da_mad_cow

Prospective student need more insights about Cincinatti, can anyone help?

I'd like to know more about things like:
1. Classes. Is it easy to register for classes or they just get filled up too early? How are the profs, good teachers, available for students or not? Do we get insane workloads (homeworks), I prefer classes that challenge in quality, not quantity. Are the admins helpful or just available when we write the check?
2. Are the dorms any good on your campus or they simply suck? If apartment is a better choice is it easy to find a decent one? Also please suggest a dorm if you can. Any dorm that isnt run-down, or way too quiet.
3. What about the surrounding town. are the residents friendly? Or whether its safe or not over there. One more thing, any decent access to supermarkets, diners, movies, etc?
4. Its campus life. Are the students friendly towards foreigners and one another? What about social scenes, do they party all the time or never party at all? Not a party animal, but prefer places with social life.
5. Anything more, unsual, or any concerns I should know about?

Also, how tough is it tog et into engineering or architecture?

And last, why is it called Nasty Natti??? just curious.

If you're willing to tell me more, feel free to respond. Any infos appreciated.

taxguy

1. Classes are NOT easy. UC doesn't have grade inflation. As for getting into classes, it depends on several factors. Specialized schools such as DAAP and CCM have a specific set up for their majors,which means you won't have trouble with these classes. As for arts and sciences and other gen eds, you would be better off if you were in honors. They get to register earlier.
Normally though, few kids get locked out of their chosed courses.

2.Dorms to vary. My daughter was in Daniels,which is an honors dorm. Although they have quads , ich, they also provide a lot of social interaction. You will meet many kids. Some dorms like turner are nicer but not as social.
The upperclass dorm choices and even appartments are VERY nice. My daughter was in University Park Appartments,which is located on campus. They were as good as any I have seen anywhere. In addition, there are lots of off campus housing and appartment.

3.The surrounding town right by the university isn't that safe. That is UC's one drawback. Interesting if you get about 5 minute drive away, it gets better. I guess if you are within one or two blocks of the school, it isn't that bad. It does get a bit spotty further one. The school itself seems safe with lots of security, people and blue phone for calling security.

I should note that although Cincinnati as a city isn't as good a college town as NY or Boston, it does still offer a lot of sports, museums, shopping etc. It just isn't right by the university.

4.UC has PLENTY of campus life. In fact, there are TEN calendars of events. True, some won't apply to you, such as the admission's calendar,but there are lots of events with the main street calendar, CCM calander etc. UC is a big school with a LOT going on. In addition, sports are BIG there. The stadiums rock with strong basketball and football programs.

5.Getting into engineering isn't that tough. Staying in engineering is another story. It is a hard major, and UC isn't known for grade inflation. My daughter knows two engineering honors students who almost flunked out. Again, she knows an honors student in bioengineering who is very good and has a 3.8. Thus, it varies with the student. UC gets a very varied student body. You will see kids who were valedictorians and kids who needed some remedial work in order to succeed.

As for Architecture, this is part of their DAAP school, which is ranked not only top in Ohio but within the top 5 schools of its kind in the US! UC has some nationallly ranked schools and DAAP is one of them. DAAP normally requires at least a 3.5+ unweighted gpa to get in ( Unless you have 1300+ SATs), and architecture is one of the harder majors to get admitted to at DAAP.

UC has one major unique things going for it: the coop program. I can't overstate this enough. Many majors such as DAAP majors, engineering, business and a few others have a guaranteed coop program that will provide you with six quarters of varied, paid experience. This not only lowers the cost of UC significantly but also will give you a killer resume that kids graduating from other universities won't have. In my opinion, this one item is a good enough reason to go to UC instead of Ohio State and other universities. I should note that UC was the first school to institute the coop even before Northeastern. Thus, they have an amazing number of employers who participate. In addition, these coops are found all over the US and in many foreign countries.

Seconly, UC has one of the best marching bands in the US. If you like music, it is a great way to meet folks and get a guaranteed one credit "A." Also, unlike that of Ohio State, UC's marching band has woodwinds in it.

I can't answer your question about Nasty Natti.

Bottom line: Pros: very decent academics, some programs are nationally and even internationally ranked, lots of things to do on campus, strong sports programs and great facilities.

Cons: inner city school with spotty area nearby, TAs do teach some intro classes, little grade inflation and some majors are VERY hard and demand a LOT of work. This is particularly true in the DAAP school, CCM and engineering.

Hope this all helps.

taxguy

Oh yes, I forgot to mentioned one more thing: UC has FABULOUS facilities. Most buildings are less than 10 years old and are designed by well-known architects. In fact, many design organizations and historical societies meet at UC to study its architecture.

Moreover, it isn't just the buildings that are great. Check out the work out facilities that draws folks from all over the area. There are tons of all types of state-of-the-art work out equipment. There are two pools,one of which has a current ( movement of water and not electricity) that can be used to either give you more exercise ( swimming against the current) or can be used for fun ( as using an inner tube to swim with the current).

Wireless in omnipresent in most places around UC. All dorms have wired internet.

da_mad_cow

Wow, thanks, taxguy. Being an international student I wasnt required to get SAT before applying to WSU (Washington State U). As for GPA I was a chem engineering major with a 3.0.... sounds like I'm gonna have a hard time trying to get in....