Chances at OSU - Columbus (I'm very anxious)

Colleges & Universities A-Z Ohio State University
1

<p>Well hello, my name is Jerry. I’m from a semi-large city in Tennessee. I go to a competitive high school and I’m REALLY interested in OSU. Earlier this summer I went a myriad of college tours, and decided that I’d really like to be a buckeye. After the presentation, I went up and talked to the presentor to let them know of my intentions of applying and attending OSU. I even went as far as saying that I’d definately go to OSU if I was accepted (Is there ED or EA for OSU?).</p>

<p>Anyways, I’ve filled out an online application and I am still brainstorming ideas for this year’s essay prompt. I’ve got a question for the guys that know a little about the admissions process.</p>

<pre><code> - Does OSU consider the fact that you blatantly pronounce the fact that you will attend if you are accepted? IE make it extremely clear that my intentions are to go to OSU?

  • Does OSU like that an application is submitted early?

  • Will mentioning things like the Ohio Union, the Fischer Business Area, and all the other things I saw on my tour cement the idea that I really want to go there?

  • Should I take 1 more foreign language (Currently 2 in French)
    </code></pre>

<p>Well. Enough of the blabber until further notice. Now on to my credentials.</p>

<p>I am an asian-american (I hardly think this is a plus, as we are overrepresented in higher education…but the 5.8% asian percentage at OSU may be a plus…just maybe…)</p>

<p>My parents are in the 100k+ a year brackets with both parents having college degrees. My father is a professor at University of Tennessee, and has a few contacts at OSU. At least I hope haha.</p>

<p>Currently I have these stats:</p>

<pre><code>- ACT: 30 (Retaking it September something, will study this time.) Goal: 33-35.

  • SAT: 1360 (Math: 700, CR: 660)… since it is over the 75th percentile of admitted OSU students I’m contemplating whether or not to take it again.

  • GPA: 3.3 UW and 3.7 W (14+ Honors/AP classes) After senior year it will be over 16 Honors/AP, and the GPA will maybe be like 3.4 UW and 3.9 W.

  • My extracurriculars include: High School Swim Team (Varsity), Scholar’s Bowl B Captain, Science Olympiad (Regional + State finalists), Future Business Leaders of America (Regional Finalist, hope this year State/National finalist), Science Club, Student Government Association, Track Team, Technology Student Association

  • My leadership positions include: Treasurer of FBLA, Secretary of TSA (Sophomore), Student Government Representative (Junior), Events Planner of Science Club (Senior)

  • My work experience: I worked at Regal Entertainment Group (Movie Theatre) over the summer, I worked hard, earning commendation reports. Also hope to get an internship at the company at which my Mom works. It’s a chinese foreign subsidiary, so it’ll look nice on my resume.
    </code></pre>

<p>I’ve taken MANY AP tests with the best scores being 4s on Statistics and US History.</p>

<p>If you need any more info to be able to chance me, post below. </p>

<p>I am sure I’m missing some EC’s but oh well. This was done in like 20 minutes, forgive me for excessive commas and other grammitical errors. </p>

<p>Thanks you for your time.</p>

<p>~Future Buckeye Hopeful</p>

2

<p>I don’t think OSU cares that you outright said that you will go there if you are admitted. Sure, showing interest in the school is a plus but I would say the most important things that they care about are your GPA and your SAT/ACT. You look well within the range of getting into OSU, as well as receiving the National Buckeye Scholarship. I think you should stop fretting because you have a good chance of being admitted.</p>

3

<p>Do apply early because the slots fill up and financial aid considerations start early too.</p>

4

<p>So applying early actually helps? I was thinking about taking the ACT again in September as well as SAT II subject tests…</p>

<p>If they are going to hinder my chances, I really don’t think it would be neccessary…</p>

5

<p>I don’t think it would be necessary and you will likely get the National Buckeye without retaking tests. DS’s guidance counselor did advise that if he was planning to apply to a state school in another state, he should apply early because most state schools only take a percentage of out-of-state applicants. DS got all his application materials submitted by the end of September and was pleased to have all of his acceptances back by November-December. Call Admissions and ask them what they think. I have found them to be very friendly and helpful.</p>

