In just over a week, applications for six of our nationally recognized Learning Communities are due! April 18 is the application deadline for: Business Honors, Engineering House, Future Health Professionals, Global Business, Women in Engineering, and SUSTAINS. Don’t delay, apply here!
As a bit of inspiration for your application, Megan Luthie, a first-year student in Women in Engineering, shares her story about her experience in a Learning Community!
“You can make this big university small.” These are the words you’ll hear at every single visit, tour, and even orientation at Ohio State. In a school of about 60,000 people, how is that even possible? Coming from a town less than a third of the size of Ohio State, I was very skeptical. There was no way that this school was going to feel small to me. But, after joining the Women in Engineering Learning Community, I realized that this was true.
Being in a Learning Community made the transition from a small high school to a huge university far easier and also surrounded me with 50 other women who are pursuing a similar degree. This created a comfortable community where we could ask each other questions about school and life in general.
We were also able to move-in three days before the big move-in day, allowing me to connect with the other women in this community and a sophomore in engineering that served as our mentor. We were able to build relationships with one another and also become familiar with the campus before classes started. Living in the same building as all of these women also helped us stay connected throughout the year.
As a group we were able to create our own scented candles, attend a Columbus Crew soccer game, travel to the Columbus Zoo for Zoo Lights, design mugs and plates, and participate in so many other events. This helped us to engage with each other outside of the classroom and become closer to one another.
While this community inspired friendships, it also created the opportunity to meet with professionals and students that are in the engineering field. During our early arrival program, we had the chance to meet with multiple engineering professors including ones in Electrical and Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering fields. We were also able to meet professionals working at ArcelorMittal and were even able to tour the factory in Cleveland. Furthermore, every two months there is an event entitled WiE Tea where women in the field of engineering come to our dorm and talk about why they chose their careers and what they do in their field. We are also able to ask lots of questions! This community has provided many networking connections throughout the year.
Overall, joining the Women in Engineering Learning Community is one of the greatest choices I have made here at Ohio State. I have created connections in a few short months and could not have hoped for a better outcome. I have had the chance to bond with my RA, Learning Community Advisor, Hall Director and other students while participating in fun events that enhance my connection to engineering. As a result, I felt comfortable at Ohio State almost instantly and have been able to join other organizations that I am interested in. I have become an active member in the Ohio State community in large part because of my experience as a member of Women in Engineering!