Ohio University-Main Campus Top Questions

What is your overall opinion of this school?

haley

Amazing school and amazing photography program

Drew

The best thing about OU is that no matter what you can find a friend group here. It is not hard there are kids from all over. I wish the kids here would dress properly and be a little more formal. It is pretty large about 20,000 all together and the biggest class I have taken so far is 200 kids. The classes are huge so its hard to meet with teachers. They do have office hours but what I have found out is they don't always come to theres.. People react that wow they party hard down there it must be crazy, the town is well a college town not much else is around athens ohio. I spend most of my time in the dorm, fitness center, library. Football is not very big down here, hockey is kind of big but kids do not really come out to the games. Most frequent complaints is the food.

sean

When i was growing up I wanted to go to only one school. That one school was The Ohio State University. But near the end of high school I applied to both Ohio State and Ohio University and I am still very glad I did that because it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. OU is a great school with a beautiful campus and a great academic program. The area and the school is also filled with some really great and friendly people. The day I moved in freshman year my parents and I were completely lost; thankfully their were several people to help us out and point us in the right direction. I knew right away that I was going to like going to school here. The school, in my opinion, is not too big or too small. Ohio State is too big, Ohio University is just right. You can get to just about anywhere on campus within 10 minutes. It's a beautiful campus so you will enjoy walking to wherever it is you have to go. As you can tell I really enjoy attending my school. I believe that anyone that comes here will have a great time and make a lot of new friends. This is a school that has a place for everyone and I am truly proud to say that. Go Bobcats!

sean

When i was growing up I wanted to go to only one school. That one school was The Ohio State University. But near the end of high school I applied to both Ohio State and Ohio University and I am still very glad I did that because it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. OU is a great school with a beautiful campus and a great academic program. The area and the school is also filled with some really great and friendly people. The day I moved in freshman year my parents and I were completely lost; thankfully their were several people to help us out and point us in the right direction. I knew right away that I was going to like going to school here. The school, in my opinion, is not too big or too small. Ohio State is too big, Ohio University is just right. You can get to just about anywhere on campus within 10 minutes. It's a beautiful campus so you will enjoy walking to wherever it is you have to go. As you can tell I really enjoy attending my school. I believe that anyone that comes here will have a great time and make a lot of new friends. This is a school that has a place for everyone and I am truly proud to say that. Go Bobcats!

Lauren

After just one quarter, Athens, OH has become my home. Ohio University, even though it boasts a student body of over 17,000, feels like my own close community that grows in size and strength every day. When I tell people I attend Ohio University they often give me a dubious glance, as if to ask "Why would you choose that school when Miami and other Ohio schools have a better reputation?" This is the only thing I would change about OU. Certain students at OU have earned the reputation of being partiers, giving the entire school ill repute within the collegiate community. In spite of outside opinions of Ohio University, the town of Athens offers remarkably diverse opportunities for students. On any given night, both the Convo and local coffee shops can be packed with Athens residents and students alike. Sometimes I have trouble deciding what to do because there is always so much happening! Ohio University is one of the best kept non-secrets in Ohio. Nearly everyone knows it exists and can reference its party school reputation. However, OU is truly a great place to grow as a student and as a person if you take the time to look beyond reputation and rumor.

Kendell

The traditional Ohio University stereotype is "the partier." This stereotype has climbed in recognition after the national ranking placement of Ohio University for #1 Party School in America. While most college students encounter parties at Ohio University, I would not judge this stereotype to be true. Many students interact in social settings that do not involve drugs or alcohol and find great pleasure in these environments. With numerous student organizations, there are many ways that students are able to make friends and socialize amongst the student body without putting their lives at risk.

