Valparaiso University

I have gone to VU for 2 years now and when i first came to VU i didn't like it all that well. But then at the end of my freshmen year I got involved in Greek Life and my perception of VU completely changed.As for all of the stories about how terrible VUPD is, I would have to assume that the majority of them are false. I have walked back and forth to dorms, off campus apartments, and other frat houses while i was under the influence and never had a problem with any of the VUPD. There have been times when I have been stumbling and fell down and they just drove right by, so half of the stories I would assume are false. As for there not being that much of a social atmosphere, it is all what you make of it. I always knew of at least 3 different parties every weekend that were being hosted by my circle of friends that lived outside of my frat house and the other frat houses on campus, which leads me to believe that the people that have commented on there not being parties or people to go to are the nerdy type of people who stay in the dorms on the weekends. As for the educational aspect of VU, I believe it to be very well, I have had numerous classes that have been beneficial to my major and to my learning as a whole. The CORE class that is mandatory for freshmen, I believe is a great opportunity to learn new friends, because the class promotes discussion, and it gets you to think in a different way than what you might otherwise. But my one word of advice is to get involved in Greek Life. Not only is it a way to not live in the campus dorms, but it will greatly broaden your circle of friends, but you will have life long friends that will have the same morals and ideals as yourself. My experience at Valpo is one that I treasure.

2nd Year Male -- Class 2011

Perceived Campus Safety: A+, Faculty Accessibility: F

Unlike a lot of reviewers, I have had a very rewarding experience at Valparaiso University. Yes, things were dull Freshman year before I got a car, because the weather can be extremely cold and it is difficult to get to downtown Valparaiso in the winter. Yes, the VUPD are overzealous in their persecution of students on campus who are drinking socially. Yes, I had quite a few friends who ran into trouble with VUPD after drinking freshman year.

Still, many of these trends are changing. VUPD just got a new chief of police, and she seems to be much better prepared to deal with students than our former chief of police. If you can get there, downtown Valpo has a few nice restaurants available, and there is a new movie theatre and shopping center not far from campus. The University has just completed construction on a new union, and has campus looking much more appealing since I got here freshman year. Campus has a nice mix of political (if not ethnic) diversity, although both are available if you know where to look.If I had a single word of advice to any potential VU students or current underclassmen, it would be to get involved in Greek Life. Valpo has a very nice Greek Life program, and is generally free of the pompous self-important Greeks that seem common on other campuses. Greek Life at Valpo has allowed me to get involved with numerous other campus organizations, and has allowed me to skirt the strict dry campus policy.

3rd Year Male -- Class 2009

University Resource Use/ spending: A, Surrounding City: D+