I had a horrible experience with the photo-chemical science PhD program at BGSU that I'd like warn current and prospective students to stay away from this program. I was offered admission without funding, which is not an arrange a reputable US PhD program will make and accept. The supervision style here relies on excessive micromanagement with low transparency on broad project idea and requirements in milestones like the qualification exam and graduation, tricking students into doing works beyond their degree and course requirements. The advisor demands "research productivity" in the 1st year in a US program without adequate training in basics and without any funding, and will leverage academic backing for that. I made clear in my application that I intended to pursue research in computational photo-chemistry, faculty attempted to redirect me into doing experiments; resisting that pressure provoked further threats and withdrawal of support. Faculties in the program use grades as bargaining counters in multiple occasions to "persuade" me to change advisors, obey their arrangement and not to file any complaint. The program coordinator told me he decided to assign me a "C" in a course, but no grade was officially posted for a month. Once I mentioned that I would exercise my student right to initiate a grade appeal, I immediately got an "A". I was also told that recommendation letters would be withheld should I sought to leave and reapply to a better program, effectively using students' future careers as leverage for forced unpaid labor. Some faculty members, including the advisor, are violating my student privacy right by leaking class activities and academic standing to third parties (like parents, professors and advisors in other institutions) without my written consent, and without ever being selected as my references. This, combination-- "I don't respect students' personal boundary" and "I want to avoid conflict", "I will not recommend you" and "I will informally and secretly leak you academic standing"--demonstrates a self-centered approach in which student welfare is disregarded whenever it inconveniences the advisor. When they give advises their main concern is at extracting as much free labor from the student as possible, not at serving the student's best educational interest. The program's website advertises a "safe, accepting, unprejudiced, and fair learning environment",which cannot be further away from the truth from my personal experience as the only Asian student. My academic standing stored there is definitely unsafe as it could be accessed and disclosed by faculty without my consent. I was the only one expected to work without financial support but with a good academic standing in the first year and was singled out when I questioned this disparity. The graduate coordinator specifically told me not to request for funding because I would "get paid 100k+/year after graduation," Students are micromanaged to do repetitive, grinding tasks disguised as "training" which are not meant to train students into independent researchers. In sharp contrast to the advertising, expressing contrasting scientific opinions is also met with accusations of distrust from the advisor and filing complaints will trigger retaliation by withdrawing academic backing. These practices are incompatible with fostering students' potential or providing equitable treatment, and they demonstrate systemic prejudice, intimidation, and retaliation--which further reinforces my opinion that the program is prejudiced, unsafe, unaccepting, and discriminatory. The implied underlying true "value" seems to be the maintenance of deception, manipulation and exploitation rather than the education and development of students. I strong advise against anyone to apply to or stay in this program that provides a discriminatory, coersive and toxic working environment to PhD students. If you have a high GPA and a better background, and don't want to be used as a lab-monkey, please kindly do yourself a favor and apply to somewhere else. read more

I graduated in 68 and, from the comments, it appears that things have changed considerably. My experience was positive. Only had one substandard instructor and he was a phd with tenure. I was a dual major -Math & English. The only negative was the weather. I grew up in NW Ohio so there was no escaping the cold and snow. read more

5-16-2020 Thankyou BGSU for holding your virtual graduation ceremonies today. So very glad you had this up and running during the current pandemic. We tuned in to two ceremonies and even though it was a virtual graduation I personally was excited as well as nervous to congratulate our daughter as one of your PhD graduates for Spring 2020. As mentioned in one of the ceremonies, it will be wonderful to have our daughter receive her actual diploma within a month. It's amazing the technology to have faculty, graduating students and their families join in. Thankyou especially to the 3 members of her committee who were with our daughter through this journey of attaining her PhD. Congratulations to all the spring graduates of BGSU 2020. A precedent yet wonderful way to spend a Saturday to celebrate our graduates. read more

