OSU: The Big Picture
A lot of people feel like Ohio State is so large that they would become just another face in the crowd if they came here. But the great thing about a huge university is the huge number of opportunities you have. There ARE a ton of students here, but that just means that you're practically guaranteed to find some awesome people that are interested in the same things you are. And while OSU is definitely a big school, it doesn't take long before you start to feel like you're part of the family.
Another great thing about Ohio State is the number of traditions that we have. From jumping in Mirror Lake to yelling "O-H! I-O!" at each other around campus, football season at Ohio State is definitely an exciting time to be a Buckeye. Being surrounded by 100,000 other screaming Ohio State fans at a game is definitely an experience I'll remember for the rest of my life.
OSU Academic Life
One of the great things about Ohio State is that you don't really feel like you're competing with the other students in your classes. By and large, your fellow students are more than willing to work together on homework or study together for a test.
The professors at Ohio State are great about making time for students. They're more than happy to answer questions during class, after lecture, during office hours, or by e-mail. One of my professors even gave out her cell phone number the last week of class, in case we had questions over the weekend while we were studying for the final.
OSU's Student Body
Ohio State has such a diverse student body. I've met people from all kinds of cultural backgrounds and walks of life that I would never have been exposed to at a smaller school.
Over the past four years I've been pretty involved with student organizations geared toward Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered (GLBT) students. Overall, I've found that Ohio State is very welcoming of GLBT students - I've experienced very few instances of homophobia first hand. Most of the students that I've talked to about it seem curious, mostly.
OSU Student Activities + Social Life
The Ohio State campus and Columbus as a city provide so many social opportunities that don't involve drinking. One of my favorite things is the Gallery Hop. On the first Saturday of the month, the art galleries and stores in the Short North (an area near campus that is easily reachable by bus, which is free to ride for OSU students) stay open late. Everyone walks or rides the bus down there and wanders around the art galleries for a few hours. It's really interesting and fun, and it makes you feel so cultured!
