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Anyone have any information on this college?

By Chrisd on Friday, May 17, 2002 - 07:33 pm: Edit

My daughter is finishing her freshman year there. She's had a good year, learned a lot about herself, and seems to be on her way to selecting a major. What sort of info are you looking for? Housing decisions? Strong programs? What the Halloween business is "really" like? I'm happy to answer any questions I can.

By Victoria Burns (Ohiomom) on Friday, May 17, 2002 - 07:40 pm: Edit

Wow fast reply Thank you.

Gosh I have so many questions...where do I start.

My daughter is interested in journalism, in specific, broadcast journalism. I am aware that they have a great program there. We plan a visit either over the summer or early September. We live within an hour and a half of OU, so doing both is no real hassle.

Her biggest drawback is the no cars for freshman rule...is this true? I have a friend who's daughter is a freshman and he says she does have her car on campus...I've yet to determine if it this "allowed" or stashed and hidden from the powers that be! I'm awaiting confirmation from him.

Anything you can tell me about dorms, social life, etc would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again.

By Chrisd on Saturday, May 18, 2002 - 08:59 am: Edit

Cars: my daughter doesn't have one, so I've not read the rules myself. But, she has a freshman friend who has a car in Athens. I think the rule is freshman cannot have cars on campus parking, but there are private lots in Athens where they can rent parking for cars.

My daughter lived in Biddle Hall, on East Green this year. She really liked East Green--convenient to classroom buildings. Her dorm is one that is designated "scholastic emphasis", meaning more quiet hours. I think all the dorms on East are air conditioned, which is a real plus!

Classes start next Sept. 7, I think, if you are planning a fall visit. I'd suggest going when classes are in session, and try not to go on Saturday. As on most campuses, NO ONE is out and about before about 1 pm. on Saturday, and the place looks deserted. OU has a beautiful campus.

By Chrisd on Saturday, May 18, 2002 - 12:04 pm: Edit

Oh, yes. If you don't live in Ohio, you might not be aware of the fact that tuition increases are coming at all the state schools next year. I think OU is one where they are raising the tuition more for incoming students (freshmen) next year, than for current students. If you do live in Ohio, you are probably already aware of the crappy state legislature whose motto is "no new taxes no matter what."

By Victoria Burns (Ohiomom) on Saturday, May 18, 2002 - 12:35 pm: Edit

Thanks for the information you've shared. I'll do some more investigative work on the car issue. I think she is more concerned about the ability to come home on the weekends when she wants to rather than being able to get around campus.

What can you share about food? Good, bad, ok? What type of meal plan did you choose for your daughter?

Dorm size...are they as shoebox as most? What comes standard in the room...etc. Bathroom situation, shared, etc?

I've added the info about classes beginning Sept 7 and will plan a visit for after that. Thanks for the heads up.

How does she feel about her professors? Available, good, etc.

We live in Ohio, suburb se of Columbus. But haven't paid much attention to the news on tuition. I'm not surprised, everything just keeps going up, up, up. So what have you heard about the increase? I take it you are from OH too?

I don't think I mentioned that my daughter is just finishing her junior year in High School, so we have a little more time for decision making.

And you forgot to fill me in on the fabled Halloween business

Thanks for answering my questions and I'll be looking for more.

By Chrisd on Saturday, May 18, 2002 - 07:23 pm: Edit

Food: My daughter took the 14 meal per week plan, as recommended for freshman. She found the food pretty uninteresting, and took to fixing meals, like breakfast,in her room. Next year, she's getting 7 meals per week, planning to do more on her own.

Dorms: Her dorm has the standard type room, with bathrooms for the floor--not suite type rooms. Her room was one of the smaller ones; 12 x 12, but it did not feel small, as they had nice large windows. If you look on the OU website, you'll find floor plans with room dimensions for each dorm. Her dorm, room and public areas, are nicer than some we've seen at Miami, OSU, and Wright State.

Profs: she seems satisfied overall. Her only problem was with an "English Challenged" math TA. He was replaced. . . .with another, slightly less "English challenged" TA. This seems to only be an issue in Math.

