Hello, so I know I have a ton of time but I was just looking for opinions. I’ll Be going for pre-Med so both schools are fine even but I’ll put my pros and cons below:
Ohio State:
Pros:
-Closer to home (3 hours). I really want my extended family to be able to come to visit and come to football games.
-Higher ranked and better for what I want to study. I really like international studies and neuroscience. The IS major i like better at OSU and they also offer a major or minor in neuroscience.
-I like the snow.
-I LOvE the social scene and the city that is nearby.
-I really like the campus and the school spirit.
-i feel like my personality fits better here.
-I like that they have nice, traditional dorms
Cons:
-About $4,000 more a year than Alabama but my family can afford.
-The weather in Alabama is nice lol.
-I never had that “this is where I need to go feeling.”
Alabama
Pros:
-cheaper
-really nice campus
-Everyone is so nice
-I am in a group chat with people also potentially going to Bama next year and I already feel like I found friends whether or no they we stay together for four years.
-My mom loved it(not that this matters so much, she also really likes OSU but she can’t shut up about Bama)
Cons:
-far from home
-I don’t like that first year you can either pay a ton for really nice suites or go to crappy traditional styles.
-I know this shouldn’t keep me from going, but Greek life is massive and I think it would be fun to join but I think is no expensive and it seems like everyone wants to join.
-Not as highly regarded academically if i decide not to do medicine.
-Columbus>>>>Tuscaloosa.
I can see myself more at Ohio State but I am not necessarily saying that’s where I would rather go!
*Let me know if there isn’t something else I should consider. And please help!
I have also been accepted to UA and am currently waiting for osu’s decision (hopefully tomorrow!!). I’m not trying to sway you but based on what you’ve listed here OSU has more going for you. I love the sound of their IS department as well and the fact that they have everything you want academically sounds important to you. Have you visited UA? Have you been to OSU? Personally when I toured OSU (3 times oops) I knew immediately that it was the place for me. Also, think about the degree you will get? OSU may be more reputable but UA is still a fantastic school. I may be biased here but you sound like you are leaning more towards OSU, based off of what you have listed. You’ve done your research and have looked at them, think about how you feel in your gut. I myself have bounced between OSU, UA and Indiana U, but as the decision date gets closer for OSU I’ve realized how ready I am for OSU. I say take what you feel and go with it. Only you know the best fit for you. With that being said, I wish you luck and you can’t go wrong with either school!!
@hsgradco2017 I visited OSU twice and UA once. Typing that post I definitely felt like osu is where I should be but at other times throughout the day I feel like ua is…
Well, why don’t you go with the winner when they play later this year in the college football playoff, lol? If Urban can beat Nick like he did a couple of years ago, go to OSU. If Nick makes Urban cry like he did when Urban was at Florida, and Bama wins its 5th national championship in 8 years, go to Bama. I’m being facetious, of course. But I will say this – I’m not sure from your post whether you are male or female, but you will not find more beautiful girls in one location than you will at the University of Alabama! Good luck deciding!
you certainly have plenty of time to decide. Just take your time and truly think about everything. Might I also suggest thinking about how your life after graduation will be affected? For example, look at how many graduates have jobs right after graduation at OSU or vice versa; also think about how much weight your degree will have. Both are fantastic academic institutions but try and look specifically at your major and see how well your major is known and reputed at each institution!
@lakeviking that’s so funny that you said that! I have been thinking for the past four days that if Bama plays osu in the championship I will go to the winner! As far as the women go, I am male. That thought popped into my mind a few times on the tour but I didn’t want to offend anyone ahah
Ultimately weigh your options, but at the end of the day which school do you find yourself thinking the most about? Usually when I find myself faced with a decision like this, I think “oh man I would really love this school” but then my brain starts to drift back to another. I feel like natural things like that will help you in such a tough decision
Every saturday during football season it’s free advertising for Bama recruiting. Just one shot of the cheerleaders and baton twirlers in the stands will do it.
Another angle, though it’s speculative . . . where do you see yourself living after graduation?
I went to school in the Midwest from another part of the country, and have virtually no ties anymore because I never visit and have few connections there.
Our son picked UF over UA in part (and there were other reasons too) because we have many ties to Florida and he wasn’t that eager to leave them. We have no ties that far west in Alabama. Our southern relatives live much further east.
For some people that factor makes no difference whatsoever. I, myself, went far away and didn’t know a soul at my school the day I arrived - still had a great experience. If our son had preferred UA we would have totally supported it. UA does have students from all over the country which is cool.
@SouthFloridaMom9 I want to go to medical school so hopefully where I eventually live is determined by my residency match. I do want to live in a big city but I’m open to all areas of the US.
I don’t think you’re being irrational in considering the presence of Greek life. At Alabama, 32% of guys join fraternities and 50% of girls join sororities in their first year. OSU doesn’t allow first semester freshmen to rush, so I can’t find exact numbers, but it’s less than 10% of each. Big, big difference. If you decide not to go Greek, your social experience will be quite different at each school. I go to OSU so I can’t really comment with personal experience, but I have heard that GDI’s at Greek-heavy schools can sometimes feel a bit like outcasts. (Although if you do decide you want to rush, Alabama might be the better option since you can start right away there)
In 2014, Oregon was #1. Alabama made more than OSU. I don’t think Oregon is the top dog any longer since their football program’s dive after losing Mariota.
i like Alabama but the way you’ve laid it out, it would be hard for me to pass on OSU. the pros you have listed for OSU seem much more persuasive than UA’s.
one big factor is distance. lots of students say they want to go to school as far away from home as possible but really, 3 hours from home is plenty far enough to feel like you are “away” at school. and yet, if something comes up or you want to go home for holidays or a weekend, it’s an easy drive. the travel expenses for Tuscaloosa will really add up.
