<p>lou's mom,</p>
<p>What was wrong with the quad dorms? I'm curious because if my daughter attends OSU, she was thinking about the Women in Engineering dorm which is a quad on north campus. She has not visited that dorm, but was told it would be a good place to live for support and studying.</p>
<p>Here are some numbers to throw around regarding the Honors/Scholars Program which has ~1200 freshmen. The minimum ACT composite for the Maximus scholarship at OSU is 32 which is the 99th percentile (<a href="http://www.actstudent.org/scores/norms1.html)%5B/url%5D">http://www.actstudent.org/scores/norms1.html)</a>. There were 900 Maximus recipients this year. About 75% usually end up attending OSU so that would be 675.</p>
<p>675/1200 = 56% of Honors/Scholars freshmen are 99th percentile. </p>
<p>I think that is amazing.</p>
<p>SportsMama,
Just not enough space. Two rooms, one for sleeping and one for studying, and a small bathroom. The room for sleeping was basically two sets of bunk beds on either wall, with barely enough room to walk between. Don't get me wrong, lots of kids say they like the quad because it immediately gives them 3 friends who all have similar majors, it's air-conditioned, and for them the trade-off of having the bathroom was worth it. My D had been to band camps with one large room and the bathroom down the hall, so she was used to & likes that setup. But I think if your D is considering it, she needs to look at one first, because it is small. There is a lot of support, however, and I really did like that aspect. But my D said she just couldn't do it.</p>
<p>Any more thoughts??? It's getting down to the wire. I'll be so glad when this is over!</p>
<p>My older son who goes to OSU says a lot of kids go an extra quarter. This way they can spread out the credits and have a lighter course load each quarter. He said he has felt rushed with some courses on the quarterly system. I'm not so sure this is just a quarterly strategy though. On another college website, I just saw 2 versions of an engineering curriculum with 8 and 9 semester plans. Good luck with the decision and pls let us know what it is.</p>
<p>who confirmed my opinions about (some) of the reputations of Ohio State. Some did so inadvertently. When statistics point out that over last few years admissions have gotten tougher, that certainly indicates that in the past they were easier. Naturally, knowing it was apparently so easy for years, until just recently, shows how they got the reputation. Perhaps they are now trying to change admission policies, and if successful, that will eventually change their reputation.
Funny how OSUguy seems to disagree with my comment that one of their reputations is using too many t.a.s, then later qualifies it by saying it wasn't true for him in the upper level courses. Or, someone else adding a grad student doesn't have classes taught by t.a.? I think that too lends credence to this how they got their reputation. Even if OSUguy is correct(few upper lever t.a.s), the frosh are the largest class, sophs are second largest, and so on. It is logical that those in the lower classes, where there are more students, are having t.a.s more often. That means more students are having t.a. than not, and no doubt those students are telling about their experience. Fewer students make it to the higher classes to tell about their experience. It is quit simple- more word gets out about the large use of t.a.s
Much like a "reputation" of a so-called wild high school girl, showing that her current behavior is better than her past behavior, does not erase her reputation. Similarly, pointing out a guy or 2 or 3 that she didn't do something with, also does not erase her reputation. Pointing out that a school no longer practices the policies that gave it a reputation, does not mean the reputation does not exist.
Nevertheless, I did point out some reputations of OSU that are good, and I do think this school merits careful consideration. Besides, the importance of a reputation, and what truth may lie behind it, is a question each potential student must answer for themselves. We all think of Harvard as a small selective university, the top school in the U.S., yet just the other day I read that more Harvard grads are in prison now, than graduates from any other college.</p>
<p>Yeah Younghoss, strangely I was a freshman/sophomore/junior/senior myself at Ohio State.</p>
<p>NONE of my upper-level courses even had TAs, but my freshman/sophomore courses did. However, I think you should read more carefully in that they did not TEACH the classes. Say you're sitting in a 200 person lecture hall for your math class, taught by a professor/instructor. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I go to my lecture hall and get taught by a professor. On Tuesday and Thursday, they break up my lecture course into a smaller, 20 person recitation course that is overseen by a TA at the direction of my professor. I learned NOTHING new in these recitation courses, but rather its purpose was to give me a chance to get questions I had about the previous day's homework cleared up. Looking at the university's website, approximately 77% of classes at Ohio State are taught in classrooms of 1-40 students, with only 6% having greater than 100. Out of the 30-some classes I took at OSU, I would say I had....6 or 7 that actually involved some form of recitation/TA interaction. 91% of our freshman come back for their sophomore year (apparently the national rate for four-year publics is around 75%), so I wouldn't say that we lose a lot of students before they get to their upper-level classes. </p>
<p>And with OSU's competitive admissions, it's not the school that makes the admissions policy tougher, but when there are (at last count) 22,000 people applying for 6,000 spots, it naturally becomes very competitive. Ohio State is selling itself right now and making itself more popular and attractive to prospective students.</p>
<p>Just take some time to look at the OSU website, all the facts and figures are on there...The reputation that Ohio State has right now is as one of the hottest schools in the nation.</p>
<p>again, citing your personal experience and using today's Ohio State stats. First you disagree that OSU has a reputation for over using t.a.s then you say you didn't have them at your upper level, then you say you had only a few in the lower level. The facts of your own experience that you express here seem to be changing. Don't get me wrong. I hope you had/have a happy and successful time there, and that it led to a great many wonderful things, but really, your experience while a student there is not relevant to my point. I'm sorry I haven't been more clear with my point.
