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Choose Ohio First at Ashland University
A distinctive experience for Ohio STEM Students
You’ve worked hard to set yourself apart in the classroom. Now you’re ready for a university experience that meets you there.
The Choose Ohio First program brings together a select group of high-achieving students pursuing degrees in natural sciences, computer sciences or mathematics. It’s a community shaped by curiosity, mentorship and meaningful work.
Choose Ohio First is supported through a grant from the State of Ohio.
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What Makes This Experience Distinct
This is more than a scholarship. It’s a unique experience designed to support your growth from your first semester through graduation.
As a Choose Ohio First scholar, you’ll have access to:
- Faculty mentorship from program leaders like Mason Posner or Selva Shanmugam
- Early opportunities for summer research
- Travel for academic conferences
- Access to career fairs and professional connections
- Ongoing academic support within a focused cohort
- Choose Ohio First Scholarship - $3000 per academic year
Mason Posner, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
320 Kettering Science Center
Selvanayaki Kolandapalayam Shanmugam, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Computer Science
213 Patterson Instructional Technology Center
Who Should Apply
This program is designed for students high achieving students that meet these requirements:
- ACT Score of 25
- High School GPA of 3.5 or higher
- A clear interest in natural sciences, computer sciences or mathematics
- Ohio Resident
Admission is selective and based on both academic achievement and program fit.
Not planning to major in natural sciences, computer science, or mathematics but still interested in Choose Ohio First scholarships? Take a look at our full list of eligible programs to discover your options.
Supported Pathways
Natural Sciences
Led by faculty committed to hands-on discovery and research, this pathway prepares you for careers and graduate study in scientific fields. Eligible majors include Biochemistry, Biology (including Forensic Biology), Chemistry, Environmental Science, Forensic Chemistry or Toxicology.
Computer Science, Cybersecurity and Mathematics
Focused on innovation and problem-solving, this pathway equips you with the skills to lead in emerging technologies and analytical fields. Eligible majors include Actuarial Science, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Integrated Mathematics Education or Mathematics.
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As a Choose Ohio First scholar, I've had opportunities that prepared me for a career in healthcare long before graduation. Through lectures with professionals and alumni, I gained valuable insight into different career paths while building lasting relationships with classmates who share similar goals.
– Colin Pham, Current Choose Ohio First Scholar
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When I chose Ashland University, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in STEM but wasn’t yet sure what that path would look like. Through the Choose Ohio First program, I found a community of students and mentors who helped me explore those possibilities. Hearing about the experiences of faculty and peer mentors, building relationships with my cohort, and gaining hands-on research experience helped me envision myself as a scientist and gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities I otherwise never would have imagined. Today, I am a Ph.D. candidate at Case Western Reserve University studying DNA nanotechnology, and I credit the mentorship and relationships I built through Ashland and the COF program as an important part of my journey. I would encourage any student to take advantage of everything the program has to offer – you never know who you’ll meet or where those connections might lead!
–Kayla Neyra, Class of 2022
Where Choose Ohio First can take you
Scholars graduate prepared for what's next, whether that's advanced study, research or careers in high-demand STEM fields including Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Optometry, Physician Assistant Studies and Veterinary Medicine.
Hands-on experience before graduation
All COF scholars take part in a work-based experience before they graduate. These include internships, shadowing, and research experiences. AU's official partner institutions are Charles River Laboratories, Lubrizol, Seidman Cancer Center (University Hospital) and Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.
Where our graduates go next
- Employment at locations like Charles River Laboratories, Proctor & Gamble, Huntington Bank, Cleveland Clinic, and The James Cancer Center
- Graduate school to pursue master's and Ph.D.s at Case Western Reserve University, The Ohio State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Utah State University
- Professional health programs at The Ohio State University, Ohio University, University of Florida, Oklahoma State University, and Lincoln Memorial University
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