Bowling Green State University (BGSU), located in the quaint hamlet of Bowling Green, Ohio, has a long and prestigious history as one of the top schools in the region. Students here can expect nationally recognized programs in a wide range of fields—from applied technologies to education, to the arts. For over 100 years BGSU has provided top-notch education to the people of Ohio, and those who travel from all over the nation – and even the world – to study there.
Before applying to be a Bowling Green Falcon, you should know a bit about the university. We at HelloCollege sat down with BGSU alumni Dr. Rabab Darwish to get her perspective on the university, what attracted her to it, and why today’s high school students should consider applying to BGSU.
But first, let’s get a brief overview of BGSU before our Q&A with Dr. Darwish.
Bowling Green State University at a Glance.
BGSU, located just south of Toledo, officially opened its doors in 1910. Since then, it has grown into a well-respected mid-sized university. BGSU offers undergraduate and graduate degrees on a roughly 1,300-acre campus featuring sports facilities, arenas, fine arts centers, student housing, lecture halls, and more.
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Sports
BGSU sports teams compete in the NCAA Div I – the highest American collegiate sports division for sports in American collegiate competition. Their football team competes in the Mid-American Conference, and their hockey team competes in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Students who appreciate athletics love to say they are BGSU Falcons, no matter what sport they follow or play!
Student life
BGSU is home to roughly 25,000 students. This means, as a mid-sized university, you will never feel like you are lost in the crowd. Alongside that, you will find well-kept student housing, plenty of campus security, and a social sphere that is easy to assimilate into.
Education
With more than 200 undergraduate programs and 75 graduate programs to choose from, BGSU students never lack choices! The school’s 119th-place ranking among public schools places it in the top 8% of the nation’s schools.
Veteran Friendly
BGSU is consistently ranked among the country’s most veteran-friendly. In 2021, The Military Times ranked it 5th in the nation and 1st in the Midwest for veterans and active military students. It was also recognized as one of the “Best Colleges for Veterans” by U.S. News and World Report. BGSU earned this ranking by participating in federal initiatives helping veterans and active service members apply, pay for, and complete their degrees. It is the highest-ranked Ohio public university on the list.
A Chat With Dr. Darwish.
We recently sat down with one of BGSU’s most respected alumni and HelloCollege Counselor, Dr. Rabab Darwish, to gain some insight into her alma mater. Dr. Darwish obtained her Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership Studies from BGSU while working as a research assistant, academic advisor, and class instructor. She remains an advocate for BGSU and a proud Falcon!
Q: What attracted you to Bowling Green State University?
A: I was initially attracted to Bowling Green’s setting. I sought a small college town for safety reasons and Bowling Green has constantly been voted one of the best and safest college towns.
Q: What was it like living in a college town?
A: I enjoyed the local festivities, stores, and coffee shops because they were unique to Bowling Green.
Q: What was your favorite BGSU activity? Why?
A: Campus Fest: An annual fair that offers a chance to learn about all 300 different student organizations.
Q: What are Bowling Green’s most popular clubs and organizations?
A: Bowling Green has so many wonderful clubs. Some of my favorites are the International Club, NOMA, Women in Aviation, and ROTC.
Q: Which majors are BGSU known for?
A: BGSU is well known for its biology, business, and education programs. The BGSU Aviation program and Bowling Green Flight Center are on the rise, with a $5 million investment in new aircraft, state-of-the-art flight simulators, and expansion of the BG Flight Center that will more than double its flight operations, classroom, and office space this coming spring.
Q: What services has BGSU put into place for freshmen to succeed?
A: The Deciding Student Program (DSP) is one of the many services offered to students. The DSP program provides students with an outstanding opportunity to explore their major and career interests. Typically, students are still able to apply and have a clear path to declare their major after being part of DSP.
Q: What would you recommend that students do to be successful at Bowling Green?
A: I would recommend getting to know your professors. An advantage of attending a midsize university is the relatively smaller class sizes, so students have the opportunity to forge meaningful relationships with their professors and build their social networks. As a result, many professors at BGSU are willing to connect their students with other professionals in the industry for research and/or internship opportunities.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, Bowling Green State University has built a reputation for excellence in academics, athletics, value, and facilities. At HelloCollege, we think it’s important to look at some of the country’s lesser-known schools to show that you can receive a top-tier education from well-respected universities you may not have considered before.
If you are interested in learning more about the college admissions process, or about college life in general, check out more of our blogs and resources here at HelloCollege. We believe that preparing for university shouldn’t be scary, and we are here to help guide you or your student through the process every step of the way.