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Visited the Center for Archival Collections at the Jerome Library. Microfilm and books were waiting for my arrival. Excellent assistance in my genealogical research on Jackson Township schools and Lucas County death, marriage, and will records from the 1880s. read more

Took advantage of me during a very vulnerable time in my life for profit. Still holds my transcripts hostage years later so I cannot even transfer to another college and because of my issues and disabilities I cannot work to pay my transcripts to be freed, because of fees that NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE! I tried to drop out of a semester on time and I wasn't allowed, and so they charged me full price for dropping out of a semester way early. These guys only care about profit and will ruin your life. It's been more than 5 years and I still cannot go back to college or get access to my transcripts because NOBODY CARES OR CAN DO ANYTHING IF THEY DO! Avoid Bowling Green at all costs! If I could do it all over again I'd stay the hell away from Bowling Green and maybe I would have had a chance to make something of my life. read more

This school is everything wrong with the American educational system. The RAAM program being new probably has not helped my experience but the school itself has also been a constant chore to deal with. I transferred into this school after completing my gen-eds at a community college. The transfer process was very easy and was handled well by BGSU, the good stopped there. The RAAM classes themselves are mostly a joke. Some of the professors are really good and really care about you, and the guest speakers are amazing. However, the other half of the professors run classes that are a complete joke. One of the professors only teaches online and starts his lectures with 3 minutes of music played on his phone. The rest of his lecture videos do not cover any of the content discussed in the unit. It feels like this course content was made by 8th graders trying to complete a school project. The other classes mostly teach nothing and all the answers to tests are online. If you want to go to school just for the degree, this is the program. When you apply for the school you will also see them advertising the "falcon tuition guarantee", this "guarantee" is so filled with loopholes and exemptions that your tuition is guaranteed to go up. I was only charged $3000 for my first semester. Now I am paying nearly $7000 a semester just so I can "play the game" and get the paper, while sitting through "lectures" that involve a "professor" playing music on his phone for half of them. Complete joke of a school. I would only recommend this school and the RAAM program and BGSU if you already have connections in the industry and want to expand your network. That's really all it's good for other than getting you a piece of paper. I have spent some time at the main campus, what a terrible place. All the dining options have been cut down, good luck finding something healthy. The price for everything on the main campus is also much much higher. There are only a few dining options on main campus not owned by BGSU, and these are the only decent places to eat. Main campus itself is quite run down, its Astronomy program is straight out of the 90s and has not been updated at all, I imagine other science programs are the same. I strongly recommend you avoid this school if you can. read more

I would never come here again there are so many problems, I have never seen an institution be so money hungry. They add random fees on your bills for things like trees. I am on a payment plan and genuinely don't have the money for the next payment and my mom is not able to help me bc of our current situation at home. They have no support to offer and just basically threatened holding my transcripts and doing a whole bunch of extra stuff to make my life hard. Than they have the stupid parking services. I can't afford a parking pass bc I can barely afford food rn and so I typically park in the public parking across from my dorm. Everyone in there mom found out about that parking and now there are no spots. They said park in lot twelve but that is a 30 minute walk and for someone who drives multiple times a day and works that is not gonna work and I feel like it's not safe to walk alone in the dark at 12 am and the shuttles don't run past a certain time. They literally gave me a ticket for being in a lot for 20 min to run in and grab food from the dining hall when the lot was open to students at 5 and I got my ticket at 4:37 it's honestly sick bc now I have to leave school due to the financial stress of it all and they have 0 support for people in my situation. I'm sorry but not everyone's mommy and daddy can help them with school and help them with groceries. They need to wake the fuck up and realize people are not always as fortunate and financial stress and insecurity is so horrible I wouldn't wish it upon anyone. They don't care about us here struggling and just keep adding shit until you literally break. I'm at that point and it's the worst feeling. There is also nowhere to talk to anyone about this and the financial aid office is probably the most aggravating place to call bc they literally won't help you and turn it all on you. It's not my fault that my stepdad stole my college savings so I don't understand why I have to pick up the pieces and figure this all out when I'm only 19 and all I want is to make a life for myself but they literally are making it almost impossible. So I'm conclusion this college is horrible and they genuinely don't care they just see you as a way to get money. read more