Sean

Ohio University? When I think of that place nostalgia rushes over me like a large, soft, comfy blanket. It may sound lame, but I am in love with the place. I initially attended Miami University in Oxford, OH. What a bad decision on my part. I was miserable. I wasn't myself and I was wandering around doing things without my normal conviction and passion. When I visited OU for the first time I fell in love. The people were great. They were fun and excited about their school, and it didn't matter what group you were involved in on campus. Everyone is a Bobcat. So many people are involved with so many things on campus and throughout the town that it is truly hard to describe Athens as anything but ALIVE. People are so lively and excited about what possibilities are around them. Everyone has a voice in Athens, and they make sure they are heard. With one of the best journalism schools in the country it's hard not to get your voice out there. Over the years I've met with the President several times and discussed with him the possibility of reinstating the Men's track program that was unfairly cut in 2007. It hasn't been reinstated, but with constant persistence from myself and others on campus that run for the Cross Country team we hope all our nagging will make a difference. I am just thankful for the opportunity to nag to THE president. How many other places allow you to set up an open line of communication with the head of your university? Not too many. Athens is all about these kinds of communications, and it is the one thing that really sets it above the rest. It's a blessing and a curse going to Ohio University. Blessing because it's the best school in the nation, and curse because you'll never want to leave. One of my favorite moments was during my first homecoming an alumni was walking through campus with a backpack on. He looked over at me, breathed in a big breath of fresh Athens air through his nostrils, and said, "Ah Athens! Never leave this place kid." I think everyone on campus that knows an alumni has a story very similar to this one. That's rare to find such love for a university.

Sean

Ohio University? When I think of that place nostalgia rushes over me like a large, soft, comfy blanket. It may sound lame, but I am in love with the place. I initially attended Miami University in Oxford, OH. What a bad decision on my part. I was miserable. I wasn't myself and I was wandering around doing things without my normal conviction and passion. When I visited OU for the first time I fell in love. The people were great. They were fun and excited about their school, and it didn't matter what group you were involved in on campus. Everyone is a Bobcat. So many people are involved with so many things on campus and throughout the town that it is truly hard to describe Athens as anything but ALIVE. People are so lively and excited about what possibilities are around them. Everyone has a voice in Athens, and they make sure they are heard. With one of the best journalism schools in the country it's hard not to get your voice out there. Over the years I've met with the President several times and discussed with him the possibility of reinstating the Men's track program that was unfairly cut in 2007. It hasn't been reinstated, but with constant persistence from myself and others on campus that run for the Cross Country team we hope all our nagging will make a difference. I am just thankful for the opportunity to nag to THE president. How many other places allow you to set up an open line of communication with the head of your university? Not too many. Athens is all about these kinds of communications, and it is the one thing that really sets it above the rest. It's a blessing and a curse going to Ohio University. Blessing because it's the best school in the nation, and curse because you'll never want to leave. One of my favorite moments was during my first homecoming an alumni was walking through campus with a backpack on. He looked over at me, breathed in a big breath of fresh Athens air through his nostrils, and said, "Ah Athens! Never leave this place kid." I think everyone on campus that knows an alumni has a story very similar to this one. That's rare to find such love for a university.

Samantha

I love OU! My job on campus is to spend time working with the Alumni Association. If there's one thing I'd have to pick as my favorite about Ohio University, it would absolutely be the sense of tradition and community provided by alumni involvement. Homecoming weekend is filled with people visiting, and I know that when I leave, I'll miss this school as much as they did. With about 25,000 students in a town of 2,500, Athens (the home of OU) is definitely a college-town. This area is defined by the university, and it gives the students the opportunity to grow and flourish in a location that uniquely specific to the OU student's individual and community goals. OU has a great reputation and I love being able to say that this is where I study. I get a lot of respect, and when I meet alumni, they always offer me both congratulations and interesting stories. I could not have picked a better school. I wouldn't change anything about it.

Sarah

I love Ohio University. The school is just the right size for me, the campus is absolutely beautiful and the friends I have made are the best I have ever had. Ohio University is the quintessential college town, I almost never leave the campus and I feel like I am getting the full college experience.

Matthew

Ohio University is a great overall experience. Most people I talk to complain that they don't have enough to do outside their campus. Athens, Ohio is the very definition of a college town. The campus is worth staying on for activities but when that is not enough, the town is only a five minutes walk and has plenty to do. Even though the town has a reputation for being a party school, the town offers a lot more than just bars and places to drink. There is an active music scene, a diverse culture and a rich community dedicated to activism and a green future. Ohio University is more than a school. It is an experience and the town of Athens is a part of that overall experience.

