College Comparison: Ohio State - Columbus or Maryland - College Park? HELP ME DECIDE

College Search & Selection
1

<p>(sorry for the "essay" I practically wrote. I guess You dont have to read this paragraph.
You could move on to the next if you want)
Hey guys, I've pretty much cut down my choices for where I will go next year to Ohio State University, Columbus or University of Maryland, College Park. I would initially rely on rank to help me decide but these schools... are tied or almost tied in overall rank, engineering (1st interest), and business (2nd interest). So I was like fine, whichever one gets me into scholars/honors, im good with them....I got into both UMD and OSU scholars. Dont get me wrong, Im so happy but I dont know where to go. My parents are pressuring me to go to UMD b/c I'll be closer and its instate but UMD just didn't sell themselves that well compared to OSU. And OSU's school pride is obnoxiously high whereas UMD's, i feel isnt, since their sports suck and idk about the social scene. Im going to visit UMD for the nth time this weekend to try to see myself in the campus, hopefully that'll clear things up. BTW money shouldnt be an issue b/c I got a scholarship from OSU cutting the price difference to about $5000 plus with the Morrill Scholarship that Im waiting on could drop OSU's price under UMD's. That is if UMD doesnt give me any money. </p>

<p>So im here looking for some objective viewpoints, advice, and recommendations from you guys since I consider you guys pretty knowledgeable about life and colleges. WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Any UMD and OSU students/alums that want to input? What do you guys consider the more prestigious University (I would feel its rather biased where I am since Im in Maryland and it's not very clear cut obvious like comparing UMD to Harvard or something)? Would you guys mind inputting you view on the social life and campus life? Is it a luxury to be able to come back home on the weekends or is it a crutch? How are the people at both campuses, Midwesterners vs East Coasters? Job ops? Im babbling, i think. IDK you guys, any input is FINE. </p>

<p>And thank you so much if you read through all of this. I know its a lot of writing.</p>

2

<p>Congratulations! This is a great problem to have.</p>

<p>OSU and UM are both great schools.</p>

<p>Don’t decide until you know your actual out-of-pocket price for both universities. Your parents may be swayed to OSU if it ends up being cheaper. In any case, I recommend you give your parents’ recommendations great weight. They know you better than anyone and have put a lot of thought into your success. </p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

3

<p>You’ve already stated the schools are comparable. At this point it comes down to cost.</p>

4

<p>At [FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org%5DFinAid”>http://www.finaid.org) scroll to the bottom, and click on"Calculators". Then scroll to the bottom of that page and click on “award letter comparison”. Run the numbers, and think about just exactly what you and your parents can do with the difference in cost.</p>

5

<p>if u wanna work in ohio after graduation osu will give u better chance with job. umd will give you potential alumni help in the dc philadelphia area</p>

6

<p>When you consider the cost, consider the gpa requirement to maintain your scholarship. The gpa requirements may be a bit harder to maintain at the college level compared to high school where you may have gotten a boost from honors classes, ap classes. Also, you must consider that tuition may increase each year while your scholarship usually remains the same. Also, look at and consider the % of students who graduate in 4 years. Sometimes at big schools this is difficult due to the lack of abailability of required classes. If your participation in honors/scholars programs gives you early access to register for classes, this could help you graduate on time. If you must extend your pursuit of an undergraduate degree beyond 4 years or during summers, realize that your scholarship does not accompany you beyond the 4 year limit but your in-state tuition will. Finally, consider if you will be taking student loans and if you want to attend graduate school. Monies you save at the undergraduate level could be put toward your graduate degree. </p>

<p>All things considered if cost isn’t your only decision maker, choose the program where you feel you will have the most success AND be the happiest. Quality of life on campus, connections with fellow students are important. 4 years is a long time. Paying back student loans will be less painful if you have had a successful experience. Job opportunities and admittance to grad school will be made easier with a solid gpa and graduation from a reputable program. Of course the importance of a vibrant alumni network and an effective career placement program cannot be ignored in current economic times. Best of luck.</p>

7

<p>Well luckily the money differences shouldnt matter unless I get the OSU price near negligible if I get the Morrill Scholarship.
See but my main problem is deciding which school will give me “the most success and be the happiest”. which is more reputable? etc</p>

8

<p>I’m with you on the obnoxious comment, but absolutely everyone I’ve known that has gone to OSU has LOVED it. One of my neighbors in involved with a group called Engineers Without Borders. They do alternative spring break trips to third world countries, where they tackle various projects. Columbus is a great city and I think you’d enjoy the change of location.</p>

9

<p>Well thanks you guys for all your input for now after all the stressful decision making…I will enroll at Maryland. I didn’t wait to see the decision for the morrill scholarship, i figured instate tuition is a win on its own and after another visit I figured I could gain some independence even if I stay in Maryland plus I could always go home to my family. And the biggies; After hearing about so many-what I thought- very qualified and smart students get spring admission while I got directly admitted into scholars and engineering for Fall, I couldnt help but feel special. A little bit of Maryland’s academic reputation and selectivity played a part too. But I think the dagger was my dad and mom got me some cool Maryland gear on my visit and well if I wanted to wear the hat it’d mean I’d have to be a student, right? lol anyways I know this could have gone either way but now I can sit back and relax now! oh boy I hope i dont get the Morrill scholarship now lol</p>