I totally graduated from this university, and it only took four-and-a-half years. It's a fine solid Ohio school, filled with dilligent professors, interesting campus (and non-campus) life, and the finest student-made fast-food pizza I've ever had. I got a journalism degree, so in this economic climate, it's probably worth the paper it's written on, but my professors were cool and the B.G. News was a great place to learn a dying career path. read more

Hey what can I say, it got me to where I wanted to be. BGSU is a good school. It is definitely not the best school but the price is right, the kids are cool, and the experience was pretty painless. I majored in business with an emphasis in purchasing and production. I feel that the degree did a good job of preparing me for problems I encounter now that I'm in the "real world." No regrets. I'd do it again. If you're looking for colleges this is a solid choice. read more

As a proud alum, class of 2008, I can't help but smile every time I return to my beloved alma mater! As a student I had an amazing experience. I met my best friends at BG, had professors that truly cared about me and challenged me intellectually, & and I had lots of transformational out of classroom experiences (Dance Marathon, Cru, RHA & RA) to name a few. BG is a great state institution that truly serves the state of Ohio. I love returning back and seeing all the updates they're making to campus to best serve students. BG will always have a special place in my heart!! I love BGSU! Go Falcons! At ziggy zoomba! Talons up! read more

BG! (clap clap) SU! As a third year student at BG, I can honestly say that I have had plenty of time to form an opinion on the University. And quite frankly, I am in love with my college experience at Bowling Green. If I wrote a true review on the University it would take me hours upon hours because there are so many wonderful things to share. I will try and sum it up for your reading pleasure. In the classroom, the University excels quite well. We have many centers of excellence and have won awards for our teaching of Undergraduate students and our residential learning communities. I always feel ready to learn in class, and have always felt like my professors want me to succeed and do well. Outside of the classroom, my experience has been wonderful as well. There are over 300 campus organizations to get involved with as a student. In addition, my living experience in the residence halls were great as well. I lived on campus for two years and learned so much about living with a complete stranger who after the two years of living together is one of my best friends. My biggest advice to new students is to be yourself and get involved outside of the classroom. Bowling Green is a very liberal, artsy campus and environment. You can be whoever you want to be, and do whatever you want to do (as long as it is legal of course). GO FALCONS! read more

I ordered "thank you" tumblers for my club, Women in Business Leadership and shipped them to the campus activities office at BGSU. I received notice through the company I ordered through that my package had arrived. After weeks of back and forth emailing about when my package would arrive, I went to the office and spoke with someone in person. I was told that my package had not arrived their and they were not sure about its whereabouts. After much looking around and help from another department, we found my package was found sitting behind the front desk. I received a call from a manager a couple days later apologizing about the situation and promising me it would not happen again. Although I was very upset that my package was lost and I had missed an event I needed my items for, I was very pleased by this company. It meant alot to me that they took the time to reach out to me and address my concern. They put my mind at ease knowing that something like this will not happen again (as I have to order through them in the future). read more

I love this school for the people and the experience it brought me. I went to school there as a art major and created my own minor in motion pictures. It is NOT a film school, but...it does support anything you want to do in that medium. I met the only girl I ever truly loved there, so now that place holds a magical and special place for me. If you're a city slicker, this college and town will change your mind about small town living. read more

I graduated from BGSU almost a year ago and I still miss it! I love this university. I am so proud to be a falcon! The professors are intelligent and work hard to help you get to know material. As a middle childhood education major I was truly prepared to teach and I am so thankful to BG for that! read more

