Reviews

You won't believe the opportunities you have here at Ohio State. There are over 160 academic programs available. I enrolled with an undeclared major, but wasn't nervous about it because ultimately whatever you go into you will be successful. The classes have great professors who can be challenging but are here to help you become the best.

I see Ohio State as its own city within the city of Columbus. They have almost any intramural sport you can think of. There are clubs and activities for everyone from all different backgrounds, making it pretty easy to find where you fit in. The diversity of all the students is amazing. You can meet someone with a new story almost everyday. It is as fun as you make it.

The price is kind of high, but not unmanageable. In state is cheaper, and with help scholarships, loans, and/or grants it isn't bad at all. You get an excellent education, outstanding experiences, and incredible memories.

1. Get involved in something: a club, sport, organization, church, etc. It is the fastest and best way to meet people.
2. Keep a schedule. There is a lot of freedom here, so its best to balance you academics and your activities.
3. Go to office hours - this is challenging the professor to teach you. Office hours and review sessions are the best places for help (especially in large lectures).
4. Stand out. Network yourself. Meet professors and administrators. Get to know people for who they are, not just what they do. Who you know does matter.

Great for hard workers who are able to set goals and want to be successful. Also good for those who love to meet new people. The amount of people is overwhelming at first, but you get adjusted to it pretty quickly.

Ohio State makes learning interesting. With an intelligent, research-experienced staff, students have the opportunity to learn relevant information from people who have been there, done that, so to speak.

With a campus this large, there are infinite opportunities to meet people and get involved. There is never a dull moment; from varsity sports to traditions like the Mirror Lake jump, there really is something for everyone.

While college tuition is expensive, Ohio State has some of the lower rates in the state. Also, you really are paying for the experience here. Students will get what they paid for and more with the lifelong education and memories they acquire at Ohio State.

Get involved! This is the easiest way to meet new people, aside from living in the dorms. This way you can meet people with the same interests as you. Also, do not be overwhelmed by the size of the school at first--instead, take advantage of everything a larger college has to offer.

Great for students who like working hard and meeting new people. Also great for those who like the excitement of urban life while maintaining the comfort of being on a college campus.

Ohio State has helped me immensely in gaining real world experience for my major. I am in early childhood education and within the first couple weeks there I obtained a job at Ohio State's Child Care Program. In your first year at Ohio State you will take a survey class that will help you with scheduling classes, deciding on and applying for a major/minor, how to use the resources available at OSU (such as library databases), and how to adjust to life on campus. While this class will help you with the start of your college career, it is up to you as a student to determine how your college years will go.
Ohio State has helped me to grow as a person and a student. In high school, I had my parents around, consistently telling me to get my work done, checking up on my grades, etc. Now I live at school, two hours away from them and I have to motivate myself to get my work done, study and get good grades. Ohio State will not completely throw you to the wolves with no help but they will not hold your hand either. When I graduate from OSU, I am confident that I will be ready for the real world and ready to find a job right after graduation.

Ohio State has such an enormous campus which may be overwhelming at first, but once you start your first quarter, campus feels like home. Your first quarter classes are in five different buildings at the most, so learning five buildings is not too difficult at all. Once you are consistently walking to your classes for a few weeks, you learn the area so quickly. Classes that are big lectures with hundreds of people also have recitation classes which consist of a small group from the lecture who meet a few times a week so you can get a more personalized classroom experience.
Professors are really helpful with any questions that you have and if there are any problems with your professor, there are higher authorities that are always willing to help (this I know from experience).
There are so, so many ways to get involved at Ohio State as well. There are many groups that include club sports, intramural sports, greek life, and many different academic and extracurricular activity clubs are available at Ohio State. You name it, they probably have it and if they don't, you can create a group of your own.
After academics and extracurricular activities, there is a great night life at Ohio State. There are so many people around, many restaurants, movie theaters, music venues, etc. There is never a dull moment at Ohio State.

College is expensive, and yes, I would like for it to be cheaper. However, especially for in-state tuition, Ohio State is one of the cheaper alternatives. Especially with financial aid, scholarships and grants, tuition is a lot cheaper.

