you interview, make sure to stop by and say hi (he really enjoys chatting with applicants). If you're into sports, say so--the guy loves sports, and you'll make an instant friend (as long as you're not a White Sox fan!).
Personally I'm an Oakland fan...
on this one, awesome school.
hopefully after i finish all the other ones i'll have enough to fill them up with my life story i gotta kinda hurry up though 
