Not to be a downer, but I’m between schools and I have no idea where to go. So, aside from all of the amazing things I’ve heard about OSU, what are some of the things you guys don’t like about the school?
It’s becoming less diverse - (I know that is counter to the stats that show increasing diversity racially, geographically, etc) - but over half the student body is top ten percent of their class. The university is filled with a lot of the same type of student (high achieving, rank aware, competitive). And getting in doesn’t end the competition, it ignites it. You compete to get into your college if you weren’t already accepted, and then often into your major. It’s a different feeling on campus these days, everyone is goal oriented and driven. As a minority group in high school (the smart kids) it probably doesn’t sound so bad to be around tons of others like that, but it can be disorienting and shake your self worth to suddenly be the dumbest kid in a lecture hall of 500. Also, it’s not really a reflection of the real world. There is a lot more intellectual diversity that you will have to develop the skill set to communicate with once you go into the work force which is much more diverse than what one is exposed to in high school.
Hi @LargeWatermelon1 , I disagree with the last post. My son is finishing his freshman year at OSU. He is a white male who has met many students who are different from him. Many students of different ethnic backgrounds. He is in the Biological Sciences Scholars, has tapped into some of their offerings. He also has an advisor available to him through his scholars program and a different one in his neuroscience major. Both are readily available to him. Tons of resources when he needs help (Younkin Success Center, professors office hours, teaching assistant’s sessions).
I do agree that some of his entry level classes are very large. His Gen. Chem classes, his entry level Bio class. This is my “one” thing I don’t care for as a Mom. However, the resources are there to succeed. You have to be the type of student who is not afraid to reach out for those resources. If a student is not comfortable doing that, then OSU or any large school should give them pause. This is an amazing university.
Let me mention that there is a Morrill Scholarship available that is awarded to incoming students who are involved with diversity/diversity causes. This is not limited to students of color, but any incoming freshman who wants to apply can. This and other multicultural clubs are totally focusing on making OSU more diverse. Constant events are advertised in newsletters and email updates. It’s just a matter of what you want to involve yourself with. I would encourage you to become an Ohio State Welcome Leader (OWL) if you decide to attend. This program allows incoming freshmen to help out on the main move-in day on campus in the fall. My son did this. Was able to move in a few days early, got some training, met lots of others. This year, he has applied and has been chosen to be an OWL Captain, so just a continuation of this with more responsibility. He was also able to apply to MANY lab and hospital positions for students. He landed a 38 hr. a week job this summer in the Dept. of Pathology at the Wexner Medical Center. So many opportunities if you are the type to seek them out. If you are able to, I would encourage involvement in a Scholars Program. Many to choose from depending on what your interests are.
Best of luck. Seek out the dept. you think you might be interested in, and ask to meet with them. Or do the same for a scholars program, or anything you are drawn to at OSU. I think getting some information from those who are involved with your interests will help you to gain some clarity.
Go Bucks!
OP, I see that you were also accepted to Vandy. My D has a friend who was accepted to Vandy also, but chose OSU and is doing quite well and loves OSU. I know that’s not what you were asking in this thread, but I wanted to put it out there for you.
My take as an alumni is that you can find what you want at OSU. The biggest positive is that it is big enough to offer you what you want. Its biggest negative is that it is big enough to also get lost. They also have a little bit of bureaucracy, but that is not really unique to them. Diversity make-up is average, as it is represents the ethnic cross section of the region it is in.
The campus is spread out enough to not feel claustrophobic, and it is fairly clean. Compare this to a school that is half the size with 2/3rds the number of students and you will feel a difference (OSU will feel smaller).
OSU is very professional, moreso than many other school with which I have dealt. Competitive is college, and being professional is striving to do your best. Big classes are at every school - but the lecture/recitation structure is common everywhere for common classes. If you need help, it is certainly there. They act like and want you to succeed as your success is in everyone’s best interest
Good luck with your decision and in the end just listen to your gut that is trying to tell you to what school you should go.
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http://enrollmentservices.osu.edu/report.pdf I think this enrollment report illustrates my point, that others seems to be missing.
Yes, racial diversity and the number of international students on campus is growing - but - look at 1996 average ACT Scores, SAT scores, and high school class rank of the students in 1996 compared to 2016. In 1996 (and the years prior were more like this as well) The Ohio State University main campus enrolled students that were more representative of all college bound students as demonstrated by the ACT/SAT scores being closer to the average, unlike today. Without those average students it’s a different learning environment than one at a school with open enrollment. Students that attend, and particularly students that transfer in should keep that in mind.
I think the Scholars program is a fine example of the unnecessary competitive constructs of the university. Rather than expand a popular interest section of Scholars (ex. Health Science Scholars) they choose to make students compete for limited spots. That creates social dynamics (animosity/bragging) between the students.
I do understand that competition is part of the real world, but so is collaboration. On a day to day basis people with jobs have to collaborate with their co-workers to compete as part of a team against other businesses to be successful.
Part of professionalism is the ability to be inclusive and accommodating to others. If you are surrounded by the best and the brightest all the time, are you developing the ability to speak to a broad audience or to listen to others that may not be as well spoken?
I don’t think it’s a reason not to go to OSU, but it is something to keep in mind, if you go.
It’s something I miss about the old OSU - unfocused kids wandering around campus biding time until something sparks their intellectual curiosity and the transformation that happens when it does. That’s what happened to me. - BA 1995
@Buckeye Mom, Wife, Daughter, Sister, Graduate I see your points. You have seen your university change and evolve into a more competitive, nationally ranked university. Ranked in many ways. I have seen a similar situation with my alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh. As a Mom, when my son was committing to OSU last year, I remember thinking that the university’s strategic plan seems to be to continue to make their admissions competitive, to offer the experiencial as well as academic challenges and extracurricular options, and to be a real academic powerhouse – like Michigan! That was the vibe I got. But I do not mind it; I did not know your school any differently. My son is at OSU but was accepted at U Mich and Pitt as well – I do not think I would be admitted to any of them if I was a student right now for the reasons you have stated. I get it, but for my son, he is thriving in the current OSU environment.