My point is that one of their reputations is that they use too many t.a.s I don't mind if you want to disagree that they have the reputation. Or, I don't mind if you want to show that the truth is contrary to the reputation. But if you want to disagree please cite a relevant example. Today's actual stats on 2006 admission as provided by OSU do not address whether or not OSU has a certain reputation. I've lived in central Ohio for just over 45 years. I think that is more than enough time to be aware of their reputation.
If I had been saying they actually use too many t.a.s, I'd have found stats on how many, and shown some comparisons to similar schools, including VT, the other school being looked at here. My point is that the belief exists for many that OSU has great research partly because so many t.a.s teach a class. I inform this concerned parent here, so he/she can look into it further to see if the reputation is true or not, and to decide for themself if that reputation might influence their decision.
I'd add that I am surprised of all the reputations I mentioned- good and bad- this is the only one you addressed.</p>
<p>Well, I decided not to even dignify the "thugs playing sports" comment with a response. </p>
<p>But other than that, Ohio State does have a huge alumni base (over 400,000 living alumni), top notch sports teams (self-explanatory), and an amazing research faculty (Number 8 nationally). </p>
<p>By saying that we have a great research institution because we don't have actual professors teaching those classes, then Harvard (who is number 1) must not have ANY professors teaching those classes. Same with UCLA (who tops the public universities list) and Michigan (second on the public universities list.</p>
<p>I get to be taught by world-renowned researchers. I've learned from textbooks that my professor wrote. One of my sociology professors has written 10 books and is one of the world's foremost researchers on racial bias in law enforcement, and in the mean time, he was voted (by students) with the Excellence in Instruction Award (the highest award given by undergrad sociology students), and the Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award (the highest award bestowed upon professors by the alumni association). Ask any student of today if they'd rather be taught stagnant information out of a 10-year old text book, or if they'd rather learn what researchers are discovering NOW and how that effects the world in which we live.</p>
<p>Believe me, I understand your reputation argument. And I think I would accept your argument more readily if these reputations had been true about Ohio State at any point in the past 10 years. </p>
<p>Would you argue that Miami of Ohio has the reputation of being the state's #1 public university and the one with the most competitive admissions, even though that's blatantly not the truth any longer? And vice versa, if you were Miami and it was Ohio State that formerly had that reputation, wouldn't you want to try and inform people of what the reputation is TODAY?</p>
<p>As a parent evaluating colleges with my kid, I am less interested in a school's "reputation" and more interested in the way it really is. Several posters have tried to convey the reality of an OSU education so that the OP could use that information in evaluating OSU vs VT. The realities I learned about OSU were very positive and they made the difference in our evaluation. Reputation is sometimes all you have until you can get first hand information, which is the whole purpose of these forums.</p>
<p>Younghoss, your argument over semantics is getting a bit whiny.</p>
<p>My daughter decided on OSU. Both schools have good academic programs, but I think VT would have been a better match for her socially. She decided she didn't want to be that far from home, though, so what can I say? I'm pretty disappointed, but I have to get over it. (If anyone has any ideas on how to do that, I'm all ears, lol.)</p>
<p>Congratulations on your daughter's choice. As a parent, just go with it and support her for making the decision she feels was right for her. Last year, my son chose PSU over some smaller privates (one of which we actually preferred even though it was significantly more expensive). Fast forward to now -he is happy and doing well academically. Of course I was concerned last year but I kept it to myself. All the angst fades though...especially after they settle in. Good luck to you and your D!</p>
<p>SportsMama, it's all about letting go and no one ever said it was going to be easy. This is the first major life-changing decision (of many) that she will have to make for herself and live with, and you can only watch from the periphery. Get over it? Are you kidding? Welcome to adult motherhood, where you can no longer micromanage for your child, you just have to watch them fend for themselves from a distance and hope and pray for the best. Heartbreaking, isn't it?</p>
<p>toneranger,
Thanks for your comments. My husband (even though he is an OSU graduate and loved it there) and I both felt VT was a better match for our d. She is somewhat shy (until she gets to know people) and not very assertive. VT had a community feeling to the campus and sorority/fraternity life is bigger there. I think either school would do the job academically, but college is more than academics.</p>
<p>How has your son adjusted to a big campus like PSU? My d never looked at small schools, but most of them were in the 13,000-18,000 range, although VT was bigger than that. OSU is HUGE and I feel like she will be going to a factory. It's hard not to feel sad.</p>
<p>Yes, Zimmer07, it is. </p>
<p>I hope you received my message. You have been terrific. </p>
<p>By the way, I wrote a post on the VT forum earlier this morning, or at least I thought that's where I posted it--but it's not there. I wanted to update my VT supporters. I might have to re-write it. It was a tough one . . .</p>
<p>SM - Oh, I do know how you feel. I always thought PSU was too huge - and he really applied initially just as a safety - and it was down on his list. Then visited and got in the honors program and it shot up on his list. And now he loves it.
