<p>DS#2 (current hs junior) and I will be visiting several Ohio/Indiana schools this summer. Since we’ll be near Columbus, he wants to put OSU on the list. I must admit that I know next to nothing about it, other than it’s HUGE and has a very strong fan base throughout Ohio. So? Why would an OOS kid who’s not sure what he wants to major in go there? Sell me on OSU!!</p>
<p>If you’re not sure what to major in, it’s a fantastic place to be. There is every major you could ever want, along with every language you could want to study and every club you might be interested in. Because of the huge number of students, OSU offers a wider diversity of opportunities than any other school in the country.</p>
<p>like kelseyg said, you can do ANYTHING at ohio state. also, if he likes sports it’s the place to be. ohio state feels like it’s own town within columbus so you retain the classic college look and feel while having access to all of the amenities of a big city. the enrollment is high yes, but the campus itself is very user friendly. purdue is a similar size university and it’s campus is more spread out so the size shouldn’t be a problem unless your son is terrified of people (not insinuating he is, but there will be a ton of people). in addition to a wide variety of programs, many are very good and his diploma will be well-respected. greek life doesn’t dominate campus by any means, but i guess that could be a con if he is really into greek life being a staple of campus. it’s there, just not overbearing. the honors program is supposed to be pretty good with some real benefits if he qualifies. lots of school pride and camaraderie amongst students. great, supportive atmosphere like no other. sorry for the novel, but i’m pro-ohio state and plan to attend this coming fall :)</p>
<p>OSU has some very good programs. It’s Honors and Scholars program is reputed to be excellent. It’s president, Gordon Gee, has done a lot to improve the quality of the education there. The kids are extremely friendly. There is enormous school pride; I know how much the OH-IO cheers annoys other schools but it is just too much fun!</p>
<p>Oh, and go in the newly renovated library. Unbelievable! The rec center is pretty awesome as well, and the student union I think just opened or will soon. Great facilities, although they could use an increased emphasis on some of the dorms.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. I’m just wondering what might differentiate OSU from, say, Indiana or Illinois or Wisconsin.</p>
<p>Better Football and Basketball Team?!</p>
<p>It is an enormous school. My husband went to OSU and absolutely LOVED it. Even though it was huge, once you get into your specific classes, the class size does decrease. He had probably more opportunities than I did at a small private school. Columbus is a great city too. The tradition and pride at OSU is absolutely amazing and could very well bring tears to your eyes once you have a bit of you invested in the school! Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>The opportunities certainly set OSU apart from other schools. My son was torn between engineering and business. He chose OSU because both programs are strong and he could switch with relative ease. He liked OSU above Indiana for business or Purdue for engineering. He definitely liked OSU’s campus better because everything is so convenient. His dorm is five minutes from his classrooms, a CVS with a Minute Clinic, bookstores, restaurants, library, bank, and a basketball court. He has a ten minute walk to the rec center and stadium. It might take him a half hour to walk to a shopping center with a Target, Staples and movie theater (the western dorms are closer to this area). If he doesn’t feel like walking, there are free campus buses and COTA buses to cart you around the greater Columbus area. The people are friendly and the support is great. He is taking honors engineering courses which are challenging but he has time to do volunteer work, see friends, play intramural sports, and watch OSU football/basketball games. A lot of additional opportunites are emailed to him daily from many sources- the honors program, his teachers, various honorary societies/ fraternities/volunteer organizations, Ohio State athletics, etc, etc. Definitely visit and see what you think. OSU has an urban feel at the edges but on campus it feels more intimate because the classrooms tend to be clustered toward the center with dorms around them.</p>
<p>Interesting you should mention business–that’s a major he’s considering, and one reason he has Indiana on the list.</p>
<p>My D is a current freshman at Ohio State (and LOVES it). She’s OOS (from NY). She is a pre-business major (accounting). She was accepted at Indiana, however, Ohio State was a perfect fit for her. She enjoys the proximity to shopping, off campus eateries, etc. on High Street, while still enjoying a true campus. Though large, she was able to find her way around within her first week of classes. Classes can be large (this quarter she’s in a lecture of 500!), though this is something she wanted. Also, the campus is only a fifteen minute cab ride to the airport.</p>
