<p>Not sure of the data, but MSU also is becoming more difficult to gain acceptance. I think it's a sign of the times. With the difficulty of finding work in Michigan, more people are looking to college as a way to get ahead. Hopefully we'll be able to keep some of them. This state seems to sending most of its graduates elsewhere.</p>
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If you are an in-state resident of Ohio, OSU is a very good public university. The city of Columbus is nice and thriving too.
As an Ohio resident, I can say that Columbus is definitely NOT thriving. Go off campus in any direction and you are essentially in the slums. In my opinion, the only good thing about Columbus is OSU. Columbus is at a very low point right now.</p>
<p>However, as an Ohio resident, a huge portion of my high school's graduating class attends OSU each year, including some very bright kids. Basically, Ohio State is huge. You will absolutely have some stellar students there, but you will also have some mediocrity. It has been getting more selective in these past few years with the increasing numbers of applicants and hs graduates. Really, if you go to Ohio State, you won't be successful based on the name, but you can be very successful based on WHAT YOU DO. Because of the size, there are a ton of opportunities and resources, which is a great asset. Plus, you can graduate without incurring completely incapacitating debt, which can be even more valuable if you plan on going to grad school. </p>
<p>So, Ohio State has its gems, but mostly because of their own merit, not the name. Granted, OSU is far better than say, Kent State or Wright State or UAkron or some of the other state schools of Ohio.</p>
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As an Ohio resident, I can say that Columbus is definitely NOT thriving. Go off campus in any direction and you are essentially in the slums. In my opinion, the only good thing about Columbus is OSU. Columbus is at a very low point right now.
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<p>I'm not sure where you're getting your information on either count, but it's incorrect. Columbus has its problems like any other medium or large city in the nation. Relative to the rest of Ohio and much of the surrounding region, it has done very well over the last quarter century precisely because it was a "late bloomer" and didn't have the large manufacturing base to collapse. By almost any economic or socio-economic indicator (median income, population growth, economic activity, % of population with a college degree) Columbus outpaces the rest of the Ohio cities. Is it on a level with Chicago, NY or San Francisco? No, but to say that "it's at a very low point" is nonsense.</p>
<p>As for Ohio State's location, it is not surrounded on all sides by slums. To the east of campus, once you get past the student housing areas, there are admittedly some sketchy neighborhoods. To the north of campus is Clintonville which is a very stable, young middle class neighborhood. To the south of campus is Victorian Village and The Short North neighborhoods, which are two of the nicest gentrified, inner-city neighborhoods in the entire state with numerous dining and nightlife options. To the west of campus, is Upper Arlington which is a very wealthy "old money" suburb.</p>
<p>I am a student who is in the midst of college searching and correct me if i am wrong, but i am starting to find that ranking is important but like one of the people who commented few above, success is based on what and how you mold your opportunities. I am starting to like Penn State very much, even though I haven't had a chance to visit the campus..</p>
<p>so hopefully i makea wise choice</p>
<p>You'd best like big, many, and anonymity. Expect no real association with your profs, most of whom will be bright and knowledgeable. Hope your TA's speak English. Learn what a JoePa is, and to like or at least drink beer. Lots of it. What major?</p>
<p>Qtipkorea4uAnd, don't worry about Whistle Pig. He takes out his days of loneliness that experienced during his time at Penn State by making negative and biased remarks about the school. I have had contact with many of my professors. I know several of them very well and it is not a rare thing. Drinking is a big part of Penn State, but that is true of most universities. You will feel like a number at first, but after a semester you will be surprised how you always see someone you know on your way to classes/in your classes. I am sure you will not squander the opportunities that Penn State provides. Understandably, Whistle Pig's opinions tend to be a little outdated because he graduated about 25 years ago.</p>
<p>qtip - from a parent of a PSU student here. PSU offers many fine programs. The kids we know who go there (and we know many) report that the professors are friendly and accessible. You have to make a point to reach out but, if you do, they are more than willing to help.
WP is right that you CAN be part of the masses if you'd like. Or you can take a few extra steps and distinguish yourself. It's up to you. You know yourself best. If you like to be invisible - maybe you should push yourself and go to a smaller school.
I'm a graduate of a big state school (not in PA). So far, by comparison, my experience was rather sterile compared to what I see and hear about PSU. At my U, classes were huge and teachers did their best to ignore us. No school spirit. No fun sports. So PSU and perhaps some of the other big tens have some magic going on. Most of the alums I know LOVE the school as do most of the kids. Retention rates are high. Can't say that about my big state U. So all state Us are not the same.<br>
Don't worry about WP's rants about the satellite campuses. This is true for most state Us, even prestigious schools like WIS and UMICH. It's quite obvious that he made the WRONG choice of school for HIM. That "Drone U" and "McCollege" stuff gets really annoying. Some kids like big schools and can get a lot out of them. Go where it works for YOU.</p>