Buy our guides
Read our blog
Login Register

Ohio State University
- Inside Scoop

RT
Currently attending or alumni?
Review this school!
Are you interested
in this school?
Yes, let this school know
Maybe, bookmark for later
No, get better matches
Saving your decision
Yes
Maybe
No

Your information has been sent to this school through our partnership with .

This school has been saved to your schools list.

This school has been removed from your recommended schools list.

For your next recommendation, check out .

Jump to a section:

Report Card
Quick Stats
Student Reviews
Facts
Take A SurveyWrite A ReviewUpload A PhotoLink Up A VideoWrite The Guide
Ohio State University - Inside Scoop - College ProwlerCollege Prowler0.00

Inside Scoop

Quick Stats

School Slang
  • The ‘Schott: Ohio State’s arena; the Jerome Schottenstein Center.
  • Bucknasty: Nickname for the Buckeye Express.
  • Gold Pants: Award given to football players after they beat Michigan.
  • McGahee’d: Injuring your knee; named after former Miami Hurricanes running back Willis McGahee.
  • The Oval: The oval-shaped area in the middle of campus.
  • The Shoe: Ohio State’s football stadium, the Horseshoe.
  • TBDBITL: Short for “the Best Damn Band in the Land,” a phrase coined by Woody Hayes to describe the Ohio State Marching Band.
  • That State Up North : The proper way to refer to Michigan.
  • Woody: Ohio State’s most beloved football coach.
Things I Wish I Knew Before Coming To School
  • It’s not really a big deal if someone you know is gay.
  • Not all areas of study receive the same amount of funding.
  • Short of going to concerts, there is not much need for a car while living on campus.
  • The workload is intense—five extra hours of work a week per class is about right.
  • Time management is essential to success.
  • You make all your real friends during winter quarter.
  • You will never use all your meal blocks, no matter how hard you try.
  • You’re on your own with responsibility—no one makes you do your work.
Tips to Succeed
  • Actually go to class.
  • Be open-minded; this isn’t high school anymore.
  • Don’t be afraid to read something twice.
  • Don’t stay undecided for too long.
  • Get to know your teachers and TAs.
  • If your grade looks too low, ask about it.
  • Make friends with classmates and study with them.
See how you stack up against students who were accepted to this school . . .And calculate your chances!Register to get started

Ohio State Student ReviewsWhat's This?

Sort by:

Loading...

Inside Scoop at Ohio State University

johnpiks

'14

Accounting

5.0
A+

Campus Life

The school allows you to meet many different people. Although some may say the school is too big at over 50,000 it really is not. You meet so many people within the first week of school and see people around campus all the time. It is very diverse and much smaller than people think

Feb 06, 2012

Comment actions: Rate
Report as inappropriate/inaccurate

Inside Scoop at Ohio State University

hoffman

'15

History

4.6
A

Uniqueness of Ohio State University

The Ohio State University is a very special place filled with diversity and tremendous learning opportunities. I have simply loved all of my professors, who are extremely well qualified. The atmosphere is relaxed and enjoyable.

Jan 25, 2012

Comment actions: Rate
Report as inappropriate/inaccurate

Inside Scoop at Ohio State University

TaylorCaryn

'15

Social Work and Youth Services

4.6
A

So Many Options, So Little Time!

Academically, Ohio State offers many major and minor options to choose from, including a fantastic exploration program which sets undecided students up to work closely with advisors to explore all majors and decide which would be best for them! Ohio State also has multiple libraries that are open very late on weekdays and some 24/7. They also offer free tutors and learning centers available to all students whenever they need.

Students also have access to a health clinic on campus and have 10 free sessions with a university psychologist if ever needed. There is an excellent campus bus system that can take students anywhere on campus and anywhere in Columbus. There is a never a bored moment for a student who understands the bus system and can get to any club, party, museum and restaurant in Columbus. Students can also be highly involved with campus group or spend their time at the on campus recreational facilities working out, playing intramural sports, or joining a group fitness class!

