Columbus is Ohio's largest city and one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in America. Ranked as the 15th largest city in the United States, the youthful population of the area is 1.6 million people with an median age of 30.6.

The University itself is the largest in the nation, with over 51,000 students from the Undergraduate level to professional students attending classes at the Columbus campus. The University offers 132 Master’s degree and 100 Doctoral degree programs, including programs in the Fischer College of Business, the Michael E. Moritz College of Law, Colleges of Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy, Optometry, Nursing and Dentistry, as well, of course, as the College of Medicine and Public Health.

Columbus, Ohio’s capital, offers you great diversity in the arts, cultural events, festivals, restaurants, sports, and nightlife, all within close proximity to the medical center. Arts and leisure activities range from the avant garde Short North Gallery Hops to nationally acclaimed performances of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Met and Opera Columbus. Columbus offers a fresh blend of clubs, concerts, comedy, Broadway productions and movies. Five minutes from campus is the Arena District -- Columbus' newest destination for sports and entertainment. This pedestrian-friendly village lights up with major league hockey, eclectic restaurants and captivating streetscapes.

The city also features the Columbus Museum of Art, Ohio's Center of Science and Industry, the Polaris Amphitheater, the Columbus Zoo and the Franklin Park Conservatory. Columbus shopping offers something for every style, from upscale malls to trendy boutiques.

For spectacular sports or stress-busting recreation, Columbus offers many options including the National Hockey League's Columbus Blue Jackets, the Columbus Crew men's professional soccer team, and the Columbus Clippers, the AAA-affiliate of the New York Yankees. The PGA Memorial Tournament is held annually at Jack Nicklaus' Muirfield Village Golf Club and thousands of runners participate each fall in the Columbus Marathon. A golfer's paradise, Columbus boasts more than 70 private and public courses, four of which are ranked in Golf Digest's Top 40 U.S. courses.

Close to Ohio State, you can get away from the grind by biking, hiking, or boating along scenic rivers like the Olentangy and Scioto, or escaping for a picnic amidst the natural beauty of the many metropolitan parks in the area. Breathtaking vistas, glacier-carved gorges and caves, towering cliffs, rock climbing, waterfalls, and hiking trails can be found at Hocking Hills State Park, just an hour's drive from Columbus.

Ohio State FACT: Places Rated Almanac ranks Columbus as one of the best metro areas in the nation for the arts, ahead of such cities as Miami, Phoenix and San Diego.