Hi! I was really hoping to find some help or get advice from people. I’m a senior in high school and as of now I think I am going to be between two universities: Ohio State Honors and UofA Honors (Computer-Based Honors). I received the Morrill scholarship from OSU and a similar presidential package form UofA so financially, these are essentially going to be the same for me. However, I really don’t know yet which one would be the best place for me. I recently visited Alabama and I really fell in love with the programs and campus. My brother attends there, so that’s a nice perk to see him more often, but it’s just very far away (I’m from WA). I am visiting OSU in a couple weeks, but I have been excited about their engineering program. I plan to major in EE. I really want a college that offers the whole “college experience” with big sports teams and a large campus, which I believe both of these schools do. Has anyone attended either of these schools are know any more information that could help me in the college decision process? Thanks so much!
OSU has a much stronger engineering school. If costs are equivalent I’d lean to OSU unless you plan to move to the south after you graduate. One thing to consider is the length of the scholarship and GPA restrictions ; you will have to estimate how easy it will be to maintain your scholarship.
A person doesn’t have to 'move south" after they graduate if they attend a southern school…just like a person wouldn’t need to move to the Ohio region if they went to school there.
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I recently visited Alabama and I really fell in love with the programs and campus. My brother attends there, so that's a nice perk to see him more often, but it's just very far away (I'm from WA
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Well, if you were my child and I lived far, far away, and I already had a child at a particular school, I would LOVE for that child to go to the same school for many reasons…when one gets sick, s/he has a caring sibling right there…calendars are the same…same breaks…easier family visits…easier move in and move out. And, it’s easier to justify paying for a Parents Weekend or a pricey football game weekend when both kids are at the same school.
My kids were at Bama at the same time and it was awesome. They only saw each other when they wanted to, even though both were STEM…they scheduled a weekly Tuesday lunch…and they purposely took a Spanish and Italian class together.
OSU may have a higher ranked eng’g but that doesn’t really mean much. Bama has amazing new facilities, and in time, its ranking will rise as well. All eng’g at Bama is ABET accredited. The weather will be so much better than ohio, that’s for sure.
Tuscaloosa is mostly sunny blue skies and fluffy white clouds…kids laying by the pool in February.
My son graduated EE from Alabama. After interning in New York and Maryland, he had job offers in Florida, Massachusetts, Arizona, Alabama, and Missouri, where he now works for Boeing. His best friends now have engineering jobs in Maryland, Arizona, Texas, and California.
That “only jobs in the south” stuff is such a myth about Alabama, completely untrue. OSU is a fine choice, but you’ll have similar job opportunities from either school.
Did you get the full ride Morrill (distinction) or the full tuition Morrill (prominence)?
I got full tuition (prominence) @nw2this
@Chardo oh wow that’s awesome! Thanks that’s good to know in making this decision
Thank you for all the feedback. As of now I am definitely leaning towards Bama. That’s so nice to hear that they were able to see each as much as they wanted.Yes, my parents would definitely feel better about having us in the same area. One of my fears going to the same school as my brother is that I’ll always be known as just “his sister” not really for what I do at the university, especially if we are both in the same CBH program (which is very small). I am very much a fan of the warmer weather so that is a perk but I will still tour OSU and see how that goes! @mom2collegekids
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One of my fears going to the same school as my brother is that I’ll always be known as just “his sister” not really for what I do at the university, especially if we are both in the same CBH program (which is very small)
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You won’t be known as "his sister"by the university! This isn’t K-12…this is a big Univ that has little/no idea who is related to who in most cases.
I totally “get” the concern. My kids went to a small private high school and my younger son did feel like he was known by all the teachers as “younger brother,” and at first he didn’t want to go to Bama for that reason. But when he realized how big Bama is, he realized that that wouldn’t be really an issue.
We have a not-so-common last name and yes, when my younger son took a math class from the same prof that my older son did, the prof did ask if he was related, but that was the end of it. And, when my kids purposely took the same Italian and Spanish class, it was obvious that they were related, but again, no big deal. Each of my kids achieved and were recognized for their own achievements and talents.
Yes, the CBHP program would know that you’re related, but that’s not an issue. Each person stands on their own two feet.
I think the “younger sister” or “younger brother” issue can be more of a problem when the siblings have very different academic performances. A weaker academic younger sibling of a very smart older sibling will often face the expectation that he/she perform as highly as the older sibling.
Since your bro is in CBHP and you’re a candidate, that means that you’re a superstar academic as well…all on your own two feet.
Agree with the above. My brother and I went to the same university (not UA but another large university) and it was no issue at all. I was in the busienss school and he was in the engineering school. His first couple of weeks we saw each other a decent amount as he settled in but after that we had to make arrangements to meet up for lunch or something. As adults it is nice to share the same alma mater.
I would make your decision based solely on what school you feel would be best for you.
I was also recently deciding between these schools and was decided on OSU. Unfortunately I am not attending either now but I was much more excited when I chose osu because the campus And students gave off a much more intellectual vibe. There is no doubt Bama has a beautiful campus and nice facilities, but OSU outs much more money into research and I believe they had way more opportunities for me as a student.
I’ll be honest, this would be a very close call for me because of the tOSU engineering program.
That being said, there is nothing wrong with UA and it would be great for you to be at the same university as your sibling, especially coming from OOS. No, you won’t be in his shadow imho. CBHP - wow, great job.
I went to college in the midwest and absolutely never miss the winters up there.
It’s such a good opportunity at tOSU for you that I’m glad you are going to check it out. You owe it to yourself imho. But there is no right or wrong answer. Both are good options for different reasons.