Ohio State University, USA

Ranked #16 among America’s public universities by US News and World Report, OSU’s 15 colleges offer its massive cohort of 64,868 students a rich menu of study programmes  SUMMIYA YASMEEN

Established in 1870 as a land-grant university, the Ohio State University (OSU) is a top-ranked publicly-funded research varsity with a massive enrolment of 64,868 students. The US News & World Report ranks OSU #16 among public universities in the United States, and #52 among all universities countrywide. Internationally too, the 145-year-old varsity is routinely ranked among the world’s Top 100 by the Times Higher Education (THE) and Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). A member of the Association of American Universities, OSU is also ranked #4 among all universities for industry-sponsored research by the US National Science Foundation.

Sprawled across 1,900 acres in the heart of Ohio’s administrative capital Columbus, OSU’s 15 colleges (see box) offer a rich menu of bachelor’s, Masters and doctoral study programmes. OSU is also one of few American universities to offer multiple area studies programmes under the Comprehensive National Resource Center funding programme of the US department of education. The most notable of these are the schools of Slavic and East European, Middle Eastern and East Asian Studies.

Columbus. Ohio’s administrative capital Columbus (pop. 835,957) is a mix of modern high-rises and century-old buildings lining the banks of the River Scioto. The largest city of Ohio state, it offers a smorgasbord of leisure and entertainment options ranging from concerts to museums and sporting events. The city’s main attractions include the Center of Science and Industry; a Santa Maria replica docked in the downtown riverfront; three historic downtown theatres (the Ohio  Theatre, the Palace, and the Great Southern); Columbus Zoo; numerous restaurants and nightspots, and specialty shops, outlets, and malls. Hosting numerous corporate headquarters and government agencies, Columbus also offers academically-enriching employment opportunities to students during vacations and after graduation.

The city’s urban districts provide unique opportunities to shop, dine, and explore. Just south of downtown is German Village, the nation’s largest privately restored historic neighbourhood. 

Columbus’ climate is humid continental characterised by warm, muggy summers and cold, dry winters. Summer temperatures range from 17.5-29oC and in winter from -5.2-7.2oC.

Campus facilities. OSU’s main Columbus campus was established in 1870 around a natural spring (now Mirror Lake). Today the campus is a mix of green spaces, historic buildings and hi-tech facilities. Among the 570 buildings offering state-of-the-art academic, sports and recreation facilities, are Hayes Hall (1893), which houses the department of history of art; Mirror Lake Hollow which includes the Browning Amphitheatre, Bucket and Dipper Rock, the Faculty Club, and Pomerene Hall. Among other campus landmarks are the Knowlton School of Architecture featuring gallery space for exhibitions, two computer labs, digital image library, and cafe, and the imposing Thompson library.

The OSU library system comprises 55 separate libraries and collections. Of them the Thompson library — built in 1913, and extensively renovated in 2009 — is the largest, housing over 1 million volumes, special collections, archives and electronic resources.

OSU also offers students extensive sports facilities including the Adventure Recreation Centre (four basketball courts, two indoor turf fields, free weights, strength training machines and cardio equipment); the Jesse Owens North Recreation Centre (two basketball courts and cardio equipment); Jesse Owens West Tennis Centre (four indoor tennis courts); Jesse Owens South Recreation Centre (two basketball courts, a table tennis area and cardio equipment); and the Ohio Stadium (the first horseshoe-shaped double-deck stadium in the country with seating capacity of 104,000). Moreover the department of recreational sports offers 90 acres of outdoor facilities for sand volleyball courts, softball, basketball, a jogging path and roller hockey rinks.

With over 1,200 students’ clubs, OSU provides multiple options for co-curricular and special interest activities. Other on-campus facilities include bookstores, restaurants, and cafes.

The university has also promoted regional campuses in Lima, Mansfield, Marion, and Newark, and the Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster.

Admission. OSU has a competitive admission process with entry largely based on previous academic performance. The minimum eligibility requirements for admission into undergrad programmes are completion of Plus Two with above average performance, and high ACT/SAT and TOEFL scores. Additionally the university stipulates the following admission criteria: “Ability and desire to contribute to and engage with a diverse campus community; leadership, co-curricular and work experiences; status as a first-generation college student; demonstration of outstanding talent in a particular area; academic competitiveness in high school; and eligibility for and likelihood of benefiting from organised support services at Ohio State”.

The completed application form (www.apply.osu.edu) together with a $70 (Rs.4,666) application fee and official transcripts/test scores and affidavits of financial support from sponsors must be submitted before February 1 for admission into term beginning September 2016.

For further information contact Undergraduate Admissions, Student Academic Services Bldg, Rm. 621, 281 W. Lane Ave. Columbus, OH 43210. Phone: +1-614-292-3980; Fax: +1-614-292-4818; e-mail: int.undergrad@osu.edu; website: www.osu.edu.

Accommodation. All first and second year undergrad students are obliged to live on campus, unless specially exempted. Halls of residence are supervised by professional resident advisors and offer furnished single study rooms with shared kitchen, lounge and laundry facilities. Senior students can choose from a variety of on-campus as well as off-campus residential accommodation.

Degree programmes. OSU’s 15 schools and colleges offer over 200 undergraduate majors and 250 Master’s, doctoral, and professional degree programmes (see box).