How does OSU rate among other state schools on difficulty getting accepted? (Akron: 2013, transfer)

[ZnGuy]

When I lived in Ohio I considered OSU fairly average on difficultly in getting into the school. Enrollment is so large it seemed like they accepted a high percentage of applicants. In fact back in my day my perception was that Miami of Oxford was a tougher school to get into. I ask how does it rate among the other Ohio State schools in difficulty in getting in? The reason I ask is my son got accepted to OSU, my guess he being a die hard Buckeyes fan had a lot to do with him applying. He also applied to 5 other schools and got accepted to all. OSU then offered him $60k academic money. They also sent him $500 travel voucher to visit(we are out of state). I can say they are recruiting harder than the other schools. Some of our friends in OH say OSU is one of the hardest schools to get into in Ohio these days, how accurate is that?
I actually thought OSU would be #1 on his list (partly because of his sports alliance) we are kind of glad it is not in the top 3 (too far, too cold and too big) and he really has some other great options.

[Townes Van Zandt]

It's definitely harder to get into than it was a decade or two ago. If I'm not mistaken it was open enrollment not too long ago. Miami has definitely been the best public school historically.

The best indicator is the strength of last year's freshman class. Because OSU and Miami are probably the two best public schools across the board, I'll compare the two.

Comparing Miami vs OSU FALL 2013 Class:

Miami
Top 10% of High school class: 44%
ACT Composite score: 26-30
In state: 46.4%
Out of state: 53%

OSU
Top 10% of High school class: 58%
ACT Composite score: 27-31
In state: 71%
Out of state: 21%

So it appears OSU does have a stronger freshman class. However, most of their students are from Ohio.

Keep in mind that Miami still has that "J Crew U" image. OSU is big enough that your son would probably be able to find a niche somewhere. Although the "frat bro" scene is alive and well at OSU like most other large public unis.

[dxdtdemon]

I attended there a few years ago, and during that time, the acceptance rate nearly halved from somewhere in the 60's to somewhere in the high 30's, and it has probably gone further down. I would not recommend it to anyone who wanted to major in English, history, psychology for a BA (although their BS program is really great), or the academic study of fine arts (as opposed to the performance of them), but would recommend it for most other majors, especially sociology, political science, and the sciences that are not meteorology. Usually the people who live north of campus are less obnoxious than the people who live south and east of campus.

[bjimmy24]

When I was applying to Ohio State, I was surprised by the classmates that were getting rejected. Those people ended up at BGSU, OU, CSU, or Akron. So OSU is definitely above all of those places.

[TheYO]

OSU keeps their freshman acceptance rates lower than the other state schools so they look better in the college rankings. However, I know a ton of people who were rejected as freshmen, took classes at another state school for a year and transferred to OSU with no problem.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by TheYO

OSU keeps their freshman acceptance rates lower than the other state schools so they look better in the college rankings. However, I know a ton of people who were rejected as freshmen, took classes at another state school for a year and transferred to OSU with no problem.

This is a good point I should have mentioned. Basically anyone and their brother can transfer in. Very low standards there, so to a point, OSU is definitely overrated in its selectiveness.

[OQuotes]

Actually, OSU's academic standards have slowly risen over the years and transfers do NOT automatically get a free transfer pass. However, with a solid GPA (and they will still look at your HS ACT score), you have a chance to get in.

As a Miami grad, I thought both of our kids would also attend Miami. Ironically, they both are at OSU. Although a Redhawk at heart, I do now appreciate the OSU decision. The more I have learned about OSU, the better I feel about the decision.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by OQuotes

Actually, OSU's academic standards have slowly risen over the years and transfers do NOT automatically get a free transfer pass. However, with a solid GPA (and they will still look at your HS ACT score), you have a chance to get in.

As a Miami grad, I thought both of our kids would also attend Miami. Ironically, they both are at OSU. Although a Redhawk at heart, I do now appreciate the OSU decision. The more I have learned about OSU, the better I feel about the decision.

It's extremely extremely easy to transfer in. Even today.

[dxdtdemon]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

It's extremely extremely easy to transfer in. Even today.

This is true with any state school in the entire US. Why is it a knock on OSU, but not the others?

[Townes Van Zandt]

Originally Posted by dxdtdemon

This is true with any state school in the entire US.

Somehow I doubt this.

What about Berkeley? UVA? UW-Madison? Shoot, even Michigan!