Reviews

The small class sizes and individual attention from one's professor (as opposed to a graduate assistant as is the case at most large schools) sets students up for success. It's impossible to just blend in during a class.

I played soccer for four years there, and it was the best experience I've had playing in the 16 years I've been involved with the game. I know every single professor I've had on a first name basis, and love the professional connections and contacts that I have been able to make.

Otterbein is a private school and is pretty expensive. However, as a financially independent student, there have been plenty of resources at my fingertips to make earning my education here affordable. That is, if you don't mind accumulated some student loans!

Visit as many schools you can and resist getting caught up in the name of an institution. Choosing which college to attend is a very difficult and important decision. Take into consideration the things you like to do and what you're trying to get out of your education. If it's a small college set within a great, safe community that is minutes from Easton, Polaris and OSU, then Otterbein University (it's no longer College) may be for you.

Students who are eager to learn and want to attend college somewhere that is safe yet minutes from a big metropolitan city. Also, those interested in Theatre and Dance will love our nationally renowned department and the amazing productions they put together.

Otterbein is one of the most beautiful campuses that I have ever been on. The staff is incredibly hospitable, and your opinion really does matter, if you express it. There are plenty of resources for help in any subject that you are in, if you need the tutoring, and don't ever be scared or embarrassed to find that help.

If you don't like something, you need to express your opinion to Otterbein, because they do care. Another helpful hint is don't ever be afraid to reach out for help, whether it be someone to talk to, going to the health center, or the tutoring options that are free to you!

Classes are very personal, with smaller numbers so you can get to know your professors and ask any questions you may have. It is all very manageable, however don't think it is easy. You have to work for what you're trying to achieve.

Depending on where you live, you may have a better living space, but the community won't be as nice. Depending on what you're more interested in, Dunlap King is not as nice living quarters, but the community is like a big dorm full of family. Whereas, Clements Hall is very nice living conditions, but the community may not be as homey.

There is always a large selection of varieties of food. Different cultured food is easily accessible in the Campus Center. Also, if you leave comment cards, they ALWAYS read them and will value your opinion and try to get whatever you want in there within the week. I, however, must say that you will feel limited sometimes as the deserts are usually obscure and dry, along with the OtterDen always changing and not always for the better.

There are unlimited amounts of activities to do. Once a month there is a free movie night at the Hollywood Theaters if you show your ID. There are countless sports and extra-curricular activities to do as well. Greek life is a fun way to get involved as well. There are different clubs to join including but not limited to, theater, condom club, GLBTQA group, and many more. One last thing is the school and a local church loves to cook for us! Spaghetti dinners and pancake breakfast at 11pm is always a great way to get out of the study sessions.

We have the rock that as long as you wait 3 days, you can sneak over at night and repaint with anything that you are sporting. The rock also tells you about any activities that may be going on in the week as well!

Greek life is a wonderful way to get involved. As a member of Tau Delta, I can say that you will find a circle of friends that will always be there for you, no matter what. You are involved in fundraising, a philanthropy, countless service events, social opportunities, and a scrapbook of memories that will last throughout your whole life.

I have never felt threatened on campus, as we have our own personal police department patrolling Otterbein 24/7 and you can call them at any time. Also, if for some reason you are feeling unsafe, you can call them at any time and they will pick you up and take you to wherever you need to go. You can call them and they will also take you to the health center if you don't feel you are able to get there yourself. They are a fantastic force.

I'm a Health Promotion and Fitness Major, and the professors are great! The classes are small, the professors are excited to be here, the area is safe but close to big city excitement, and the food's pretty good too! I also got a lot of financial aid to go here so they really saved me there!

I got amazing financial aid by keeping in close contact with the admissions people and pushing how involved I am in the community (they're big on that here). I had a 3.2 in high school but still got aid I thought only the top kids got and get to go to this great school!

The professors are there to help, but also constantly push you to grow and reach out. The student resources are very accessible and free, and there are so many people that really want to be here that they really support each other to succeed

Most of the dorms are pretty strict and keep a close eye on students which can be annoying, but the dorms are pretty nice (Clements, 25 W Home Street, & Devore are the best).

There's always some kind of little event going on on campus as well as some great fitness classes (free and fun). If nothing on campus catches your interest, there's plenty to do nearby from concerts and games at the Nationwide Center, to clubs and bars, to parks and running trails.

I got amazing financial aid by keeping in close contact with the admissions people and pushihg

Sociable, maybe kids from smaller schools (used to more individual attention), athletes, and theatre kids.

It's only been 5 weeks since I started, and I've already learned a lot about my major, plus some about my minor too. Teachers here grade strictly and so helps students become better writers.

