Hello all,
I’m a sophomore at Ohio University and I have to get out. The lack of intellectualism is crushing. Even my high-level seminar classes are completely devoid of intellectual rigor. My classmates are not interested in using their minds. Professors don’t challenge us or stimulate debate and critical thought. I have made friends, good connections with faculty, and am consistently earning good grades here, yet I fantasize daily about dropping out because of how stiflingly dull the classes are, especially in the humanities.
I have consulted intensively with academic advisers over the past year and I have been unable to ameliorate my experience. I really wanted to love my undergrad experience here, so my decision to transfer is very saddening to me.
I am planning on getting a Bachelor’s of Science in general biology, and continuing on to a grad program in animal behavior. I want to conduct research on equine behavior and management as a PhD and pursue a career in applied animal behavior. I have considered double majoring in English or Philosophy as I am very passionate about the liberal arts and I don’t want to be confined to the STEM side.
I have two minors, both of which will be completed at the end of this academic year:
French, which will be done at the end of the Fall '17 semester,
and English, which will be done in the Spring.
I am also in talks to add a Studio Art minor (presuming I stay here)
My freshman year GPA is a 3.914. I made the Dean’s List for the College of Arts and Sciences both semesters last year.
I have 12k a year for tuition from my parents (I am VERY grateful!). I probably won’t qualify for much other need based financial aid.
Diving back into the college search has not been enjoyable. I feel overwhelmed and I don’t know how to find colleges that I can afford that have the intellectual rigor I’m searching for. Any suggestions or guidance at all is welcome. I’ll do anything to avoid wasting two more years of my life at OU.
You don’t have to love your undergrad experience. You have to complete it at an affordable level with the best GPA for grad school. Independent research projects. Have you looked into them?
You sound like an amazing student with such varied intellectual interests and achievements. It seems you are quite invested in more ways than one at OU. There have to be ways to challenge yourself there - is there an honors program or anyone that can serve as a mentor - perhaps some research projects you can assist on or drive? Have you approached the head of departments of your majors/minors and told them your dilemma?
I just don’t know what the options are as a transfer student - merit funds are much less for transfers and 12K isn’t a lot to work with. With your credentials, perhaps schools would be interested, hopefully some of the wise folks on here know more about options available to you. It is just hard to believe that a student couldn’t find something to challenge them at any university if they were asking the right questions to the right people. I hope you find what you are looking for!
Before you know it undergrad will be over and you can focus on your graduate school. Hopefully you can find a school and program that will be a better fit. This is something you just need to get through. I wouldn’t spend the time researching, applying, transferring, adjusting etc. to another school. Finish your degree. Keep up your great grades. You are not wasting 2 years of your life. Things aren’t always perfect. Make the best of it. Attitude is everything.
Ohio University has 29,000 students, and you’re the only one who’s “interested in using their mind”? I think that’s statistically impossible. As long as you think you’re smarter than everyone else you’re going to find it difficult to be happy.
You can look for other colleges, but with a $12k budget it’s going to be a challenge to find an affordable option. Transfers don’t get much aid. What were your high school GPA and test scores? Some colleges might ask for them. Did you have any other affordable options when you applied the first time? If so, what made you choose Ohio University?
Your other option is to reevaluate your situation and change your attitude. Add another major if you think you can finish it in 4 years, and look for opportunities to do research. Or take a gap year and work while you look for a school that’s a better fit. But quit spending your days wishing you were someplace else. You won’t be able to get the most out of your college experience if you’re not invested in it.
You’ve gotten good advice. You’re two years in; two minors done, finish up quickly and find the intellectual nirvana you think is waiting for you in grad school. There was a similar thread about a week ago from someone who also felt that everyone around him was not as smart as him. He, however, couldn’t be bothered to go on and so he dropped out. You are at least cruising through school and kicking some butt. Good for you.
I also doubt that you’re the smartest person at OU. You might not be listening hard enough.
You need to speak with your professors. If you are as intellectual as you come across here, surely your services as a research assistant would be useful. Meet with your profs during office hours and ask about research. Design an independent study project. Form a study group. Surely there must be another bored student in at least one of your classes. Check out whatever clubs are on campus. Is there a biology club? Go to it. Go to the career center and investigate internships. Volunteer for something of interest.
Complaining aboutmhow boring classes are, when it appears you haven’t explored all your options, isn’t going to serve you well. Your budget is very tight. I agree with others. You just have to get through this. OR, find out whihc colleges do offer scholarships to transfer students. There aren’t many, but University of Rochester is one. It’s expensive though. Good luck.