Tuition increases: Yes, I am from Ohio too, suburb of Akron. Our state's system of funding education is a disgrace.

Halloween: If you only live 90 min. from Athens, I am certain you've heard about this. I guess in some past years, it had gotten way out of control, but the university does seem to have a grip on it now. It's a huge uptown party, and those who wish to avoid it can do so easily. My daughter went up to see what it was all about, spent enough time to see what the excitement was all about, came home.

When we went for a campus tour, and for orientation, most of the student tour guides were students in the college of journalism. Many of them were from out of state, which is a contrast to the main body of students. I think the j. school students are the shining stars on campus, and that it's a fine program.

By Victoria Burns (Ohiomom) on Sunday, May 19, 2002 - 06:42 pm: Edit

Thanks again for answering my questions.

Yes, being less than 2 hrs away the reputation of OU has filtered up for sure. The party school rep made me a tad nervous, but after talking to quite a few parents and present student I am not so concerned about it. I figure it this way...if that is the environment my daughter is looking for she can and will find it at any college campus. I don't think that is her cup of tea, she's given no indication of that to this point, so I'll trust her judgment on how much and how little partying she wants to do.

She just got a letter from OU about the journalism program and it is obvious they are proud of it. Sounds like it is not a real easy program to get into, competition appears to be tough. We'll just keep our fingers crossed when the time comes.

Sounds like if this is the college she ultimately chooses, she will have made a good choice.

Again, I thank you for the time you took to answer my questions and if I think of any others I'll post them here.

By Chrisd on Sunday, May 19, 2002 - 07:57 pm: Edit

I'll be checking these discussion boards often, as I also have a daughter who is a junior looking at schools, for mechanical engineering. We visited OSU on Friday. OU has, from what I see, the best journalism school in Ohio. I graduated from BG; I don't think their journalism program compares to OU. Good luck on your search!

By Victoria Burns (Ohiomom) on Tuesday, May 21, 2002 - 08:43 pm: Edit

BG...Bowling Green?? What did you end up doing with your degree? Did you take journalism?

OSU is a big one isn't it? My daughter thought about it, but her dad said if she went there, less than 25 mins from home he'd be darned if he'd pay for a dorm...so that changed her mind since she wants to live on campus and get that experience. My only info on OSU from a good friend who's daughter attended there one year before dropping out completely to raise an unexpected child is...class sizes are huge usually, alot of times taught by TA's who don't know enough to be teaching and classes are a bear to get into. Her daughter also had a complaint about arriving to class to either find it cancelled, or being taught by video. ( I found that shocking, you pay a ton of $$ and then get taught by a VCR tape! ) I realize that is not the norm, but it happened repeatedly to her in several classes.

I have another friend who's son is graduating this June...he is pursuing Engineering at Purdue. They are quite impressed with Purdue's engineering dept. Might be worth a look see. I know zilch about engineering so can offer no advice there.

I may be back to pick your brain some more Thanks again for your help and much luck to you and your children in their pursuit of higher education!

By Chrisd on Saturday, May 25, 2002 - 09:51 pm: Edit

I graduated with a degree in English from BG. . .the classic "what are you going to do with it" degree. I took a master's degree in library science, from the U of Tenn/Knoxville, and have lived happily ever after with that degree.

We visited OSU engineering the other day, and my daugter was excited about their program. If you can do honors (1300 SAT), you get priority class registration, and there's an honors track for freshman in engineering. It's still not my daughter's first choice, but I don't think it would be a bad choice--ranked high on the US News lists.

Last day of finals at OU is June 7!

By Roger (Roger) on Saturday, May 25, 2002 - 09:59 pm: Edit

Hey, Chris, I didn't notice your orange at first! Go Vols!

-MBA UTK

By Victoria Burns (Ohiomom) on Sunday, May 26, 2002 - 10:50 am: Edit

Chris...my daughter got an invitation from OU to a preview day, either June 29 or Aug 3. We haven't decided yet which day to attend but we do plan to go. Did you attend anything like this there?

