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How is Ohio Wesleyan? How does it compare, socially and academically, to other colleges in Ohio, such as Oberlin, Denison and Kenyon? THanks!

By chrisd on Sunday, July 21, 2002 - 08:34 pm: Edit

One difference is that OW is adjacent to Columbus, and the other schools are in small college towns; Kenyon and Denison are fairly isolated, Oberlin is not too far from Cleveland.

By Rupert on Wednesday, July 24, 2002 - 01:23 am: Edit

What about academic qualities of these schools?

By chrisd on Wednesday, July 24, 2002 - 08:16 am: Edit

Kenyon, Denison and Oberlin seem to have more of a national reputation than OW in the humanities. Oberlin is quite liberal, with a very strong music conservatory. Oberlin also has a somewhat larger enrollment. I live in the area, only know what I hear--you might try posting on the Princeton Review board for some additional views.

By Pwirth (Pwirth) on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 03:58 pm: Edit

OW and Denison are pretty equal in my book from research done... both academics seem equal..OW was a party school that has had some crackdowns and now has a solid academic reputation...think Oberlin and Kenyon are still thought of as better academically but OH does have good humanities programs..there social life is probably better the Denison.
My so is considering OW but for some reason does not want to consider Denison...we are not from Ohio.

By Scr_1525 (Scr_1525) on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 06:27 pm: Edit

My brother just came back from a visit there. He says that the campus is not what it is cracked up to be. For the academic rep they carry, the campus is disappointing. ANd the food is bad!

By Usfpete (Usfpete) on Monday, July 28, 2003 - 02:18 pm: Edit

I graduated from Ohio Wesleyan after transferring from Butler (In.). Butler's campus was much prettier. Ohio Wesleyan's campus was a bit run-down, but after I graduated (1998) they renovated a couple of buildings and added a student health center. Needless to say, I am a little bitter. Nonetheless, the education is good. Delaware isn't a very exiciting town by any stretch, but one can be in the center of columbus in about 30 minutes and Powell and Worthington are even closer (with some restaurants and sports bars).

By Calif (Calif) on Saturday, August 23, 2003 - 02:30 pm: Edit

Denison and Ohio Wesleyan are by no means equals academically - Denison is far superior. In the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings of America's top national liberal arts colleges, Denison was ranked 49th. In comparison, Ohio Wesleyan was ranked 97th.

By Varr (Varr) on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 05:56 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 Owugenius (Owugenius) on Tuesday, December 02, 2003 - 01:50 am: Edit

OW and Denison are equals. 25% of this ranking that you cite is based on unsubstantiated academic reputation. Look at everything else...the numbers are pretty much the same the difference is statistically insignificant.

By Chavela0 (Chavela0) on Saturday, April 03, 2004 - 06:57 am: Edit

I got into OWU early...is anyone else considering going there??

By Prima_Donna (Prima_Donna) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 05:58 pm: Edit

Anyone have any info on the music program?

By Percyweasley (Percyweasley) on Sunday, May 02, 2004 - 07:07 pm: Edit

I attended Ohio Wesleyan for one year, but then transferred out because the academics were extremely mediocre. Most of my classes were far easier than the AP classes I took in high school, and I was dismayed by the poor quality of the student body -- most of the students put more emphasis on parties and drinking than studying. OW is probably the worst of the "national" LAC's in Ohio. They do give out very generous merit scholarships, but the educational quality it extremely low, and the school has a very bad reputation.

By Cornellecon (Cornellecon) on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 01:46 pm: Edit

I disagree with the previous poster. Ohio Wesleyan University's strength is its faculty and academics. Perhaps the previous poster majored in Physical Education in which case it would come as no surprise that he thought the education at Ohio Wesleyan was mediocre. Not true! I majored in Economics and Classics and I thought the quality was first-rate. Definitely better than the quality of education undergraduates at the Ivy, where I currently TA, are getting. Don't listen what people and indivudal disgruntled posters say about the school - check out the placement, the background of invidual students and professors and see for yourself. Adjectives are not very helpful as they are based on personal experience, which in some cases could a function of the person, not the place. Ohio Wesleyan's academics are definitely on par other fine Midwest LACs...Kenyon, Denison, Gettysburg, Lafayette, Grinnell. My opinion is based on my own personal observations in the Ivy that I am currently attending and the many graduates of my school and the other LACs that I mentioned.

By Notsobad (Notsobad) on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 12:35 am: Edit

It is a very good school,look at their yield for grad schools. Over the last few years they have increased the GPA and SAT needed to get in. This summer I met two girls at BB in Delaware that had applied with sat in the 1300'S AND 3.5s and and they were rejected. Their science, sociology, psychology and I believe history, political science and econ are good. I am not sure about the rest. They send there student to some good graduate schools. I wouldn't go there for the arts.
Don't go by ranking from US news or you may miss out on some good schools. You can even read what Oberlin's Dean said about those rankings, it was published recently.
They have done extensive renovations and the campus look quite nice. The dorms or only so so and the food is bland except for the cafe. My sister graduated from OWU last year and has been accepted at Georgetown Law School. My grandfather's cardiologist did his undergrad there and my great grandfather is pretty old so he has done a good job of keeping him alive. ;)
You will find a large contingent of businessmen, lawyers amd the like in the D.C. area from there.
Go visit the schools you are looking at and sit in on some classes in your major. That is the only way you are going to know.
I have spoken to several professor at different schools over the last few years and all speak highly of OWU, and most of them chuckle at the US News Rankings. I always felt the best books for the money to get an idea were The Fiske Guide and the Princeton review and then taking a trip to the school and attending some classes in your potential major. OWU has had some extensive renovations in the last few year and they have a very nice new science building, which was not totally complete last year. My sister said some of the dorms were nice some were not so nice but they are all suites now I believe. The food is so so. She liked the city of Columbus, not too far away. Freshman are not allowed cars but many had them anyway and parked on the street.

They used to take quite a few legacy students which did tend to bring don their second return rate as many of these students did flunk out. They take fewer legacies now.