During my freshman year, I knocked out a lot of my diversity course requirements: Computer Science, Mathematics, Foreign Language, Electives, etc. I'm an English Major, so Computer Science and Mathematics were a bit tough for me. Mainly Calculus. But at OWU, the professors expect you to have common sense. In the introductory courses, it really is introductory - they don't expect you to know everything ahead of time, which is really helpful. I highly recommend CS 103 with Zaring - he's an awesome professor. But, as easy as they make it for students learning the field from nil, I learned a lot over the past two semesters. Not to mention my musical skills that have grown exponentially over the past year. I don't come from a big school district with an overly fancy music department with correlating budget, so I was always the top player. When I got to OWU, Dr. Griffin had those same expectations, and more. He challenged me to improve, not just for the group, but for myself.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
Like every campus, there are the people you want to avoid, but there's a lot fewer of them at OWU than there were at my high school, so I really can't complain. The dorms are fantastic, the food is pretty good; Smith dining can get a bit repetetive, but whatever it is, it's usually good - that's more than I can say for my mom's cooking! The professors are, for the most part, very laid back and welcoming. Whatever you do, you have to take HMCL 122 with Elias - he's hysterical! I was taking his course the same semester as Calculus, and I loved going to his class - even at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays - just for the laughs. The excellent readings, discussions, and jokes kept me sane while I was biting my nails over integrals and derivatives.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
OWU is expensive, but their merit scholarships are easy to apply for if you're in good standing. All in all, I think my yearly costs are actually around $22,000 versus the full price, but it's worth every damned penny. I wouldn't trade going to OWU for anything else - I absolutely love it. When I enrolled, I knew that I was going to have a good college experience, but I never could have predicted how much fun I would have, how many friends I would make, or how much I'd learn about myself in addition to my studies. It's not just a university - it's a life experience.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Don't live in Stuyvesant. It's not an option right now, with renovations, but just don't. There are parties constantly, slamming doors, mysterious clouds of smoke in the stairwell that make you lightheaded. If you are there for studies at all, just don't do it. My personal recommendation is Smith East or West. The dining hall is in the basement, the suites are well laid out, and there's air conditioning - a big plus for August and April. Also, I don't know about frats, but the sororities seem like a waste to me. There are dances and mixers, but other than that, it's just cupcake icing and other stuff for recruits. I'm friends with quite a few sorority girls without even being in a sorority, so I don't really recommend it. If you want, I don't think it'd be bad, I just don't see the point in spending the money for it.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Level-headed students. Personally, I've always been motivated to do well, but I'm not a big study-aholic. OWU is great for that. It allows you to work hard when you want and take classes you enjoy. In the higher level classes, there aren't any pointless assignments. The classes are fun yet highly informative, and you learn a lot about yourself constantly. If this sounds like you, then OWU is just for you.
During my freshman year, I knocked out a lot of my diversity course requirements: Computer Science, Mathematics, Foreign Language, Electives, etc. I'm an English Major, so Computer Science and Mathematics were a bit tough for me. Mainly Calculus. But at OWU, the professors expect you to have common sense. In the introductory courses, it really is introductory - they don't expect you to know everything ahead of time, which is really helpful. I highly recommend CS 103 with Zaring - he's an awesome professor. But, as easy as they make it for students learning the field from nil, I learned a lot over the past two semesters. Not to mention my musical skills that have grown exponentially over the past year. I don't come from a big school district with an overly fancy music department with correlating budget, so I was always the top player. When I got to OWU, Dr. Griffin had those same expectations, and more. He challenged me to improve, not just for the group, but for myself.
Like every campus, there are the people you want to avoid, but there's a lot fewer of them at OWU than there were at my high school, so I really can't complain. The dorms are fantastic, the food is pretty good; Smith dining can get a bit repetetive, but whatever it is, it's usually good - that's more than I can say for my mom's cooking! The professors are, for the most part, very laid back and welcoming. Whatever you do, you have to take HMCL 122 with Elias - he's hysterical! I was taking his course the same semester as Calculus, and I loved going to his class - even at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays - just for the laughs. The excellent readings, discussions, and jokes kept me sane while I was biting my nails over integrals and derivatives.
OWU is expensive, but their merit scholarships are easy to apply for if you're in good standing. All in all, I think my yearly costs are actually around $22,000 versus the full price, but it's worth every damned penny. I wouldn't trade going to OWU for anything else - I absolutely love it. When I enrolled, I knew that I was going to have a good college experience, but I never could have predicted how much fun I would have, how many friends I would make, or how much I'd learn about myself in addition to my studies. It's not just a university - it's a life experience.
Don't live in Stuyvesant. It's not an option right now, with renovations, but just don't. There are parties constantly, slamming doors, mysterious clouds of smoke in the stairwell that make you lightheaded. If you are there for studies at all, just don't do it. My personal recommendation is Smith East or West. The dining hall is in the basement, the suites are well laid out, and there's air conditioning - a big plus for August and April. Also, I don't know about frats, but the sororities seem like a waste to me. There are dances and mixers, but other than that, it's just cupcake icing and other stuff for recruits. I'm friends with quite a few sorority girls without even being in a sorority, so I don't really recommend it. If you want, I don't think it'd be bad, I just don't see the point in spending the money for it.
Level-headed students. Personally, I've always been motivated to do well, but I'm not a big study-aholic. OWU is great for that. It allows you to work hard when you want and take classes you enjoy. In the higher level classes, there aren't any pointless assignments. The classes are fun yet highly informative, and you learn a lot about yourself constantly. If this sounds like you, then OWU is just for you.