Deciding between UO vs. OSU – What to Consider?

So I’m between two options right now: University of Oregon (UO) and Oregon State University (OSU). Does anyone have any tips on how I could compare these two? Perhaps something beyond academics like campus life, community, location, etc.?

Absolutely, there are definitely many factors beyond academics that are crucial when deciding between colleges. Here are a few things you might consider:

1. Location: Both UO and OSU are situated in slightly smaller cities. UO in Eugene tends to have a more artistic community, boasting a vibrant scene for theater, visual arts, and music. Corvallis, where OSU is located, is a classic college town with a focus largely around the university's happenings.

2. Student life: Check out the extracurriculars, clubs, and organizations at both schools. These can heavily shape your college experience - if you're passionate about a certain hobby, see if there is a corresponding club or organization at that school.

3. Campus culture: UO has a reputation for being energetic and sports-centric due to its membership in the Pac-12 Conference. Meanwhile, OSU is known for its focus on research and it has a College of Engineering which is pretty renowned.

4. Internship and employment opportunities: Depending on your major, it can be beneficial to consider the type of internships or jobs that come out of each school. For example, if you're interested in engineering, OSU might be more advantageous because of its highly ranked College of Engineering and connections to industry.

5. Housing: You might also want to investigate housing options, both on and off-campus. When you do, consider cost, location, quality, and what year of students typically live there.

6. Visit Both Campuses: If it's feasible, consider visiting both campuses. There's something about physically standing on campus, meeting with some students, and taking in the vibe that really helps with decision-making.

Finally, reflect on your personal preferences. Would you prefer a city with a broader scope of art and culture or a more focused college-town atmosphere? Is sports culture crucial to your college experience? The answers to questions like these will help guide you in a direction that best suits you. Good luck with your decision!