Valparaiso University

Date: Nov 15 2003
Major: Industrial Operations Engineering (This Major's Salary over time)
Given the choice, I would not attend Valpo again. The history department here is not that great. The best facet is definitely American history, but that's not what I want to concentrate in. The history faculty are great though. Most professors here are helpful, although there are always a few who are not. The best departments on campus, and the departments that have the most students majoring in them, are definitely meteorology, theology, English, education, and business. There are more non-Lutheran students on campus than Lutheran students, but the University does not do a good job of bringing different religions together, or even of admitting that there are other religions represented on campus. I don't just mean completely different religious traditions, either; communication and inclusivity are not even good between Christian denominations (ELCA, LCMS, Catholic, etc.) My last complaint about Valpo is that there is nothing to do, on or off campus. There are two main active groups of students: those who are ultra-Christian and attend Chapel and IVCF, and those who are usually Greek-affiliated and drink copious amounts of alcohol for entertainment. For a student who fits neither of these groups, Valpo offers little to do for recreation. Valpo is supposedly a dry campus, although this is not at all true in practice. Aside from fraternity parties, there is nothing to do. You'd think that a campus that tries to discourage drinking would offer alternative activies for students, but that is not the case at Valpo. There isn't much off campus either. Valparaiso is a nice town, but it is not a college town. The only places open after 10 pm are Walmart, Denny's, and 7-11. There is a new coffee house in town, but it is not within walking distance to campus and it closes at 10 pm. Despite all this, there are good things about Valpo. The school is relatively small, but it does not feel too small. Most students are relatively friendly, and it is especially easy to meet people freshman year. Most professors are friendly and willing to help students. The classes are challenging, but you get out of them only as much as you put into them. There are a lot of musical performing opportunities for students, whether or not they are music majors. The Catholic Newman Center is across the street from campus and is a great place. Overall, college life is what you make it. However, a great college experience is harder to achieve on a campus that has few activities that aren't church- or alcohol-related.