The Ohio State University

Every year OSU is, far and away, the most frequently applied to college for WKHS students. This past Friday morning I attended the OSU breakfast to learn the latest in their admissions procedures and expectations. I thought you might be interested in learning some of these details:

- Rolling admissions timeline (which means you can start applying NOW!)
- They expect between 22,000 and 25,000 applications for admissions in fall 2010
- They will begin announcing decisions during the first week of December
- Admissions deadline: February 1, 2010
- Deadline to be considered for scholarships: December 1, 2009
- FAFSA Deadline: February 15, 2010
- Must send official test scores from the testing agencies and scores must be RECEIVED at OSU before the deadline date to be considered.
- Must have at least 1 writing score (from ACT or SAT)
- Selective admissions to main campus with a holistic review considering all factors in the application
- Open admission process for Ohio residents to regional campuses

- They WILL look at senior year! They shared with us that this year they did rescind an admission decision and have allowed others still to attend with conditions and asked for explanations from other students regarding their grades. Do NOT let this happen to you!

- Essay Question: Just 1 essay of 300 words – Why are you considering the Ohio State University? They want to know why OSU is a good fit for you and they are hoping to get creative and exciting responses. They want to learn more about you, how you think, and why you think you and OSU are a good connection. They pointed out that they will know if you are just going to the brochure or website and giving them information back and they also discussed how common it is for local students to think they know OSU well and yet it is typically just because of athletics and they are looking for more than that in the essay.

- Honors Program: Automatic consideration with application to OSU. Looking at Top 10% of high school class, greater than a 30 on the ACT or 1340+ (Math/ Critical Reading) on the SAT. About 22% of this year’s freshman class is in the Honors Program and their average test scores were 31.6 ACT/ 1440 SAT.
- If a student does not meet the above criteria for being an Honors student immediately can still apply to their college’s honors program after 2 quarters with a 3.4 or 3.5 grade point average.

- Scholars Program: Looking at students who were not eligible for the Honors program, but are in the top 20% of their class with a 27+ ACT or 1220+ SAT (Math/ Critical Reading). The scholars program is more theme based rather than being curriculum based and students can have any major and pick any of the 14 programs that interest them.

- Morrill Scholars Program: Scholarship program for minority students. Minimum requirements: 3.3 GPA, Top 20% graduating class, 23 ACT or 1070 SAT (CR & M), and also look at other factors such as leadership, commitment to diversity and community service. Application includes an essay and two recommendations. This year the students who received scholarships through the Morrill Scholars Program had an average GPA of 4.1 and an ACT of 26.9. They will look at applications on a rolling basis so the earlier you apply for admission the earlier you can receive the MSP application. Must apply by December 1st Scholarship deadline.

- In the past they had been accepting to have a matriculation (actual attendance) of between 6,000 and 6,100 kids. This past year they accepted a higher number anticipating actual attendance of about 6,300 students, but it looks as if they will have an even higher rate with approximately 6,500 to 6,600 students beginning this month.
- The 2009 enrollment at main campus has about 50% of the students being in the Top 10% of their high school graduating class and 86% in the top quarter of their high school class. The average ACT and SAT increased again with ACT being approximately 27.5 and SAT being about 1230. More than 93% of students exceeded the minimum requirements in math, science, and foreign language.