For Parents & Families

Congratulations! Your student is attending Ohio State! We are excited to welcome you all to campus and help your student prepare for the transition to Ohio State and the College of Engineering.

Below you will find background information on the College of Engineering, designed to provide some context prior to arriving on campus. During the two-day Orientation Program your student and guests will receive detailed information about these areas and more. 

Pre-Orientation Preparation

In mid-May, your student will be sent an email to his/her official Ohio State email account, inviting your student to complete the online module, Orientation Preparation - Engineering. Hosted on CarmenCanvas, Ohio State's course management system, this online module will walk your student through important pre-orientation tasks such as math and skills assessments, AP and dual enrollment credit review, and scheduling videos. Completing the Orientation Preparation - Engineering module will ensure that your student's orientation experience goes smoothly and he/she leaves campus with a clear picture of their first set of classes at Ohio State.

Encourage your student to complete this online module well in advance of the two-day orientation program. Ask your student to share the information he/she learned through the module and possible questions to ask an advisor at orientation. Your student will be the sole owner of his/her academic information at Ohio State. This module provides an opportunity to coach your student on the type of information you expect him/her to share with you and how to communicate effectively.

Engineering Curriculum

First-year engineering students take courses designed to give them a broad understanding of the principles and practices of engineering and to teach them the basic engineering skills they will need for advanced courses, internships and careers in engineering. At the same time, students also take math and science basics required for future classes. The first-year engineering curriculum remains general and allows students to explore the various engineering programs before declaring a major.

Sample First Semester Schedule

The first term schedule will look very similar to this structure depending upon math placement, previously earned credit, intended major and curricular programs such as honors or scholars.

We recommend most students schedule between 14 and 16 hours during the first term, as students are experiencing a transition from high school to college, both in terms of academic expectations, teaching methods, and personal development (time management, independence, etc.).

Engineering Student Support

Engineering Academic Advisors

Students will meet with the academic advising team in their pre-major program as part of the two-day orientation program. Academic advisors work with students to explore their interests, determine curricular and co-curricular opportunities to pursue, identify barriers to success and campus support resources, and select appropriate classes. Students should regularly meet with their advisors and professors throughout each semester, as this connection leads to effective course planning, content mastery, and a feeling of connection and community in the College of Engineering. During the first semester, your student will take Engineering 1100, Introduction to Ohio State and the College of Engineering. This course is taught by the student's academic advisor and supports each student's transition to college coursework, the College of Engineering, and life as a Buckeye at Ohio State.

Engineering Career Services

First-year Engineering students can register with Engineering Career Services at the end of their first year at Ohio State. Meeting with advisors and faculty members is another great way to learn about internship and career opportunities.

Navigating the Parent-Student Relationship in College

Most parents want to continue to be involved in their child’s life once the student becomes a Buckeye. You want to make sure they are successful, make good decisions and go to class. We have the same goals in mind!

Since college falls at a time when students need to develop personal responsibility and independence, the roles of parents as well as educators are slightly different than the roles played during these students’ primary and secondary education. Our goal is for our students to be empowered and take ownership and control of their choices, both academically and personally. Thus, the role of parents and families is to support these young adults and empower them to take action in their own lives. This personal development process includes helping students reflect on past mistakes, what to learn from them and how to move forward toward a more successful result the next time around.

As educators, academic advisors are your partners in this process. Advisors will work directly with your student as they share concerns they have or successes upon which they want to build. In all situations, it is the student who is at the center of the experience, with parents, educators and advisors providing direct support to the student from our respective roles.

We encourage you to stay connected with your student: talk with your student about classes, ask how your student is learning to balance everything, check in with your student about the major exploration process. If your student mentions struggles with classes, encourage your student to meet with professors and utilize campus resources. Assure them that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but instead is a sign of maturity and being proactive. If your student mentions an issue outside of the classroom, encourage him/her to talk with the resident advisor (RA) in the residence hall or an academic advisor. Often there are many resources students can tap into around campus. They just need some guidance from a staff member on where to start.

While providing support is a collaborative endeavor, please know that your student is the sole guardian of his/her educational record. Federal educational privacy laws prohibit academic advisors from sharing any information about your student’s educational record unless your student submits a release. We know you might be the one footing the tuition bill, but there are federal laws that protect all student education records. We encourage you to have an open discussion with your student about expectations for the educational experience at Ohio State prior to arrival. Learn more about this regulation.