Iowa or Ohio State University? Forum

[tsub]

So here's the deal:

I've been accepted to Iowa. Visited, liked it okay, but didn't think it was anything particularly special. I paid my seat deposit. The next day, OSU decided to give me a decent scholarship. Combined with the ease of gaining residency, this makes OSU cheaper than Iowa by about $60,000 in just tuition. I've also been waitlisted at WUSTL, and I'll probably visit and try to gauge my chances of actually getting in.

Considerations:
1. I want to work around Chicago. I noticed that Iowa places slightly better in Chicago, but I don't know if that would justify the extra debt.
2. I could really live anywhere, and I've lived in a wide variety of places. I don't think I'll be able to visit Columbus, but from what I've read I think I would like it. Iowa reminded me a lot of my college town, and it didn't seem to have as much to do as Columbus.
3. I want to get out of debt pretty fast. Obviously would be easier at OSU.
4. I wasn't really impressed by Iowa's admitted students weekend. All the students they had talk to us were on massive scholarships, so it was really hard to identify with their position. I don't want to bash them too much because I haven't visited OSU, which might be just as bad.
5. I kind of want to hear opinions from others about what they think about both schools if you have visited either or both. It would be nice to get a student's perspective.

Thanks for reading and voting.

[Xnegd]

So here's the deal:

I've been accepted to Iowa. Visited, liked it okay, but didn't think it was anything particularly special. I paid my seat deposit. The next day, OSU decided to give me a decent scholarship. Combined with the ease of gaining residency, this makes OSU cheaper than Iowa by about $60,000 in just tuition. I've also been waitlisted at WUSTL, and I'll probably visit and try to gauge my chances of actually getting in.

Considerations:
1. I want to work around Chicago. I noticed that Iowa places slightly better in Chicago, but I don't know if that would justify the extra debt.
2. I could really live anywhere, and I've lived in a wide variety of places. I don't think I'll be able to visit Columbus, but from what I've read I think I would like it. Iowa reminded me a lot of my college town, and it didn't seem to have as much to do as Columbus.
3. I want to get out of debt pretty fast. Obviously would be easier at OSU.
4. I wasn't really impressed by Iowa's admitted students weekend. All the students they had talk to us were on massive scholarships, so it was really hard to identify with their position. I don't want to bash them too much because I haven't visited OSU, which might be just as bad.
5. I kind of want to hear opinions from others about what they think about both schools if you have visited either or both. It would be nice to get a student's perspective.

Thanks for reading and voting.

"I could really live anywhere," "I want to get out of debt pretty fast."

It sounds like you've already made your decision, you just would like reaffirmation. Good luck a Ohio!

[tsub]

Yeah, I kind of have more or less. I was just wondering if some Iowa student was on this board and wanted to drop some secret nugget of wisdom that would change my mind.

[TTH]

Go to Iowa. You'll love it. Iowa corn is so much sweeter than Ohio corn.

(Disclaimer: I'm only saying this to free up more scholarship money at OSU, which is probably the better deal for you. You coming to the ASW in a couple weeks?)

[traehekat]

Woah, woah, woah. Difference of $60,000? I'm assuming it is $22,500 total you received from OSU, correct? I guess you are thinking you will would pay nonresident tuition at Iowa for three years, because I don't know where the extra $37,500 is coming from, since COL is about the same. Nearly everyone who wants resident tuition at Iowa receives it, but they have to do an RA position (which beneficial to do anyway, as far as developing a relationship with a professor).

Anyway, if in fact you are receiving a total of $22,500 from OSU, then I am in almost exact same position as you are (-1 WUSTL waitlist, +1 Emory waitlist). I am trying to figure out if Iowa is worth the extra bit of money, I also want to work in Chicago and I could live almost anywhere for the next three years. You are going to have a lot of debt no matter what, so getting out of it quick will be a little tough, but it is possible I suppose if you are diligent. Iowa does do a bit better if you are looking at large firms in Chicago, and I think Iowa also has a bit more pull in areas like Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Omaha, St. Louis, and Kansas City. Also, I saw a survey the other day indicating Iowa graduates are ranked 19th in terms of employability among recruiting and hiring professionals (this is from 2008).

In case you receiving $22,500 PER YEAR from OSU, well then it looks like you will be a Buckeye.

[onthecusp]

Woah, woah, woah. Difference of $60,000? I'm assuming it is $22,500 total you received from OSU, correct? I guess you are thinking you will would pay nonresident tuition at Iowa for three years, because I don't know where the extra $37,500 is coming from, since COL is about the same. Nearly everyone who wants resident tuition at Iowa receives it, but they have to do an RA position (which beneficial to do anyway, as far as developing a relationship with a professor).

Anyway, if in fact you are receiving a total of $22,500 from OSU, then I am in almost exact same position as you are (-1 WUSTL waitlist, +1 Emory waitlist). I am trying to figure out if Iowa is worth the extra bit of money, I also want to work in Chicago and I could live almost anywhere for the next three years. You are going to have a lot of debt no matter what, so getting out of it quick will be a little tough, but it is possible I suppose if you are diligent. Iowa does do a bit better if you are looking at large firms in Chicago, and I think Iowa also has a bit more pull in areas like Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Omaha, St. Louis, and Kansas City. Also, I saw a survey the other day indicating Iowa graduates are ranked 19th in terms of employability among recruiting and hiring professionals (this is from 2008).