10

<p>Ohio State is currently making the most strive academically in the nation, USC (Trojans) being the other imho. The school is certain to be included as one of the Top-50 if not Top-40 academic institution on USNWR by the time OP graduated.</p>

<p>Top-10 Public (Being Excellent and Becoming Eminent)</p>

<p>See: [Provost</a> Alutto’s Address to the University Senate 2012 - Office of Academic Affairs - The Ohio State University](<a href=“http://oaa.osu.edu/provost-address-to-senate-2012.html]Provost”>http://oaa.osu.edu/provost-address-to-senate-2012.html)</p>

<p>Financially, UMD is nowhere as stable as TOSU with annual $500 million state appropriations - most in the nation. Which translates into students having to deal with substantial annual tuition increase at UMD, whereas TOSU is capped by state legislatures at 3.5% max (if any). In fact, even during the economic downturn of 2007~2011, tOSU compared favorably with its Big Ten counterparts.</p>

<p>See: [Big</a> Ten budgets not so big | mndaily.com - The Minnesota Daily](<a href=“http://www.mndaily.com/2009/09/30/big-ten-budgets-not-so-big]Big”>Big Ten budgets not so big – The Minnesota Daily)</p>

<p>Furthermore, no disrespect to the Terps athletic programs, but aren’t they struggling financially if not on the bleak of bankruptcy…</p>

<p>[Maryland</a> Athletics To Cut Eight Sports, President Wallace D. Loh Announces - SB Nation DC](<a href=“Maryland Athletics To Cut Eight Sports, President Wallace D. Loh Announces - SB Nation DC”>Maryland Athletics To Cut Eight Sports, President Wallace D. Loh Announces - SB Nation DC)</p>

<p>With state-of-the-art new facilities throughout tOSU campus (Main Library, RPAC, Ohio Union,…etc.), the most experienced and popular College President at the helm, Urban Meyer coaching football, Thad Matta for basketball, I really see little reason to pick UMD over tOSU, especially when diversity and selectivity at Ohio Sate continue to improve.</p>

<p>Geographic diversity (Columbus campus, autumn 2011)</p>

<p>Ohio State enrolls students from every state and territory. States with the highest enrollment:</p>

<h1>500+: Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, California, Michigan</h1>

<h1>300 – 499: Texas, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia</h1>

<h1>100 – 299: Florida, Indiana, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Utah, Minnesota, Missouri, Arizona, Tennessee, Connecticut</h1>

<h1>50 – 99: West Virginia, Washington, Colorado, South Carolina, Kansas</h1>

<p>See: [OSU</a> plans to increase diversity and admission standards - Campus - The Lantern - Ohio State University](<a href=“http://www.thelantern.com/campus/osu-plans-to-increase-diversity-and-admission-standards-1.1642119]OSU”>http://www.thelantern.com/campus/osu-plans-to-increase-diversity-and-admission-standards-1.1642119)</p>

<p>See: [E</a>. Gordon Gee: The Big Man on Campus - The 10 Best College Presidents - TIME](<a href=“http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1937938_1937934_1937914,00.html]E”>http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1937938_1937934_1937914,00.html)</p>

<p>Ohio State is currently expanding its overall dormitory capacities. In addition to the on-going South Campus Dormitory Renovation Project, new dorms are to be added both in North and West Campus in order to include all Sophomores to live on campus by 2015.</p>

<p>South Campus Dormitory Renovation <a href=“Webcam”>I</a>*: <a href=“Page Not Found : Housing and Residence Education”>http://urds.osu.edu/whatsgrowingon/park-stradley-construction-webcam/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>See: [North</a> Campus Dorm Redevelopment Project - News & Updates Columbus Underground Messageboard](<a href=“http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/north-campus-dorm-redevelopment-project-news-updates]North”>http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/north-campus-dorm-redevelopment-project-news-updates)</p>

<p>Moreover, if you are still concerned with tOSU’s overall teaching or educational quality, know that tOSU is 2 points above UMD in terms of “Undergrad Academic Reputation Index” score on USNWR. Its ‘First-Year Experience’ program is also top-rated on USNWR.</p>

<p>Last but not least, currently with nearly 4 x the endowment than UMD, tOSU is set to kick-off $2.5+ billion fundraising campaign this fall. Sorry…, but so far as I am concerned, there is simply no comparison between the two schools in the immediate or foreseeable future. TOSU wins by more than a mile!</p>

<p>[The</a> Ohio State University: A Grand Institution - YouTube](<a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube)</p>

<p>Best of Luck & Go Bucks! :)</p>