After four to five years of studying, Ohio University students who earn their degree must face reality and trade in their Athens lifestyle for a career. Since being named the #1 party school in America by the Princeton Review this past summer, the Ohio University faculty has gone on the defensive, citing declines in alcohol violations and warning students that the party school reputation will ultimately devalue their Ohio University degrees.
However, Anthony Lanza, owner of a State Farm licensed insurance agency feels the ranking is “a concern for caring parents” rather than a disadvantage in the job market. “I do not feel that the party issue affects an applicant seeking employment in my company.” For the Ohio student worried about competing with students from other schools, Anthony believes individuals need to be evaluated based on their own merit.
“If I am considering two applicants in the final process, the only school ranking I would consider will be the (school’s) size and academic reputation.”
Debra Ball, Vice President of Promedica’s Human Resources Learning and Services Department, had a positive outlook on the ranking. She says the ranking “doesn’t do a whole lot to her thinking” when it comes to hiring employees. It has more to do with the town being “perceived as creative or innovative” rather than being a reflection on the individual students themselves. Promedica is a one of the largest healthcare systems in the region, overseeing 11 hospitals in the Ohio and Michigan.
The ranking also seems to have little effect on the admissions decision for graduate schools. “Students who are planning on graduate schools know what they need to do academically to make themselves competitive,” Carolyn Chiarieri says. Chiarieri, Assistant Dean for Admissions for New York Medical College’s graduate school of basic medical sciences, mentions that this fall a graduate from Ohio University enrolled at New York Medical College, one of the largest post-graduate medical programs in the country. She feels the ranking won’t be much of a factor in future admissions decisions: “If (students) choose to party and not study it will be reflected in their academic record. I do believe, however, that Ohio University has a very good academic reputation.”
Ohio University’s party school reputation won’t go away anytime soon. However, seniors parading up and down Court Street can sip easy knowing that the school’s party-school reputation will have little effect on how future employers view their applications. |