Come in to Ohio State or any college ready to work, it is not simple and it is different than high school for sure. However, do not feel guilty about having fun, relaxing and making friends though either!

Ohio State is great for those that love the big city, or lots of activity going on around them. The more independent student may find Ohio State a much better fit for them.

The teachers here are true professionals. They are experts in their respective fields, and really take the time to make sure you understand the material. The TA's are also very helpful; having just completed the course only a little while ago, they can relate to students and explain things in an easy manner.

This is THE place to be. No matter who you are, you will find something here for you to do, whether it's an intramural sport, a student government position, or a club. You meet someone new everyday, and the people here are just so kind.

In-state or out-of-state, you will get the bang for your buck. THE Ohio State University is a top university for a reason. Their pursuit of excellence is unmatched in my experience. You can rest assured that the money you spend has been well spent when that degree is in your hand and employers are lining up for a chance to get you.

Stay within yourself, and keep things in perspective. This is a huge school without a doubt, but that doesn't mean you don't matter. Never forget to study; for those of you in high school who didn't really study but still received good grades (like me!), this will change. If you keep academics first, everything else will fall into place afterwards.

Honestly? ANYONE AND EVERYONE!! As an out-of-state student, I was a little wary at first, but once I visited the campus and spoke ith students, I knew I was making the right choice. For international students, I don't know if there is a school that is more diverse than THE Ohio State University. Students from pretty much every country are represented here; just the other day I met a Dutch girl! And for in-state students, the school is right there waiting for you.

Ohio State is it's own small world. Once you get involved, which is a must, you cannot walk across campus without seeing someone you know. From academics to sports, Ohio State is an excellent school with long standing tradition.

If you don't have a career in mind, join the exploration major. They work well with their students, and try to match your interests to a major and career. Always remember to get involved in something, as well, since it help create a small circle in such a big school.

Some programs are more rigorous than others. The sciences, most notably architecture, engineering, and chemistry, tend to have the most rigorous classes and class work. The chemistry and math general education classes are known for being notoriously hard. However, some classes, such as some comparative studies and theatre classes, are much easier. It depends on your program of study.

Ohio State's main campus dorm life is split into three areas: North, South, and West.

North campus is mostly comprised of upperclassmen (sophomores through graduate students), and has quad style housing. North dorm rooms are comprised of three rooms: a bedroom with up to two bunks, housing a maximum of four people, a common room with chairs, desks, a mini-fridge, and microwave, and a bathroom with a small shower, toilet, and sink. Students are responsible for cleaning their bathrooms, and the floors are co-ed, with each quad belonging to one gender. North dorms also have the added comfort of air conditioning in addition to heat, which every dorm has. Each floor has one RA. Campus wise, North dorms are closest to most of the core' classes on campus, with the engineering, physics, and chemistry buildings less than a five minute walk. However, the medical center and agricultural classes are a bit of a walk.

South dorms are your typical college dorms. These are your doubles, one room to two people, with a corridor shower. Corridor showers are cleaned daily by staff, and are shared by half of the floor. Some dorms have all-girl or all-boy floors, but most have half and half. There are two RA's, or resident advisors, per gender. If a floor is half girls, half boys, then there is a boy and girl RA on the floor. There is heating in these dorms, but save the new dorms opening, they do not have air conditioning, and in early fall semester and late spring semester, the dorms are known to reach the mid to high 80's. The neat things about the South Dorms is that they are mostly connected by underground tunnels, easily leading from one dorm to the next. South dorms a bit of a farther walk to most of the core classes, but is closer to the medical campus. The agricultural campus is still a bit of a walk.

West Campus is comprised of the two large towers, Morrill and Lincoln. These dorms have suite style rooms. you enter each hexagonal room to find a common room. Through...

