Question for alums and parents of current students

[78crusader]

I realize these post doesn't belong in this category, but I'm just not sure where else to post it.

I've got a senior in h.s. who is thinking of going to VU. Could I ask any parents of former/current VU students, or any former/current VU students who may be on this board, what they thought of VU?

We did the tour thing last March. I was surprised there were so few people attending morning Chapel. I can't get a good read on the spiritual temperature of the campus. I don't know if the campus empties out on weekends. I don't know if most of the kids are from the Chicago area, or if there is some real geographical diversity among the student body. Things have changed, I'm sure, since I was there from '74 to '78.

I'm sold on the academic side of VU, but I'm sure about the spiritual/social side of things. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks, Paul

[valpotx]

I liked the school, and have come to appreciate the education I received there over time. VU definitely has a great reputation, even down here in TX! I had friends from all over the world/US, so it is very diverse! If you want real diversity for your child, they will get it at VU! I know several people go home on the weekends, and a lot of people are from the Chicago area.

As far as the spiritual side, I know that a lot of people tend to go to chapel services, though I did not (not a Lutheran, and it was a little too different for me so I went to another place). I would say VU is very spiritual.

[jj]

Say 78: A good edu. at VU is a given,however diversity is a problem. With almost 70% of the predominately white student body coming from the 5 state HL area (and almost the same percentage of alums),and 1/3 of the student body coming from Indiana,VU is pretty much regional and insular. So, upon graduation if your son/daughter intends to live and work in this 5 state region, by all means send them to VU. If not, send them to a nat'l U such as Duke, Hopkins, Ivy,Stanford, Northwestern,Williams, others and yes,even ND.Just one alums opinion. Goodluck!

[valpotx]

Umm, what school doesn't have a majority of white students, outside of the historically black colleges? You pay more to go to those other schools, and all that gives you is a somewhat better name on a resume. I can vouch that now being 3 years removed from my degree, that I am glad that I turned down Brown and Pepperdine to go to Valpo (also to play baseball lol), as I am making a very good living already.

[ValpoHoops]

As someone who graduated this past spring and will is now attending grad school, I can honestly say that I now feel more at home here than I ever did in Wisconsin.

The education is a given, and as far as national appeal, I think its there. I went on a trip to Europe and on both my flight there (a woman from Oregon who sat in the seat next to me) and my flight back (Homer's in-laws sat across the aisle) I was fortunate enough to have Valpo people around me and gave some connection with them in conversation.

The campus community is generally pretty close, and I believe that there are more than adequate opportunities for spiritual involvement, regardless of affiliation. I, along with valpotx, am not Lutheran, but there are many events that allow people of all beliefs to come together and there are plenty of area places of worship for people of all religions.

Overall, I can't say that it's been a perfect time here, but I wouldn't trade any of it...

[valpofan56]

I am a current student at VU. I would say as far as diversity goes, there are many students from places other than IN and Chicagoland (I myself am from MN). Also, as far as racial diversity, I think VU is becoming increasingly more diverse, even since I've been here (I am a Jr. by the way).

Spiritually, I think that you can't judge that based the attendance at morning chapel. Many students have class both before and immediately after chapel break and thus must use that time to eat lunch or take care of other thing that they wouldn't have time to do. I would say that attendance at the two night worship services (Wednesday and Sunday @ 10) are very well populated with students. I would say another terrific example of spirituality on campus would be, just this year when two visiting scholars from China died in an automobile accident, the campus held a memorial service for them. It was a very cool thing to be a part of, and it was very well attended.

Just my two cents.

[vufan75]

78crusader said:

I've got a senior in h.s. who is thinking of going to VU. Could I ask any parents of former/current VU students, or any former/current VU students who may be on this board, what they thought of VU?

My bias will show through, as both of my kids ended up attending VU, as did I. I never pushed them to attend VU, but I did ask them to take a college visit there, and give VU the same consideration as the other schools on their list. It was not the first choice of either of my kids, but, when it came down to dollars and cents, VU offered the best financial aid package, which was obviously important.

Having said that, personally, I really thought they would get a top notch and world class education at VU, and they did. Both are doing well in their chosen professions. Another factor I liked at that time was the campus was close enough to a major metro area like Chicago so they as students could benefit from the culture, etc. that can offer, and yet far enough away so as a parent I did not have to worry about them living in a big city environment.

With the new library and union being built, VU is stepping up with modern facilities, with more building projects in the works. That should make it an exciting time to attend VU for almost any student. But, everyone values different things, and that is what makes choosing a college so difficult and yet exciting. Enjoy the time spent looking at schools!

