Ohio State Academics

[ScarletBlood31]

I could have sworn there was a thread for this awhile back, but I couldn't find it using the search function (I tried everything I could think of).




I just wanted to get some opinions on The Ohio State University and its academics, and how good of a school it is to go to. I am going to be applying for colleges pretty soon, and I know that tOSU has been improving in recent years, but I do not get as much exposure of it living in Virginia.

Any alumni, or people who know the University and could give an honest evaluation of how good the school is would be appreciated. Also, if you could compare it to other schools, what majors it is known for, undergrad vs. grad school, and then life as a student with the size and location of the school.

Thanks.

 

[Bob Saccamano]

Talk to GavinRylee-- she currently attends OSU and is seeking friendship.

 

[FCollinsBuckeye]

Talk to GavinRylee-- she currently attends OSU and is seeking friendship.

Great post. I agree.

 

[BB73]

lantern/2007/01/30

OSU first-year class smartest on record

For the twelfth consecutive year, the incoming freshman class has continued the tradition of slow and steady progress in the realm of academia. During the past decade, Ohio State has continued to improve its recruitment of outstanding high school seniors.

According to a report prepared by Undergraduate Admissions and First Year Experience, academic statistics have increased from last year and have been steadily improving over the past decade. In the report, academics stand out but a couple of non-academic statistics stand out including a large increase in nonresident students and the 91.5 percent first-year retention rate.

Continued ...

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

Wikipedia has a pretty thorough, and seemingly accurate, article on Ohio State.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio_State_University

Put into a Virginia context, I'd place Ohio State a notch behind Virginia but a definite step above Virginia Tech. Among the eleven Big Ten schools, we're currently ranked 6th for undergrad, 6th for admissions selectivity and 5th in rankings that are more focused on grad programs, research and faculty quality.

 

[JohnnyCockfight]

Put into a Virginia context, I'd place Ohio State a notch behind Virginia but a definite step above Virginia Tech.

With the consideration of in-state tuition, it shouldn't even be a question where to go if you get into UVA, and it's a tough call between Virginia Tech and Ohio State (out-of-state tuition). Virginia Tech will carry just as much, and probably more, weight if you think you want to stay in Virginia after graduation--although it is in Blacksburg, and that is considered Appalachia. William & Mary is also a top-notch public in Virginia, but the student experience won't be as "social" and "fun" there (Deety don't shoot me).

JMU and George Mason are also good choices. ODU, CNU, VCU and I'm sure others are good and getting better. Virginia probably has the second best public university system, behind only California. If tution & costs are any kinds of consideration, take advantage of it. You can always take a road trip to Ohio State for the football games.

 

[Cornerback6]

If you like the city life...tOSU has (IMO) a wonderful campus and facility for whatever you might wish to do. Academically, te school continues to get more and more demanding each year...but beyond that, I can't tell you anything Wikipedia or U.S. News & World Report can't tell you.

 

[tibor75]

If you (or your parents) are going to pay in-state tuition, it's a great deal. I'm always amazed by Ohio parents who end up paying out of state prices for less than amazing education (i.e. scUM, PSU, etc etc). If I live in Ohio, the only way my kid is going to get me to pay for out-of-state / private tuition is if we're talking Ivy or MIT.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

With the consideration of in-state tuition, it shouldn't even be a question where to go if you get into UVA...

Agreed that if you can get into UVA, you should go. One thing to consider is that if you have the grades to get into UVA, you'd probably be pre-accepted into the Honors & Scholars program at Ohio State and might get more than enough scholarship funding to compensate for the increased out-of-state tuition.

 

[CleveBucks]

A lot depends on what you're looking to study.

 

[Deety]

William & Mary is also a top-notch public in Virginia, but the student experience won't be as "social" and "fun" there (Deety don't shoot me).

Don't worry; I know it. Somehow I managed to miss the party scene entirely... my crowd was lively but not wild by any measure. It was near enough to VA beach to take off after morning exams, though...

A lot depends on what you're looking to study.

Agree! Especially important if you go for a smaller school... somewhat less important in a large university. Also less important if you intend to go to graduate school, in which case a well-balanced undergrad education is the key.

 

[ScarletBlood31]

With the consideration of in-state tuition, it shouldn't even be a question where to go if you get into UVA, and it's a tough call between Virginia Tech and Ohio State (out-of-state tuition). Virginia Tech will carry just as much, and probably more, weight if you think you want to stay in Virginia after graduation--although it is in Blacksburg, and that is considered Appalachia.

I'm definitely going to UVA if I get in, I'm just in the position where I have grades that could get me considered, but it would be kind of a reach to get accepted.

When you say VA Tech would carry as much weight as OSU, do you say that including the different tuitions, or just comparing the educations/degrees alone?

If you (or your parents) are going to pay in-state tuition, it's a great deal. I'm always amazed by Ohio parents who end up paying out of state prices for less than amazing education (i.e. scUM, PSU, etc etc). If I live in Ohio, the only way my kid is going to get me to pay for out-of-state / private tuition is if we're talking Ivy or MIT.

I see what you're saying, and definitely agree. Also, in case you weren't aware, I live in Virginia, so the in-state advantage would have to be with schools such as UVA, Va Tech, JMU, W&M, etc.

A lot depends on what you're looking to study.

I want to major in business, and then go on to try to get an MBA. That is why I have been eyeing OSU so much, because I have heard good things about their business programs, along with other things. Not to mention I have a lot of family in Columbus, and I think that I can declare for in-state tuition after my first year if I establish residency, correct?


The only thing I've really heard about OSU that is definitive is how big of a school it is. I think that I would be fine with a big school, but then again I don't really know what the differences are. What are the advantages/disadvantages of going to a school like OSU, versus a school of half its size?

 

[Deety]

When you say VA Tech would carry as much weight as OSU, do you say that including the different tuitions, or just comparing the educations/degrees alone?

OSU over VA Tech every day IMO, especially since you aren't going into engineering.

You already have my PM dissertation, so I'll just add that where you plan to live post-college can play a role. If you stay in VA, a VA school will be better for networking and name recognition than OSU. If you plan on living in the Midwest, the opposite is true.

 

[Deety]

Interesting sidebar came up via PM... let's see who agrees.

My father always said it's your last degree that matters, so what you study depends on how far you plan to go. Definitely take the business classes, but if you are going for an MBA, you'll want a good variety of classical liberal arts classes - big time language arts, logic, and other areas you won't get to focus on taking later. Maybe consider business as a minor in undergrad, or if you do a double major, make sure one is outside the business school.

Most employers will be more interested in critical thinking and problem solving skills, which comes from a broad-based education. They'll want the business degree, but if you go for an MBA, that will do it. Just make sure you take what you need to take to get into the MBA program you want.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

For undergraduate, I've always believed that the overall quality of the school is far more important than the strength of any particular program. For one thing, a large percentage of college students end up changing majors and graduating in something other than their initially intended major.

If your ultimate goal is an MBA, it's true that you'll be more attractive to top programs if you weren't an undergraduate business program. It's my understanding that engineering and science majors are most sought after followed by traditional liberal arts majors.