dreamingamongtheclouds asked: Hi! I'm a senior in HS and I was looking into Ohio University and I was just wondering how you like it? I'd be an out of state student so I really don't know anything about the campus.. How are the academics? Surrounding city? Campus life/social scene? I plan on majoring in political science/international relations, if you know anything about that department. If you could just share any information you think would be helpful, I'd greatly appreciate it! :) I want a community-based campus.

Hi! I absolutely love OU! I’ll be honest, I applied to 7 colleges when I was searching for schools because I was really unsure of what I wanted. I was completely torn between OU and OSU because I wanted to attend a school that had that strong community, and from the outside it seemed that OSU was that college. However, I’m a journalism major so I eventually chose OU. OU is one of the best communities I could’ve ever asked to be a part of.

Networking between students and alumni is huge, and honestly faculty and staff will really do almost anything to help their students. It’s truly amazing to see how many of my friends’ parents are alumni as well as donors and give back to the school. Alumni also take any chance they get to visit, whether it be a special event weekend such as homecoming, a sports game, or just a quick visit on any random day. I’ve met so many alumni who have said that if I ever need anything to please feel free to personally reach out and they’d be more than happy to help me on my way.

The academics are really strong (for what I know of other departments) and a lot of visiting professors with real-world experience are brought in. I don’t know much about international relations, but I do have a few friends that are poli sci/pre-law/international relations and they have learned tons. They say that it’s a pretty challenging major, but like most things if you work hard you’ll get the results you want.

In terms of campus life and the social scene, everything kind of blends into one. The college flows into the surrounding town, Athens, and you’ll see residents all throughout campus and uptown on Court Street. Many professors live in Columbus, Athens, or a nearby area, and Athens Middle School is just up a block from Court on West State. Court Street is mostly comprised of small local businesses such as restaurants and bars. We don’t get our reputation for nothing! The actual university is separated into four separate greens: College Green, East, West, & South. These contain the core class buildings as well as the dorm/dining structure of OU. From there the campus flows out into college residential on the different streets, which students can rent living space out on after completing their sophomore year on campus. 

If you’re wary of the parties and uptown bars, don’t worry, because it’s not for everyone. It seems that way once you are involved with a certain group, but to be honest I have friends of all types. I’m a member of Greek Life, which more rapidly expanded my friend base on campus than anything I could’ve ever asked for, and I’m so grateful for the decision I made. I’d highly recommend going through formal recruitment in the fall, even if you never thought about it! I never considered myself to be a “sorority girl” until I gave it a chance, and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. A lot of students at OU are really involved in special groups that have to do with their major, for example, I’m in ImPRessions, which is a student-PR group. There are lots of business fraternities and semi-professional groups on campus as well. For incoming freshmen, most students can opt into a residential-type social group called a learning community. I chose this my freshman year, and basically I was put into a dorm with other students in my same field of Communications. From there they separate you into different classes with the same people, so it’s easy to make friends in class and still see them out afterward.

In all honesty, I feel if you reach out to any current Bobcat they’ll feel the same way as I do about OU. Time here has FLOWN by so quickly for me, and I’m none too eager to leave, even though I know I must. I really look forward to the future and what it holds for me, and I definitely plan on checking out some of the regional alumni chapters in the state I end up in. My only last recommendation to you is to schedule a campus visit! The campus is beautiful, and it really sealed the deal for me. You would also get the chance to tour the college you’re interested in, and talk to other current students to get their perspective. I hope this helps and best of luck to you!!!