It's college food. Some places are better than others. There are two main food plans. Traditional food plans are your scheduled, three meals a day, at certain locations, with unlimited food. There commons also accept the alternate food plan, swipes (or, now as they're called, blocks). One swipe is worth x amount of money, but one meal at traditions is one swipe. Swipes are available to use at all on campus meal locations. Most locations open at 6:30 or 7:00 in the morning and close around 8:00 pm on week days. The exceptions are Burrito's Noches, located on North campus, between North Dorms, and is open until 2:00 am. The other place open late is Sloopy's Diner, which is open until 2:30 am on weekdays and 3:30 on weekends. The food is okay, not the best, but not the worst. Also, Kennedy Commons is excellent for allergies. You tell them what you are allergic to, and they make exactly what you want, how you can have it, in front of you. Both North Commons and Kennedy Commons have gluten free and allergy sensitive food. Although you can get things cooked how you want in most food places, Kennedy Commons and North Commons take care of allergies the best.

The best thing to do for fun is join a club or organization. Ohio State has over 900 clubs, and if you don't find one you like or that you want to join, make your own! Anything from joining the on campus athletic bands (plays for multiple sports) to greek life (there is a sorority or fraternity for almost anything, academic, service, or social) to anything in between (we have a BBQ Club, a Pokemon club, engineering club, equestrian clubs, almost anything), clubs are the best way to meet people like you and have fun.

For the most social people, bands come all year to a venue right in front of the student union. Bars and clubs also line High Street opposite of High Street.

Of course, the Ohio State experience wouldn't be complete without going to a few sporting events. Ohio State has 36 sports to watch. Not a fan of football or basketball? That's okay. Want to watch Olympic calibre fencing? You can do that, too. Even if you don't like sports, it's a great time to go and experience one football game with your friends.

For in-state students, it is definitely a steal. Ohio State far less expensive than most high end schools, but has the same opportunities as most big name schools. There is no larger alumni network in the world. It is quite expensive for out of state and international students, and scholarships are quite competitive.

Ohio State traditions are closely associated with our rich football history, since we've been playing since the 1800's. In fact, game day Saturdays is a tradition in and of itself.

Two hours before every home football game, the Ohio State University Marching Band performs a hybrid pep-rally/rehearsal that is free to the public in St. John's Arena across from the Horse Shoe. It's called a Skull Session. Since the band memorizes a different show every week, it's their last chance to focus on the music while envisioning the marching maneuvers before they preform pre-game in front of a crowd of 105,000. Often times, there are guest band, either from the opposing school or local high schools, and they perform a couple of songs.

The marching band, itself, is an Ohio State tradition as well. Often called TBDBITL (The Best Damn Band In The Land), the OSUMB is a 225 piece all brass and percussion marching band, designed after a british brass band. It is a highly competitive band, and only 195 march per game.

During pre-game, the marching band performs the Incomparable Script Ohio. It is a follow the leader drill, where, from a block O, where the band forms the word Ohio in a scripted font. While the idea is taken from the University of Michigan's rendition long ago, it is a different, more difficult and dangerous, drill. As the final O is closed up, the Drum Major leads a 4th year (as in that member has been in the band 4 years, not that they are in their 4th year at Ohio State) sousaphone major to dot the I. This is a prestigious achievement, as only a few people have ever dotted the I.

As other universities, Ohio State has songs that are strongly tied to the University. The Alma Mater, Carmen Ohio, was written by a football player on the train back to Columbus after a demoralizing loss to that team up north. Now, it is sung after many sporting events, and is best known for being sung by the football team after each game, win or loss. The school's fight s...

Is great for students who are adventurous. It doesn't matter if someone is extroverted or introverted, you have to have a sense of adventure. Ohio State is great for social students and people who have a broad range of interests. It is also the best for students who have tolerance or want to learn about different types of people. It is not for people who are afraid of the city or large numbers.

As explained above, there is something for anyone on or around campus. There is something to do at all times, from free athletic events to clubs of any and every kind, it is hard to not get involved. It can be academic or social, service or fun, it doesn't matter. If you are interested, chances are, there's a club. In addition to all of those resources and activities, the Ohio Union Activities Board (OUAB), brings in all types of speakers and entertainment. Within a week, both Bill Nye the Science Guy and Tim Gunn spoke to the students of Ohio State for free.

Greek life at Ohio State is not as predominant as in other schools. There is a large number of sororities and fraternities, but they are not the largest forces on campus. It is easy enough to find members of greek life in all areas of the school, but they are self sufficient and inclusive.