Madison

I absolutely adore my school. I love how friendly the citizens of Athens are and how the students interact within the community. The students are always welcoming and friendly to visitors and new students. If I had to change anything about my school, I would change the number of hills I am forced to climb daily. While they add character and beauty to the campus, one's calves definitely get a workout,day in, and day out. I have a lot of pride for my school and I will always remember my the day I moved into my dorm as a freshman. On that day, I met my two new roommates and felt truly independent for the first time in my life; It was both intimidating and liberating. I also met someone that day who is now one of my best friends and I will actually be sharing an apartment with next year. At college, you meet life-long friends, and I knew that day that she and I would be friends for life.

Roger

Ohio University is an enviroment that produces growth in everyone that is a part of its community. I believe it is a wondetrful university and is excellent at developing students from the first time the step on to campus to when they walk across the stage at graduation. Its a university where after your four years are over, you may try to stick around for additional years.

Roger

Ohio University is an enviroment that produces growth in everyone that is a part of its community. I believe it is a wondetrful university and is excellent at developing students from the first time the step on to campus to when they walk across the stage at graduation. Its a university where after your four years are over, you may try to stick around for additional years.

Roger

Ohio University is an enviroment that produces growth in everyone that is a part of its community. I believe it is a wondetrful university and is excellent at developing students from the first time the step on to campus to when they walk across the stage at graduation. Its a university where after your four years are over, you may try to stick around for additional years.

David

Ohio University is THE college experience. I love this place so much. Athens and the surrounding area is magical, and you can truly feel the energy of the land when you are here. There is nothing comparable to coming back to Athens after being gone for a month or even a weekend - it quickly became my home last year. This is so much so a college town that the population DOUBLES when school is in session. All the brick architecture is aesthetically pleasing and adds a rustic feel to the atmosphere here. It is just small enough to be a comfortable environment, and just large enough to keep you guessing all the time. All of my friends who come down to visit me don't want to leave - there is just something special about the people who reside here in Athens. All my professors have been enthusiastic and friendly. The administration does a lot of questionable things, however I feel that will only get better with time. I definitely believe our party school ranking is very misleading, although both extremes exist here in Athens. We have the most enlightened, spiritual, good-to-do, introspective people in Ohio; as well as some of the most ignorant alcoholic robots America has to offer. However, the good largely outweighs the bad.

Sandy

I would have to say that the best thing about Ohio is the people and the atmosphere. The campus is simply stunning with all of the brick buildings and foliage. The campus is centered around the "uptown" area, which brings everyone together. If I could change one thing about Ohio, it would be the parking situation. There is not enough parking on campus for those who live too far to walk. The size of Ohio is just right, with approximately 20,000 students (including graduate students). Everytime I walked to class, I passed several people that I knew, however, there are still plenty more people for me to meet :) When I tell people that I go to Ohio, they say "Ohhh, party school!" With all do respect, I just took 20 credit hours, went out every weekend, participated in tons of extracurricular activities, and got a 4.0. We party but we work VERY hard, too! I spend most of my time around West Union St. due to the fact that most of my classes for Communications take place over on West Green near West Union St. Our school is the definition of a college town. It is amazing. When I first came to Ohio, I had some problems with the advisors which I have heard is a common problem, however, once I got the right one, she was absolutely amazing. Just like at any school, some faculty are just more dedicated than others. My advice to incoming students would be to get a second opinion from another faculty/administration member before making a big decision (such as switching majors). The biggest recent controversy on campus was the one involving students storing generic equations in their calculators for their Accounting tests. Accounting 101 (Into to ACCT) is known as one of the (If not THE) most difficult classes on campus. Students were storing several of the many generic equations that they needed to have memorized in order to complete the test in their calculators and there was a huge deal made about it. Accounting students now have to use calculators given out by the instructor. As for school pride, there is a TON of it. I remember going to hear a visiting speaker a few years back and he made a huge point of mentioning how almost every student he passed was wearing Ohio paraphernalia. Even the faculty/administrators exhibit a large amount of school pride. Ohio students are also very into Ohio State football and divided into BROWNS, Bengals and Steelers fans. There are individual bars dedicated to each team :) The most unusual things about Ohio are what I listed as my favorite things: the people and the atmosphere. The one experience I will always remember from Ohio was from my Sophomore year- I was still an undecided student and I was starting to feel the pressure of needing to declare a major. I felt very lost and confused and needed some direction. I got fed up one day and called the School of Communications and said to the lady who answered the phone: "I need help. I am undecided and I think I want to be a Communications major but I have no idea in what area. I love people, I am good with computers, I don't do well with time limits, and I am interested in Marketing and the creative aspect of things. Can you please help me?!" This woman, who I later found out was Vicki Rhodes (the amazing secretary in the College of Communications), sat on the phone with me for a good 20 minutes and went through every area of the College until we found the one in which I felt was ME. She never sighed or tried to rush me off the phone- I could tell that she was GENUINELY interested in my well being. The major that she helped me pick that day is still my major and I am completely enthralled in it!