The teachers are friendly and so are the staff and administrators. Campus is big, but small enough so everything is in walking distance. There are many greatplaces to eat on campus and around in the area.

As a student, free admission to theatre, sports events, and facilities. Sports include football, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball, plus a whole lot others and intramurals too.

Apply early, and when you get a deadline to do something, do it as soon as possible, perhaps even the very day you know of it.

People who want to learn.

Otterbein is a wonderful college. I love the atmosphere and the campus, along with all of my professors. This is definitely a school to consider when deciding on colleges.

Become involved. It's easy to pass by unnoticed and that will lead to a terrible college experience.

The classes here are challenging, but many of the professors are willing to work with you and offer any assistance they can.

There are many different activities to do both on and off campus. There are numerous clubs and organizations that can occupy time on campus. There are also many places around campus to have fun, including the Columbus Zoo, a laser tag facility, and Polaris Mall.

I am hoping to attend Otterbein in the fall of 2012. When I visited, I absolutely loved it; Everyone was really friendly and seemed authentically interested in me and my plans. I would highly recommend!

Only saw the Honors dorms in Mayne Hall where I'd be staying, and they were AMAZING! Tons of space, even without any of the beds bunked or lofted. Good drawer/closet space too.

Buffet-styled dining hall, all you can eat each meal. Good food!

Serious about studies while still laid back in personal life.

It has its own police force! Plus, 27 emergency boxes on campus.

Through small class sizes and interactive learning, I have been able to learn a great deal throughout my last two years at Otterbein College. Teachers use different techniques to ensure complete understanding of the topic you are learning.

My experience at Otterbein College has been extremely enjoyable. I am a Women's Basketball player and have met and interacted with a large amount of the Otterbein student population. Everyone is extremely friendly and have a huge sense of school spirit! Go Cardinals!

The amount I have spent for my education at Otterbein College has been completely worth it. I am learning enough to get me a great job and then some. Everyone I have spoken to that has attended Otterbein has absolutely agreed that the price meets the quality of education you will receive.

The best advice I can give is to get out and meet people. Westerville is a fantastic area to have a College and there are many opportunities for Otterbein students. I guarantee you will find great experiences if you step outside your dorm building!

Everyone! Especially those looking for a smaller college with a small town feeling. We have great equestrian and theater programs, but all of our majors offer great faculty and staff to help you pursue whatever career you are looking for!

Otterbein is similar to a large family. With classes and a campus that is challenging, innovative, and connective, students with any range of interests are able to feel right at home here, and find a niche in which they can explore and expand their minds and experiences. Otterbein has become the second home for many; it is an extremely nurturing environment.

Don't be nervous! That is probably the most useless advice to give an incoming freshman, because no matter what anybody says, nerves will always be around. Still, Otterbein requires all students to step outside of their comfort zone immediately upon moving in. In order to truly absorb all there is on campus, one must open their minds to all sorts of different things. Try everything, some things more than once, and don't be afraid to be different, regardless of what others think.

Whether you're in the Honors Program, or you're an undeclared major, the classes that a student takes part in on campus are extremely challenging. Yes, there are lectures involved, as in any course of study at any college, but it's different at Otterbein. Lectures often blossom into small class discussions among students and professors. Because classes are small, conversations become personal and connective to whatever topic is being discussed. This allows students to better understand concepts in their own way, according to their own individual thought processes. The academia at Otterbein is superb, to say the least.

Regardless of where you live on campus, you're guaranteed to be surrounded by good people. Incoming freshman, I encourage you to have a random roommate for your first year, because it forces you out of your comfort zone immediately. This allows one to meet new people right off the bat, as soon as they move in, and that is the gateway to having a thorough experience on campus as a whole. RAs are helpful and always available, and students can feel safe knowing that they have friends living around them all the time.

Otterbein has several food options on campus. The Cardinal's Nest (cafeteria), The Otter Den (grill), The Otter Bean (coffee shop), and The Roost (cafe). All of these places have great food choices that are healthy and satisfying. The only downside would be that our method of payment differs between location. Otterbein provides Cardinal Dollars and Swipes to students. Swipes can be used everywhere except the Otter Bean and the Roost, and Dollars can be used everywhere except the Cardinal's Nest. I believe the downside is that most students use up their Dollars before their swipes, and so students who frequent the coffee shop or cafe don't always have the option to get their favorite things at the end of the semester, because they're out of Cardinal Dollars. Additionally, Swipes don't roll over from year to year, so using all of them sometimes becomes a challenge.

Otterbein has several on campus organizations that anybody can become involved in. From athletic teams, to honorary societies, to fraternities, sororities, and religious groups, every student always finds something to be a part of. Additionally, since the university is in Westerville, students have access to the entire surrounding area, including Columbus, which makes finding entertainment easy.