In case you receiving $22,500 PER YEAR from OSU, well then it looks like you will be a Buckeye.

22.5 per year?

[tsub]

Well, it's $22,500 over 3 years. I heard about the RA thing at Iowa but I didn't factor it in because it wasn't necessarily guaranteed (and I guess neither is in-state tuition at OSU, but whatever).

Don't think I'll be able to make the ASW. My boss is already giving me the stink eye for missing so much work for visits and other stuff. I know a lot of people who went to OSU and I have good impressions of all of them. I also know a couple who went to Iowa, and they pretty much reiterate how it is in the middle of nowhere (and I drove there, so I can attest to that).

I know people say you should really visit a place before going there, but I just won't be able to do that with Columbus. I just asked for the opinion of people I trusted who knew something about the school and had similar tastes as me to get an idea of what it's like. I mean, it's what I did before I moved to where I am now, and I have been here for 2 years and don't have any major issues with the city.

[traehekat]

Well, it's $22,500 over 3 years. I heard about the RA thing at Iowa but I didn't factor it in because it wasn't necessarily guaranteed (and I guess neither is in-state tuition at OSU, but whatever).

My understanding is that literally everyone who wants an RA position will receive one, and I think priority is actually given to nonresident students.

In regards to obtaining residency in Ohio, TLS has two conflicting opinions it looks like. Here is from the OSU profile...

For non-resident students, the tuition rate was $37,364 in 2009-2010, although it should be noted that most non-resident students establish residency after residing in Ohio for twelve months, and according to the school, “Nearly all law students pay in-state tuition for years two and three of law school.”

But the article on obtaining residency lists Ohio as one of the more difficult states to obtain residency in.

A student may apply for residency after 12 months of continuous living in the state of Ohio, however their website does state that the board of regents consciously seeks to exclude those who are in the state primarily for purposes of getting an education. Nevertheless, the option is technically available to students who are willing to present evidence that they are inclined to stay in Ohio after graduation, but again they do not post success rates in this regard.

[Xnegd]

May I ask an unrelated question?

Thanks a bunch for providing your TSL stats, I always appreciate it when people on here do that.

You got into Iowa, Tulane, and Ohio State - all three are campuses I'm interested in. Our stats are about the same right now (I have a 3.5, but it's from Berkeley so I'm hoping that'll help equal yours, and I haven't taken the LSAT yet, but I'm practice testing around your score).

Was there any significant parts of your profile that you can think of that made you attractive to these three schools besides your stats? I ask so I can gauge what my chances, and think about softs for the next year. I know geographically might be the main thing, and I'm stuck here for the year.

[traehekat]

May I ask an unrelated question?

Thanks a bunch for providing your TSL stats, I always appreciate it when people on here do that.

You got into Iowa, Tulane, and Ohio State - all three are campuses I'm interested in. Our stats are about the same right now (I have a 3.5, but it's from Berkeley so I'm hoping that'll help equal yours, and I haven't taken the LSAT yet, but I'm practice testing around your score).

Was there any significant parts of your profile that you can think of that made you attractive to these three schools besides your stats? I ask so I can gauge what my chances, and think about softs for the next year. I know geographically might be the main thing, and I'm stuck here for the year.

Obviously I'm not the OP, but a short answer to your question is don't worry anything other than the LSAT and keeping your grades up. Even if the OP had a stellar personal statement, resume, and letters, I don't think any of these factors even came close to mattering as much as OP's numbers. I had a pretty average personal statement, resume, and letters and I had the same results as OP.

So basically, there is nothing I would recommend doing over spending more time on the LSAT (unless you actually WANT to join some organizations or clubs, then by all means go for it - just don't do it for the sole purpose of adding a line to your resume).

[Xnegd]

Thanks, okay will do.

[tsub]

Hey Xnegd,

I agree with traehekat in that you should devote your extra time to studying for the LSAT. However, my acceptances are good evidence that softs matter because my LSAT was either at or below the 25th percentile for most of the schools I was accepted to. This explains how I have similar acceptances with traehekat even though my LSAT was about 5 points lower (not that there is anything wrong with traehekat's application).

Other than the LSAT, I think I would spend some time working on your personal statement early. I had many comments about how good mine was because I went through over 10 drafts and made it truly unique, a good representation of my life experiences. I also developed close relationships with professors my senior year that wrote my letters of recommendation, and after they showed me the letters they wrote me (they wanted to show me) you would believe that I walked on water.

So, in summary,
1. Study for the LSAT like crazy. I feel like that was the only thing holding me back from greater acceptances.
2. Spend a lot of time on your personal statement. Have friends read it, professors, and even some random people on this forum. That helped me out a lot.
3. Take some time to develop relationships with your recommenders.

I would be happy to share my PS, resume and any other application material with you if you would like. Just PM me.

... and traehekat, I think we could be friends. Where are you thinking of going next year?

[traehekat]

... and traehekat, I think we could be friends. Where are you thinking of going next year?

Well, shoot - I think so too! I'm leaning towards Iowa right now, but a decent scholarship from Wake Forest could draw me away. In the back of my mind I am still considering OSU and Loyola Chicago, as well.