Will

Honors Tutorial College and Scripps...the rest is mediocre. These two schools are national trend-setters, however.

Valerie

I think OU is just the right size. Big enough that it doesn't just feel like Chapter 2 of high school and with all the research and academic resources of a universtiy. However, once you get within your college, you get a know a lot of people personally. If you choose to get involved in clubs and organizations, the campus shrinks pretty quickly. You can't walk across campus without seeing someone you know.

Tracey

Ohio is an average sized school tucked away in the Ohio Hills. Athens is a complete college town, without it the city would be next to nothing. Great atmosphere, always something going on! The majority of graduates have a great amount of Bobcat Pride and go back to visit often.

Tate

The environment is very condusive learning.

Michael

Ohio is a big university. You have to understand that and embrace it if you want to go here. The campus is big, and requires walking around up and down hills all the time. I found it to be a positive, as I do not work out at the gym very often. Athens is located in the middle of nowhere, so you need to be comfortable with that fact as well.

annie

I think that the education that is available and the campus itself and the best things about Ohio. I think that we have one of the prettiest schools around and the professors are helpful. One thing that i would like to change is the maintance of campus. It can tend to look dirty which hurts the good reputation that Ohio works for. Some people chuckle a little when i say i go to Ohio and comment on the amount of partying that occurs here. That discourages me a little because Ohio represents much more to me...my future and goals. I think that the administration is great but it is hard to understand the teachers that are from out of the country, which can make learning a bit difficult. Students readily complain about the bathroom situation in the dorms. They tend to be dirty, which can be frustrating sometimes.

Jenny

the campus is beautiful and is undercherished

Emily

I don't think I can pick a "best part" of Ohio. The place is gorgeous, the school pride is amazing, and the atmosphere is lively. I love how it feels like a college. It's like the city is only here because of the college, unlike places like Ohio State. If there was no Ohio State, there would still be a city. I can get across campus in ten minutes. At Ohio State and other big colleges it takes maybe 115 minutes on a bus to go from one side to another.

Pat

The Best thing about Ohio is the people. I have yet to meet one mean person.

Elisse

I love going to Ohio University. I feel like it is the perfect size for a school, and it's a quaint college town. There isn't much to Athens outside of the campus, but it feels great to be a part of it. When i tell people i go to Ohio, i always get the big-eyed, "Oh, the party school", and that bothers me, because plenty of people here don't drink. And most people know how to control themselves, though you do sometimes have to dodge puke when walking down the sidewalk on a friday night outside the bars. The administration cares about the students and the atmosphere thats created here, we get e-mails and chances to communicate with them all the time. There is a lot of school pride, on any given day you will find tons of people with an Ohio t-shirt or hoodie, and most people love it here.

