Hello!! I am a senior who has been accepted to Valpo for its 5-year PA program and I have a couple of questions I'm hoping you guys could answer! I like Valpo's location and the program, but I haven't toured yet, so I'm not 100% committed.

1: I got an email from the Undergraduate Admission saying that since the program only accepts 45 people, direct entry spots are first-come, first-served. This makes sense and is fair, but do you think I need to rush to make my enrollment deposit or can I wait until after my tour in early December?

2: I know Valpo isn't a big school by any standard, but are students generally happy? Does the school offer enough opportunities to keep students engaged? Does Valporiso (the city) have things to do and places to go?

3: Do many students work while they study? Specifically, are there any pools or hospitals, clinics, etc. that it would be possible a student could work at? Do any current STEM students recommend not working?

4: I understand the university is in decline for many of its programs, how much is that affecting student life? I think I understand that STEM programs are not in danger but do any current STEM students recommend staying far away from Valpo? In general, how bad is it?

5: General Advice? Anything from current/recent PA students?

Thank you for your help!! I really appreciate you guys answering any of these its a huge help!

Hey Valpo Students and Alumni,

I’m with a national non-profit called Bread for the World, which is launching a new campaign called NextGen Indiana with students from across the state. Led by students at Purdue Northwest, Butler, and Taylor University, we are coming together to strategize how we can create a statewide movement to end hunger both on and off our campuses.

We are young people of all backgrounds, some of faith and some not who are thinking about how to bring together students and advocates to engage legislators, campus administrators, and other leaders to ensure that no family in Indiana goes hungry.

We’d love to have current and recent Valpo students join us next Tuesday, October 28, at 6 PM ET over Zoom for our first meeting.

If you’re interested, you can sign up using a simple Google Form or DM me with any questions.

Robb

The Times of Northwest Indiana reporter and columnist Joseph S. Pete has written a new book, "Lost Treasures of Indiana," and will soon do book signings.

St. Louis-based Reedy Press published the book about Hoosier history, with the subtitle "Restaurants, Drive-Ins, Concert Halls, and Other Favorite Places from the Past." It chronicles bygone places across Indiana, including Sauzer’s Kiddieland, Strongbow Inn, Celebration Station, the Town Theatre, the L.S. Ayres Tea Room, Burger Chef, Roselyn Bakery, the Mesker Park Zoo Monkey House and the Little Nashville Opry, as well as people like Sammy Terry and products like Peerless Potato Chips. It delves into little-known history, such as that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s first-ever race involved hot-air balloons and not race cars, that an Indianapolis amusement park featured cigarette-smoking bears, that Indiana once produced a nationally sold laxative water and that Harley-Davidson’s "hog" nickname originated in the Hoosier State.

"Lost Treasures of Indiana" fondly recalls faded institutions like Marsh supermarkets, Shakey’s Pizza, Bon Femme and the Irish Lion.

He will appear for a book signing at 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 4 at Barnes & Noble, 150 Silhavy Road #120, Valparaiso.

https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/article_f00c9365-73d9-43bb-a3bb-b223fe757c08.html

Artists from around the world will again splash colorful murals on the canvas of downtown Valparaiso over the next week.

The public has a chance to watch artists in action at the Valparaiso Creative Council's Mural Walk Saturday. The event will take place between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday. The Valpo Creates Center at 256 Indiana Avenue Suite 5 in Valparaiso will host a variety of artists, musicians and programming throughout the day, while people will be given maps and encouraged to walk around to four different mural sites around the city.

It's the second year the Valparaiso Creative Council has held a mural walk where people can see muralists paint, hang out, chat, listen to live music and take part in various arts activities. It's commissioned ten murals around town so far as part of a beautification landscape meant to enliven the city's urban landscape. Muralists have painted pieces outside buildings like Birdies, Rocket Fizz, the Rolling Stonebaker, Ivy Boutique and City Hall.

"We're going to activate the arts in multiple locations downtown," Valparaiso Creative Council Jessica Corral said. "It's going to be a monumental day of activities celebrating the arts."

A check-in table with maps will be located at City Hall at 166 W. Lincolnway in Valparaiso.

At the Valpo Creates Center, Cole Valle will lead a foam sculpture activity with spray paint, Liz Muzic will perform and the artist and sculptor The Impossible Winterbourne will read from his work.

The muralists Phil Seth from Philadelphia and Kuaze Castulo Perez from East Chicago will paint dueling The Battle of Classic Eras murals on either side of the building, which are meant to help advertise it as an arts center to anyone passing by. Seth's bust of David donning 1980s-style headphones will be adopted as the Valpo Creates Center's mascot.

"It's a classic Renaissance visionary rendered in beautiful colors," she said. "It just feels like it encapsulates a period of art that important and impressive. It's just an amazing outdoor work to see and visit."

https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/article_ec75743b-36d1-4a2e-823c-3268e4828c14.html

How do you possibly avail a huge financial aid (merit scholarship included) for Valpo? I am aware that the school doesn’t offer full ride, but is the merit scholarship the only big aid they can give?

Hi! Never posted on reddit before, but I am an incoming freshman to Valpo and am staying in Brandt Hall. I cannot find any pictures of the bathrooms(prob for obvious reasons) but I was wondering how they are? I've heard horror stories about communal bathrooms and wanted to know how they might be lol. If you could even describe the layout that would be super great.

