Purdue Engineering or Ohio State Engineering Honors

S was accepted into FYE Engineering at Purdue as well as the Ohio State Engineering program and OSU Honors College. I know both are great schools. Purdue is “ranked” higher than OSU. It is known for its rigor. OSU is closer to home (this is mom talking) and more convenient. Cost is similar for both so that is not part of the equation. He did not apply to the honors college at Purdue. (I don’t know why.) So here we are: do we go the Honors route at OSU or do we do the Purdue (non-honors) but supposedly higher ranked school? As of right now, he has future plans to get his Ph.D. and do research. Will it help him, in the long run, to graduate with honors from OSU or from Purdue (non-honors)? As of right now, he has no preference for one over the other! Thank you for any insight.

The schools are on a similar level, so I’d suggest going where he fits the best and will thrive.

If your S is PhD bound look closely into the undergraduate research opportunities at both schools.

Does OSU honors guarantee research opportunities?

D’s impression when we toured both in HS was that Purdue had a much stronger commitment to undergrad research.

She’s in her second year at Purdue and loving it.

My sense though is that if your S does well academically, he will be well positioned for grad school no matter which school he chooses.

PS lots of Ohioans at Purdue. There is an OH ride share group that makes getting back and forth for breaks fairly easy.

“If your S is PhD bound look closely into the undergraduate research opportunities at both schools.”

Thank you so much. We have admitted student tours coming up over the next couple of weeks. I’m glad you brought that up as a question to ask. I also didn’t know about the OH ride share. That would be very helpful! I’m happy to hear your daughter is loving Purdue! Is she in a Living and Learning Community? That’s another decision to be made… regardless of school. Any insight you have would be welcome! Thanks again!

Both have secondary admission to major. See the following for information and links.

http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/2174743-first-year-engineering-programs-secondary-admission-to-major-criteria.html

OSU is a good school with many strengths and a good engineering program. Purdue is a very STEM centric flagship and engineering is a major part of their identity. Purdue has an excellent Professional Practices office. Visit both and see where your child connects. My D is a Purdue graduate and loved her experience. I’ve met a lot of Purdue engineers and they all loved their experience.

My D is in honors college so that was her living learning community.

I’ve heard super things about EPICS.

It may come down to where he feels more comfortable after visiting campus for accepted student days, talking to students, further researching the programs, etc.

My D was accepted to both and though my father and grandfather both have tOSU degrees, she ended up at Purdue. Partially reputation, focus, ranking but mostly because the culture just fit her.

Both are very good schools.