University of Oklahoma Reviews

Parking on campus can be...

Parking on campus can be frustrating. Give yourself plenty of time to park before class because it can be really hit or miss. Freshmen can have cars, but the dorms are definitely within walking distance to all the buildings on campus, so there's no need for a freshman to drive to class. As an upperclassman, if you don't want to buy a commuter parking permit, you can park at the Lloyd Noble Center for free and take the shuttle to campus. The Lloyd Noble shuttles run every 5-10 minutes, so it's really convenient.

The parking is good. Freshman can...

The parking is good. Freshman can bring one car. Parking spaces are limited, so don't expect a space that's close to the dorms. Parking permits are required, but if you have a disability or need to be very close to the front on the dorm area, there are special parking permits that allow this.

Most students are white and...

Most students are white and conservative Christians, but that does not mean there is no diversity. There are many hundreds of cultural and religious clubs.

I live in Traditions Square-West...

I live in Traditions Square-West and they are pretty decent apartments, but my roommates are not very friendly. There is a swimming pool, putting course, pool table, basketball court, volleyball court, computer lab, and gym (really small). So, there is plenty to do at the apartments.

I love off-campus living—it’s...

I love off-campus living—it’s great.

There are apartment complexes...

There are apartment complexes everywhere.

Most of the dorms are suites,...

Most of the dorms are suites, which means you share a bathroom with your roommate and two others. The three best dorms are Walker, Couch, and Adams.

I lived in Couch and loved it....

I lived in Couch and loved it. Just get one of the towers. (Couch, Adams, or Walker).

Overall, the dorms are pretty...

Overall, the dorms are pretty nice. Cate should be avoided.

The dorms are old, but I...

The dorms are old, but I definitely think they are livable. I lived in Couch, and it was just fine. Walker and Adams are cool, but Cate is pretty ghetto. Get your contract in as fast as you can so you’ll have a better chance of not living there. You can always suggest a room change.

I loved the dorms. I don’t think...

I loved the dorms. I don’t think people who live off campus their first semester get involved and meet people. I met so many people by living in the dorms. And they’re coed!

Walker, Couch, and Adams are three...

Walker, Couch, and Adams are three main towers—they are all nice. The other two are not as nice and a little farther away.

The guys are cute, but I’m from...

The guys are cute, but I’m from New York, and so my taste in guys is different. There are some hicks, but it’s not too bad. The girls are cute, but there are a lot of Texas girls and a lot of small towners. Both are really nice.

The bars are really fun around...

The bars are really fun around Norman, but the cops give out DUIs like they’re candy. In Oklahoma City, there is an area called Bricktown with quite a few bars and clubs. It’s a blast on the weekends.

They’re very convenient. I now...

They’re very convenient. I now live about a mile from campus in an apartment, and it’s very easy to get to and from campus.

Many people smoke pot. There are...

Many people smoke pot. There are certain groups that do other things, but only a few of my friends are into that.

As far as I can see, there isn’t a...

As far as I can see, there isn’t a huge drug scene. I don’t do drugs, so maybe I don’t really know what to look for. But I am not pressured to do drugs at all, and I never see them around.

You can find anything you want at...

You can find anything you want at a pretty good price—E, powder, weed, pills, whatever. Everyone smokes weed out here. You know how it is.

I’ve had an amazing overall...

I’ve had an amazing overall experience on this campus. There are so many opportunities and activities to be a part of, as well as fun places to hang out with your friends.

The weather is really funny here....

The weather is really funny here. One day it could be 80 degrees, then the next could be 60 degrees. It’s a little windy in the spring, and our winters are kind of cold. But it’s nothing anyone couldn’t stand. Summers are pretty warm. It can get up in the low 100s. Oklahoma weather is difficult to explain because it varies so much. It’s not bad.

It seriously is amazing. First,...

It seriously is amazing. First, I’ll say we have one of the best presidents of a university at our school. Everyone loves President Boren. He cut down on the admissions because he didn’t want to get over 30,000 students. He is big on a sense of community. He wants his students to hang out and get to know each other, and he has so many people to help you along your college career.