I think you have a few options. Transferring is one, though it will take time and likely be frustrating. Not all programs are the same and some courses may not transfer over the way you expect them to. This may affect your minors more than your major. If you are an Ohio resident the most obvious school to consider is OSU. I don’t know how they will handle scholarships for transfer students. Miami University may have a more intellectual vibe but I’m not sure it would be the improvement you’re looking for vs. OU.
Within OU itself, I concur about talking to professors about research in the fields you are interested in. You may find out which professors are doing research and if they take undergraduates in their fields to assist in research. Find a mentor. My D is also a sophomore at OU as a dance major. She intends to be a Physical Therapist and was able to get a job as an office worker in the Physical Therapy office. One of the professors did not have a graduate assistant and asked her if she was interested in being her undergraduate assistant.
Another route might be to talk to the Honors Tutorial College. While it is typically a program for incoming freshmen they did say they have had applicants who were already students at the school. It would give you the opportunity to design your own curriculum and perhaps take graduate level courses as an undergraduate.
Another thing to consider is to reexamine your expectations. You are an undergraduate student and you might very well find that you would have similar experiences at any other school you might transfer to. I remember many years ago watching the movie “The Paper Chase”. I imagined myself among the law students attempting to pass a very difficult course with a demanding professor. I chose Miami University because it most closely fit my preconceived notions of what a college should be like. It was nothing like I imagined. You have years as a PhD student to find the rigor you feel you are seeking.
I think my D would agree that OU doesn’t have the same level of intellectually curious students that a state flagship or a more selective LAC or research university would have. For her though that was never a goal. She enjoys her major and being a top student at the university. I wish you luck in whatever path you choose. Two and a half years probably seems like an eternity now but in a few years will seem like a blip in time.
At every school you have to find ‘your people’ and it seems as if you have not (yet). You may be better suited for OSU. There is no reason (other than financial which IS important) to not look into transferring - at least start investigating - and you may end being highly motivated to transfer or you may decide you can be content where you are - you won’t know unless you try. BTW, since you want to go to grad school - the grad schools do pay attention to where you went to undergrad - it is a factor. You sound miserable - people do transfer.
Are you in-state in Ohio? Are you able to attend Ohio U for a total cost of 12k, or perhaps 12k plus R&B or with moderate loans? While I don’t think that I have figured out what you are actually paying there is sounds like it is relatively economical compared to other schools.
Given your GPA and interests, there should be other choices where you could get accepted and which would have your major. However, paying for it is likely to be a big issue. As such, I am tempted to agree with others that you might be better to stay where you are to get an affordable degree. It might take some looking to find people who you are comfortable with, but there are a lot of different people at any university including OU and will be some like you.
Consider a semester or year abroad or in a domestic exchange. Can the exchange office at OU halp you cook up something like that? For your long range goals a semester of coursework in animal science would not be a bad thing.
“Study abroad is a great idea if financially feasible.”
I agree completely. In some cases it can be expensive, but in some cases it doesn’t cost extra at all. It all depends. When a daughter studied abroad in high school the extra cost to us was just the airplane flights – which can however be substantial depending upon where you go.
Look into tOSU; see if you can join the HTC and/or take graduate classes; plan to spend a semester or year abroad (since your French minor is almost finished, you could spend a semester in France, then add another senester elsewhere for Biology majors?)
Is 12,000 your EFC or is your EFC much higher than that? Do you have savings? Have you taken your federal loans? (If not, you could take those for Sophomore year and “bank” them to use later).
“If France is too expensive, there is always French speaking Canada.”
There are many French language universities in Quebec, a small number of French language universities in Canada outside of Quebec, as well as three English language universities in Quebec. In addition, there are a few bilingual universities. The best known bilingual university in Canada is probably the University of Ottawa. I thought that at one point they gave a tuition break for bilingual students, but I am not sure of the details.
You need to enjoy yourself more. Ohio State plays Michigan State on Saturday. Get a ticket, bundle up and have a good time. Should be one for the record books.
@HootieA OP is at OU in Athens, Ohio. Ohio State is in Columbus, about 75 miles away. I agree with those who say adjust your attitude and make the most of your remaining time at OU.
Ottawa does give an automatic half tuition scholarship to students enrolled in their bilingual program (you take some classes in French some in English) .
Join the debate club or MUN as those tend to be more intellectual.