I did talk to my friend's daughter who is a freshman with a car down there. She had a upperclassman friend who lives in a condo off campus, very nearby and she parks her car there. She primarily only uses it to go home as she says there is really no need for it there other than that. So that had made my daughter feel better, she knows she can come home when she wants to and not have to have me come get her or hitch a ride with someone else. His daughter also invited her to come down next fall and spend a night or two with her on campus, so I'm sure she will take her up on that. They plan to get together in June so she can also answer any other questions my daughter has.

Glad your visit to OSU turned out well and that your daughter found the program exciting. Good luck

By madlion on Friday, October 25, 2002 - 01:38 am: Edit

I stumbled upon this site looking for some information about the Halloween party this year. I am from Ohio, but currently attend college in New York City. If anyone wants to hear my advice hear it goes. OU is is a good time and a good school and as far as a "college experience" is concerned it is the best in Ohio. I feel qualified to make this statement because I have visited/ partied at half the schools in the Eastern U.S.. Princeton, OU, both Miamis, Haverford, Kent, Yale, Dayton, OSU, Kansas State, Penn State, UPenn, BG,Harvard, Georgia, Bama, Tulane, LSU and my soon to be alma mater Columbia to name a few. I can honestly say OU has the greatest group of kids of any of em. When it comes down to it, that is what makes both a kid's time in college and the quality of his education.

By Jenn L S on Saturday, November 02, 2002 - 09:13 pm: Edit

I attended and graduated in 2001 from OU. I like the atmosphere. It's a small town, and everything is within walking distance. I always felt safe. The only drawback is the parking... the police love to ticket you. I had a meeting one Friday and parked in the garage. The meeting was at the building next to the garage and ran a few minutes over. The police had been in the garage and ticketed me five minutes before I got there. The parking meter had just run out of money about 10 minutes before that. You can't win... they're Nazi about parking there.

Jenn

By jenn again on Saturday, November 02, 2002 - 09:15 pm: Edit

There may be some confusion on this site... OSU is Ohio State University (in columbus)

Ohio University is in Athens. It was actually the first university founded in the midwest....

By Melissa Brown on Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 04:14 pm: Edit

I am in high and interested in journalism. Do you have any information you can send me to my home?

By Tiffaney Kaiser on Monday, November 18, 2002 - 02:14 pm: Edit

im a senior in high school and just sent my application in for OU. its my first choice and would be my only choice, but im so afraid i wont get accepted so i sent in apps for OSU and BGSU also. my guidance counselor said i would have no problem getting into OU but i think hes only saying that because he knows thats what i want to hear. here are my stats:

ACT (composite): 19
G.P.A.: 3.1
top 30% of my graduating class

for some reason im just worried because i think my G.P.A and ACT scores are too low. i was wondering if anyone had any advice for me so i know what to expect in the coming weeks from OU.

By Stiffaney (Stiffaney) on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 03:57 pm: Edit

since we talking about OU, and I just applied... does anyone know how long it usually takes to get an admissions decision back. I heard it depends on the college, but about a month???

By chrisd on Saturday, November 23, 2002 - 09:21 pm: Edit

Two years ago,when my daughter applied as "undecided," it was about 8 or 9 weeks before she received her acceptance there. Since the OU school of journalism is really competitive to get in, I imagine that would take longer. OSU is quicker: my second daughter applied there in mid-Oct, heard within four weeks, heard about Honors acceptance within one more week.

By Stiffaney (Stiffaney) on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 09:58 am: Edit

but do you think that the only reason it took that long might have been because she was undecided. i have already have a major in mind. also do you know anything about the requirements??? act scores, gpa, anything?? thanks!

By Ohiomom (Ohiomom) on Friday, December 06, 2002 - 09:59 pm: Edit

My daughter applied to OU this yr. She got her acceptance back in less than 2 wks. We were very surprised at how quickly it came back. She applied to the Journalism school and did not get in. Her scores were well over their guidelines but I do believe that Scripps has become so competitive that if you don't get your application in very early, you take the chance of losing out. She is going to go to the College of Arts and Sciences and hope to transfer in later.

