The Vibe
United in pride
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WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO GO HERE
Ohio State seems like a wide, sprawling campus at first, with a size just as intimidating as its sheer enthusiasm for sports, but you’ll soon realize that it’s not as terrifyingly big as you’d think. In fact, you can get just about anywhere in 10 minutes. “Even with as big as people tell you the campus is going to be, it’s still surprising when you start to run into people you know with the more you get involved with on campus,” said junior Alex Haynes. Nestled near downtown Columbus, OSU’s heart, The Oval, takes up 14 acres of sprawling grassy space that reaches from the main library to High Street. A mix of classic and modern buildings house subjects as diverse as the students who walk its grounds, where you can learn about anything from space-focused aeroacoustics to Quebecois literature.
What makes it seem so big is the sheer energy that characterizes the campus. The Oval teems with students chilling, studying, exercising and just about anything else you can imagine. The students themselves carry their love for their school and their city everywhere. “Everyone, not only on campus but also around all of Columbus, absolutely loves the school. No matter where I am in the country, I could be wearing an Ohio State shirt or hat and someone will shout ‘O-H’ or ‘Go Bucks!’” said sophomore Meghan Kammerdeiner.
The best part of campus? You can always find something going on. “The dorms do a good job of getting freshmen out to explore Columbus by sponsoring trips to places like the zoo or a Blue Jackets game,” said Kammerdeiner. Even on a regular day, campus buzzes— students from different dorms, majors and clubs can be found just about anywhere you look, with activities and tents spread all over campus.
Awesome Alumni
As one of the biggest schools in the U.S., you can find many famous people in the incredible range of OSU alumni. If you’re a 90s kid, then you remember growing up on the Goosebump series— guess where R.L. Stine graduated from? That’s right, Ohio State. Another famous alum is Jesse Owens, four-time gold medalist at the 1936 Summer Olympics, and namesake of one of the most prestigious awards for track and field athletes. Speaking of athletes, out of the many NFL players who came out of Ohio State, you can count current NFL coach and member of two Super Bowl-winning teams Thomas “Pepper” Johnson among them. On the scientific side is Nancy Currie, a NASA astronaut who graduated in 1980 and went on go into space four times for over a thousand hours. Finally, there’s Bill Kraus, a gay rights and AIDS activist the 1980s who fought for funding to fight AIDS in a time where people didn’t want to acknowledge it even existed.
Where We Hang
OSU’s enormous campus means plenty of options for places to hangout. You don’t have to look far to find a place that works perfectly for you. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some local favorites for students. Located in the University District, a short walk from the east edge of campus, High Street hosts the whole nine yards: local cafes, chain restaurants and excellent bars, all down the east side of campus. You’ll also find students grabbing a bite to eat in nearby neighborhoods like the Gateway District and Short North, whether it’s 3 a.m. snacks or weekend brunch. “If you like breakfast food, Hang Over Easy is a solid breakfast place located on South Campus. It just depends on what people like,” said graduate Kaitlin Louie.
Q&A
1. How much are students partying?
“The party scene is great from my experience. Most of the athletes stick together so I know what I’ve experienced might be different from what other students have. It’s nice because we have a nice mix of house parties and like five bars that are on High Street. Different places have different vibes which is fitting since our school is so big,” said Kammerdeiner.
2. What would you get in trouble for at your school?
“Certainly drug use, whether illicit or underage, will get you into trouble. There are varying degrees based on what drug it is. Also, in class, plagiarism is always one of the most important things to watch out for,” said sophomore Cameron Woodard.
3. How much sex are students having?
“While I can’t speak to the amount of sex people are having, I can certainly say that they offer free condoms all over campus to keep people safe and healthy,” said Hayes.
4. What would you tell incoming freshman about your school?
“The school is massive and that can be scary, but you’ll find your niche. Definitely go to football games. It’s an experience that every Buckeye should be a part of. Also take advantage of your meal plan and try all the places on campus! Definitely take a fun class like racquetball or skydiving,” said Louie.
5. What are your favorite weird campus traditions?
“My favorite tradition at Ohio State above all is singing Carmen Ohio. Carmen Ohio is sung after every Buckeye event to celebrate our commitment and pride in our university. It gives me chills every time, knowing that I am a part of something special,” said Gretchen Theil.
