Hello, I am an International student currently studying at Rider University. I personally was not satisfied with my university and applied to transfer. Now that I received offers from both Ohio State and Rutgers, I have no idea what to go for. Since I have been studying in NJ, I know somewhat of the place, but even I have not been to Rutgers.
So I was hoping someone would shine some light my case, as where it would be most advised for me to go as a pre-med student. I am also quite worried that Ohio State might be slightly racist since I am brown, as it is in the South, no offence as it is only a lack of my exposure as an international student.
But I am curious, as where it would benefit me most, as being an International student with a biology major, pre-med. Since I would also like to get myself more exposed to a variety of people from all over the world, but I would also like to enjoy my remaining school years and not get homesick as often… being 14,000km away from home.
Agree with above - schedule a tour of Rutgers. Not sure what the financial difference is, but Rutgers is very good in the sciences. Rutgers is big, Ohio is huge. I don’t know much about Ohio, but given its size, I doubt you have to worry about discrimination and will find all types of people there, as you will at Rutgers.
From my id you can guess that I know something about Ohio State!
You should not be concerned at all about racism at Ohio State. It is a big and diverse campus - a lot of undergrads from Asia. Lot of grad students from India. Columbus itself has a large Indian community and is overall quite diverse (people from middle east and somalia also, for example).
As to “where it will benefit you the most” as a pre-med biology major be aware that Ohio State has a very tough grading scale, an A- is a 3.666 so unless you routinely score 95% or better in all your classes do not expect to graduate with a 4.0. I remember when they used to name the graduates that made it through with a 4.0 at the graduation ceremony because there were so few. There is a lot of competition in the pre-med classes at OSU, be prepared for that.
GPA is very important in applying to medical school. Some schools have a 4.0 scale with 90% and above being a 4.0. So there will be plenty of students from other schools applying to med school with a 4.0.