Also think Dayton would be a good option for my kid. Can anyone who has visited compare it to Miami Ohio, Loyola MD, Marquette, other mid-sized schools? Our kids go to a large public hs so aren't interested in a college that is the same size. One will do well at a large public, one could use a smaller environment like Dayton.

Hi OP -- I hope you're still checking this thread, I'm a Flyer mom. Have you visited Dayton yet? If not, I really recommend going for Accepted Students Day. That's how my son decided on Dayton when deciding between several schools.

My son graduated this year and it was a really good experience for him. The size was nice, not too big, not too small. No 200 student classes in a giant auditorium, my son got to know his professors, and other students. He made a lot of friends. He wasn't an engineering major, but their engineering program is good. My son received merit aid which made the cost equal to our state schools.

My son is athletic and participated in a lot of intramural sports. There's also club sports. He didn't do Greek life, but did join some other clubs. We aren't Catholic either, and that wasn't an issue at all for my son.

The student neighborhood is a really fun part of UD, my son lived in one of the houses his junior and senior years and loved it.

What else...football isn't that big at UD, but basketball is, and those games are a blast. The dining hall food is pretty good.

When I wear my Dayton sweatshirt (in the DMV area) I'm often approached by alumni, who always tell me about their great experience there.

I know this is off topic but there seem to be a lot of people who actually know Ohio on here.

My son is interested in Ohio State because it's good for a major he's very interested in. We're in Maryland, so he's also applying to College Park. What is Columbus like? I know Ohio State is bigger than U of Dayton, but is the happy vibe the same?

Anonymous wrote:We have an office there. If you’re in a mega church he should fit right in. It’s one of those places where people say grace before eating in chain restaurants and regularly talk about things their pastor told them. I really like the Dayton - Cincinnati area and think it would be a nice place to end up. Lots of large American legacy companies based in cincy. Huge Air Force base right there. Lots of post graduation job opps.

Dayton is certainly not a place where people say grace in restaurants more than anywhere else.

Bumping this for any additional insight.

My child was accepted with merit into the honors program- any recent experience with this program?

My DS also got in, with some unexpected merit aid. He is undecided, though. How good are they about helping kids figure out what to major in?

Anonymous wrote:Regarding “praying at chain restaurants” I was referring to the general area, not Dayton students specifically. I thought it might be relevant to the op, since they left the Catholic Church a joined a “more tolerant” Christian church. Whenever I go out for meals in the area I see tables bow their heads and pray when the food arrives. It’s common for people there to bring up their pastors most recent sermon in discussions. In fact, the road between Dayton and Cincinnati is colloquially called the “highway to hell” by Columbus people because there are so many churches with signs describing all the things you should repent for.

I’m not saying to judge, I’m saying this because it might be good thing for op. The Dayton Cincinnati is one of the hidden gems in our country and I’d move there in a heartbeat if I could.

We like going to Old Scratch and Dewey's when we are up there. We've also had some wonderful meals at Salar in the Oregon district. We haven't made it to the Pine Club, but hear good things about it.
I've never seen anyone praying at their tables, but I also don't really pay much attention to what other people are doing as long as it doesn't involve me.

He doesn't have to articulate why he wants a state school. It's his college experience. If he wants a state school he goes to a GOT DAM STATE SCHOOL. Why are you trying to push him into a private Catholic school he doesn't want?

Regarding “praying at chain restaurants” I was referring to the general area, not Dayton students specifically. I thought it might be relevant to the op, since they left the Catholic Church a joined a “more tolerant” Christian church. Whenever I go out for meals in the area I see tables bow their heads and pray when the food arrives. It’s common for people there to bring up their pastors most recent sermon in discussions. In fact, the road between Dayton and Cincinnati is colloquially called the “highway to hell” by Columbus people because there are so many churches with signs describing all the things you should repent for.

I’m not saying to judge, I’m saying this because it might be good thing for op. The Dayton Cincinnati is one of the hidden gems in our country and I’d move there in a heartbeat if I could.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have an office there. If you’re in a mega church he should fit right in. It’s one of those places where people say grace before eating in chain restaurants and regularly talk about things their pastor told them. I really like the Dayton - Cincinnati area and think it would be a nice place to end up. Lots of large American legacy companies based in cincy. Huge Air Force base right there. Lots of post graduation job opps.

I'm a pp that just posted that my son goes there.

You see UD students praying in chain restaurants and talking about what pastor told them? That has not been my experience at all. It's a Catholic (Marianist) school, that actually seems to lean very liberal. There is a huge emphasis on social justice and DEI.

DP and I agree. I was confused by the PP’s comment that people say grace at chain restaurants, etc. I’ve lived in Dayton and haven’t seen that once.

I also went on the Dayton campus tour with my own child. It included a huge DEI/social justice talk.

We loved the school.

Dayton loves demonstrated interest. Everyone that goes there loves it.

My DS won't apply there. We have been suggesting this all year. My wife and I think he would love it. Would get some merit too. But he won't budge.

Anonymous wrote:We have an office there. If you’re in a mega church he should fit right in. It’s one of those places where people say grace before eating in chain restaurants and regularly talk about things their pastor told them. I really like the Dayton - Cincinnati area and think it would be a nice place to end up. Lots of large American legacy companies based in cincy. Huge Air Force base right there. Lots of post graduation job opps.

I'm a pp that just posted that my son goes there.

You see UD students praying in chain restaurants and talking about what pastor told them? That has not been my experience at all. It's a Catholic (Marianist) school, that actually seems to lean very liberal. There is a huge emphasis on social justice and DEI.