OSU

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I'm just wondering, how many of us have settled on Ohio State, if those of you who have don't mind sharing? I'm leaning that way, but I feel like I need some encouragement/pep talk/whatever...

[Encomendero]

I'm just wondering, how many of us have settled on Ohio State, if those of you who have don't mind sharing? I'm leaning that way, but I feel like I need some encouragement/pep talk/whatever...

I am going for sure. May I ask what field you are in?

[bakabeth]

Hello! I'm glad you started this thread. I'm very torn right now, trying to pick between Ohio and UVA. They are both great for my field but for some reason I'm having trouble leaning one way or another. I feel like the people at UVA have been more on top of things and it may have a slightly better reputation, but Ohio has been more enthusiastic? Which counts a lot in my book..

I guess my biggest concern about Ohio is Columbus itself. I hear it is a great town but I've never left the east coast and have mixed feelings about moving there.

What are your hesitations?

[Kai210]

I will be attending OSU, and think the program is well-equipped not only for the research I want to do but also for my long-term endeavors. I do not believe there's as much of a qualitative difference between most of the top tier schools as sometimes we are led to believe. I mean, when you have a school like Virginia who has a score of 4.0 according to US News and World Reports, and a school like Ohio State whose score is 3.9, is there a huge difference there considering that a lot of the criteria going into those rankings are subjective? Thus, reputation becomes what you make of it. I think when you are talking about the top tier institutions, it all comes down to your research and your advisors. I don't know if any of this helps in making a choice. But if the money is equal, then I say go to the place where you feel your research will be best housed and where you can work with influential advisors who will facilitate your growth as a scholar while opening up the door to your first tenure-track position. For me, I feel very comfortable in choosing Ohio State, and believing that I will be able to conduct great research there.

Edited March 4, 2010 by Kai210

[Encomendero]

I will be attending OSU, and think the program is well-equipped not only for the research I want to do but also for my long-term endeavors. I do not believe there's as much of a qualitative difference between most of the top tier schools as sometimes we are led to believe. I mean, when you have a school like Virginia who has a score of 4.0 according to US News and World Reports, and a school like Ohio State whose score is 3.9, is there a huge difference there considering that a lot of the criteria going into those rankings are subjective? Thus, reputation becomes what you make of it. I think when you are talking about the top tier institutions, it all comes down to your research and your advisors. I don't know if any of this helps in making a choice. But if the money is equal, then I say go to the place where you feel your research will be best housed and where you can work with influential advisors who will facilitate your growth as a scholar while opening up the door to your first tenure-track position. For me, I feel very comfortable in choosing Ohio State, and believing that I will be able to conduct great research there.

Well said.

[bakabeth]

I will be attending OSU, and think the program is well-equipped not only for the research I want to do but also for my long-term endeavors. I do not believe there's as much of a qualitative difference between most of the top tier schools as sometimes we are led to believe. I mean, when you have a school like Virginia who has a score of 4.0 according to US News and World Reports, and a school like Ohio State whose score is 3.9, is there a huge difference there considering that a lot of the criteria going into those rankings are subjective? Thus, reputation becomes what you make of it. I think when you are talking about the top tier institutions, it all comes down to your research and your advisors. I don't know if any of this helps in making a choice. But if the money is equal, then I say go to the place where you feel your research will be best housed and where you can work with influential advisors who will facilitate your growth as a scholar while opening up the door to your first tenure-track position. For me, I feel very comfortable in choosing Ohio State, and believing that I will be able to conduct great research there.

I agree with all of this as well but was having trouble vocalizing it. So thanks, since this actually helped me clarify my own thinking! May I ask, what's your subfield?

[Kai210]

Well said.

Thank you.

I agree with all of this as well but was having trouble vocalizing it. So thanks, since this actually helped me clarify my own thinking! May I ask, what's your subfield?

No problem. By the way, my subfield is 20th Century African-American social history with a particular emphasis on examining northern race relations via the intersection of race and sport.

[Encomendero]

I would like to add that I have connections with an ABD student and a recent PhD graduate (who coincidently is coming to my undergrad/masters institution to work as a visiting professor) and they both love the graduate community at Ohio State. Unlike some of the so called "big name" schools, Ohio State graduate students have a strong bond and work together regularly on individual and joint projects. I got the impression that they also had rather tight relationships with their advisors as well. They seemed embarrassed to talk about it, but they are good friends with many of the professors. I have spoken to grad students at Ivy Schools and some of the top ten public schools and did not get this impression. A friendly atmosphere among grad students and professors is a definite bonus. Furthermore, I come from a city which has a high cost of living. Columbus will be a welcome relief. Location, graduate camaraderie, and close relationships with the faculty are simply icing on the proverbial cake of fantastic funding, faculty, and research resources.

[historydork]

I'm headed to Ohio. Going into the Middle East/Islamic field though my focus in on Mongol/Mughal history.

[historydork]

I'm headed to Ohio. Going into the Middle East/Islamic field though my focus in on Mongol/Mughal history.

I realized I should probably elaborate a little more relative to the original post on this thread (I'm new to gradcafe, so I apologize). I applied to two higher ranked programs in addition to OSU. I knew Ohio was my top choice, but felt that I should at least try applying to some "better" programs. Strangely enough, I was grateful to have not been accepted to either of these other programs because I knew Ohio was the best fit for me.

First off, the standard of living in Columbus, relative to the kind of apartment I can afford to live in while there, is much higher than in most other places. I've been through living in a closet masquerading as an apartment and feel I've kind of outgrown that point in my life.

Additionally, the professors at OSU who I'll be working with are incredibly well-renowned. The obscurity of my field really limited my options for programs and the talent at OSU is impressive. I'm also fortunate enough to have worked with my future adviser when he worked at the school I attended for undergrad, and I know that he's friendly, enthusiastic, and down to earth. I met with the professor I would have worked with at one of the other schools and, though we had very similar research interests, I knew that personality-wise he was not someone I wanted to work with.

So for me, when filling out the applications I really put my energy towards the program I thought would make me that happiest, not the one that carried the most "prestige."