What chance does an in-state student with a 3.5 and a 27 ACT have of getting into the main campus at Ohio state?
I’m looking at Ohio State’s Common Data Set for 2016-2017. According to this, OSU considers rigor, rank, GPA and standardized test scores to be “very important” and essay, ECs, talent and ability, first generation, volunteer work and work experience to be “important” in admissions decisions. Other factors, such as state residency, are also “considered.” So the information you have given is only a small part of what will factor into your chances of admission.
However, looking only at the information you did provide … Being in-state will work in your favor, to the extent that factor is “considered.” The middle 50% of students who enrolled as freshmen at OSU in 2016-2017 had an ACT composite between 27 and 31. There is no info about GPAs of enrolled students on this year’s Common Data Set.
So, hard to chance you based on that little bit of information, other than to say you are probably in the ballpark, since you are in-state and in the middle 50% in terms of ACT.
Other statistics for you to factor in in assessing your own chances … 63% of students who enrolled as freshmen at OSU in 2016-2017 were ranked in the top 10% of their high school classes and 95% were in the top 25%. The acceptance rate for 2016-2017 was roughly just over 50% (approximately 45K applied and approximately 24K got in).
Good luck!
I think your chances would also be affected by your choice of major. You are probably a reach for the College of Engineering. You might be more competitive in other majors and colleges.
Would an undeclared major have a better chance than a business major of getting accepted?
OSU pays a lot of attention to the class rank, specially if you are in top 10% or top 25% of the class.
If you are not in top 10% of the class, an ACT of 27 will make it very hard. On the other hand, a factor like being minority, first generation or Pell grant eligible can help you.
Is your goal to study business or go to Ohio State? I think undeclared is best for those who really aren’t sure what they want to study. I am not convinced it’s a good back door into a competitive major.
Keep in mind if accepted to main, there probably won’t be merit aid offered based on a 27 ACT score. But that would get you $3,000 at Marion OSU http://osumarion.osu.edu If you list Marion as your first choice they would award an additional $500.
Marion $7,500 - 3000 = $4,500 vs. $10,500 tuition main
You can also use the President’s Affordability grant at Marion (EFC must be less than $14,300) which is $1,250.
There are several branches look into them. You should be listing an alternate branch on your application so you will be automatically considered for merit aid. Marion has a decent endowment, I’m not sure what the other branches offer.