🍦 Today's Scoops: Quick EC's to Add as a Senior & More (Aug 13)

Good morning and welcome to the second edition of Scholar Scoops! Thank you to everyone who gave us feedback yesterday; we’ve tried our best to implement all that you guys asked for. With that said, here’s what we have today:

1. School of the Day: Ohio State University, the king of school spirit

2. Admissions Blueprint: Quick EC’s to add as a senior

3. Finance Fun: Your Guide to Personal Finance in College

SCHOOL OF THE DAY
Ohio State University (OSU)

In this section, we cover a different school every day, helping you learn something new about your favorite schools or find a new school that could end up being your dream school.

📍 Location: Columbus, OH
🎓 Undergraduates Enrolled: 51,078
📊 Acceptance Rate: 50.8% (70,028 applicants)
📝 Average SAT/ACT: 1395/30
💸 Tuition: $11,525 (in-state), $35,762 (out-of-state)
📅 Admission Options: Early Action (November 1), Regular Decision (January 15)
🏆 Top Ranking Programs: Business/Accounting (#7), Undergraduate Engineering (#25) (US News Rankings)

By the numbers, Ohio State University (OSU) looks very similar to many other Midwest public universities like Purdue University and the University of Illinois. They all have large undergraduate student bodies, relatively affordable tuition compared to many coastal colleges, and acceptance rates right around 50%. During the college admissions process, you might come to a point where you’ll have to decide on which of these schools to include in your college list, so what separates Ohio State from the rest of the pack?

• 🌰 A mascot like no other: The Buckeye is Ohio’s state tree, but it’s also a cherished symbol for OSU. Students, alumni, and fans proudly call themselves “Buckeyes,” and you’ll often see people wearing Buckeye necklaces made from real buckeye nuts. School spirit is king at OSU.

• 🏈 Football: Ohio State’s football program is legendary. With over 900 wins and multiple national championships, the Buckeyes are a force to be reckoned with. The Horseshoe, or “The Shoe” as fans call it, is the iconic home of Ohio State football, holding over 100,000 fans. And let’s not forget the intense rivalry with the University of Michigan—known simply as “The Game,” it’s one of the biggest and most storied rivalries in college sports. Again, OSU’s school spirit shines bright.

• 🔬 Research Powerhouse: 11th in research expenditures among all U.S. universities, OSU professors are constantly working on pushing the boundaries of what we know today (National Science Foundation). Even with a huge undergraduate student body, so many opportunities are available due to the funding that their research institutes have.

• 📚 A Library of Epic Proportions: If you’re a book lover, you’ll feel right at home at OSU. The university’s library system is one of the largest in the nation, with over 5.8 million volumes! Thompson Library, the main library on campus, is a beautiful blend of historic architecture and modern design, complete with a grand reading room and stunning views of the Oval.

• 🎓 A Rich Alumni Network: With over half a million living alumni, Ohio State’s network is vast and influential. From CEOs to politicians, OSU graduates are making their mark across the globe. The university’s alumni association is one of the largest in the world, and Buckeyes are known for their loyalty and pride—wherever they go, they carry the spirit of Ohio State with them.

• 🌆 Opportunities Everywhere: Based in the heart of Columbus, OSU students have direct access to real-world experiences at top employers such as JPMorgan, Honda, GE, and Procter & Gamble.

Whether you’re drawn to the Buckeyes’ storied athletic programs, the vibrant campus life, or the top-notch academics, Ohio State University offers a dynamic and spirited environment for its students.

ADMISSION BLUEPRINT
Quick EC’s to add as a senior

If you’re a senior filling out your Common App, you might be looking through your activities list, thinking, is this enough? Most likely, it is, but I know a lot of you are stressed out and want to find some ways to polish up that resume. So, here are three quick extracurriculars that can get you that final piece of your application.

🏆 Competitions: 
Hopefully, over the last few years of your high school career, you’ve found a subject that you’re interested in and have been diving deep into. Well, besides all those advanced courses, competitions are a great way to show that you are truly interested in a subject. No matter what that subject is, there’s competition out there for you to go show that interest. Here are some popular competitions:

• If you’re interested in CS, try going to local hackathons.

• Business/Econ? Try investment competitions.

• Hard Sciences? Look into local science fairs.

• Literature and Writing? Try out some essay competitions.

The important thing about competitions though is that you try. Even if you go to a hackathon and don’t win any prizes, it can be a great experience that might be worth a section on your activities list to show your passion for the subject.

📈 Online Courses and Certifications: 
Similar to competitions, online courses and certifications can help you demonstrate that you’ve mastered a subject and care a lot about it. Try to see if your local community college offers asynchronous courses or online courses this fall. Some other great resources include sites like Coursera and edX. Not only are these great ways for you to learn even more about the subject, but oftentimes you can also get certificates that not only help on your college application but possibly also internship and job applications in the future.

👩‍🏫 Tutoring: 
Lastly, offering tutoring services in subjects you excel in can be a rewarding and flexible extracurricular. You can help fellow students or younger learners with their studies, either through your school, local community centers, or online platforms. One great place to start tutoring is in your school’s Peer Tutoring programs. Most schools have these, and if yours doesn’t, maybe consider starting one!

Tutoring not only enhances your resume but also allows you to give back and develop your teaching and communication skills. Colleges also love to see students who give back to education, as they tend to go on to become TAs and help out their professors later down the line.

FINANCE FUN
Your Guide to Personal Finance in College

College is often the first time students manage their own finances, making it a critical period to develop smart money habits. Here’s a breakdown of key strategies to help you stay financially healthy during your college years.

💰 Budgeting Basics:
Start by creating a detailed budget. List your income sources—like part-time jobs, scholarships, or parental support—and compare them against your expenses, such as tuition, rent, textbooks, groceries, and entertainment. Apps like Mint or You Need a Budget (YNAB) can help you track spending and stay on top of your finances. Remember to set aside money for unexpected costs, and try to stick to a 50/30/20 rule: 50% for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings or debt repayment.

📉 Smart Borrowing:
If you’re using student loans or credit cards, it’s important to understand the long-term impact. For student loans, aim to borrow only what you need and consider federal loans first, as they usually have lower interest rates and better repayment options. For credit cards, use them sparingly—ideally for essential purchases that you can pay off in full each month. Building a positive credit history now will benefit you when you need to make larger financial decisions, like renting an apartment or buying a car after graduation.

🛒 Saving Tips:
Maximize your budget by tapping into student discounts on software, clothing, and transportation—many companies offer deals to college students (see this amazing list: https://www.collegedata.com/resources/study-break/best-student-discounts-to-use-in-college). Cooking at home can also save you a lot compared to dining out, so consider meal prepping to avoid the temptation of fast food. For housing, look into sharing an apartment with roommates or exploring off-campus housing options, which can be more affordable than dorm living. Even small savings, like buying used textbooks or using public transportation, can add up over time.

Mastering personal finance in college sets you up for long-term financial stability. By budgeting wisely, borrowing carefully, and finding ways to save, you’ll not only survive your college years—you’ll thrive financially in the years to come. Start building these habits now, and you’ll be well-prepared for whatever financial challenges lie ahead.

IDEAS COME FROM EVERYWHERE
Important testing dates coming up!

In the Daily Deadlines section, we will keep you updated on upcoming deadlines in the college admissions world. Remember to not procrastinate and stay ahead of these deadlines!

August SAT: Saturday, August 24
September ACT Registration Deadline: Sunday, August 25
September ACT: Saturday, September 15
University of Texas Early Action Deadline: October 15

IDEAS COME FROM EVERYWHERE
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