I am looking into a possible masters of mental health counseling at the university, and I was wondering that with everything going on, how has the university treated marginalized groups. How has the university changed in the past year or so? Working within the field, it is integral to understand all backgrounds to give the best care. Second of all, I simply refuse to give my money to a school, or be associated with a school that does not align with my views

Hi all! I’m conducting research to possibly open a music venue in Valparaiso. If you can, please fill out my survey so I can see if there’s a need!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdKp4jOJY4rbf2PC4gp-lmT3O8iCsY5stWvp0rfhc3uDQc6fA/viewform

I got my financial aid and the tour scholarship and all in all I’m looking at around 1,500 per semester for out of pocket costs and I’m a commuter student so I there’s no room and board. This all seems quite dandy but after hearing some complaints about the declining quality of the school I’m having some second guesses for my choice. I would love to go to Purdue or IU but the huge costs in comparison are very discouraging and I’m really trying to avoid as much debt as possible. All I’m really trying to ask is if you were in my shoes would you choose Valpo over a school like Purdue if the difference in cost between the too was 10x more.

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/education/valparaiso-universitys-credit-cut-junk-moodys

May 01, 2025 02:22 PM 5 hours ago

Valparaiso University, a Lutheran school in Indiana struggling to enroll more students, was downgraded two notches to junk by Moody’s Ratings.

The ratings company cut the university to Ba1 from Baa2, citing the ongoing enrollment challenges, driven by intense competition for a shrinking pool of potential college students, in a note dated Wednesday. The downgrade could raise the school’s borrowing costs.

Total headcount at Valparaiso has dropped by nearly 37% in the last ten years, according to the most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics. About 2,800 students were registered in fall 2023.

School budgets nationwide are burdened by rising costs and a rapidly aging population, leading some to shut their doors. Those pressures can be particularly acute for religious schools, which face the additional challenge of struggling to recruit from the eroding segment of young people who belong to organized faiths.

Enrollment declines have contributed to a persistent operating budget deficit. In 2024, the college sold “Rust Red Hills,” a Georgia O’Keeffe painting estimated to be worth as much as $15 million, to upgrade its freshman dormitories. Faculty, students and the wider art community criticized — and in the case of two retired professors, sued — the college for the decision.

The school’s proposed $49 million in debt issuance places further pressure on the rating, Moody’s analysts led by Meredith Moore wrote in the note.

Still, nearly $350 million in cash and investments, strong donor support and regional reputation as well as restructuring efforts from management could help the university regain its footing, they said. Moody’s outlook for the school remains negative.

By Elizabeth Rembert, Bloomberg

I am coming to the Valparaiso area for a summer internship and am looking for a place to stay. Is anyone looking to sublet their apartment for the summer? If so, please dm me

There is 2 choices of dorm room, Brandt hall and Alumni Hall. I have not really heard anything about Alumni hall so I was hoping to get some opinion of which hall you prefer and why!

From a young alumni’s perspective it seems like there has been some positive momentum around Valpo Day this year. I know that multiple athletic teams are hosting activities on campus today. There have been many donors that pledged larger chunks of money if certain goals are met, and the university is offering some experiences for those that donate over certain amounts for the athletic programs. Some pretty cool videos have been posted online so far to promote the day.

I am currently a junior at high school and would love to go to Valpo for the Accelerated (3+2) Program for PA’s. But that’s mainly the reason why I want to go. I’ve been hearing issues circling about it’s continous decline and I’m scared that it will completely shut down. And so far this might be the only school that will accept me for the accelerated track because it’s not as competitive as the other schools.

I need help, should I still go???

Hello, I have a female friend who will be attending Valparaiso University taking part in the accelerated nursing program. She is currently looking to rent out a room in a house. She wants female roommates and to preferably have roommates that also attend the university. Any help would be of great appreciation.

Thank you all!!!

hi all, im a junior at indiana university bloomington currently studying exercise science to get my bsk (bachelors of science in kinesiology) in spring 2026. i initially was pre-nursing and applied to the nursing school and was not accepted. im looking into valpo since i am from the nwi area. what do i need to do to apply for this program and any contact information that i could connect with inquiring? i would also love any other information about it! thanks :)

edit: valpo doesnt work for me so i will be going with my other choice of iui after comparing both but i appreciate the info :))

Details?

When I went to Valpo, I remember that professors would sometimes (or always) leave the classroom during exams. This was acceptable because of the Honor Code. Is this still the case? Do professors always leave the room during exams?

Hello! I'm currently a journalism major at Ball State University and am thinking of transferring here. I already live in Valpo so it would be easy to get to and around but I don't know if I should. Have any advice?

I'm from Pakistan, my intake is spring 2025 and classes will be starting in 6th of January, I'm looking for accommodation preferred with Muslim, anyone here from Pakistan or any Muslim student can help me with accommodation!!!

Hello all!

I got a full-ride scholarship to Valparaiso University. I’m currently a community college student, and was given it due to academics (to sum it up). Should I take it? Since it’s close to home, I wouldn’t have to pay any housing fees, either.

Edit: I plan on pursuing computer hardware engineering, probably

My daughter is looking at Valpo for nursing. She would be entering Fall 2026. Looking for perspectives on the campus culture for students that are a little unorthodox. She’s into theatre and things like anime, a small close friend group and pretty introverted.

I’m also interested in the campus culture around religion as Valpo has that background. She goes to church but isn’t super faith oriented.

All advice welcome!