<p>When visiting Indiana she just didn’t get a “vibe.” She couldn’t image living there for four years. It is a beatiful campus, and downtown Bloomington is lovely, it just wasn’t for her.</p>
<p>ingerp- For Indiana, my son was a direct admit to the business college with a generous scholarship. I would have been happy for him to attend there but it just wasn’t what he wanted. He really loves OSU.</p>
<p>Forgot to mention that OSU’s Fisher College of Business is very well ranked and well recruited.</p>
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<p>Sure, I’ll answer 
(wasting time b/c I don’t want to do Anatomy project…)</p>
<p>To be honest, UI-UC and UW-Madison both have better reps overall. Still, each have their own individual strengths.</p>
<p>OSU is consistent, like the ever-reliable (but not exceedingly attractive or smart) boyfriend or girlfriend. It’s equally good… in everything. Not a weak nor especially stellar department at the school. In a way, it’s like Michigan, very consistent throughout. A big advantage is the sheer volume of majors offered, opportunities and programs students have access to, and the networking possibility available in the booming city of Columbus.</p>
<p>Indiana is the beauty queen. It’s campus is beautiful, its students are beautiful, its city is beautiful set in a beautiful region of Indiana, etc. (see a pattern here?). However, much like the typical beauty pageant winner, it’s not exactly the brightest school on the block. Yes, it has the best business and journalism schools on the list, but other programs are hit and miss. Heck, it doesn’t even have engineering, and a lot of majors are not exactly intellectually stimulating. Admission into the school is far less selective, as well…</p>
<p>UI-UC is the farmboy of the group. Hard work happens at this school, and liberal arts are not exactly respected or recognized. Exceedingly strong in Engineering, with a stellar business program close behind. Also the place to be if you want to do anything in your future related to agriculture, natural resources, etc. Again, a little more lopsided toward the sciences (think Harvey Mudd, Texas A&M, or Purdue-ish), but overal a very solid school.</p>
<p>Wisconsin is the extremely gifted dreamer that casts homework aside in pursit of “more important things”. Definitely the strongest of the options listed in the Liberal Arts, this is the place to be if social science or english-related studies are in the future. Also home to many great professors who, well, teach; not necessarily undergraduates, but these guys are many of the people who swarm around Washington DC to hash out policy when necessary, write new books about theories, do further research studies that trickle down to the media, etc. Still, Wisconsin at times can be a little… out there. Probably not the best place for the quiet, introverted, science type as this place is one of the most liberal and crazy schools in the Big 10 (U Mich being the other). </p>
<p>Hope this helps…</p>
<p>^^ pretty good summary. You know these schools well! This might explain why the superficially beautiful but dumb of my D’s high school (in Chicago) are going to Indiana…although as an OSU grad I take offense at just being called reliable! I would say, however, that the football program is stellar. OSU has come a long way since I attended in the 80’s when I just needed a pulse to get in. Fisher has really climbed the ranks the last few years. I’d say it comes down to fit, but I am biased. I think OSU gives a better college experience than Indiana.</p>
<p>Oh, and looks like the basketball program at OSU is close to stellar too. Sorry, UIUC.</p>
<p>OHKID–that was awesome.</p>
<p>Punt the anatomy. Become a professional college counselor.</p>
<p>My son considered UIUC and UM but found them on the pricey side as compared to OSU (in-state for us), and Indiana or Purdue, both of which had automatic direct admits and generous aid for good stats. However, when considering IU, lots of finance jobs had been cut in Bloomington because of the downturn and it dampened his interest. OSU made sense because he loved the atmosphere, the price was right (merit money + in-state), and he could switch majors between strong programs without transferring to another school and losing merit aid. I think he is now considering medical school which seems like a viable option that he might not have considered had he become a Purdue engineer or Indiana finance major. I am glad he feels he has many good choices within OSU.</p>
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<p>Thanks y’all for the comments! I really enjoyed and appreciate the feedback :)</p>
<p>ingerp - I so wish I could… ;)</p>