Regional students pick YSU for variety of reasons

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Whether it’s for the affordable cost, the programs, the town or the proximity, high-school students visited Youngstown State University to answer the question: “Why YSU?”

Hazel Marie, chairwoman of the university’s mechanical and industrial engineering department, said YSU’s class size plays an important factor, which allows for a closer, hands-on experience for both teachers and students.

“I know everyone of my students in my program after I have them in class. I know their strengths, I know their weaknesses, I know how to help them go where I know they’ll succeed,” she said earlier this week. “They find it on their own, but I help mold them because I know them, so that personal interaction, that personal dedication to the students is also something you don’t see at other universities.”

Briana Davis, a senior from Columbiana High School, plans to attend YSU this fall majoring in mechanical engineering. Davis said she chose YSU because of that kind of student-teacher experience. At first, she wanted to attend Ohio State University, but after seeing what YSU could offer, she made the switch.

“Hearing from people at OSU, they just tell me about how big the classes are and they have a lot of great experiences,” Davis said. “But from my understanding, they don’t get to have the opportunities that you do here where the undergrads get to work with the machinery.”

Read more about why students are choosing the university and this year's 'Crash Day' in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.