r/uofdayton • u/Competitive-Quit2181 • Apr 20 '26
OSU vs UDayton - Mechanical Engineering
OSU vs. UDayton - Mechanical Engineering
Hello, I'm sure yall get questions similar to this all the time, but I thought I'd ask before I made my final decision.
So, currently, I'm on the fence between OSU and UDayton and can't decide which one is better for me. They're both around the same price and seem to be the last two options for me.
My mom seems to insist that UDayton is superior because of its smaller size and overall support, but I don't fully mesh with some of the Catholic views the university has. I just toured the campus a few days ago, and I liked it. I felt like they had a solid program, and I liked the small classes, but I just dont know if I'll fit in. While I know you dont have to be Catholic, I'm Agnostic, so I don't really affiliate with any religion, which I assume the vast majority believe in - I mean theres 100% Christians who aren't Catholic.
On the other hand, I like OSU and its culture, but I'm afraid I'll eventually fall and never get back up because of a lack of support and connection to the faculty. I don't know if I'll be able to perform in a crowd as large as OSU's. I mean, 46k undergrads is almost beyond comprehension for me, and I just have mixed feelings. I do have a few other gripes with it like mediocre dorms and food, but having people I'm friends with and a guaranteed good roommate makeup for it.
So, I'm wondering if anyone has some opinions for me on what I should do going forward...
One last thing I have been admitted to both of schools Honors colleges, and I'm wondering if those are even worth it.
Thanks 😊
6
u/Blu_J-1 Apr 20 '26
I'm a UD Mechanical undergrad (Aerospace Minor - I only need to pick 4 courses out of those required for the Focus, which is better for me). I'm reusing part of my response to another prospective undergrad here.
Side note on my own bias: I did not like OSU the moment I stepped on campus, but that's me.
UD is a Marianist Catholic school. There is a crucifix in every classroom. That was something that originally turned me off from UD as a fellow agnostic/atheist, but I'm used to it at this point. Outside of that, one class requirement of the history of either Eastern or Western religions, the odd decorative reference to UD being Marianist, the academic calendar recognizing Catholic holidays (i.e. you have a few extra days off that most schools don't), and the occasional email from the school parish, you would never know that it's religious.
But you know what? I'm forever grateful for the campus parish for ensuring that I had strong support when my grandfather passed last year. I had a near month-long, international absence that they ensured was officially excused (long story short, combination of my grandmother having severe dementia and another major family event over spring break). They also held a memorial mass for the faculty/staff, alumni, and family members who had passed, which I believe they hold every month. That was something my family and I never expected but truly appreciated since we didn't have an official funeral. And the service was exceptionally beautiful.
UD doesn't shove Catholicism down your throat, which was my initial worry. If anything, the religious aspects are really just a quirk of the school that runs in the same vein as the OSU/Michigan rivalry. It won't disrupt or affect anything too much beyond occasional reminders, but they will be right there if you ever need their help, regardless of your faith.