6

<p>You will definitely get into OSU. I would stop worrying so much. I don’t think they really care about the essay unless your academics and tests are below average/average. I know my friend with a 1340 SAT, 31 ACT had one of the worst essays ever was still admitted and in the honors program. I’m sorry I didn’t read your entire post, but as long as you are in the top 10% of your class you will be in the honors program (1340 SATs and above and top 10% of class is honors). Seriously, I would say you are 99.5% in. You meet honors program and National Buckeye and Provost scholarship requirements. You will be admitted.</p>

7

<p>Yes applying early helps. tOSU has rolling admissions so slots do start filling up and alot of people with so-so statistics do end up on the waitlist. You, however, have nothing to worry about. You qualify for the honors program, what more is there to say. The only way I could see you not getting accepted is if you leave your essay blank.</p>

<p>Saying that, you’re in. The only reason that you would want to take the ACT again is to increase your scholarship awards. I believe that with a 32 and above you can receive tOSU’s highest merit award of $3000(not including the few people that manage to get fullrides and halfrides). I also hope you realize that it isn’t that easy to improve your ACT score by 3-5 points, just saying. Also, it would be completely pointless and waste of money to take the SAT Subject Tests. They are useless at tOSU.</p>

8

<p>but my gpa is definately not top 10%…</p>

9

<p>If you’re top 20% you might get the Trustees Scholarship. And unless you’re ranked lower than top 40%, you should get National Buckeye if you apply early enough;</p>

<p>Trustees Scholarship<br>
Award amount
$1,200 ($4,800 four-year value)</p>

<p>Criteria
The Trustees Scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis to qualified Columbus campus students admitted for autumn semester. Those considered rank in the top 20 percent of their graduating classes and have ACT composite scores of 28 or higher or combined SAT Critical Reading and Math scores of 1260 or higher. Excludes recipients of the Maximus and Provost scholarships.</p>

<p>National Buckeye Scholarship for non-Ohio residents<br>
Award amount
$8,700 ($34,800 four–year value) </p>

<p>Criteria
Ohio State is committed to enrolling a diverse and talented student population. The National Buckeye Scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis to non-Ohio students required to pay the out-of-state surcharge who are admitted to the Columbus campus for autumn semester. Those considered rank in the top 40 percent of their graduating classes and have ACT composite scores of 28 or higher or combined SAT Critical Reading and Math scores of 1260 or higher. </p>

<p>Notes: </p>

<p>•Except where noted, the National Buckeye Scholarship can be combined with any other merit scholarships, as long as the combined total does not exceed the total cost of an Ohio State education.
•This award is renewable for a maximum of eight semesters (or the equivalent) of full-time undergraduate enrollment, provided the recipient maintains a 2.5 or higher GPA (earned by no later than the end of the first year), and nonresident classification remains unchanged.</p>

10

<p>My daughter took the ACT in June 2010 and received a 31 composite. She retook it in September and scored a 34 composite, so yes, a jump of 3 points is possible. (She was aiming to get 32 for the Maximus.)</p>

<p>Absolutely apply early if possible, but even if you don’t, be sure to meet the December 1 deadline to be considered for top merit scholarships. DD submitted her application on October 31 last year and was accepted on the first day admissions started sending out acceptances, which was around November 10 or so.</p>

11

<p>I found out I’m only top 40% of my class with a 3.3 UW and 3.7 W…I’ve taken 16+ Honors/AP classes. If I submit my app before September, you guys think I’ll have a decent chance?</p>

12

<p>@nessats: I wasn’t saying that it is impossible to jump 3 points on your act score. I myself managed to increase my score by 4 points to qualify for the maximus scholarship. I’m just saying it isn’t necessarily as easy as people think. </p>

<p>Anyway, here are the stats for retesting: [ACT</a> FAQ : Should I test again?](<a href=“http://www.actstudent.org/faq/answers/more.html]ACT”>http://www.actstudent.org/faq/answers/more.html)</p>