Tuition inevitably rises every year, but students find admirable ways to battle that. Otterbein offers thousands of dollars in scholarships and grants to students every single year, and the university is always fundraising in order to increase that number. The education received on campus is unparalleled, specifically because of how personal everyone is on campus. Professors care, students care, and everybody has a passion for something. You don't find that on every campus. But you find it at Otterbein, and it practically pays for itself.

Outside of the fraternities and sororities doing their own things, Otterbein also has what students just call The Rock. The Rock sits in front of the Career Planning and Student Success building, and it is the rock that students paint over and over again all throughout the year. It is tradition that freshmen sign The Rock during New Student Week, when they first move in. As the year progresses, fraternities, sororities, and other groups on campus color The Rock in order to represent themselves.

If you're an individual thinker, or someone who has a passion for something, Otterbein is perfect for you. Because of its small, friendly environment, and its personal, caring faculty and staff, individuals with a creative streak will have no problem fitting in and soaring with their goals. There is something here for everyone, and if there isn't, someone creates something new to make it so.

Honoraries, fraternities, sororities, and religious groups are only some of the options of organizations to become involved in on campus. Students can take part in any or all of them, and if some students feel as though there isn't an organization out there that suits them, they can create one! Otterbein encourages creativity and innovation, and so students have no problem speaking their minds.

As someone who is not personally pledge to a sorority or fraternity, I can still vouch for our Greek life in a positive way. Our Greek houses are very connected, very friendly even in rivalry, and they are extremely active on campus, both with their own organizations, as well as with community service. Greek life is popular of course, and it fosters community on campus and off.

Otterbein has its own police force, as well as the Westerville Police Department right off campus. Students can feel safe and secure every day, both day and night, knowing that the campus is secure both from the inside and the outside.

An extremely diverse campus experience- Otterbein offers something for everyone! This university has a variety of opportunities for many different majors, while maintaining a warm, welcoming, small town vibe!

Student involvement, including community service is one of Otterbein's main focuses while you pursue your education here on campus. Make sure to use resources around campus to engage in the community and communicate with fellow students around you! Although Otterbein is not a giant campus, the opportunities to expand your mind and community service experiences are absolutely endless! Events are constantly posted around campus in common areas, as well as sent through email, so don't pass them by!

Class schedules here at Otterbein are made specifically to your interests as well as your major. Aside from major and minor requirements, Otterbein also requires students to take Integrative Studies courses, in order to utilize critical thinking, and to connect topics that you never thought could be connected!

Living at Otterbein not only is safe and secure, but resident assistants in each of the dorms makes it a fun living experience for everyone! Dorm life includes hall contests, holiday games and parties, movie nights, and so much more, where you can meet a variety of people living in your building! Roomates are matched based on a detailed survey, and your resident assistants help you with anything you may need. With the help of the football team, Greek life members, and other people around on campus, moving in is even a breeze!

There are numerous places to grab a quick bite, or even sit down and have a nice meal on Otterbein's campus! The Otterden, located to the right of the Campus Center serves burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, and more, and also includes a small shop where you can grab quick snacks and drinks to go! The Cardinal's Nest upstairs in the Campus Center is where you can eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and the menu is listed daily! The Cardinal's Nest is a buffet-style eating area. The Otterbean is located in the library, and includes sandwiches, salads, snacks, drinks, and now serves Starbucks Coffee! The Roost is in Roush Hall, and has things like paninis, bagels, coffee, and other grab-n-go products!

There are a number of events to attend and clubs to join on campus! Once or twice a month, there is a $1 movie night at a movie theater right down the street where you can see any movie playing there for only a buck! There is never a time here on campus where a community service opportunity isn't listed on a bulletin board, and there are hundreds of clubs to join as well! Many students are members of Greek Life, as there are six sororities and seven fraternities here on campus! Most of them are private social clubs, so you cannot find them anywhere else except for here! If finding a job around campus seems difficult, Otterbein offers many work study positions, and all you have to do is apply!

Easy to get involved and build relationships.
One on one time with professors all the time.
Safe and fun atmosphere.

Come with an open mind and expect difference from High School.

You have to take it seriously and try your best. It's not free!

Rooms are nice, live on campus! At least for your first year.

Great at first but it gets old after a while. I like it for the most part.

So much! We have free movie nights at our local movie theater. Donut runs at 1:00 am. (Best donuts ever) Many organizations and clubs for everyone!

Donut Runs at Schneider's Bakery!

Every type!

A lot of people get really into it!

So safe. It's Westerville :)