I don't know about undergrad, but everything in the graduate program is is bait and switch with this university. M.A. in English online? Sure, but there are actually no literature classes offered. Two lit classes only offered in the summer by the same two professors, so you're studying about the same subject. I had papers that professors recommended I pursue publishing, but not one would even respond to my requests for help navigating the labyrinth of publishing. It's this ivory tower knowledge gatekeeping that turns people away from academia. The program is not what it seems. The only saving grace is Lee Nickoson, who is always kind and helpful. Then you spend FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS on a Masters degree in your program and all your diploma says is Master of Arts. If it's important for the optics of your job that you display your diploma and the particular degree you busted your a** to get, forget it. You might as well get some bullsh*t MA in underwater basket weaving. No one tells you THAT when they recruit you. There's also no designation for "with distinction" or anything, so don't bother carrying a 4.0. Oh, and they don't even give you a display cover with your diploma. They send it in a crappy envelope. Fifteen grand and that's what you get. A piece of paper that says nothing about how hard you worked. All they want is your money. read more

Many MANY professors decided the day before classes began that they were suddenly going remote. That's pretty convenient, if you ask me. I'm sure they knew well before they sent out their emails. Students were all moved into their dorms, expecting to go to an actual classroom, and then this bombshell dropped. Not a very good first impression for a family whose child is just starting there as a freshman. Many students have decided to move back home. Ridiculous. BGSU should have been honest from the start. read more

I am a third year student at BGSU, and haven't had a whole lot of problems at the University. That is until their parking services failed to meet my expectations. After paying for a parking pass, $125.00, I expected to have a spot available for me. This was not the case, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I am unable to find a parking spot in either of the two main commuter lots. I reached out the president of parking at the university. He did reply. In his response, he assured me that I made a poor decision in only looking at the two main commuter lots. The president told me that there are many other commuter lots to choose from. He suggested that I should check out the commuter lot on the west side of the railroad tracks, making my 6 minute walk a 15 minute walk. Or I could park on the east side of the Perry Field House, which is about 18-20 minute walk away from my classes. Both options would double my walk time at the minimum. His suggestions were alternatives for sure, but they were not beneficial to me. I asked for a 60 percent refund because I can't use my parking pass on 60 percent of the days. I was told that I would not be refunded because I was beyond the two week deadline to ask for a refund. What was most shocking was that, the president admitted to needing "some luck, and patience" to find a spot. Even after purchasing my "PARKING PASS"! The president also said "the prime hours on campus are busy, but it will become less congested as the semester moves along". This did me absolutely no good, and we are now in November and I am still searching for a parking spot on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The president knows that parking passes are oversold and thinks it is okay because with some luck you will find a spot. Banking on luck to make it to class on time is not something I enjoy doing. I would like to be assigned a parking spot so that I know I will have a spot when I arrive on campus. read more

Out in the middle of nowhere. There's nothing around but cornfields and squirrels. It's so windy there and you can see interstate 75 from all the sports fields and most buildings. Not a happy or pretty place. The school colors are BROWN and orange. It's an easy state university so you get what you pay for. read more

I'm docking a star only because I am not a fan of the administration or their choices for the university. I can't describe in one review how much this university means to me. In short, as long as you get involved in an organization on campus, you will have a wonderful time in college. Academics are important, yes, but there is more to school than just going to class and doing homework. BGSU also has a second unofficial mascot - BG Squirrels! If you find the white one, you have good luck. Another tip - dress warm between November and March. The wind tunnel will make the cold feel something more fierce than you ever experienced. read more

Everything is going great! But, did you really have to shut down the coffee stand for parents @ orientation at olscamp hall.... everyone is tired. read more

I believe that they do a fairly good job educating my child, but beware of hidden charges... If your student forgets to waive health insurance coverage they will automatically charge it to you and if not paid Your Child will not be able to register for classes... The University went almost the entire year before notifying me that I needed to pay over $2000 for insurance coverage that I already have or she would not be able to register for classes next year shame on you Bowling Green read more

Bowling Green has a beautiful exceptionally well maintained campus.It is a fabulous educational institution with world class instructors and an outstanding business school! read more