<p>I’m a prospective student. I understand football is a big part of OSU and the Buckeyes have VERY devoted fans. If I’m accepted to the university and attend, I will definitely check out some football games (of course OSU vs. Michigan if I can get tickets and avoid fights). However, I’m more of the artsy type (I do like track though, so I’ve got some love for sports, lol) and I’m afraid everyone will be like “football, football, <em>insert another sport here</em>” and I’ll be like “uhhh writing, dance class, design, anyone?”.</p>
<p>I do understand it’s a large school so I should be able to find my niche. Just how big is the sports and party scene though? Is it overwhelming to an artsy person that’s not a huge partier like myself?</p>
<p>I don't know about the party scene, because I am not into it. I do know that parties are there when you want them, though there are a million other things to do at any given hour so you will certainly not be bored if you are stone-sober.</p>
<p>If you are majoring in an artsy subject, like music or fine arts or English, you will definitely not have a problem finding other people like you. I am particularly fond of the Humanities students.</p>
<p>But to put it simply, no, football is not the only thing here in the fall. There are many people who just don't care who wins. I only care because I want OSU to get more publicity so we get more applicants and rise up in the rankings. And because OSU is the GREATEST. Most people are just excited about the M<em>ch</em>g@n game, because it's such a huge deal on all the sports channels and everything, but the insane, rowdy, car-burning fans are a very small minority here. I can assure you, you won't have any trouble fitting in when it comes to your neutrality about sports.</p>
<p>kcarls, I personally hope not (too nail biting). Re-nuh, OSU is not completely football centered. In fact, they're trying to pull away from that image and present more of an academic atmosphere, with a focus on research. I have a couple of friends interested in the dance program, and I hear it's not exactly cake to get into (may be wrong, though). I also know that their design department is pretty competitive, as well. Just as you said, with 50k students, it's not going to be difficult to find your own niche.</p>
<p>Football is totally not as big a deal as it seems. A lot of people don't even really care for it. I only care whether we win or not, but I'm not like "football football rawr rawr" about it. There are so many people here that it's really easy to find someone with similar interests. The party scene is fairly big, but it's still easy to avoid, and I've definitely seen lots of artsy types around, so you'll definitely find someone.</p>
<p>My D is applying to OSU and is also not into football and is no big partier--she tends to be more interested in politics/current events. So I'm glad to see that there are other outlets for students' interests and energy on campus.</p>
<p>Still, I was happy for OSU that they won the game with UM. ;-)</p>
<p>I think football is more of a unifying cultural force on campus than the center of all thought and conversation. I don't party or even follow football very closely, but the very fact that I'm an OSU student qualifies me to be a fan. There is no prerequisite of knowledge or passion for the sport; you don't have to be a couch burner to wear a buckeye necklace and use the first person plural to refer to the football team.</p>
<p>And by the way: OSU's dance program is very competitive.</p>