<p>My very bright h.s. senior son (4.0 gpa with 1360 SAT) is freaking out his parents! Since summer campus visits he has changed his mind from Ohio State to Ohio University and his intended major from biology to psychology!!!<br>
I get it that he feels OSU is too big and too conservative-minded. But OU has such a party reputation and is known mostly for journalism and other visual communications, not biology or psychology.
He also has no interest in the Honors Tutorial College (HTC) at OU. The vibe he got during his visit is that the rest of the campus thinks the kids are too cliquish and are seen basically outsiders. One person told him there's way too much work in the HTC and you miss out on a lot of other college stuff (this kid dropped out after a year). Unfortunately, it's the only honors thing they have (there's no honors program--just the HTC).
Anyone have ideas or input?</p>
<p>“But OU has such a party reputation”</p>
<p>If this is your real concern, nowhere is it written that he must go to a 4-year university to start off. He may be better off completing his general education requirements as a commuter student at the community college closest to your home. That way by the time he does get to a university he will be two years older, and perhaps two years wiser.</p>
<p>All colleges have partiers…and students who don’t party. I went to OU back in the day and actually worked as a bartender in a bar there. I SAW plenty of partying. BUT I was not into the drinking/party scene and I had plently of friends. OU has great allied health care programs…wonder if the psycy students have anything to do with that? </p>
<p>If your kid is going to party, he will find like minded kids at EVERY school. Or not.</p>
<p>And just for the record…there is PLENTY of partying going on at Ohio State too.</p>
<p>P.S. re: OU’s honors college…I’m sure it has change since the dark ages when I was there. I knew a LOT of serious students who started out in the HTC…and NONE of my friends completed the requirements to graduate with their degrees from the HTC program NONE. They all bailed sometime during their sophomore years.</p>
<p>I have a nephew at OU (pre-law and on a full ride as a National Merit Finalist). He’s a Sophamore this year and absolutely loves OU. He also opted not to go the HonorsT route but does feel that he’s being challenged enough. He’s NOT a partier at all (doesn’t even drink). I say, relax ;). But for the record, my sister and her husband weren’t thrilled either when he told them he was going to OU. He told them that he intended to take the full ride, graduate with honors and that he would then go to one of the best law schools in the country. So far he’s heading down that path :). </p>
<p>Have you taken your son to visit Denison U. yet? They offer great merit awards. the campus is beautiful. Think he may like it…just a hunch…</p>
<p>Like thumper, I have a close relative who went to OU many, many years ago. He was (still is) extremely intelligent. He had a major something like liberal arts or general studies, decided he wanted to go to law school and got into a top 25 ranked law school. He has done very well for himself working in corporate law in Manhattan. He could party with the best of them, but he still got a very solid education that helped him do well on the LSAT.</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s necessary to get “sold on the honors program” to find challenging folks and kids who don’t party as much…at Ohio University. This student will find like minded folks no matter WHERE he goes to college…if he looks. </p>
<p>My friends who bailed on the honors college program are doctors and lawyers…and got accepted to med school and law school right out of OU. The honors college at OU adds a “layer” of course requirements on top of whatever degree the student is pursuing. Someone should check the attrition rate of those who chose it as freshmen…and who complete the requirements for graduation. I’ll wager less than half.</p>
<p>Let your son go where he wants to go and don’t worry about the other kids’ ACT scores. He can shine wherever he goes. And there are partiers everywhere.</p>
<p>OU has had Rhodes Scholars and Fulbrights like every other school - I don’t think it’s a bad decision. Besides, OSU continues to grow and grow… I can’t imagine there is much personal attention there like OU & Miami (OH).</p>
<p>I know some smart, engaged students who chose OU and if it were our son’s first choice, we’d be okay with it. He and his sister visited on a brother sister road trip and said it is a really beautiful campus.</p>