About
Is the University of Oklahoma Norman Campus the School for You?
The University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public research university located about 20 minutes from Oklahoma City, and it's the main campus of the system. OU has a well-ranked business school and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctorates in a variety of programs, such as meteorology, natural history and international studies.
<h4 id="section---Pros"> Pros</h4>
<ul><li>It is ranked by <i>U.S. News & World Report</i> as the 46th best public school in the country
</li><li>The acceptance rate of 79% is significantly higher than the national average of 63.8%
</li><li>Endowment grew by a little over 25% between 2010 and 2011, as reported by the National Association of College and University Business Officers
</li><li>Accepts CLEP and AP credits
</li></ul><h4 id="section---Cons"> Cons</h4>
<ul><li>The student-faculty ratio is 18:1, which is higher than the national average of 16:1
</li><li>The 4-year graduation rate for students beginning their degrees in 2005 was 35%, which is lower than the national average of 40%
</li></ul><h3 id="section---RankingsSchoolAnalysis"> Rankings & School Analysis</h3>
<p><i>U.S. News and World Report</i> ranked the University of Oklahoma Norman Campus at #46 among national public schools, and the Price College of Business was ranked in the top 100 nationally. The magazine also ranked several of OU's graduate degree programs within the top 25, including library and information science and public health. The Princeton Review ranked the school among the best in the nation for academics and value. The university is home to the National Weather Center, and it has one of the biggest meteorology programs in the country. OU is the top public university in the nation in enrolling National Merit Scholars.
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<p>Colleges and schools at the University of Oklahoma Norman Campus include Arts and Sciences, Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences, Michael F. Price College of Business, Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education, Engineering, Law, Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts, the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication and more.
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<p>Based on retention rates, a majority of OU freshmen are satisfied with their choice to attend the university. Most return after the completion of their first year; the school boasts a retention rate of 85% for full-time students, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
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<h2 id="section---GettingInFinancialAid"> Getting In & Financial Aid</h2>
<p>High school juniors and seniors can apply for concurrent enrollment at the university, where they can take a number of courses for college credit while still in high school. Applications for the fall semester must be received by April 1 for both new freshmen and transfer students. The deadline for spring semester applications is November 1. The application and fee can be submitted online. Once the online application has been completed, high school students need to send high school transcripts or GED scores, ACT or SAT scores, transcripts from any college attended concurrently while in high school and CLEP or AP scores, if applicable. Transfer students must submit their college transcripts, final high school transcripts and, if they have less than 24 semester hours of college credit, SAT or ACT scores. Resident and non-resident status affects the cost of attending OU. Military personnel living in the state may receive a residential waver and receive the resident tuition rate.
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<p>OU offers a number of academic and leadership/community scholarships, including awards for valedictorians or salutatorians, national merit scholarships and awards for cumulative GPA or class rankings. There are also specific scholarships offered for Native Americans from one of the 29 recognized tribes in Oklahoma or the Sooner Distinction Award for those in financial need. Additionally, there are transfer awards for housing, leadership and academics. Students who are interested in financial aid can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine if they qualify for federal, state and school aid.
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<table border="1"><tr><th> Application and Tuition Info </th><th /></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Regular Application Deadline (2013-2014)</i> </td><td> April 1****</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Application Fee (2011-2012)</i> </td><td> $40***</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Acceptance Rate (2012)</i> </td><td> 79%***</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Tuition & Fees (2012-2013)</i></td><td> $8,706 (in-state), $20,343 (out-of-state)*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Average Financial Aid Package (2011)</i> </td><td> $13,777***</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Percent of Students with Need Met (2011)</i> </td><td> 62%****</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Average Student Debt at Graduation (2011)</i> </td><td> $26,298***</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Student Loan Default Rate (2009)</i> </td><td> 6.7%*</td></tr>
</table><h2 id="section---LifeAtTheUniversityOfOklahoma"> Life at the University of Oklahoma</h2>
<p>Founded in 1890 by the Oklahoma State Legislature, the University of Oklahoma Norman serves as the epicenter of all universities, schools and activities in the OU system, except for health-related fields of study. The university offers 163 undergraduate majors, 157 master's degree programs, 109 doctoral or professional programs and 28 graduate certificates. OU has produced 29 Rhodes Scholars, 33 Goldwater Scholarship winners and six Truman Scholars. Among undergraduate students, health professions, business, interdisciplinary and communications programs are popular.
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<p>The University of Oklahoma Norman Campus has a variety of on-campus living options, including traditional residence halls, apartments and special interest communities. The university has a large Greek community, with 26% of female students and 22% of male students joining fraternities or sororities. There are also several different types of meal plans available to students, including special plans for freshmen, as well as a variety of dining facilities. There are over 400 student clubs and organizations to join.
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<table border="1"><tr><th> Student Life Info </th><th /></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Campus Setting</i> </td><td> City***</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Student Population (2011)</i> </td><td> 20,495 undergraduate students, 6,643 graduate students*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Male-to-Female Student Ratio (2011)</i> </td><td> 50% to 50%*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>% of Full Time Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 87% of undergraduates, 50% of graduate students*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>% of In-State Students (Fall 2010)</i> </td><td> 62%*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>% of International Students (Fall 2010)</i> </td><td> 2%*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Retention Rate (2010-2011)</i> </td><td> 85% for full-time students, 50% for part-time students*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Campus Housing Available</i> </td><td> Yes**</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>% of Students Living on Campus</i> </td><td> 33%***</td></tr>
<tr><td> <i>Extracurricular Activities</i> </td><td> Over 400 student clubs and organizations**</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Sources: *NCES College Navigator, **University of Oklahoma, ***U.S. News & World Report, ****College Board.</i>
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<h3 id="section---SchoolContactInformation"> School Contact Information</h3>
<ul><li><i>Address:</i> Buchanan Hall, 1000 Asp Avenue room 127, Norman, OK 73019
</li><li><i>Phone:</i> (405) 325-2252</li></ul>