It has helped me to become more...

It has helped me to become more outgoing and confident about myself. I know that I can succeed and get somewhere in life. Recently, OU went up in some prestigious poll in the top 10 schools that receive the best education or something like that. It was a big deal. The sports are so much fun. The Greek system will help you meet tons more people, too. But if you don’t like that sort of thing, it’s not a big deal. I love it here, and I feel like I’m at home. You should truly think about coming here. There are so many life-changing experiences and awesome people you will encounter. I promise you’ll love it.

OU has people from pretty much...

OU has people from pretty much every socio-economic class, but the white middle-class people are most prominent. Since we are in the buckle of the Bible Belt, there are a lot of Christians here, and don't be surprised to randomly find someone telling you that you're a godless heathen one day. In the same vein, there are a lot of conservatives here, although we have a significant minority liberal population.

"If You Don't Like the Weather in Oklahoma, Wait 15 Minutes"

Weather in Oklahoma changes rapidly. When you start class it can be sunny and 96 degrees outside. When the class is over, don't be surprised if it's freezing, pouring, gusting, or snowing during your walk back to the dorms. Classes do not usually get cancelled as it does not snow that often. Ice storms do move in during February-March, however, but don't expect any cancellations. Bring a variety of clothing as the temperature can change a great deal during the week. Temperatures usually stay in the 90s during the start of the year, but fluctuate between 30 and 80 during fall. Most of the time it is beautiful outside, though, especially during October, November, March, and April. Thunderstorms can be frequent and tornados do happen, though most buildings have safe areas.

Skip Cate, Head for the Towers

Oklahoma has four residential dorms: Cate, Couch, Walker, and Adams. Couch, Walker, and Adams (the Towers) have all been renovated with movable furniture, which allows residents to loft beds and organize the room to their liking. The rooms are also much brighter, and wireless internet is available (most of the time). Typically, there are 2 students per room. Bathrooms are arranged suite-style. This means four people share one (small) bathroom. Residents either clean their own bathrooms or pay for a bi-weekly cleaning service. Students can request single rooms, though these requests are more likely to be honored after the school year has started. If possible, request an ADA room. Bathrooms are huge and are only used by 2 people. All 3 Towers have laundry rooms, video game rooms, vending machines, movie rental booths, and student lounges with games and televisions. Each floor has a study room and social hall. Etcetera, a student-run grocery store, is on the bottom floor of Walker. It sells food, bathroom supplies, candy, etc (irony). Couch Express restaurant is located in Couch. Its daily food is OK, but the daily specials can be great (try the bread bowls on Tuesday). Adams houses Burger King, a smoothie store, and the Action Tutoring Center. Cate, on the other hand, has non-movable furniture, which makes the room a bit more cramped. The dark lighting is a bit of a problem as well, as it makes the room seem smaller. On the bright side, Cate has community bathrooms, which means that OU Housekeeping cleans bathrooms daily. Cate also houses Cate a la Carte, which includes a Taco Mayo, a breakfast bar, a Cinnabon, a great sandwich shop, and a coffee shop that also sells fresh sushi. Cate also houses students from the Honors College, which makes it a touch quieter than the Towers. The walls in the Tower dorms are paper thin, so expect to be awakened a number of times to the sounds of inebriated Greek pledges stumbling around at 3 in the morning. Residents are also awakened by their fair share of early-morning fire alarms. Upperclassmen have the option of living in the towers or in the new Traditions Square apartments. Many have complained about the Traditions application process, though OU Housing typically responds quickly to any housing complaint. However, housing in Norman is very inexpensive. Apartments, rent houses, and real estate near campus cost much less than OU Housing. Students also do not have the option of renting a single room in Traditions, which drives many off-campus. Living on campus does connect the student better with the different activities that happen at OU. Like the rest of OU, the social scene is dominated by Greeks. However, Faculty in Residences, Resident Advisors, OU Housing, and different student organizations do host many fun activities, contests, and raffles for residents throughout the year.