Location

Where is Valparaiso University located?

Valparaiso University -- known as "Valpo" to those who know and love our school -- is in Valparaiso, Indiana, a thriving town of about 31,000 people. We are located in northwest Indiana, about one hour southeast of Chicago, two and one-half hours north of Indianapolis, and 15 minutes south of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

Admission

What do you consider in the admission review process?

We consider the many facets of you: your strength of classes in high school, the trend in your grades, your personal essay, what kind of activities you are involved in, and your test scores. We ask that all of our students enter Valpo with 4 years of English, 3 years of math (through advanced algebra), 3 years of science, 3 years of social studies, and 2 years of a foreign language by the end of senior year.

The biggest question is: "Can this person be successful at Valpo?"  Students enroll at VU with a wide variety of GPAs, test scores (we strongly recommend the writing portion of the ACT), essays, and extra-curricular involvements.

Do you consider or use weighted grades?  Are high school honors courses weighted differently in GPA?

Honors courses are taken into serious consideration in terms of admission. The strength of your schedule plays a big part in whether or not you are admitted.  On the other hand, because we have so many students from such a wide variety of schools with many different course offerings, we put everyone on the same scale and use an unweighted 4.0 scale utilizing your academic classes (i.e. English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language) when we award scholarships.  Keep in mind that any challenging coursework you're able to take while in high school will prepare you well for collegiate work. The same applies for AP and IB courses.

Can I transfer any credits I've earned elsewhere or through AP testing?

Valpo accepts transfer credits. The general "rule of thumb" is that (a) as long as you took the classes at an accredited school; (b) they were English, math, science, social studies, or foreign language courses of at least 100-level; and (c) you received a "C" grade or better, they will typically transfer. We also accept AP tests; simply send a copy of your official score report sent to us. We require different minimum scores for different AP subjects, typically a score of 4 to count as collegiate credit. Contact your admission counselor for the specific scores needed.

What is the average incoming freshman GPA?

The average admitted student typically comes in with a 3.0+ GPA. This is based upon an unweighted 4.0 scale.

What is the average SAT and ACT for admitted students?

Our ACT mid-range score is between 22 and 28. Our SAT scores range from 1030 to 1260, counting Critical Reading and Math scores.

When will I receive a decision regarding my application?

If you have a complete application by November 1, your file will be reviewed by early December. You will be notified shortly thereafter. We accept applications at any time on a rolling basis, however. After your application is complete, you will typically find out your status about 4-6 weeks later.

A complete application typically includes the completed and signed application form, an application fee or waiver, personal statement or essay, standardized test scores, high school or college transcript, and high school counselor or college dean of students evaluation form.  A complete checklist is available on your application form.  We cannot process your application without all components.

Financial Aid

How much does it cost to attend Valpo?

Your total estimated expenses for the 2008-2009 school year are $37,410.  This number includes tuition ($26,070), general fee ($880), room ($4680), board/meals ($2940), estimated books/supplies ($1200) and estimated personal/travel/miscellaneous costs ($1640).

Keep in mind that about 92% of our students receive financial aid and that the average financial aid package is approximately $19,000 to $20,000.  We offer a wide variety of scholarship, grant, loan, and financing opportunities to make Valpo's excellence in education affordable for you.

• More information on scholarships, awards, and grants

What are the types of financial aid?

All of our admitted students are considered for our academic merit-based scholarships. Those are based solely upon your best composite test score (ACT or SAT) and your Academic GPA (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language). Initially, those scholarships range anywhere from $6,500 to $13,500 with opportunities above and beyond that for students that fit exceptionally well into our campus community (academic and extracurricular characteristics). We also offer several Departmental Scholarships as well as scholarship opportunities based upon your academic interests and strength or other personal characteristics.

After you file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), we will consider you for possible grants, loans, and work study. You don't have to pay back grants. Although you repay loans, educational loans are not only low-interest (with favorable repayment options) but an important investment in your future.

• More information on financial aid

What types of scholarships are available?

All of our admitted students automatically have their files reviewed for our merit-based scholarships. Initially, those scholarships range anywhere from $6,500 to $13,500 with opportunities above and beyond that for students that fit exceptionally well into our campus community (academic and extracurricular characteristics). We also have departmental, talent-based, and characteristic-based awards as well. Click here to take a look at all of our awards.

• More information on scholarships, awards, and grants

What percentage of students receive financial aid?

Ninety-two percent of our students receive some type of aid on campus. This year, the average financial aid package is about $19,000 to $20,000 per year.

Graduation

Can I graduate in four years?

All of our programs are designed for you to graduate within four years. With careful advising and planning, this is very easy to do! For example, most of our students accomplish this and still study abroad or even pursue a double major. Those interested in law school may be considered for the 3 + 3 program through Valparaiso University School of Law. This allows the student to complete the Bachelor's of Arts and Juris Doctorate degrees within six years (12 semesters), thereby saving one year of law school tuition. Business students can also complete their MBA in just one year!

Majors

Can I major in two areas of study?

Yes, you can double major! Actually, a lot of our students do. Our advisors are really great in working with you to develop the curriculum that suits you best. With careful advising and planning, most of the time you can still graduate within four years.

• Complete listing of areas of study

What are the most popular majors?

With over 70 academic programs of study, we have quite a lot to choose from! Our more popular majors tend to be Communication, Biology, Education, Business, Engineering, and Nursing. Our Pre-Med and Pre-Law programs are also very popular. For a complete listing of our more than 70 areas of study, click below.

• Complete listing of areas of study

Requirements

Are students required to live on campus?

The University housing policy requires all freshman, sophomore, and junior students to live in University-operated residence halls. With senior standing, you're absolutely free to live off campus. But keep in mind that you can be "on campus" and live in a suite-style, triple, quad, fraternity house, or apartment, for example. Local students may also commute from their parents' home (within 50 miles of campus).  And even though our seniors can move off campus, there is so much to do at Valparaiso that 25% of students with senior standing elect to stay on-campus!

Is chapel service attendance required?

Chapel is not required. There are many religious opportunities in and around campus, but you make the experience that you want. Some of our students go to chapel every day and some choose not to attend - it is entirely up to you.

Are religion courses required?

Sometime during your four years at Valpo, you will be required to take two semester-long theology classes. Those classes can be anything from "Understanding the Bible" to "Understanding Islam" to "Black Theology and Black Church."

Students

What is the size of the undergraduate student body?

We have approximately 3,000 undergraduates and 1,000 graduate and law students, totaling nearly 4,000 students.

What is the average class size?

The average class size at Valpo is about 20 students. The "range" you might encounter can be anything from an 80-student Psychology lecture (with a smaller lab) to a class of 3 students in a course for your major.  Our faculty-to-student ratio is 1 to 12, creating an atmosphere of personal attention and care in which you will know your professors directly and they will know you by name.  We never have graduate students teaching classes, and well over 90% of our professors have terminal degrees in their field (such as a doctorate).

Where do Valpo students come from?

Approximately 35% of our students come from Indiana and 28% come from Illinois. The rest of the Midwestern states also have strong populations on campus (Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Missouri, and Iowa). We also have "niche" states in New York, California, Colorado, and Texas. Most states and over 50 countries are represented on campus.