<p>Hi, I am a senior in the St. Louis Metro area. I am trying to decide between two schools The Ohio State University and Purdue University I am looking to go into the Mechanical Engineering Programs of each school. I was accepted to three other schools(UIUC, UofIowa, and UofMissouri) but narrowed it down to these two. </p>
<p>Dilema- I was accepted to Purdue but have been placed on the waitlist for Ohio State, so I am wondering if I should wait for Ohio State or just move on with Purdue.</p>
<p>Both of my parents went to Ohio State so I know the campus like the back of my hand, I have been going to games almost every year and have been on I don't know how many tours. I feel real comfortable around the area and have other family members in the state of Ohio.</p>
<p>I also have been to Purdue a couple times (including the Football game OSU lost at Purdue-sad day) and like the area and feel of the campus. The engineering Dept. in Purdue is higher ranked then Ohio State's (but personally I think an education is what you make out of it and not the rank) so I don't think that really matters. </p>
<p>So I am looking for some input from others.</p>
<p>^^ It is rather unfortunate that tOSU has gotten ever more selective as of late, with >1/3 of the incoming freshman for '09 scored >30 on ACT. Not to mention ~30% application increase this year alone, it is understandable that you were wait-listed even with legacy standing. However, I read in the sub-forum that ~1/3 of the wait-listed applicants got accepted last year?! So, I guess you still have a pretty good chance of getting-in!! All I can say is that if your heart tells you that Ohio State is THE school that will make you happy for the next 4 years (even though I believe in terms of undergrad education, UIUC & Purdue are just as solid!), then by all means, apply for the easier Winter Quarter admission even if you ended-up getting rejected (sorry, don’t mean to jinx you! ;p). With that being said, one of my college buddies who was a Mechanical Engineering Major at tOSU, got an internship opportunity with the nearby Honda Auto Plant his junior year (he was also part of the reknown Buckeye Bullet Team), ended-up with PhD from MIT. Pretty cool, eh? :)</p>
<p>[Ohio</a> State Buckeye Bullet 2](<a href=“http://www.buckeyebullet.com/index.html]Ohio”>http://www.buckeyebullet.com/index.html)</p>
<p>G’Luck & Go Bucks!~ lol</p>
<p>I think it’s bizarre that you got accepted to UIUC, but you got waitlisted at Ohio St. </p>
<p>What are your stats?</p>
<p>Can you do anything that will help you get off their waitlist? Can your GC call? Would the alumni group have any sway? Can your regional recruitment person help?</p>
<p>I don’t know why you would eliminate Illinois, overall it is the strongest of the all the schools you have mentioned academically. I would be curious as to your major and what the financial considerations are.</p>
<p>All things being equal, Illinois would be my choice.</p>
<p>I got a 25 on the ACT(Not a good test taker) and have a 3.7 GPA </p>
<p>I personally didn’t like Illinois when we went up for the visit, I didn’t like the layout of the campus, the dorms might be the worst I have seen at any university, and I just didn’t like the feel of the school. I have been up to UIUC about 5 times and not once has it been a sunny day I have been there when it was pooring down rain. The only sunny day was when we were driving by for a tour at Purdue.</p>
<p>The sun always shines at Purdue.</p>
<p>Well, you can’t go wrong at Purdue if that’s where you’ll end up. I’m a little concerned about how an ACT 25 will do in engineering at Purdue or at Ohio State. You say that you’re a bad test taker, well, you’re going to have a LOT of tests at any college.</p>
<p>That said, is money a concern? Going out-of-state can be expensive. Did you apply to Missouri University of Science and Technology?</p>
<p>Money is not really a concern, the costs are very close. I live on the Illinois side of the river, I did not apply to Missouri University of Science and Technology. About the poor ACT score, I got a 28 on Math, a 27 on Science and Reading, but an 18 on English(I know its embarrassing).</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>Ahh… Well, since you have better scores in Math and Science, you should be ok. 
The English score is shocking. Is English your first language? </p>
<p>Money is not really a concern, the costs are very close.</p>
<p>Is UIUC instate the same price as Purdue and Ohio St OOS??? That doesn’t seem right. I would think that OOS Purdue and Ohio St would be about $10k more. But, maybe I’m wrong or your parents don’t care. :)</p>
<p>For mechanical engineering. UIUC>Purdue>>tOSU</p>
<p>“I’m a little concerned about how an ACT 25 will do in engineering at Purdue or at Ohio State.”</p>
<p>“The English score is shocking. Is English your first language?”</p>
<p>Standardized tests do nothing to predict how well a student will do in college. This has been proven over and over again in Education circles and a major argument for the SAT optional movement. The difference in GPA while in college was .01 for those who opted not to turn in standardized test scores (because they did not do as well.)</p>
<p>As for the 2nd point, having taught in the midwest and in inner cities with high immigrant populations, white rurally educated students often have the same difficulty with writing and grammar as immigrants and African American children. Last time I checked most African American and White rural students spoke English as a first language so I would suggest we refrain from blanket assumptions. </p>
<p>As for the OP, I don’t think a few rainy days at UIUC should deter you especially if you are an Illinois resident, but if your parents are okay with it and you are dead set against UIUC (the best academic option) then Purdue would be my choice.</p>