Rob

As far as the administration goes, I don't think there is anything I could complain about that wouldn't be equally as annoying at any large state institution; sometimes size = bureaucracy. OU's campus is beautiful. There are lot's of hidden treasures here in Southeast Ohio if you take the time to look for them. Some students complain that there isn't enough to do and that it's a boring town, I say only boring people get bored. There is plenty to do if you're willing to go out on a limb and try something new.

Josh

I like the feel of the OU campus. It's a picturesque area in the Hocking Hills. Athens provides the perfect example of a small college town. The most recent controversy is the death of two students at Riverpark Apartments.

Tate

OU is defined by Athens. The school has something like 3 times the population of the town. Athens is the center of the region, it's the biggest thing for a 50mi radius. We don't get many people here who are just driving though. To me this all leads to Athens being a fairly quite town. There isn't an int'l airport near by or helicopters jumping from building to building. The school has been here since 1804, and it shows it, in a good way. The campus is very green, lots and lots of giant trees (and squirrels) and spots of grass everywhere. It looks damn nice. Downtown Athens and OU sit on top of each other up at Court street, it's hard to tell where one stops and the other starts. Both are wedged between and river and a hill side, the space isn't getting any larger so the school is pretty fixed in it's size.

Allison

I best thing about Ohio University is its small town charm, along with the towns surrounding OU. I would change the students who are unaware of all the opportunities college and Ohio University has to offer. I mean the sights, the students, the townies, and the businesses. I think OU is the perfect size. People assume i party, because i got to OU, but this isnt the case. i spend most of my time in the dorm, which happens to be substance free.

Ben

it's just your average college

Kat

It has a beautiful campus. I also love the number and variety of student organizations and the ease that new ones can be formed. I really don't like how much people drink. It's extreme and during Spring, when there's a major fest almost every weekend, I get annoyed when half the class is ineffective or hungover. I don't have a problem with drinking in itself, but there's a clear difference when Springs' fests are going on.

Jenna

If I could change one thing about Ohio it would be the structure of government here. We need a bigger voice among the students. The size of the school is perfect. People usually either thing attending this university is amazing or a sin. I spend most of my time either in class, in the Baker center or doing homework. The administration could use a little work and their is a lot of school pride here. Even people who didn't start out at OU like it here better, generally. Most students complain about tuition or just prices on a lot of stuff like laundry or gas.

Amanda

Ohio University is a quaint little college town know for it's wild and crazy Halloween parties and it's prestigeous Journalism school. You will meet people from all over the world here and form friendships that will last a lifetime.

Ben

The school is a perfect size. You see the same people around, but the school is large enough to have a wide range of interests.

Ryan

The best part of the campus is how it looks. It's a very beautiful campus with lots of trees and flowers. This is a serious downside if you have serious allergies though, Spring can be absolutely brutal. Campus is just the right size. It shouldn't take you more than 15, maybe 20 minutes to get from one side of campus to the other. It all depends on how fast you walk. Since the campus isn't too big you can walk almost everywhere, except Wal-Mart and the Athena Grand (this shows mainstream movies opposed to the Athena on Court St. that plays mostly indie films). It's nice with gas prices being so high. The administration isn't very well liked. Recently in the Post, the school newspaper, it said something like a third of the faculty disapprove of the current President, McDavis. The school administration seems like they are going through a transition period, there's a lot of job hirings. Athens is supposedly one of the most haunted cities in America. It's interesting to hear all of the stories but most of them are bullshit and just stories.

Hannah

For the most part students like it here. It is a big school, but the class sizes are mainly pretty small and the professors are aproachable and in general, the students are motived and super nice!

Leah

The school is great. I'm in the journalism school, and it's good. I also feel like I'm getting a good overall education here. The size is fine with me, and I love the campus. It's beautiful. I also like how the city of Athens is kind of included in the campus. There is a lot of school pride. The Marching 110 is awesome. The dorms aren't as nice or as big as they could be, but they aren't terrible. I love the school in general.