I have to say, I never had any problems with safety on campus. There are blue call boxes all over campus. Ohio State has it's own police department and SWAT team, as well as a student escort service that can pick up and drop students off until early in the morning for free on and close to campus. I've walked across campus at all hours of the night, and never ran into anyone overly suspicious (a few drunk people, a couple high, but nothing dangerous or scary). Be smart, though, and always carry pepper spray or some form of self defense on you, just in case.

Faculty and staff here are really knowledgeable about whichever subject they are teaching. Though some classes are rather large, there are still ways to get help. A larger class size made me more independent and reliant on my note-taking abilities.

I have met so many interesting people! I meet people everywhere, the dining hall, my dorm, classes, and through other activities. There is bound to be something at Ohio State for everyone!

The courses are challenging and are well worth the money being spent on them. College isn't going to be cheap, no matter where you go. The lower price for a high rate institution such as Ohio State makes it well worth every penny.

You would have to really try to not meet people. Make sure you develop good study habits as they are crucial to doing well. Get to know your professors, sit in the front, go to office hours, and meet your teaching assistants. Get everything on a schedule so you still have time for fun things besides studying; that said, it's very easy to get sidetracked.

Focused, dedicated, and resourceful students do well at Ohio State. Though the large size is a little intimidating at first, you'll soon adjust and driven students know how to maintain the grades.

All of my teachers so far have been excellent. I have learned a lot in all of my classes. The professors really know how to make even the most boring material interesting.

OSU has become my home. I love the whole atmosphere of the big campus and all the things constantly going on here. There is always something to do or some new person to meet.

Since it is a state school the tuition is not too bad. You get the feel that your getting a lot for your money-a good education, and a good experience.

Get involved. There are so many opportunities at Ohio State that it is a shame to miss out on. Also do not be intimidated by the size of the campus, once you learn your way around it does not appear to be as big, I like it a lot because there are so many different opportunities, activities, and different types of people that you do not get bored.

Everyone! There are so many different people here that everyone is bound to fit in somewhere. There are also so many different clubs and activities offered through the university that everyone is able to find something they enjoy to do.

This university has some of the best research, academic, and knowledge growth opportunities in the country. The learning goes way beyond the classroom, the lecture hall, and the library. The best learning here is found with classmates in a coffee shop studying for an exam together, through discussions after class, and through the experiences gained at such a beautiful campus. The lecturers develop new ways of teaching students, not just from book reading, but from adapting information into hands-on learning. I have gained not just an academic education, but a wealth of knowledge that I can keep after graduation.

To come here may have been the best decision I had ever made. I still get a smile on my face when I walk through the Oval, the main part of campus, because I know I've found a home. It is so easy to find your niche at a school so diverse with so many offers. Although it's considered one of the biggest schools in the nation, it really does become small when you become involved in an organization. They offer so many student organizations, inter-murals, classes, seminars, and other activities that it's impossible not to find something you're passionate about.

For a public university, the quality of an education here is insurmountable. Not only have they kept the price of tuition frozen for 3 years in a row, but the administration here has offered so many unique opportunities to make every penny worth spending on college life here. The dorm life is a blast, classes are engaging, and the university faculty is really easy to interact with. This university, in my book, is top notch.

* Eat on campus as much as you can. Some people say the food is jusy okay (I thought it was incredible!), but they regret not having a meal plan later!
* Get involved with an organization. I got involved as soon as I came here last year. Joining Undergraduate Student Government allowed me to learn how this university works and I met so many amazing people!
*Go Greek! Although it's just a small portion of the student population, this is a great way to interact with the community as a whole because there are so many volunteering, social and academic opportunities through Greek Life!
* Study! Go to class and let yourself become engaged in discussion. You don't have to feel awkward about answering a question in class or asking one anymore. It's encouraged. Then, study for exams in the amazing new library! It's so quiet and there's lots of staff to help you with whatever you need.
*Find people to talk to. Talk to advisers, your tour guide, or alumni. Talk to professors and TAs and GAs. Get to know them. You will never know when you'll need them to be around!