<p>But yes OSUXIONG, although your GPA is a little bit low, you should have no problem getting in. I know kids from my school had the same or lower GPA’s and far worse ACT scores that got in. Just make sure that you don’t blow off the essay.</p>

13

<p>It’s not so much just submitting your app early as getting your total application completed in a timely way. That means your transcripts and test scores need to be sent as soon as possible as well. </p>

<p>Although my kid got his part of the applications in early and ordered his test scores sent, his high school would not even begin sending transcripts until late September and they did it in order of incoming requests from students as long as they had the proper paper work done. The Guidance Office even suspended sending transcripts from the second week of December through the winter break.</p>

<p>Your application won’t be considered until all the pieces are received and that could depend on when your school sends transcripts. </p>

<p>That’s why waiting until the last minute can be a mistake.</p>

14

<p>Chill out dude. You sound like a shoe-in for Ohio State.</p>

<p>Let’s see.</p>

<p>I made it with 1320 SAT, submitted my application within a day or two of the deadline, and still got the National Buckeye Scholarship. </p>

<p>Your EC’s, leadership positions and work experiences are all comparable to what I had when I applied so they definitely aren’t going to be any significant weaknesses. </p>

<p>For my essay to Fischer, I spent a good deal singing it’s praises. So I think your brimming enthusiasm for OSU certainly won’t hurt.</p>

<p>And I’m also mentioning these other things only because you mentioned them first, but I’m also Asian, both my parents also have college degrees, my father also being a University Professor, and my family is pretty well off. So if you were worried about any of those things affecting placement, don’t be. </p>

<p>Only substantial difference is that I’m not just OOS, but from overseas aka international. I say international, but I am American, as in I was born in the US of A and carry a US passport.</p>

<p>Bottom line, you have a very good shot. I’ll be surprised if you don’t make it.</p>

15

<p>Don’t want to seem like a dick, but I don’t want to see you put this in your essay and I’ve seen the mistake twice in this thread already. </p>

<p>It’s Fisher, not Fischer. Little mistake and I doubt OSU/Fisher would care too much but you want your application to be as perfect as possible. I screwed up a couple of my supplements (grammar/spelling) to different schools and I antagonized over them after the fact, so I don’t want to see anyone else go through that. </p>

<p>Every little bit counts. </p>

<p>I think you have a pretty good chance OP. 40% class rank is kind of borderline but your ACT/SAT scores are both strong and your GPA is still pretty solid. I think you are in. Make sure your essay is good though, and have someone/multiple people (like an English teacher) look over it. Have a strong first semester senior year.</p>

16

<p>Woops my bad… I definitely did not spell it incorrectly in my essay when I applied!! Hmm always seem to feel the urge to type out that c when typing it, but when reading it, it’s very obvious that the c is not meant to be there. Nevertheless, my previous sentiments remain. With TC’s grades, there is a a very good chance of getting into OSU.</p>

17

<p>thanks for all of the responses. I’m working on my essay :p</p>

18

<p>No biggie. I didn’t want to be “that guy” who nitpicks little things like that on the internet but I wouldn’t want him to put it in his application essay. </p>

<p>I used the wrong “there” and left a cliffhanger in my Cornell supplemental essay. Not saying that is why I got rejected but it certainly could not have helped and after looking over my essay a week after the deadline I found the mistakes and dwelled on them for the next month. I really liked the essay too, my english teacher and college counselor both said it was one of the better ones they had read (content wise). I changed it a little bit and “proofread” it myself at the end and overlooked the mistake. </p>

<p>Ahhh, well good luck OP, I think you will be fine.</p>

<p>Edit: good to hear, XIO. Start early, don’t do what I did and wait until the last minute haha</p>

19

<p>And I think I’ll have a better shot now, I just got Scholar’s Bowl Captain positiion, as well as Virtual Enterprise CEO, and gonna get FBLA treasurer.</p>

20

<p>Despite your recent “words” of derision toward me, I am going to smile and be honest - I think you will be accepted to OSU! </p>

<p>One thing that worried me was that you said you had 2 years of French? I think you should have at least 3.</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>