My Transfer Experience
Joshua Merritt
J. Merritt • 20Sep10
The Ohio State University
First a little bit about The Ohio State University…
 Established in 1870
 Large Student Population (50,000+ Students)
 Large Campus
 A Top 20 Public University
(US News and World Report)
 Currently on Quarters, will be moving to
Semesters in AU12
J. Merritt • 20Sep10
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Now a little bit on my department…

Routinely ranked in the Top 20 for Mechanical Engineering by US News
and World Report

One of the better funded departments on campus

The largest department in the College of Engineering

Access to many resources reserved for ME students

ME Students learn and study in Scott Lab. The $71.1 Million Facility is
one of the premier engineering facilities in the country

We boast a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, remarkable considering the
student body size overall

OSU offers both a ME Honors Program, as well as a BS/MS program
J. Merritt • 20Sep10
My Path to Columbus




Started at Cabrillo College, originally as an
Economics major
Switched to Mechanical Engineering just before
I moved back home to help out with my family
Took classes at Chabot and Laney, while working
part-time
Transferred to OSU in Winter Quarter of 2009
J. Merritt • 20Sep10
Biggest Changes




Must larger classes, initially
Much, much faster pace
Coordinating schedules with study groups takes
more effort
Professors are there to research, as well as
teach courses, so can be more difficult to get
questions answered
J. Merritt • 20Sep10
Greatest Opportunities





Large campuses have large resources
Many clubs and events to participate in
Access to machine shops, electronics labs
A great employment center to aid in finding
Internships, Co-Ops and Jobs
State-of-the-Art Building (Scott Lab)
J. Merritt • 20Sep10
Choosing a School
There is not a right or wrong school to transfer to, only right
and wrong for you, so…
 Consider what criteria are important to YOU



Whatever gets you excited about a school is a viable rationale for
consideration
Consider things like school size (this is really important
based on your personality type), faculty-to-student ratio,
availability of clubs or internships, location, school setting…
DO NOT pick a school because you heard it was a good
school
J. Merritt • 20Sep10
Tips for Transferring





Keep ALL syllabi, tests and work you do in your classes, you
never know when it will help for having a class evaluated.
Being outgoing, the best way
to join a study group is to
be friendly and attentive
If at all possible, visit the campus a few times before you go
If you move away to school, find an apartment within
walking distance
DO NOT skip classes, you WILL fall behind
J. Merritt • 20Sep10
Some Things I’ve Done @ OSU





Joined ASME, have been an active participant
Earned membership into Pi Tau Sigma National
Mechanical Engineering Honor Society
Joined and worked on the Solar Decathlon Team
Played for the OSU Rugby Club
Worked on the Solar Decathlon Team
J. Merritt • 20Sep10
Take Advantage
Moving onto university affords you many opportunities, you
should take advantage
 Join a club


Gives you hands-on experience
outside the classroom
Apply for as many internships as you can

Do not be rigid on which companies you apply for, all internships
offer an opportunity to grow as an engineer
J. Merritt • 20Sep10
Questions?
Any Questions?
J. Merritt • 20Sep10
No More Questions?
Fine… Now you get pictures from my time at
THE Ohio State University
J. Merritt • 20Sep10