<p>Ohio State is currently making the most strive academically in the nation, USC (Trojans) being the other imho. The school is certain to be included as one of the Top-50 if not Top-40 academic institution on USNWR by the time OP graduated. </p>
<p>Top-10 Public (Being Excellent and Becoming Eminent)</p>
<p>See: [Provost</a> Alutto’s Address to the University Senate 2012 - Office of Academic Affairs - The Ohio State University](<a href=“http://oaa.osu.edu/provost-address-to-senate-2012.html]Provost”>http://oaa.osu.edu/provost-address-to-senate-2012.html)</p>
<p>Financially, UMD is nowhere as stable as TOSU with annual $500 million state appropriations - most in the nation. Which translates into students having to deal with substantial annual tuition increase at UMD, whereas TOSU is capped by state legislatures at 3.5% max (if any). In fact, even during the economic downturn of 2007~2011, tOSU compared favorably with its Big Ten counterparts. </p>
<p>See: <a href=“http://www.mndaily.com/2009/09/30/big-ten-budgets-not-so-big[/url]”>http://www.mndaily.com/2009/09/30/big-ten-budgets-not-so-big</a></p>
<p>Furthermore, no disrespect to the Terps athletic programs, but aren’t they struggling financially if not on the bleak of bankruptcy…</p>
<p>[Maryland</a> Athletics To Cut Eight Sports, President Wallace D. Loh Announces - SB Nation DC](<a href=“Maryland Athletics To Cut Eight Sports, President Wallace D. Loh Announces - SB Nation DC”>Maryland Athletics To Cut Eight Sports, President Wallace D. Loh Announces - SB Nation DC)</p>
<p>With state-of-the-art new facilities throughout tOSU campus (Main Library, RPAC, Ohio Union,…etc.), the most experienced and popular College President at the helm, Urban Meyer coaching football, Thad Matta for basketball, I really see little reason to pick UMD over tOSU, especially when diversity and selectivity at Ohio Sate continue to improve.</p>
<p>See: [OSU</a> plans to increase diversity and admission standards - Campus - The Lantern - Ohio State University](<a href=“http://www.thelantern.com/campus/osu-plans-to-increase-diversity-and-admission-standards-1.1642119]OSU”>http://www.thelantern.com/campus/osu-plans-to-increase-diversity-and-admission-standards-1.1642119)</p>
<p>See: [E</a>. Gordon Gee: The Big Man on Campus - The 10 Best College Presidents - TIME](<a href=“http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1937938_1937934_1937914,00.html]E”>http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1937938_1937934_1937914,00.html)</p>
<p>TOSU also plans to expand its dorms. Besides the current South Campus Dormitory Renovation Project, new dorms are to be added both in the North and West Campus in order to include all Sophomores to live on campus by 2015.</p>
<p>See: <a href=“http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/north-campus-dorm-redevelopment-project-news-updates[/url]”>http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/north-campus-dorm-redevelopment-project-news-updates</a></p>
<p>Moreover, if you are still concerned with tOSU’s overall teaching or educational quality, know that tOSU is 2 points above UMD in terms of Undergrad Academic Reputation Index score on USNWR. Its ‘First-Year Experience’ program is also top-rated on USNWR. </p>
<p>Last but not least, currently with nearly 4 x the endowment than UMD, tOSU is set to kick-off $2.5+ billion fundraising campaign this fall. Sorry…, but so far as I am concerned, there is simply no comparison between the two schools in the immediate or foreseeable future. TOSU wins by more than a mile! </p>
<p>[The</a> Ohio State University: A Grand Institution - YouTube](<a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube)</p>
<p>Best of Luck & Go Bucks! :)</p>