Arushi

I feel like OU is an extrememly good school. I feel like when I graduate I will be ready to face the real world and the experiences that I get here will help me out whenn I get a job OU isn't too big, and isn't too small. It's big enough to be diverse, but small enough to make students feel at home. When I tell people I go to Ohio they react like I love to party. But when I tell them I go to Scripps, they start to respect me a little bit more. I spend most of my time either in my dorm or in the library, which I feel is one of the most useful places on the entire campus. I LOVE OU!

Zach

OU is an amazing school, with a beautiful campus that is just the right size. It dominates most of Athens, which is the quintisential college town. If I had to change one thing, it would be to be given the opportunity to smack the administration upside the head every time they make a stupid decision.

Christine

OU is the perfect size. I spend most of my time in Clippinger Laboratories. Race has been a big issue recently. I wish that the administration would realize that although diversity is important and it is excellent having people of many different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds here, the desire for a more diverse community should not interfere with equal treatment and justice for other students and faculty. I will always remember all of the good times I have had with my friends.

Kevin

The best thing about Ohio is the campus. Spring quarter is brings amazing weather allowing the students to enjoy outdoor activities. I spend most of my time hanging out with my friends at Ping or playing football outdoors. The school pride is great. Cheering on the team is a necessity.

Justin

The best thing about Ohio University is the people to me. Despite the fact that nearly everyone that I meet drinks it seems most people are still good people. When I tell people that I go to Ohio University they automatically assume that I am a major partier and then I have to explain them that I am not, but I realize that is the stigma that goes along with this University. Most of the time I am either in my room hanging out with people or hanging out with friends in their room since I do not usually go to parties. Athens is very much a college town, if Ohio University were not here, then Athens would barely even be visible in the scope of everyday life here. The students bring in a lot of revenue for the local businesses and I feel that they would not be able to survive without the students and the University.

Kat

Well, I love OU, one reason I chose it was because of how beautiful the campus is. To me, OU is home, it's perfect for me. I have problems with the administration, who don't seem to care about student opinions. There is no shared governance here, just the students being told what to do, there needs to be more democracy here, more student power. But all in all, this place is amazing. I have had some truly amazing times here, like meeting the people who would become like family to me. Being here has given me the best of friends who are really much closer to me than my actual family. I know one experience I will always remember is Humans vs. Zombies during fall quarter. That was amazing, and I got really close with my friends because of it. I also sprained my ankle for the first time...but that's on a whole different level.

Brad

I like it here alot.

Steven

OU is awesome. The campus is large enough to be interesting without being so large as to be overwhelming. Most people confuse it with Ohio State, but after a while you stop caring. That or they've heard of its reputation as a party school, a myth I have been trying to dispel for a while now. The only absolutely crazy time of year is Halloween, which has been tamer in the last few years than ever before. I spend most of my time on campus in my dorm building; most of my friends live here and the quiet atmosphere is really good for studying, reading, and just relaxing. However, my friends and I enjoy walking around the campus, particularly on College Green and up and down Court Street. Sometimes, though, if we're just bored, we may walk on the bike path all the way to the Walmart, which is only about 45 minutes. Another thing that never ceases to amaze me about OU is the amount of spirit wear on the campus. It's difficult to go anywhere without seeing someone in an "Ohio" or "Bobcat" shirt.

Jon

The best thing about Ohio is that it has so much to offer to so many different people. If I could change anything, i would have less people from my high school here. This school is just right. People always ask about the drinking. I spend most of my time in the dorm. I guess there is a college town, but not really. I don't have much of an opinion on our administration, but I think they should stop cutting all the sports. The biggest recent controversy? I think there was an attack. There is a lot of school pride, many people wear OU shirts. Ohio University is haunted. I'll always remember the good times and the bad times with my friends. I would think the most frequent complaints are about waking up early.

Rachel

The difference I found at OHIO when I transferred here was how involved the students are in everything. The administration really values the opinions of the students and are constantly trying to involve them in important decisions. I feel like OHIO really is run by the students.

Mike

I think the size of OU is just right. A lot of people don't think the school is as good as it is, but if you're coming here for something besides art, it's a great pace to be. Athens is nice, and there's a lot to do on campus. Most of us are proud to be here. The ones who aren't leave.