Future Students

Three female students walk next to each other through a hallway in LeFevre Hall.

Scarlet and Gray Excellence

Scarlet and Gray Excellence (SAGE) is a learning community that forms an academic and social cohort to support first-year students in achieving academic success and develop a sense of belonging on campus to increase retention.

Through its emphasis on communities and self-awareness, students will strengthen their leadership skills and work towards increasing respect for differences. Students will be immersed in a curriculum that considers different cultures and realities. Students, who participate in SAGE can expect to work closely with an academic success coach and peer mentors as they learn about study skill strategies, take core classes in a cohort-based model, participate in private group study table sessions to build a team of support. 

Additionally, students will gain the opportunity to make connections with SAGE faculty members to enrich their overall experience. Students take four common courses throughout the year, which includes two general education courses, and two arts and science courses specifically designed for students in SAGE. Students take only two courses with SAGE in each semester which allows them the opportunity to take major specific courses as well. 

The learning community creates opportunities for students to form partnerships with each other and build professional connections. Student-centered social and unique personalized cohort events are designed to create opportunities for exposure and social connectedness.

I made great friendships that will carry out onto [Columbus] campus. I learned a lot through the classes and trips we took and enjoyed the challenge of getting to know people with different backgrounds.

SAGE learning community member

Benefits of participation:

  • One-on-one support and connections with faculty and staff through the major
  • Experiential learning trips off campus for unique hands-on learning
  • Academic scholarship in both autumn and spring semesters*
  • Peer mentors plan social and unique personalized cohort events for participants to build strong connections with their peers
  • Immersed in a curriculum focused on communities and self-awareness taken together as a cohort, create a unique learning environment and opportunity for students to fulfill general education requirements for all majors while also participating in exciting hands-on learning experiences
  • Support for the transition to the Columbus campus, if that is your plan

I liked the number of events that we had. I think that SAGE, specifically, is very important because there aren’t a lot of other spaces that we can talk about cultural things or struggles and be understood.

SAGE learning community member

Application process

  • Students interested in becoming a member of Scarlet and Gray Excellence should complete the SAGE Application for full consideration.
  • Applicants are encouraged to pay their Ohio State Newark Acceptance Fee for full consideration for SAGE.
  • For details on the application process and more students can visit: u.osu.edu/sage

Who are the participants?

  • Students who desire to immerse themselves in multiculturalism and demonstrate respect for differences.
  • Making connections with faculty are important for students who want to experience success academically and within their major.
  • Students who are interested in connecting their personal experiences with the curriculum in the learning community courses.
  • Students are in their first year of college.
    Students who participate in college preparatory programs and enrolled in college courses while in high school are eligible.
  • 40 applicants will be accepted.

SAGE Donor Partnership

Our Scarlet and Gray Excellence learning community donors have made great impact in the lives of many. If you are interested in learning more about donating to the SAGE program, please visit our Advancement Office.