My son sound similar to your D socially - shy initially but then warms up. He is doing just fine at PSU. He says it doesn't feel as big as it is. Funny that you should mention the greek scene at VT. I NEVER thought our son would be into that but sure enough, he is pledging a frat this spring. I'm spending time trying to get over my concerns regarding frats - but in the meantime - he is happy as a clam and talks frequently about his new group of friends and how nice they are. He's an only - so my friend tells me the frat association is something that may make up for the lack of siblings- and may be a good thing - especially long term
Encourage your daughter to check out activities and groups in her first year. I think she'll be fine. I went to a large school too and it took me just a few weeks to make it feel small. I remember looking at my yearbook and asking - who ARE all these people? Good luck!</p>
<p>SportsMama, I think she will find the good students for her socially. She's obviously a bright girl (I don't even know what Industrial and Systems Engineering is). She'll be with other bright nervous freshman in a system (ha-ha) designed to foster friendships and support. </p>
<p>How many of the 1200 Honors freshmen are in the Engineering school? Think about that number rather than OSU as a whole. How many Honors Engineering freshmen are female? </p>
<p>I also have a shy -- until you get to know her -- daughter. We briefly discussed sorority rushing and there's no way she would enjoy that. Making small talk with dozens of new people over and over? While worrying about what you are wearing and how your hair looks? </p>
<p>Regarding the 30 minute thing... set up a system (there it is again :-) ) for her coming home but keep it flexible. Maybe begin with lunch on Sunday twice a month. </p>
<p>Get yourself a new Buckeye t-shirt and window sticker. Dwell on how much money you're saving. Be proud that you've raised a motivated young woman. It will all work out just fine.</p>
<p>SportsMama, My older son went to undergrad 5 hrs away and grad school 9 hours away. It was a long haul for my husband driving him back and forth at 5 hrs away, especially for the few days over Thanksgiving, and then planes for the 9 hours away for grad school even though he had a hand-me-down car by then. There's never a direct flight and there's always the possibility of being stranded at an airport overnight-- not to mention the additional expense of flying and getting to/from the airport. </p>
<p>My youngest is a HS JR and won't even consider RPI that's 30 miles away and a great medium-size college. He wants the big college experience and big stadium football. I keep telling myself that he has to be happy with the decision for this new phase in his life. But I do happen to mention RPI every once in a while :) OSU is his top choice now. Go Buckeyes!</p>
<p>Believe me SportsMama, there are literally hundreds if not thousands of freshman coming to OSU next year with the same apprehension. There is no better school in the country that can make such a large campus feel so small!</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone for your words of encouragement. This has been much harder than I ever expected and, as an adult, I know I need to act like one!!!</p>
<p>toneranger: I'm so happy for your son in regard to pledging a frat. Everyone I have ever talked to who was involved in the whole Greek scene tells me that those people are the ones they still keep in contact with. I think it's a great way for making a large school smaller and more friendly. I'm glad to hear that he did this at PSU. I'm sure it's pretty much the same way that it is at OSU, not the big deal it is at a smaller college. That's one reason I think my daughter may end up not pledging--it's not the norm to do so. Your son sounds like he has a good head on his shoulders, so I wouldn't worry about his association with a fraternity. Maybe he will be a good influence on others--who knows--and college is all about learning about life, right? </p>
<p>MaryTN: Yes, it's hard for me to believe my 5'2" blonde cheerleader wants to study engineering. I only mention that because so many people believe in the stereotypical ideas about blondes and/or cheerleaders. She is very bright and has always loved math. She used to drive her coach nuts when they had practice, asking what exact angle the jumps should be! Anyway, industrial and systems engineering, from what I understand, has to do with making systems or people safer or more efficient. At least it's something like that. </p>
<p>I don't know how many people are in the honors program--is 1200 the number? She is hoping to room in the Women in Engineering dorm with other girls. (Hope it's not too late.) Maybe that will help make things smaller. </p>
<p>momhippo: I will try to remember the benefits of being close to home! I'm just thinking my daughter needs to grow up and I'm not sure if that will happen if she's that close to home. </p>
<p>My daughter had sports as one of her criteria when picking a college, so I understand how OSU would be on your son's list. Since that is just one thing, what are some of the other things that attract him to OSU? My daughter's AP calculus teacher said it's hard for us to think of OSU as a desireable school because it is in our backyard. Maybe that's true . . . </p>
<p>osufunguy: I think I am the one worried about OSU being too big. My daughter was more worried about going to a school where she knew no one and was over 300 miles from home. It sounds like you have had a good experience. Care to share any tips for an incoming freshman?</p>