[valpotx]

I don't know what other schools your kid is looking at, but to give some perspective, I also looked and was accepted to Butler, Creighton, St. Olaf College (MN, my parents' alma mater for their undergrad degrees) & DePauw (IN) in the Midwest. Each school seemed a little more detached from the local community than I would have liked at the time I looked. Valpo having a population around 20,000 (is that correct?) was also a draw, as I wanted enough stuff to do in the area outside of going to Chicago. I assume there is even more now...

[jj]

Valpotx: A short list (USN&WR) of the enrollment data at selec schools -

Univ %white enrollment - largest % minority enrollment

Duke: 60% 17% Asian
Hopkins: 63% 19% Asian
Williams: 64% 11% Asian
Harvard: 61% 14% Asian
Northwestern: 66% 16% Asian
ND:76% 9% Hispanic
VALPO: 89% 4% Asian

Not much diversity at VU.

[vu72]

Ah jj, you never cease to amaze!

Can you say apples and oranges? You may get a more recognized degree from the Hopkins and Dukes of the world but a better education? I doubt it.

Just a few other things to consider: Valpo's Freshman retention rate is 88%. That says a lot about the experience the kids get their freshman year. They also have a current 92% placement rate for those that graduate. Yes, about 1/3 are from the midwest but Valpo has students from vertually every state and over 40 foreign countries. About 40% remain Lutheran which is as high as any other Lutheran affiliated college in the country.

Oh yeah jj, another small difference: Valpo's all in cost per year? about 32,000. Duke, Northwestern, Hopkins et al? about 47,000.

Now, I really think that talking to alumni will be your best way to determine the experience that will be gained at Valpo. Most will tell you about their very best friends, from, say, 40 years ago who still are today. Many will reflect on the caring faculty and administration. I've been actively involved with Valpo for many years. I can't tell you about one person who I have met who isn't impressive in their own right or who I wouldn't want traching or counciling my child.

[okinawatyphoon]

I love Valpo. I'm a sophomore from Japan, and guess what? I'm WHITE. Just because you're white doesn't mean you aren't diverse. Statistics like racial breakdown don't tell the whole story. I know quite a few people who are 100% white and came from foreign countries such as China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and the UK.
So Valpo might not be the most *colorful* school, but we get around.

I've been to my fair share of large universities, and I love Valpo's size. I wish it were a little more well known, but it's not bad. To answer your question, the religious atmosphere is only as good as you make it. I'm Baptist so I don't really participate in the Chapel events, although I like the Wednesday night service called Celebrate.

[78crusader]

Thanks to all who have replied. Your comments have been helpful.

I'm afraid my question on diversity may have been misinterpreted. I was asking about geographical diversity. I didn't know if most of the kids who go to VU are from the Chicago suburbs, or if the student body really is comprised of kids from all over. Since the responders to this question have identifed themselves as being from MN, Tex, Hawaii, and Wis, perhaps that is as good an answer to my question as I am going to receive.

The other schools my senior is considering are Wheaton (IL), Taylor (IN), Emory (GA), and Westmont (CA). With the exception of Emory, all of these schools are very conservative Christian schools, hence my question about the spiritual atmosphere at VU. Thanks, Paul

[milwvu04]

I graduated in '04. While most of the students come from the Midwest, I knew quite a few people from the east coast and overseas. As others have said, though, anywhere you go, you can run into some Valpo connection. I think it's cool for a school of only 3,500 students/year.

It is definitely not a "suitcase college," like several of the WI state schools I looked at. The majority who attend Valpo tend to stay around every weekend. I was about 2.5 hours away and never went home on weekends during the school year apart from breaks.

I am Lutheran, but didn't really take advantage of many of the religious opportunities as I could have. But I liked that about Valpo. The opportunities are there. Whether or not you take advantage of them is your choice. Courses in religion are required for your degree, but there is a wide variety of available courses, whether it is general Christianity, specifically Lutheran, or other world religions. Chapel services varied from traditional to contemporary. I think the Sunday morning services tended to be more traditional, while someone mentioned “Celebrate” on Wednesday nights, which I think was more contemporary. The Sunday night services were candlelight services that followed the same order of worship week-to-week.

The social aspect? While we seemed to complain "there is nothing to do in Valpo," there are a lot of organizations to get involved in (academic, social, Greek, campus jobs) and plenty of events if you look for them.

The study abroad programs are very good as well. I was able to travel to China one summer with about 20 students and several professors. That was a great highlight of my time there.

[fwalum]

78crusader said:

The other schools my senior is considering are Wheaton (IL), Taylor (IN), Emory (GA), and Westmont (CA). With the exception of Emory, all of these schools are very conservative Christian schools, hence my question about the spiritual atmosphere at VU. Thanks, Paul

Perhaps you ought to talk to Joseph Cunningham the University Pastor/Dean of the Chapel of the Resurrection. He a good guy and pretty accessible. All I can tell you is that the Chapel still gives me goose bumps when I go into it even after almost 30 years.