火爆社区

Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma predates the state itself, reflecting its long history as an 鈥渋ntellectually fertile, opportunity-laden public research institution.鈥� The university combines 鈥渢radition with advancement to encourage you to become the best version of yourself possible.鈥� Students from all 50 states come here to choose from more than 170 programs (Aviation and Atmospheric Science and Meteorology are particular standouts) and receive what one student calls 鈥渁n Ivy League quality education within a public university.鈥� While OU 鈥渕ight be known for its athletic program鈥� (NCAA Division I), the 鈥渁cademics don鈥檛 suffer from it.鈥� In fact, students value OU as a place to 鈥渞eceive a quality education from challenging courses鈥� and explore 鈥渢ons of opportunities,鈥� including 鈥渏obs, networking, [and] study abroad鈥� programs. What sets OU apart is its 鈥渇antastic,鈥� 鈥渆ngaging,鈥� and 鈥渆ncouraging鈥� faculty. They are 鈥渆xceptional instructors who relate [to you] on a personal basis and actually help you comprehend the material.鈥� One student notes, 鈥淭he professors here don鈥檛 feel like your average teachers.鈥� They 鈥渢ruly care for the well-being of the students鈥� and contribute to the 鈥渧ery comfortable and welcoming鈥� atmosphere. As Sooners say, this is 鈥渘ot just a school,鈥� but a 鈥渞ich tradition of community.鈥�

At OU, students know how to find a 鈥渘ice balance鈥� between their 鈥渁cademic and social lives.鈥� This 鈥渇riendly鈥� and 鈥渄own-to-earth鈥� group is made up of 鈥渕otivated鈥� individuals who are always looking out for one another. While many students seem to be 鈥渨hite, upper-middle class, and Christian,鈥� there is also 鈥渁 broad mix of international and minority students鈥� and students of other religions. Overall, students feel supported and say that 鈥減eople are very considerate of one another and make efforts to support each other during rough times.鈥� Most students at OU find that the best way to 鈥渇it in鈥� is by 鈥渂eing involved on campus鈥� and joining 鈥渓ots of organizations,鈥� or taking part in the popular Sooner pastimes of 鈥渧olunteering,鈥� 鈥渟ports,鈥� and 鈥淕reek life.鈥� One undergrad sums up the student body: 鈥淲e genuinely care for one another and are very passionate about the university.鈥�

鈥淟ife is great鈥� here on the OU campus, where the 鈥渟ocial atmosphere is very alive.鈥� That energy really shines during the fall when 鈥渕ost students attend at least one football game.鈥� Beyond attending 鈥渇ootball games and other athletic events for fun,鈥� there鈥檚 always 鈥渟omething going on, and whether it be a sports event or a fine arts event, the quality is always excellent.鈥� On campus, students can see world-renowned art in the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, check out the Harry Potter-like Great Reading Room in the Bizzell Memorial Library, or marvel at the 26-foot-tall dinosaur at OU鈥檚 Sam Noble Museum of Natural History. They can also visit 鈥淐ampus Corner,鈥� which has 鈥渞estaurants, bars and boutiques,鈥� or take 鈥渁n easy drive to the movies, a nice restaurant, or nightlife.鈥� While 鈥淕reek life鈥� is 鈥渧ery important鈥� here, 鈥渢here are many opportunities to be involved on campus鈥濃�� everything from 鈥渇ree movie nights and pool鈥� to 鈥渁ll kinds of volunteering opportunities.鈥� There is a strong sense of community on campus, and it extends to the local area as well: 鈥淓very year, everyone on campus drops what they鈥檙e doing for one weekend to spend all day volunteering in the local Norman and Oklahoma City communities.鈥� These concentrated efforts by the university help foster a spirit of 鈥渢radition, unity, and togetherness. One satisfied Sooner says, 鈥淚 cannot imagine there being a happier campus than OU anywhere in the country.鈥�

At OU, the 鈥渃areer services are impeccable,鈥� so naturally students feel 鈥渞eady for the future.鈥� There are 鈥渃reative programs that provide realworld experience鈥� and 鈥渙pportunities to really develop oneself outside the classroom.鈥� A student-run advertising and public relations agency or the National Weather Center are just a few places where students may hone their skills on campus. OU emphasizes community service through 鈥渕illion dollar help programs like the Writing Center, Free Action Tutoring, Project Threshold, etc.鈥� Students also receive career advice and counseling from professors who 鈥渓eave their office doors open鈥� and are happy to discuss 鈥渘ot only class but life after OU.鈥� Students feel a sense of global awareness at OU and a desire to better the world. Fifty-four percent of alumni who visited the website PayScale.com regard their jobs as meaningful. And, according to the same site, the median salary for recent grads is $55,600.