By Grandeur (Grandeur) on Saturday, May 17, 2003 - 03:58 am: Edit

hi

have been admitted to Cleveland State university for an MS in Computer Engineering. I would like to have some idea about how the university is, job prospects and the like in cleveland. also about fianance related stuff like off.on campus jobs, tuition waivers, RA,TA......
blaah blaah blaah...

please send in some helpful facts...need to decide on going for it or not.
bye

By Chrisd (Chrisd) on Saturday, May 17, 2003 - 05:44 pm: Edit

Have fun at CSU! This thread is about Ohio University, in Athens Ohio. If you'd like comments about Cleveland State, you need to start a Cleveland State thread.

By Ouchic (Ouchic) on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 03:52 pm: Edit

Hello, I am going to be a junior at OU next year. Here is a few bits of advice.

1) The "no freshman parking" rule was said because there really isn't much space to park, however it is only a recommendation and not really enforced. If there are places to buy passes to park, then you are surely welcome to buy a pass.

2)The dorms aren't too bad. They come with the basics, including a microwave and refrigerator. They also come with a computer for every 2 students to share, which is a good plus. Not many schools do this, and they are actually pretty nice, with DVD and CD burners in most dorms.

3)Unless you or your child will eat almost anything, I recommend the 7 meal plan (at least for girls). You can always change your plan to a higher one, but you can never go down. I can honestly say that I barely used my seven a week, but they are changing it around, which should be much better for incoming students. I did spend a lot of money on going out to eat my first year, so I suggest you really budget well for that or really watch how you spend your money, becuase it goes FAST!! I hated dining hall food last year, but it grows on you after a while. I suggest trying Jefferson Dining hall at least once...it's the best!!!

4)I have actually had really good professors so far. Of course there will be a few weird and mean ones, but they aren't that bad. There really aren't a lot of foreign professors here (well in the engineering programs there are), and I can usually understand the foreign ones anyway.

5) A little advice about ACT scores. When I applied 2 years ago I needed to have at least a 21, but now that more people apply the numbers have gone up. I actually think they take your ACT, GPA, and activeness in High school into account. I would say that you would need at least a 22 or 23 to get in now, unless you are applying to a certain program, then it may be even higher, but don't let this scare you, the numbers change each year depending on the type of and number of students that apply.

6) Some advice for Halloween weekend. There are mass people that come into town.. like 20,000, beside the 20,000 that are already there. It is pretty crazy, but nothing too extravagant. I am pretty conservative myself, but I still find it fun. Of course, there are parties, but there are always parties. If you live in the dorms you can only have one guest, and they are extremely strict on that. It's really not that bad, I promise.

By Violet (Violet) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 02:12 am: Edit

Does anyone know if OU offers early admission for qualified high school juniors who would like to skip their senior year?

By Chrisd (Chrisd) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 12:12 pm: Edit

My daughter is a student at OU. I don't know specifically about skipping a senior year, but their Honors College is rather unusual, and you might check there. It's geared towards students who know what they want to do, and want to get it done quickly. . . .modeled on British education I think.

By Varr (Varr) on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 05:52 pm: Edit

Hey everyone I’m a sophomore(female) from Mexico, and I’m moving to Toledo OH ,
I was wondering if you could suggest a private Catholic High school???
I’ve heard of Maumee Valley and so far its the best one I’ve seen, since of the Winterim which I really think is awesome experience to work or have an internship.
but what about St.Ursula Academy, and what about Notre Dame Academy?? (since they are like the school i attend now)

I am currently in an all girl private roman catholic high school, and I’m looking for comments on any private high schools over there, catholic in preference, and co-ed. or all girls doesn’t really matter.

Thanks

Varenka A Rdz

By Cizek111 (Cizek111) on Thursday, April 01, 2004 - 09:21 pm: Edit

Hey! I was thinking about OSU as a college I'd like to apply to. I was wondering what sort of things they look for in your resume... or how hard it is to get in. Thanks -Steveo


My email is cizek111@yahoo.com

By Megofou (Megofou) on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 08:22 pm: Edit

Um...Cizek...this is the OU thread, not the OSU thread. But OSU isn't hard to get into.