The University

Exceptional students, an outstanding faculty, and a challenging curriculum combine to make Oregon State University (OSU) a nationally and internationally recognized comprehensive university. As Oregon’s land grant university, OSU applies research and innovation to find solutions to complex problems and make a measureable difference in quality of life and the natural world. OSU ranks in the “very high research activity” tier of the Carnegie Foundation, one of only 96 such universities nationwide. And it is one of only two Land, Sea, Space, and Sun Grant-designated research universities in the United States.

The university’s more than 20,000 students come from all 50 states and nearly 100 countries to pursue a wide choice of undergraduate programs that prepare them for careers and leadership positions in science, engineering and computer-related fields, natural resources, government, teaching and social service, pharmacy, and other professions.

Students can choose from more than 300 extracurricular activities on campus. Athletically, OSU competes in the NCAA Division I, Pac-10 Conference. In addition, Dixon Recreation Center offers basketball, volleyball, badminton, handball, racquetball and squash courts; an eight-lane pool and diving pool; weight training; aerobic exercise; and the largest collegiate rock climbing center in the Pacific Northwest.

Location

The OSU main campus is in Corvallis, which is consistently ranked as one of the safest university communities on the West Coast. With approximately 52,000 residents, Corvallis offers a friendly, university-oriented atmosphere. In fact, students rated OSU the fifth-friendliest campus in the United States, according to CampusDirt.com. Corvallis is routinely listed as one of the Best Places to Live, Smartest City, and Best Green Places to live by many sources, most recently by Farmers Insurance and Sperling’s Best Places as the Most Secure Place to Live in the United States.

Miles of bike lanes and free city bus service make it easy for students to get around town. Within a short drive of Corvallis are the Pacific Ocean; the Cascade Range, with skiing, hiking, camping, and snowboarding; and Portland, Oregon’s largest city.

Majors and Degrees

Oregon State is a comprehensive research university, with more than 200 academic programs. Undergraduate degrees are offered through the Colleges of Agricultural Sciences, Business, Engineering, Forestry, Health and Human Sciences, Liberal Arts, Education, and Science, as well as the University Honors College. The university also offers 28 pre-professional programs that prepare students for graduate programs and careers in fields such as health sciences, law, and education.

I am pursuing opportunities.

Favorite things about your majors?

Science is always evolving and has always fascinated me. I chose Spanish because of my heritage; I knew how to speak it, but I didn’t know how to read or write it. I also love learning the history and culture of Spain and Latin America; it’s a chance to step out of science.

Proudest accomplishment?

I coordinate and run the organ donor registration drive on campus. A good friend here received a liver transplant, and we got 350 people registered in one week. It’s a way to do something good after you’re gone; you’re giving hope to someone.

What’s it like to be an Oregon State student?

I was really shy in high school, not very involved. There are many more opportunities and always something to be doing here. The busier I am, the more organized I am, and the better I tend to do. I’ve found a lot of support networks I wasn’t expecting; friends are there for each other, and faculty have been really supportive of all I wanted to do.

Advice for new students?

Take some classes in other colleges and outside your major. You can be involved as much as you want and take on as much as you want. Start out living in the dorm; it’s a valuable experience. Take a lighter course load in the spring. As the weather gets nice, you’ll want to have some fun outdoors.

Big dream?

I’m thinking about applying to a master’s in public health program, then medical school. My heart is in being a surgeon; reconstructive plastic surgery is a specialty that interests me. I would like to possibly do some volunteer work in other countries to help kids with cleft palates. I’d love to give those kids a smile.
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