Student Reviews
“I’ve heard people say only go to a school that big if you never wanna see the same face twice, but in my experience, that isn’t true at all. I can never walk around campus without running into at least one person I know either from athletics or classes or just passing each other every day. It’s crazy how at home I feel when I’m at school because even though it’s so large I know I have such a great support system around me.” – Meghan Kammerdeiner, class of 2020
“The most challenging thing about college was figuring out me. This was also the most rewarding. Ohio State gave me a place and time to learn so much about myself. Don’t be afraid to try new things or switch your major a few times. I worked a great part time job while in college. School and work wasn’t always the easiest, but if you find a job that you love and one that is fulfilling to you, you’ll be a lot happier and less stressed.”– Kaitlin Louie, class of 2017
“My favorite parts have been the relationships I’ve made in my hall, in clubs, at work and in classes. Also, I love going to see movies at the Gateway Film Center which is a five-minute walk from my hall. The only really negative thing I’ve experienced has been pains from walking so much, but biking, busing and losing weight helped. I regret only having started swimming near the end of my second semester.” – Cameron Woodward, class of 2020
“My experience has been a roller coaster ride at The Ohio State University, but I wouldn’t change it for anything! Going to such a large university provides me with opportunities I could only dream about, but sometimes it is hard to stand out in the crowd, or even get into a few classes here and there! Family and friends always ask what my favorite part of Ohio State has been so far, and I would have to say the people. I have had the opportunity to learn from people from all types of religions, nationalities, sexualities, you name it.” – Gretchen Theil, class of 2019
“I grew up in Indiana so coming over the border to Ohio was a change… Ohio State isn’t just a school loved by Columbus or just people on campus; Ohio State is loved by the state of Ohio and that’s what makes our campus culture different even once you leave campus. Getting “O-H”ed in Australia and in places like Cleveland make me realize how lucky I am to be apart of something as great as Ohio State. You come to Ohio State because of the exceptional faculty and the state-of-the-art facilities, and then you find out it’s the high caliber people that make you never want to leave… I’ve sung Carmen in -5 degree weather for this school and I’ve jumped in a frozen lake for this school and I can’t imagine having gone anywhere else.” – Amanda Schoeffler, class of 2018.
Top 3 Majors
1. Biology
2. Finance
3. Psychology
Top 3 Most Popular Student Organizations
1. Block “O”
Founded in 1938, Block “O” is the student cheering organization, with thousands of members who regularly fill the stands at every home football game.“Our whole goal is to make the student experience at OSU sporting events as memorable as possible by being the loudest, rowdiest, and craziest fans. We’re the largest student organization on campus and an all inclusive student organization on campus meaning it doesn’t matter who you are you’re more than welcome to join us! We spread Buckeye cheer, tradition and spirit as much as we can on campus and across the Big 10 conference through road trips to support our sports teams,” said president Amanda Schoeffler. That stadium-wide OHIO cheer you hear during every Buckeye home game? Created and lead by these people.
2. Ohio Union Activities Board
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9PIBpDAcY0
The Ohio Union Activities Board makes sure that students can attend a wide range of programs and events, from watching movies outdoors to cooking classes to career advice workshops. “OUAB can bring national names to our campus to share their viewpoint on issues, their experiences with strife, or their enjoyment of hobbies. I’ve personally seen Chef Alex Guarnaschelli in the Ohio Union for a live cooking demonstration… OUAB also bring great entertainers to campus, adding a great counter to the stresses of student studies,” said senior Michael Frank. If you love going to events and want to share them with others, OUAB is the place to make it happen in OSU.
3. Buckeyethon
One of the major campus philanthropies, BuckeyeThon mixes dance marathons with fundraising to raise awareness and donations for children being treated for cancer at Nationwide Children’s Hospital right in their home base of Columbus, Ohio. “[Buckeyethon] unites all grades, resident halls, student organizations and OSU faculty into one night of dancing and celebrating the children who are fighting so hard against cancer. Each participant needs to raise $250.00 to participate and the generosity I’ve received from family and friends each year is beyond anything I could have ever imagined,” said Theil. For the past three years, they’ve managed to raise over a million dollars each year, and the number just keeps increasing.
Getting In
Like many universities, while OSU can be flexible on what it takes to get into the school on a whole, you still have to work really hard to get in. The average GPA is 3.72, which means that even straight Bs aren’t going to cut it— you’re going to have to stretch for a report card of mostly As in high school. However, if your GPA isn’t quite up to snuff, it’s possible to offset it by your ACT or SAT scores, but those have to be pretty high— the requisite ACT and SAT scores for OSU are above the national average. But aside from numbers? You need to be dedicated. Strong academics are a good foothold for getting into OSU— you may not need those seven extracurriculars or ten letters of recommendation or three volunteer projects.
And the essay? Survey says, it’s super important. “I focused most on the essay. I had good grades and test scores, but there’s no such thing as guaranteed admission as far as I’m concerned. The essay is how you can make yourself personal to the reader, no matter how many they’ve read in a sitting,” said OSU sophomore Cameron Woodard. Other students agreed. “The most important part of the application to me was the essay. While I had good grades and a few extra curriculars to list on my application, the essay was where I could really try to convey who I was and stand out from everyone else,” said Hayes.
The consensus: Keep challenging yourself in high school, prove that you’re willing to commit to the work it takes for good grades and put your heart on paper (well, computer screen) so everyone knows not just what you can do, but who you are. If you can do that, you’re gold. Or rather, you’re scarlet.
STATS
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Tuition & Fees: $10,037 in-state; $27,365 out-oof-state
Total Cost on Campus: $11,666 for room & board
Undergrads Enrolled: 45,289
Graduates Enrolled: 13,374
Total Enrolled: 58,663
Accepted Percentage: 49%
Percent Admitted Who Enroll: 35%
Enrollment: Incoming Freshman: 7,032
Percentage of Male Students: 52.4%
Percentage of Female Students: 47.6%
Percentage Receiving Financial Aid: 83%
Percentage Receiving Federal Grants: 18%
Percentage Receiving Federal Loans: 44%