Columbus, OH: This summer I visited Ohio State University. It is one of the largest universities in the United States in terms of student enrollment with 39,209 undergraduates. It houses 25 colleges, offers more than 12,000 courses, and provides over 800 student organizations. There are 160 majors available. In ­addition to the Columbus campus, there are regional campuses in Lima, Mansfield, Marion, and Newark, Ohio.

The University is located near downtown Columbus, Ohio’s capital. The campus is breathtaking. You first notice Lincoln and Morrill towers, the twenty-story residence halls. Approaching the campus, you can see the Ohio Stadium, more commonly known as “The Shoe,” along with the famous Schottenstein Center, the unique Knowlton Hall (Austin E. Knowlton School of Architecture), The Blackwell Hotel, and the red brick residence halls of North Campus.

Trees line the sidewalks, which weave in and out of a city of campus buildings. When you reach the brand-new Recreation and Physical Activity Center (the R-PAC), you must proceed on foot, since cars are prohibited. ­Although Ohio State’s size can seem overwhelming, the campus is divided into North, South, East, and West Campus, which breaks it into smaller communities.

OSU is known not only for its size, but also for its outstanding academics. It was named a Top 10 Research University by the National Science Foundation. U.S. News & World ­Report named it one of the top 20 public ­universities in 2007, as well as ranking its First Year Experience among the nation’s ­exemplary programs leading to student success. Ohio State is well known for its Fisher School of Business and Austin E. Knowlton School of ­Architecture.

Admission to the university is competitive. For the class that entered in 2008, 52 percent were in the top 10 percent of their class, 90 students were National Merit Scholars, and the middle 50 percent of ACT scores were 25 to 29 compared with the national average of 21.

There are a variety of living arrangements on campus. South Campus residence halls are set up in the traditional style with two students to a room and a communal bathroom for the hall. They are co-ed by floor. The North Campus residence halls are four-to-a-room for ­underclassmen. Each has a bedroom, living room, and bathroom. The West Campus towers have suites of several bedrooms, which sleep two each, a living room, and a bathroom.

Tuition is fairly reasonable for Ohio residents at $8,679 ($21,918 for out-of-state residents). Room and board is an additional $7,755.

Despite its size, Ohio State University feels very welcoming. The campus is not only beautiful but it also provides many resources and opportunities for students. I left feeling more at home and familiar with the campus than I had at any other university I visited.

There is no place on earth like OSU, and I suggest that everyone visit this unique campus and find out why every student there is so proud to be a Buckeye.

For more information, go online to www.osu.edu.