<p>We drove to Ohio University from Columbus. We arrived after dark on a Friday night and drove around the campus. There were many students out and walking uptown. The area is very hilly but very beautiful. </p>
<p>Athens had an ice storm the morning of our visit. The county was under a Level 3 snow emergency and everyone in the hotel was nervous. We decided to go to the Admissions Office since we were already there and it was better than trying to drive! The Admissions Office was open and they had a PowerPoint presentation. Only 3 other families were there, go figure that in an ice storm! The presentation was very nice but a little dry. We got the impression that they were very interested in attracting engineering students. They did talk about how many students came from out of state, but I cant remember the number. Someone of this board, Digmedia I think has a son going to OU from out of state, maybe she would remember. They talked about scholarships, the one thing I remember is that their ACT cutoff was not that high but you had to be within the top 20% of your class. The admissions officer said that at this time they were very firm on the issue of class rank but they were activity trying to change that. OU is known for its Scripps School Journalism and its Visual Communications Major.</p>
<p>We went on a tour. It was very nice and there was only one other family on the tour with us. The tour guides were very friendly and very upbeat about the school. The campus is beautiful. (It was especially beautiful covered in ice and snow on the ground!) The campus is red brick buildings and most of the buildings blend together. All of the dorm rooms come hooked up with cable and high speed internet. Every dorm room comes equipped with a Gateway computer loaded with all software that is needed for any class on campus. The library is newly remodeled; it also was equipped with computers. One nice thing about the campus is that most of the students stay on campus on the weekends. This is a feature that our son is looking for; he does not want to go to a suitcase school.
The rec center was new and wonderful. We were there on a Saturday morning and plenty of students were working out. It looked like a campus that students like to be active and stay in shape, another thing that my son is looking at. I will say one thing about this campus, you will not gain weight freshman year! Up and down hills and lots of walking!</p>
<p>We liked this campus. We were not sure of the engineering program. It is not as selective as Ohio State to get into and only offers a few majors. </p>
<p>After visiting OU, my H and I talked to a friend of ours who is an engineering professor and a freshman adviser. He was very complementary about OUs engineering programs. He seems familiar with the program and said that it was pretty well endowed. He said that the nice thing about OU is its size. It is small enough that if your child is struggling, the professors will know his name and will be there to help, if needed. He also liked the fact that it was a residential campus, that living on campus helps students be successful. Our friend said that he would have no problem recommending OU. </p>
<p>If my son is interested in attending OU, we will make another trip to Athens and will look in the engineering program more in depth.</p>
<p>If anyone has any more questions on our visit to OU, Ill be glad to try to answer them.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info, Deb. I have recommended OU to many kids, and anyone who has visited has been impressed. Town/gown relations are very good as well.</p>
<p>Deb, Do you happen to know how OU compares with Miami U. in Ohio? I've heard Miami referred to as the "Public Ivy", but also that drinking and greek life dominate. Is it similar at OU? What "feel" did you get about the social life there? Thanks!</p>
<p>Hi Deb, my wife and son were there the same weekend you were. One of the interviewers for my son was late because her car was literally stuck to the road. My wife said that walking on campus was a real chore.</p>
<p>Yes, my son will attend OU. All three of us loved the place. My major concern is with the party reputation, but I guess a lot of schools are like that....</p>
<p>EVERY SINGLE PERSON that I've met that went to OU had the same story: They loved it so much they hated to leave after they graduated.</p>
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<p>I will say one thing about this campus, you will not gain weight freshman year! >></p>
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<p>Oh yes you will!! I graduated from Ohio University (back in the dark ages) and even back then the food was TERRIFIC in those dining halls. Plus Athens has some of the best pizza places on the planet. I'm glad to hear such good things about my undergrad alma mater. If it were a little closer to a city of some sort DD might want to look at it (I know Athens is a great town...DD wants more of a metropolitan feel). Glad your trip was a good one.</p>
<p>Sorry I didn't get back sooner. The parents forum is moving fast and furious and this thread dropped to page 2 fast!</p>
<p>kjofkw, we have not visited Miami so I don't have first hand experience. But many of my closest friends went there and their children applied there. Our HS sends many of our graduates to Miami, it's very popular. All of my friends who went there were in Sororities and many of the kids here rush from what I hear. My son has a friend at OU and I have also heard of the party school reputation at both school. My son's friend is in a Fraternity, but he is not the party type. Our tour told us that app. 30% of OU is greek, so I don't think that it would dominate campus. But I think that the greek system is much more popular at Miami. </p>
<p>I think that in many ways it's hard to compare OU and Miami. Miami is more selective and preppy. I did not think that OU was preppy, much more outdoorsy. The majors that they offer are different also. Miami is very liberal arts and OU is known for journalism and visual communications. At this time I don't think that we are even going to visit Miami. My son is looking at engineering and Miami just started their program this year. I think that he has much better alternatives and I think that Miami went off the list.</p>
<p>Digmedia, amazing you were down there that weekend. We didn't know until we got there but saw that there were interviews that weekend for certain majors. My H who grew up where there is a LOT of snow couldn't see what all of the fuss was about. The good news is that by the time we left the ice had melted and it was smooth driving home. I am so glad to hear about everyone loving OU, that's the impression we got also. I also worry about the party reputation, but would hope if he went there he could live in a dorm with others in his major. Maybe that would help keep him focused!</p>
<p>I graduated from OU in the late 70's. It had a very good dance department, then - and I assume it does now. It was a wonderful place to go to school - and the party reputation was not totally accurate. Lots of people partied, but lots studied too. There were lot of international students in my dorm, and I met people from all over in the dance department. (It attracted alot more out-of-state students than most departments.)</p>
<p>Ohio University also has a very good program in speech pathology. It is now part of the allied health professions which includes the Osteopathy program (which was not there when I was there). Facilities are terrific, and the program is highly regarded at least in the midwest. I graduated in the early 70s and it was a terrific place even then. I met wonderful friends who I still keep in touch with. The campus was very accessible (yes, hilly). The dance department was well regarded, but so were many others...the drama department was as well. They run a summer theater on Cape Cod (or at least they did for many years, I think they still do). Journalism was also a very good program, and so was communications. When I was there the speech program was part of the college of communications. Athens was a nice little college town. I went to summer school one year and I LOVED being there with so few college students. There were many job opportunities in the downtown businesses for students (working in the pizza places or bars). I had a great job that I almost stayed with AFTER I graduated. I've never been back to Athens since I graduated, but this discussion is making me want to go!!</p>
<p>I had to bring the post back up... OHIO UNIVERSITY is the greatest school on earth. I cant wait til get accepted in a few weeks (assuming i get accepted).. i think everyone should check it out no matter what their major.</p>
<p>I got into OU (if any of you remember my post a while back). And I'm visiting soon (worked that out too) so I'll post my review when I get back and have time. They just sent me a campus map today :)</p>
<p>If you like Ohio schools, check out University of Cincinnati. They supposedly have both a good engineering program and one of the best co-op programs in the US.</p>
<p>Interested in a Fall Open House at Ohio University.</p>
<p>I found this information for those who were asking me for it. And so people know, Preview Day is designed for high school students who are entering their senior year and their families. Ohio University faculty members, staff and current students will be on hand to answer your questions about selecting a major, campus life,and adjusting to life after high school. A campus tour is also offered.</p>