<p>To those who went to Maximus on 2/3 - How was it? We are going down next weekend (2/10) and I was wondering what we had to look forward to…</p>
<p>It was alright. In the morning they have assigned tables for everyone, and then at lunch you have table range you have to sit at, it got a little chaotic. Make sure you stay for the Dessert with the Deans thing, I thought that was the best part of the whole day; it's kind of a like a Q & A presentation type thing with some professors, students and a Dean, of somesort. The essays prompts weren't at all hard to write about.</p>
<p>Dress weather appropriately! My hands felt like they were about to fall off, when we walked around. Oh and there's really no dress code.</p>
<p>I was SO IMPRESSED by the organization at Maximus. When the students arrived, they received a personalized packet after showing a picture ID. Our packet had info about out-of-state financial aid, for instance. We were assigned a breakfast table and an Honors student escorted us to our table. The table assignment was based on what classroom they'd be going to for the essay contest. </p>
<p>The tables had juice and a basket with baked goods and fruit. I wouldn't plan on it being enough breakfast for the kids. Coffee was also available. We were seated with 2 International Studies majors, an Engineering major, and a Biology major -- all boys. Brutus the Buckeye came around and tried to loosen up the kids. Most of them were pretty quiet and serious. Then a small contingent of the marching band came in and played 3 songs. </p>
<p>After a few speakers said "Welcome. We love you. Please pick us", the kids were dismissed in groups to go to the contest. They needed to set up for lunch so the parents were sent A LONG WAY (at least it seemed that way in the cold) to an auditorium. We heard from 3 speakers. One of the more interesting things were learned was that 60-70% of Maximus participants end up enrolling. Also, National Merit Finalists who designate OSU will most likely get full instate tuition plus $4500 which is their second highest scholarship. The Presidential Scholar finalists will be called Thursday and Friday, February 22-23. All finalists who don't get selected will get one of the 70 Medalist (full instate tuition) awards. The Medalist letters will go out in late March. </p>
<p>At lunch the kids were given a range of tables to sit at. We found D easily. It turns out we were seated accorded to College. After a good student speaker, we were dismissed to Dessert with the Deans. There were 13 different groups (Colleges). It was entertaining to watch each group rise en masse to follow their student helper.</p>
<p>D is in the Humanities college and it was a small group. 2 professors spoke about their department or research. They were enthusiastic and fun.</p>
<p>Then we had tours of the 3 Honors Dorms with bus service in between. They had lots of student helpers and it was well done. Overall, it was very well organized. </p>
<p>D was disappointed that everyone was from Ohio. During the parent meeting it looked like there were 3 or 4 out of state parents who raised their hands when asked. We've seen a higher percentage of OOS students at other schools' Honors programs.</p>
<p>D really likes OSU. We'll see how the $$ add up at the schools she's considering.</p>
<p>Oh I'll add in some more.</p>
<p>Don't worry about parking, the garage is pretty darn big and they give you a get out free pass thing, I had no trouble with traffic in the morning. But just to warn you it's a little hectic getting out of that thing, the line definitely spread itself over like 2 stories, and I was leaving early. I can't imagine what it was like at around 4.</p>
<p>The essay questions were pretty much along the lines of the sample questions that they give you. Pretty much there's a topic for everyone. It honestly was almost like the SAT timed writing section, except with more time. The proctors are students so they were pretty cool.</p>
<p>Yea, so there were a lot of Engineering majors there, when everyone was being dismissed to the Dessert with the Deans thing, like half of all the tables got up and left, it felt really empty after that; I said I was interested in Finance. I think in total there were at least 300 students at the Feb 3 session.</p>
<p>Oh, some of the kids there were kind of shy, but most of them were really receptive, if you just reached out a little bit. Since I didn't bring a parent (mine are a little annoying and awkward at times; I didn't need the extra stress), I ended up talking a lot with the other parents who were really nice and chatty, since their kids sat there all reserved.</p>
<p>haha thanol most kids were like that. i went and the essays were like...i dunno....random maybe? tons of time to do them though with the thesauraus and dictionary as good resources.
i talked to some kids, met some cool people in my field.
if you go up and talk to someone they wont just ignore you (well, some of the more reserved will haha)</p>
<p>Thanol ~</p>
<p>We had one young man at our table in the morning without his parents, with an out-of-state sweatshirt. Was that you possibly?</p>
<p>
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We had one young man at our table in the morning without his parents, with an out-of-state sweatshirt. Was that you possibly?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>We had the same thing. What table were you at? We were at table 1.</p>
<p>We were at table #33..I believe, or maybe #36, right by the projector.</p>
<p>I kept looking for the lady who pulled her hair out, didn't see her!!</p>
<p>
[quote]
We had one young man at our table in the morning without his parents, with an out-of-state sweatshirt. Was that you possibly?
[/quote]
No, I'm instate, and was wearing a beige polo. I was at table 50 in the morning.</p>
<p>How long do your essays tend to be? On the SAT essay you can tell the maximum length, because the paper stops after I think it was 3 pages but what about the Maximus essays? Do they tend to be around a standard 500 words, 1-2 pages, is there any cut off length, any guidelines at all?</p>
<p>Also, do we have to bring paper? If they provide the paper, is there room for an outline or planning of the essay separate from writing it?</p>
<p>Do they mind if we write in pencil or in pen? If we can write in pencil, are mechanical pencils ok?</p>
<p>Any answers would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance.</p>
<p>As of last year...</p>
<p>Length doesn't matter. There is no cut-off, and they emphasize the fact that they just want you to be yourself, respond to the prompt, there are no wrong answers, etc.</p>
<p>They provide paper. You can make outlines on the paper that contains the prompts themselves.</p>
<p>As far as I remember, both pencil and pen were fine. I think most people used pen.</p>
<p>thanks ambidextrous, that answers a lot, but if you don't mind me asking...about how long were your essays (just to get a basic idea)?</p>
<p>my first was over 6 my second was a little under 6....the pages are small :)</p>
<p>Here's what D described: You get three sets of pages so you definitely have extra paper for outlines. She said each looked like a small pile of notebook paper folded over and stapled. You can get more paper if you need it.</p>
<p>And even though they tell you to bring pens or pencils, they have them there if you have forgotten. Dictionaries and thesauruses (thesaurusi?) are also available. D brought a small thesauras in her purse, mainly as a joke. She said she used it once.</p>
<p>800 students are writing these essays. They are all minimum 32 ACT students. 25-30 (?) are being invited back for the Presidential. All of the Presidential finalists who are not selected are awarded Medalist. 70 total will received Medalist scholarships worth full in-state tuition.</p>
<p>i want to win so badly...but i hope everyone did well</p>
<p>did anyone happen to read what was on the scoring sheets (the four that we put our name labels & question number on)? if so, was there anything interesting on it?</p>
<p>also, I went to Maximus on the 10th & I was kinda wondering what the essay questions were on the third...anyone who remembers want to post them?</p>
<p>^bump
10 char</p>
<p>thats illegal, but maybe ill tell u</p>
<p>i remember them but they really aren't that interesting</p>
<p>how is that illegal? the competition's over, no one is getting help writing the essay. several people at the competition on the 10th said they already knew the topics from the 3rd from friends at their school...I just have no one else I know that went to discuss this with. Why would they make that illegal when they'll just post the topics on the maximus site and maximus registration booklet eventually for next year or the year after to practice with?</p>