Ohio State Vs. Rutgers

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.

Thank you.

Ohio isn’t the south…? It’s literally two states away from us.

fair enough, but what do you recommend

Since you’re currently only 30 minutes from. Rutgers, why not go take a tour since tour since you haven’t been there?

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.

Ohio isn’t the south but the southern border does touch Kentucky and West Virginia so it can feel that way down there.

Columbus has plenty of diversity though, and so does Ohio State.