Ohio Wesleyan University is an amazing environment in which individuals find out more about who they are and how they interact with others. I know that even though I'm only a sophomore I have learned so much about my interests and habits just from the three semesters I've spent on campus this far. It's hard to imagine my life had I not chosen OWU; it would be so empty.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Prospective students should understand that no school is as wonderful as tour guides and admission advertisements make it out to be. It's hard to believe that any school is as amazing as the school you see when everyone is trying to get you to choose their school. Let yourself fall in love with OWU like I did, but also anticipate that not everything is as it seems. No, the food is not as good as what they serve you and your parents. No, not everyone walks around all dressed up for class. However, what I can tell you is that one thing that doesn't change is the environment. OWU really is a small community and the cheerful atmosphere is real, I promise.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
As a science major I experience an extremely rigorous academic schedule. The science program is a good one, full of amazing opportunities, but it is also hard. There are lots of things like that at OWU. It's my understanding that every major has at least one class where people struggle. While it's not always fun, it's this struggle that tests your love for that field. If you can push through those harder classes then that major is really what you love.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Most dorm facilities are okay. Welch Hall and Stuy are the nicest in many respects because people take care of them. Other halls are the hangouts and party dorms and, as a result, are not in the best quality. The cleaning staff are all wonderful people that really care about the students, and as such want to take care of them. The students all seem to get along on each hall as far as I've seen and the R.A.s are all chosen to be respectable and responsible individuals that are fair but also will lay down the law when necessary.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
There is a wide variety of dining options between the on-campus and off-campus food points. Each meal plan supplies students with points to spend on campus for the dining hall, an a la carte cafeteria in the student center, a sub sandwich shop, a deli, a convenient store, pizza delivery, and three other coffee shops/bakeries. Every student finds something they like with this plan. If not, then they also have off campus options because the meal plans extend to five restaurants in Downtown Delaware. I only give four stars out of five because the quality is not always great, but overall it's a pretty great system.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
There are a lot of people involved with various clubs and organizations for fun. Also, there seem to be quite a few parties that happen throughout the year. Every weekend there also seems to be a large crowd of OWU students at the bar in town, Clancy's. They'll let students under 21 in, after marking their hands to stop underage consumption, and there's always great music and dancing.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
As long as you plan your schedule right and take close to the maximum credits allowed, there's plenty of bang for your buck. The bang, however, is really up to each student to find because no one can tell you the best way for you to make the most of your experiences at OWU.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
There is the President's Ball in December, right before finals start. It's a really great dance with the Jazz Band playing for a while and then the DJs take over. What really makes it special is that it's held in the science building. Out science building is really new and has this huge atrium on the ground floor - perfect for dancing. It's really special and always tons of fun. President Rock Jones even comes and dances with us for a while!
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Student that enjoy the small community (like really small) and want to meet new friends for life will love OWU. There is a little bit of a party scene so those that are into that will find what they are looking for. There is a wide variety of people from a number of diverse backgrounds and cultures, allowing everyone to find somewhere they feel they belong.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are so many clubs and activities! I'm currently involved in Campus Crusaders for Christ (Cru), Choosing Learning Environment with Alcohol Respect (CLEAR), and the female a cappella group Pitch Black. There are so many clubs that no one person should be without at least one group of people that they can identify with and become a part of. It's a wonderful feeling to be included, and no one on campus feels excluded unless of course they haven't tried to find anything to join.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
I'm not a member of Greek Life so I have little to say on the matter. I so, however, have many friends involved in Greek Life and they all love it so that should say something.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Campus is totally safe. Hardly anything ever happens in Delaware (a result of being such a small town), but when it does we have an alert system that sends texts and calls students to alert them of what happened and how they should respond. Public Safety is totally approachable and helpful in situations where you feel unsafe and there is also a Safe Walk program that will walk you back to your dorm after it gets late if you don't want to walk alone.
Ohio Wesleyan University is an amazing environment in which individuals find out more about who they are and how they interact with others. I know that even though I'm only a sophomore I have learned so much about my interests and habits just from the three semesters I've spent on campus this far. It's hard to imagine my life had I not chosen OWU; it would be so empty.
Prospective students should understand that no school is as wonderful as tour guides and admission advertisements make it out to be. It's hard to believe that any school is as amazing as the school you see when everyone is trying to get you to choose their school. Let yourself fall in love with OWU like I did, but also anticipate that not everything is as it seems. No, the food is not as good as what they serve you and your parents. No, not everyone walks around all dressed up for class. However, what I can tell you is that one thing that doesn't change is the environment. OWU really is a small community and the cheerful atmosphere is real, I promise.
As a science major I experience an extremely rigorous academic schedule. The science program is a good one, full of amazing opportunities, but it is also hard. There are lots of things like that at OWU. It's my understanding that every major has at least one class where people struggle. While it's not always fun, it's this struggle that tests your love for that field. If you can push through those harder classes then that major is really what you love.
Most dorm facilities are okay. Welch Hall and Stuy are the nicest in many respects because people take care of them. Other halls are the hangouts and party dorms and, as a result, are not in the best quality. The cleaning staff are all wonderful people that really care about the students, and as such want to take care of them. The students all seem to get along on each hall as far as I've seen and the R.A.s are all chosen to be respectable and responsible individuals that are fair but also will lay down the law when necessary.
There is a wide variety of dining options between the on-campus and off-campus food points. Each meal plan supplies students with points to spend on campus for the dining hall, an a la carte cafeteria in the student center, a sub sandwich shop, a deli, a convenient store, pizza delivery, and three other coffee shops/bakeries. Every student finds something they like with this plan. If not, then they also have off campus options because the meal plans extend to five restaurants in Downtown Delaware. I only give four stars out of five because the quality is not always great, but overall it's a pretty great system.
There are a lot of people involved with various clubs and organizations for fun. Also, there seem to be quite a few parties that happen throughout the year. Every weekend there also seems to be a large crowd of OWU students at the bar in town, Clancy's. They'll let students under 21 in, after marking their hands to stop underage consumption, and there's always great music and dancing.
As long as you plan your schedule right and take close to the maximum credits allowed, there's plenty of bang for your buck. The bang, however, is really up to each student to find because no one can tell you the best way for you to make the most of your experiences at OWU.
There is the President's Ball in December, right before finals start. It's a really great dance with the Jazz Band playing for a while and then the DJs take over. What really makes it special is that it's held in the science building. Out science building is really new and has this huge atrium on the ground floor - perfect for dancing. It's really special and always tons of fun. President Rock Jones even comes and dances with us for a while!
Student that enjoy the small community (like really small) and want to meet new friends for life will love OWU. There is a little bit of a party scene so those that are into that will find what they are looking for. There is a wide variety of people from a number of diverse backgrounds and cultures, allowing everyone to find somewhere they feel they belong.
There are so many clubs and activities! I'm currently involved in Campus Crusaders for Christ (Cru), Choosing Learning Environment with Alcohol Respect (CLEAR), and the female a cappella group Pitch Black. There are so many clubs that no one person should be without at least one group of people that they can identify with and become a part of. It's a wonderful feeling to be included, and no one on campus feels excluded unless of course they haven't tried to find anything to join.
I'm not a member of Greek Life so I have little to say on the matter. I so, however, have many friends involved in Greek Life and they all love it so that should say something.
Campus is totally safe. Hardly anything ever happens in Delaware (a result of being such a small town), but when it does we have an alert system that sends texts and calls students to alert them of what happened and how they should respond. Public Safety is totally approachable and helpful in situations where you feel unsafe and there is also a Safe Walk program that will walk you back to your dorm after it gets late if you don't want to walk alone.