<p>Hi I'm interested in Valparaiso and I was wondering if anybody had any info or comments about Valparaiso?
Anything about the school really, food, dorms, class sizes, location, athmosphere...etc
:) Any input is greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>I just noticed this (been busy with school and all).</p>
<p>Being a student at Valpo, I am biased, but I’ll give you as much info as I can.</p>
<p>You have a choice between three dorms: Brandt, Alumni and Lankenau. The layout is the same, but most people live in the second and third dorms. There’s a lot of storage, and the beds are roll-out. It’s a communal bathroom setting, but I wasn’t bothered by that.</p>
<p>The food is good for what it is. As a freshman, you’ll have a lot of money on your meal plan, but still keep an eye on how much you spend, or else you can be out of luck at the end of the semester.</p>
<p>I’ve found the people to be really friendly and helpful. I have a lot of friends there, and I’m in a few organizations. It’s really easy to get involved at Valpo.</p>
<p>If you have any more specific questions, feel free to PM me. I’m happy to talk.</p>
<p>Two questions 1) I know Valpo is Lutheran “independent”, but seems like it used to lean heavily Missouri Synod. Still true? What % of the students are any shade of Lutheran? </p>
<p>2) The honors program Christ College…description makes it sound very oriented toward faith, ethics, religion etc. Is there a “regular” honors program that is more academic based? Or am I misinterpreting their literature?</p>
<p>Hi Mitch,</p>
<p>I’m a Valpo alumni from some years back (the 90’s), so I don’t know how much the landscape may have changed there. However, while the affiliation has traditionally been more with the LCMS (i.e. the hymnals in the Chapel were those used by LCMS), the Sunday services were always intended to be more ‘ecumenical’ in an effort to cater more to the diverse student body. That being said, a Lutheran liturgy was followed, the pastors wore formal robes, and I even remember some incense being burned at some point during the service. I used to attend the morning services regularly, which were much more casual and gave me an opportunity to hear that beautiful pipe organ in the Chapel 
Of course, none of the services were required. Myself and a few friends even attended a church in town a few times.</p>
<p>I’d say a healthy percentage of students are Lutheran, since there are typically scholarships and financial aid available to Lutheran students who desire to attend. Still, there was great diversity, as I knew a few students from India, another from Pakistan, and others from SE Asia. </p>
<p>As for your second question, Christ College is the honor’s college at Valpo. While not in CC (as they called it) I had some friends who regularly expressed the academic rigor, and sometimes their regret for having enrolled I am not aware of another honors program, but given the Lutheran background you have to expect a leaning toward faith-based education.</p>
<p>thanks. I appreciate the reply. My D. isn’t scared of faith based education as much as some concern over the LCMS literal translation of the bible, pro-life, not communing with or allowed to pray with other Lutherans…let alone Christians. So just wanted to make sure that kids who don’t fall into line for that aren’t somehow ostricized, or made to feel not part of the scene. She’s fine with a Christian based school, just not a right wingnut based school.</p>
<p>We have both LCMS and ELCA pastors, and they have a great working relationship. All believers are allowed to commune and worship there. I’m ELCA, and I’ve never felt pushed around by wingnuts of any stripe to worship in a certain way. Anyone who would seriously ostracize your daughter over something like that would be in an infinitesimally small minority.</p>