The most exciting and unique thing about Ohio State comes in autumn quarter: football! Yes, most schools have football, but at Ohio State football games spread an amazing sense of joy and pride throughout the entire campus. On game days, the entire campus is flooded with our school colors from students, alumni, and just plain old fans who come from all over to experience the amazing thrill of being at an Ohio State football game!

Jan 23, 2012

Comment actions: Rate
Report as inappropriate/inaccurate
Page 1 of 9

Facts

Traditions
  • The Ohio State University Marching Band: The band is where it all begins. Much of the tradition involves football games, so that’s what it’s mostly focused on. The band is composed of 225 members, all brass and percussion.
  • Ramp: After marching from the Skull Session to the stadium, the band proceeds down a long ramp to take the field. The band forms a large block and bursts into the OSU Fight Song as 100,000 people stand and cheer/sing along.
  • Block O: The official student section for football games. Block O sits in the south stands and cheers on the team by holding up signs that show spirit. Past examples include a buckeye leaf, or a drawing of the script Ohio. Block O is highly publicized, and has a storied tradition of cheering on the Buckeyes. It should be noted, however, that the north student section is always louder than Block O, giving the home team a decisive advantage at that end of the stadium.
  • : When a football game ends, the team gathers on the field in front of the south stands. There, they sing “Carmen Ohio” with the fans while the band plays.
  • Script Ohio: In the premier college marching band tradition, the band spells out “Ohio” in large cursive letters on the field. At the very end, the drum major will lead out a fourth-year sousaphone player to dot the letter “i” on the field. Flashbulbs fly and the crowd erupts in applause as the band member performs a salute. Dotting the “i” is a major honor, and it is reserved for marching band members, with few exceptions. Bob Hope and Woody Hayes have dotted the ‘i’ as well.
  • Skull Session: Skull Session begins two hours before each home game. The band goes through its upcoming performance in a pep-rally type of atmosphere, while fans pack St. John Arena to listen. Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeye football players now walk through on their way to the locker room before the game.
  • : “Hang on Sloopy” is the official rock song of the state of Ohio. Fans substitute “O-H-I-O” for the lyrics to the chorus. Listen through once, and you’ll figure it out.
  • : Fans wear buckeye necklaces to show their spirit.
  • : One of the most recognized traditions at Ohio State is for students to jump into the freezing cold waters of Mirror Lake the Thursday before the annual Ohio State vs. Michigan football game. This tradition has been broadcast nationwide and is one of the craziest traditions on campus. It is certainly a sight to see.
  • : When the football team beats Michigan, the players receive their “Gold Pants”—a gold charm replica of a pair of football pants is given to each of the players.
  • : It is said that if you can walk completely across the Oval, from the Main Library to the seal, while holding your sweetheart’s hand, you two will marry each other one day.
  • : If someone yells “O-H!” at you, you must scream “I-O!” back at them. Failure to do so may result in bodily harm.
Urban Legends
  • A student committed suicide and landed in the Numbers Garden (on the 6).
  • ESPN football analyst Trev Alberts couldn’t get accepted to OSU, and that’s why he hates the football team.
  • There is an underground system of tunnels that connects every building on campus.
  • Weigel Hall is haunted.

Buy The Guidebook

Buy a hard copy of "Ohio State University 2012: Off The Record"

Read more about the book . . .Add to Cart

Buy the eBook:

AmazonBarnes & NobleGoogleSmashwordsDownload the FREE Printable Summary (PDF)

Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at OSU

Name: Gilburt L. Chiang

Hometown: Marietta, Ga.

Major: Electrical engineering

see all student author bios > Become a student author to help update the guide for this school

Find a college

Find a major

Scholarships

Reviews

Company

Buy College Prowler school guides in our bookstore Get the real scoop on what it's like on campus and see what school is the place for you!

How do we get our information? Find out here or report an error here. Please note that the information presented on this site is updated periodically, but may not be the
most recent information available for a particular school. For additional information we encourage you to visit school websites or contact the schools directly.