<p>I took my D and her friend to visit OH Wesleyan in late August. The first thing that struck them was how the campus geographically was hard to connect with. A main street runs through the campus (almost feels like the train tracks that run through the Goshen campus.) The campus felt like it was long and narrow, stretched out. It didn't feel connected. The atmosphere at the admissions office was warm, but it felt a bit disconnected, at least that day. There were a lot of kids and parents visiting and touring while we were there.</p>
<p>Our guide probably shouldn't have been a guide. She made a few off-handed derogatory comments in a few settings. She was training a new guide who was very enthusiastic and helped with a lot more info. The dorm room we visited was a guy's RA and even though it was the 1st or 2nd day of classes, it stunk! The theme residential houses (which a lot of campuses have) seemed more run down than others we had seen.</p>
<p>Her interview was ok. It turned out that the young woman who was training as a guide was training to assist overall in admissions and she sat in on the interview. Again, she came through stronger than the counselor. My D felt like it was a good conversation, but it wasn't quite in the relaxed mode she was looking for.</p>
<p>This visit surprised me the most of any we have done. I was hyped on Oh Weslayn because of Colleges that Change Lives. None of what Pope wrote about came through in the visit. (We did have the similar experience at Allegheny with the tour guide missing some key things and the campus feeling like it was mainly bldgs on city blocks rather than a connected college campus). Thus, OWU even though it is about 2 hrs from home, is no longer on the list.</p>
<p>Loren Pope is the author of "Colleges that Change Lives" which also has a web site at <a href="http://ctcl.com/%5B/url%5D">http://ctcl.com/</a>. His premise is that you don't have to go to the Ivy League or even the most prestigious LAC to receive a good education. He includes in a good education a college that not only is intellectual but helps the whole being of the student to be able to grow. He lists 40 colleges around the country that model this and writes in depth about why each one reflects this premise. OWU is one of the 40.</p>
<p>We visited OWU in June and had a terrific feeling about the school. Our Admissions Counselors (one in training) and Guide were very warm and informative. The interview was going so well that we missed the last tour, so they gave us a private tour. </p>
<p>Yes, the distance of the buildings did bother me a bit. Coming from Calif., all I could think about was my baby trudging through the snow on foot. But, the guide explained the groupings of buildings within each block and it made some sense. Academic buildings in one area, social and transitional buildings (library, student union, theatre) in another area, and the final area was residential. One advantage to that set up is that students are less likely to go back to the dorm in between classes. </p>
<p>We chatted with a few students, though school was not in session. One thing that impressed us is that we learned of the school's committment to students from far away. This includes foreign students and also those geographically far. They take pride in having approaches to help people feel welcome and connected, along with academic support. They will stay open (food service and dorms) at times most other colleges close down. Our tour guide was a recent May graduate and he was staying on in the dorms and working with Admissions because he had nowhere else to go. He is a Katrina victim. Those things showed us that OWU is very interested in the wellbeing of students individually and as a community.</p>
<p>This school shot up to #2 on my son's list. He's applied ED and we hope to learn his status sometime in January.</p>
<p>Recieved my acceptance letter last week ( EA ).Also 15K/year Diversity Award. I need to go out there and visit, perhaps in Jan ( I come from Long Island ). Anyone else hear yet? And any feedback about OWU appreciated.</p>
<p>Congrats to you aliross. When did you apply???</p>
<p>My comments above about the school taking extra care to make students feel welcome also apply to diversity. They really want to create a diverse student body, from different parts of the country, different countries, different races, different religiouns. That really showed through during our visit.</p>
<p>Pick up a copy of the book that Deloar refers to above (I got it off the shelf at Barnes and Noble). Read what is said about OWU and I think you'll get a better feel.</p>
<p>Finally, my husband does a fair amount of recruiting for high level business jobs (sales, I.T., accounting, etc.). OWU has a very good reputation nationally for well-prepared graduates. He's found many managers and V.P.'s who love to interview OWU grads for jobs. We're in Calif., so that says something because many people out here don't really know of the Mid-West and Eastern colleges.</p>
<p>Hi, I applied late October.
Yes, will pick up book. Doing research and talking to others about OWU.Its nice to know I'm in at a well rated school, and award was big boost to ego ( and my Dad's wallet ). Rejected @ Cornell ( my reach ), Deferred @ Fordham, and still waiting on SUNY Stony Brook & Buffalo.</p>