University of Oklahoma
Sample Review

Name: Julia Wilson

Hometown: Stillwater, OK

Class Year: Senior

Major: Professional Writing (Journalism)

Extracurriculars: Adopt-a-grandparent community service program, Delta Delta Delta, Crimson Club (University Ambassadors)

What are some stereotypes about OU and OU students?

It's said we're a big football school and a big party school. Broadly, some people seem to think Oklahomans still ride to class on horses.

Are the stereotypes accurate?

Football is huge. We have a great football team, and everyone loves to be a part of the "Sooner Magic." (Alumni and fans are always tailgating outside the stadium on game days.) And we do know how to throw a good party. As for the horses ... yeah, sure, you can think that's true if you want. We just rope 'em to the bike racks outside of class.

OU: The Big Picture

The best thing about OU is the people. They are all exceptionally friendly and most would give you the shirt off their backs if you asked for it. The school itself is the perfect size. It's big enough so everyone doesn't know your business, but small enough so that you'll see someone you know just about any time you're on campus. It isn't intimidating, and if you put out the effort it's easy to climb to the top of the campus hierarchy.

People in this state are really proud of OU. If I tell someone from Oklahoma that I go to OU, I usually get some sort of big "Boomer Sooner!" reaction.

When I'm hanging out on campus I spend most of my time in "The Gay" (The Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communications). It's a brand new building with state of the art equipment and relaxing study areas, so journalism students never want to leave. They are actually expanding the building in the next few years, and it's going to have an outdoor courtyard, a third-floor terrace, a coffee shop and all sorts of swanky additions.

OU's town, Norman, is definitely a college town. There's always something fun going on, and the entire town (really, the entire state) gets into our sports scene. Local Normanites have a really healthy relationship with the university. And our President, Papa B. (David Boren), is a great guy. He's done so much for OU during his tenure and he's incredibly friendly. He has a big Santa belly and the jolliest face, it's hard not to love him.

Really, there's a lot of school spirit here. You'll always see kids wearing Sooner paraphernalia, and when our football team goes to bowl games all the statues on campus get decorated accordingly. (Before the Orange Bowl, the statues donned orange "pearl" necklaces, and before the Sugar Bowl any statue carrying a basket got a sack of sugar placed inside it.)

If I had to point out some student complaints, they'd mostly be around the drainage issues on campus. No matter the amount of precipitation, our campus always floods, and you basically have to canoe yourself to class. And forget walking through the grass in the North or South Ovals right after its rained, they basically all transform into marshlands.

Academics at OU

Intro classes (freshman and sophomore year) at OU are usually huge, so you have to make an effort with professors to get them to know your name. There's also a core curriculum, but it's pretty basic (the classes you take depend on your major.) Some majors here focus on equipping you to get a job (Business, Broadcasting and Electronic Media, Journalism, Education, Engineering, Meteorology, etc), while other majors (Classics, Letters, Philosophy, History) are just learning for the hell of it.

My major is Professional Writing. It's a tiny major within the Journalism Department that focuses on a freelance or creative writing career (rather than the factual reporting style of mainstream journalism.) I usually spend anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours a night on school work. Overall, as a major, Journalism at OU is pretty incredible. The instructors have amazing industry experience, and the Journalism building is equipped with the newest technology on the market.

Oh, one course outside my major that everyone should take - you cannot leave this university without Rufus Fears' "Freedom in Rome" or "Freedom in Greece" classes. He is the most captivating speaker I have ever heard, and he actually makes ancient history fun. He lectures with a broomstick pole in his hand so he can act out battles, and he's been known to stab students or cut off their heads with it during passionate fight scenes.

Occasionally students will have intellectual conversations outside of class, but most of the time conversation focuses on sports, parties and Greek life.

OU's Student Body

The typical OU student is from Oklahoma, and is probably in the Greek community. A lot of people aren't Greek, but the most involved students are. We do have a gay population, but they seem to keep it underground since OU is such a conservative place. Minorities are happily accepted by other students, though.

Students usually wear jeans to class and some sort of t-shirt. If you dress up a little people won't look at you strange. Just don't wear heels or anything. Since tuition is so cheap there are kids from all sorts of financial backgrounds. Students don't care too much about national politics.

Activities + Social Life at OU

Campus Activities Council is a big student org. Also, Greek life is big and intramurals are always fun. I met my closest friends through my sorority. It's easy to get close to people when you live with them and see them 24/7.

The town of Norman is pretty cheap to live in. Rent is cheap, food is cheap and drinks are cheap. On a typical night, 20 bucks would buy you 3 to 6 drinks depending on what your poison is.

As for partying, people do that a few times a week, mostly on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The university shut down drinking on campus a few years ago but there are still plenty of frat parties. They just aren't as big as they used to be. People also party at private houses around town, or at bars if you're old enough. (Every bar cards in Norman, so you have to be careful if you go out underage.) A typical party includes drinking, some dancing, probably drinking games and Guitar Hero or some other form of entertainment.

That said, if you don't drink, don't worry. You're not alone. Students go to the movies, bowling, date parties, whatever. You won't be pressured to drink at parties if you don't want to.

No Holds Barred

Final advice - make sure you take some time to explore the area around campus. Norman really has a lot to offer for dining, nightlife and shopping. Even a little jaunt north to campus corner will put you within skipping distance to great restaurants like La Luna (huge margaritas and free queso!), Victoria's (homemade pasta/Italian), Café Plaid (great sandwiches, soups and salads), Othello's (Italian food and the occasional open mic comedy night), Turquoise Café (to-die-for brunch) and Hideaway Pizza (try the Pizza of the Gods). Don't miss happy hour at The Library (the bar, not the building), warm nights are best spent on the patio at The Mont, and give Opie's a chance. I promise you'll have fun dancing the night away to retro hits as long as you've had enough to drink.

In Closing ...

What's the best thing about OU? The people

What's the worst thing about OU? The cafeteria food is pretty bad for every meal except breakfast (they have a gigantic cereal bar and a make-your-own-waffle station). Also, the drainage on campus is annoying. I used to see people inner tubing behind bicycles in South Greek.