DS was admitted to several excellent schools, some with major scholarships, including OSU (National Buckeye and Provost). He was admitted to the engineering school, intending to major in industrial engineering. He was initially attracted to OSU for the Integrated Business and Engineering program. This is an honors program that combines a select group of students from the business and engineering schools. They have common classes and work together on projects, ultimately completing a degree in their major with a minor in the other discipline. For a student interested in both, it sounds ideal. The main point is these students learn how business and engineering integrate in the real world, and they supposedly stand out from the crowd at job time. We first learned about IBE when our older son was accepted to Lehigh’s then-unique program. It was a fascinating concept, but ultimately DS1 decided he wasn’t interested in the business aspect. DS2, however, was a different story. This IBE program would be perfect for him, but he really didn’t like Lehigh. When digging deeper, we found that OSU basically copied Lehigh’s program a couple years ago. This was exciting, another IBE program at a school which would be a better fit for him.
He was admitted to OSU back in December. He never heard anything about applying for the IBE program, which is by invitation only. The OSU website for this program lists two contact people. One is the IBE Faculty Director, the other is Asst. Director for Honors. He sent an email to one back in January asking about the program. No reply. He emailed the other in February. Got an auto reply that she was out, so it went to the right place. That was a month ago. No reply. This is a bright and accomplished kid admitted with all the top scholarships they offer–obviously OSU wants him. He is an attractive candidate for this program, yet the leaders of the program can’t even reply to a simple email? What will happen if he’s actually in the program and needs guidance from these administrators? Very disappointed with the lack of responsiveness.
Meanwhile, his other finalist is Georgia Tech, which is generally considered the best school in the world for industrial engineering. If he’s “only” going to be an industrial engineering major, he would prefer GT over OSU. He might have done great things at OSU, but you can’t go wrong with GT. He just made his decision.
Sounds like good enough reason for making the choice he did. I think these big schools some times don’t really care about the people, and in your son’s case it really showed. Good luck to him!
I am hoping that OSU will reallocate the scholarship money your son is relinquishing…but realize that is a pipe dream.
That is a disappointing story for sure. I recommend that you let the department know about your experience. I’m sure they are looking for ways to improve, and this sounds like an area that needs it.
We ran into a similar issue with our DS2. Accepted into Eng honors, National Buckeye, Trustees…back in 2013. He is a sophomore at OSU, and over winter break, 5 days before he was about to return, he receives an email stating that because of his GPA he needs to ‘explore’ another major, not engineering. He was a couple of points below the School of Eng. GPA , so technically, he needed to switch his major. His spring schedule was already approved, mind you, and he’s leaving in 4 days! He placed a few phone calls, left messages, sent several emails, to his supervisor, Eng dept, advisor, counselor…nothing. Finally hears back over the weekend, and has to make a new schedule, to include the requirements for his new major (mathematics), and set up an appointment to meet with a new advisor, to make sure everything is in order. I was very upset in their response (or lack thereof) and why he didn’t get any type of warning or notice that this was going to happen. The communications throughout the whole ordeal was disappointing. BTW, he is very happy at OSU. Also, our DS1 is a senior at GT, and has had a great 4 years there! It is an excellent school for engineering-one of the best! He’s never had a problem getting any type of internship over the years. All in all, except for that one incident we are very happy with both schools! (our DD is now a senior and trying to decide which one, among others she applied to, will fit her best )
I’m a little confused on this. Are you saying he was applied to his specialization within Engineering, was accepted and after his first semester didn’t make the gpa and was suggested he change his major? I’m only asking because my son is also a sophomore Engineering major. He applied to his specialization this past January and was accepted. Nothing in the notes say anything about a required GPA to continue in the program. He will begin his ISE classes this summer/fall and I haven’t heard or seen anything about this.
Each discipline sets their own GPA requirements. I believe it is based on capacity and number of candidates. As I recall biomedical had a GPA requirement of 3.5 at the end of freshman year.
Ok I misunderstood your initial message. I thought you were saying once accepted there was a GPA to remain in the program. Either way, OSU is a large school and with that not a much personal attention as some students require. We have found his ISE advisor very helpful and attentive when he actually asks for something.
If I'm not mistaken, your son received the National Buckeye and Provest Scholarship. Congrats to him however receiving the Provest does not make him an "outstanding" candidate at all. IBE programs are usually VERY selective and the Provest Scholarship is one of their smaller awards. (Their= THE Ohio State University) When I say he's not an outstanding candidate does not mean he isn't a great candidate.
I apologize that your experience with some of the faculty at THE Ohio State University wasn't what you might have expected, however, please do keep in mind that THE Ohio State University is a very large university so you won't receive the connection/service you might at a smaller school.
Congrats to your son for gaining admission to Georgia Tech as it is a elite university known globally. If your son does decide to attend Georgia Tech, he will have an amazing education.
I apologize if this comment is harsh or degrading at any way. I just feel that children are more successful if their parents don't over "brag" about them.
The fact that he received those scholarships is not what makes him an outstanding candidate. The high stats that earned those scholarships, 4 years of college level engineering classes, president of engineering club, Future Business Leaders of America, captain of two varsity sports, and other leadership bona fides, are what make him an outstanding candidate. Kid has excelled academically and shown leadership and high level achievement in both engineering and business. Isn’t that what they want for IBE?
My kid is a rare combination of brains, personality, and drive. He will be wildly successful regardless of how much I brag about him (which is really not much–the town brags enough about him). Georgia Tech is lucky to have him.
Brag away @Chardo! Kids who work that hard and achieve that much deserve it in spades. We are looking at many schools including OSU, and so every bit of information about every school - good AND bad - is what makes these boards so valuable. I thank you for sharing this information. Jay2631, I’m sure you mean well, but your repeated reference to THE Ohio State reveals your bias and makes you less credible. Surely not everything about OSU is peaches and cream, and kids making important decisions need to sort through all of these things in order to make the best choice for them.
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