From the Director

Dear Prospective IBE Honors Student:

The Ohio State University Integrated Business and Engineering Honors Program is rigorous, dynamic, and built on the belief that the most complex challenges of our time demand both strategic reasoning and technical precision. We seek students who thrive on problem-solving—not just any problem, but real-world dilemmas that require sharp analytical thinking, an openness to learning, and an ability to bridge disciplines with insight and creativity.

Our applicants stand out, not just in their academic accomplishments but in their approach to learning. In recent years, our applicants' average composite ACT score has exceeded 32, and the average SAT scores have topped 700 in verbal, math, and writing. Many arrive with multiple Advanced Placement exams, with scores of 4 or higher on at least five. These numbers paint a picture of substantial achievement but don’t tell the whole story. What truly defines an IBE student is a willingness to engage with the uncertain, the complex, the ambiguous—and the ability to merge intuition and structured, evidence-driven thinking.

The program is designed to refine both the business and engineering mindsets—one honed to lead and navigate ambiguity, the other built to solve with precision. In our seminars, students grapple with business problems that defy easy answers, learning to balance competing priorities, anticipate unintended consequences, and lead diverse teams toward solutions that work. The best IBE students don’t just generate ideas—they craft solutions that are viable, sustainable, and serve multiple stakeholders.

Beyond the classroom, IBE thrives on collaboration. Our students push each other to think harder, debate more deeply, and engage meaningfully with big ideas. Rote learning has no place here. Instead, students challenge assumptions, test frameworks, and forge friendships that last far beyond graduation. Many stay connected as young alumni, continuing to strengthen the network that makes this program so unique.

For some, IBE is a path to management consulting, entrepreneurship, or new product development. Others discover entirely new directions, shaped by the experience of bridging business and engineering in ways they hadn’t imagined. If you see yourself in what I’ve described—if this speaks to the kind of thinker, problem-solver, and leader you aim to be—I encourage you to explore further. And if you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Yours truly,
Michael