This school is best for students who:
Are driven
Are determined to have a great career
Love living in a city
Are spirited
Love diversity
Are from different backgrounds
Are from different walks of life
Love experiencing new things
Are focused
Are goal-oriented
Dream of coming to a big school (like me!)
Find happiness in many things

Ohio State was originally the last school I wanted to go to, just because I lived so close and the size was so intimidating. However, after my college tour I fell in love and now it is home. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else and can't imagine going to any other college.

Get to know your dorm on the first week and even if the people living with you aren't like people you were friends with in high school, make a conscious effort to be their friends- having people that will have your back right next door is price less.
The involvement fair is super overwhelming and is totally not the only place to find clubs and activities. If you don't find what you need there go to the union or talk to your peer leader from orientation- they are always willing to help.
It's a big campus but it's not a confusing campus, just make and effort to walk everywhere and figure it out.
Be nice to everyone because even though it is a crazy big campus, the Buckeye community is super close

It's not an Ivy League but you WILL spend a lot if not all your time studying and at least a couple nights crying with your roomie over a Chem assignment. School is hard but there are a ton of resources at OSU to help students out.

I live in one of the oldest dorms on campus, which I was not too thrilled about when my friends were living in the newly remodeled dorms on South Campus. Dorm life is what you make it though. Everyone in my dorm is super close, every dorm I've been in is clean and the bathrooms are nice. And the older dorms have the biggest rooms ;)

THERE ARE SO MANY OPTIONS. OSU has the traditional dining halls (which are delicious btw) as well as some restraunt style places like Sloopy's Diner, Woody's Tavern or Mirror Lake Creamery. There are also Markets with salads and pasta bowls and other healthy options.

High street is super close to campus and the bar/night life is super fun and really chill if that is what you are into. There are also lots of plays, the shops at the Short North, movies you can check out for fun from Thomason Library, and activities put on by the dorm. For example, for Halloween my dorm took a trip to Ohio State Reformatory (where they filmed Shawshank Redemption) and Circleville Pumpkin Festival.

My favorite traditions are Light up the Lake which happens before final exams in the winter and transforms Mirror Lake into a winter wonderland and the Mirror Lake Jump which happens before the *ichigan game.

OSU is great for serious students who also love to socialize and be with people. There is a lot of fun to be had at Ohio State, it's just a hard school to get into and a school which takes academics very seriously.

There are a lot of options at OSU which is a double edged sword because there is almost too much to choose from. But every club I've been in has been very inclusive.

It's a big campus in a big city so bad things happen but there is a very strong security and police presence on campus, especially on weekends when lots of people are out late at night. I've never felt unsafe anywhere on campus. Where you have to be careful is High Street and by the off campus student housing.

Yes, I am learning so much here. Although we are ran on a quarter schedules with only ten weeks to teach a subject it is manageable. As a freshman just finishing her first quarter, when I started to go to class I thought I was going to at least no some things, but I didn’t know anything. So I really had to pay attention and go to class or I would miss valuable information. I’m glad to be going to a school that challenges me and not as easy as my high school. This quarter I received a 3.4 and I’m really happy. I feel that the information taught here I can really use in the work force when I graduate.

Yes, I really enjoy being here. There is always something to do on campus and with over 500 clubs to choose from at times it can be over whelming and what you want to do. Of course of football game days it gets really hectic with all the people that come allover just to see the game. I’m so glad my dorm is next to the stadium because I can just watch out my window. You create many friends here because everyone is so nice. If I’m not in my dorm I’m either in my friends, the RPAC, at a club or sitting in the oval or the union. Plus, my school is in an urban city, and I know as my top choice of college this was one of my qualifications in picking my school. I would never transfer because I’m so happy here.

I believe it is a bang for the buck. From coming from DC and applying and receiving scholarships, it is well worth it to pay for a college experience at OSU

Creating bonds with your teachers (because I created bonds they have already written me recommendations).

Visit the teachers and assistance hours; (they get bored a lot because now one hardly comes).

Go to the library; (there is a library on campus for every major department).

Go to review sections they have before a midterm; they are really helpful.

Get involved it is the fastest and best way to meet people with the same interest as you.

Keep a schedule because you are going to want to go to so many things you might not remember something.

It is great for everyone because it is so diverse here and people are friendly and there are many resources on campus to help you with anything you need.