Oakland University

Date: Dec 31 2009
Major: Communications (This Major's Salary over time)
Here is my unbiased review of Oakland University…Let's start off with the surrounding town. OU is actually split into two towns, Auburn Hills and Rochester. Around campus there are some restaurants (applebees, fridays, etc.), stores, a blockbuster video, and a decent amount of things to do/places to go within walking distance. However, the surrounding area doesn't scream college town like some larger colleges, but it's not too bad I guess. You can go further down the road towards downtown Rochester (about 5-6 miles) and things change a little. There are some good bars, restaurants, stores, and places you would expect in a downtown area. It's not a bad scene and there is actually a shuttle bus that goes from Oakland to downtown Rochester for free continuously during the week (The Bear Bus). Probably good for those who don't have cars, or just for those who wanna get drunk in Rochester and get a free lift back to campus. Oh yea, the Great Lakes Crossing Mall in Auburn Hills (about 7 minute car ride) is awesome. Great mall to go to during the day. I gave the surrounding area a rating of a B+.

The campus of Oakland is very scenic. You see all kinds of animals just walking to class or driving through. The campus is advertised to be 1444 acres, which sounds very large, even when compared to major universities. However, students probably wont see half of that, since it is either part of the Meadow brook mansion (or whatever it is) and forest trails on the other side of campus. The remaining 600-700 acres of actual university is maintained well and looks very nice. Since the school is relatively large (18,000 or so students) you definitely get the college feel during the school day.

The social scene at OU can be what you make of it. Although the school does have over 18,000 students, only about 2,000-3,000 of them live at OU. The dorms and apartments are packed and I guess they are talking about building new halls, which would increase the amount of people who stay. It seems the on-campus experience is largely ran by athletes at OU. When you live at the school, the weekends feel like you are attending a smaller school since more people go home. Sports teams generate a lot of parties, and the rest of parties are held either A. at the student apartments or B. across the street apartments. The nightlife isn't too bad, there is obviously bars and restaurants and places to find parties, but you gotta have some connections. OU isn't the kind of school you walk around and just end up at a party, definitaly got to know people and you will be okay if that's what you like to do.

Greek life at OU is sort of weak, but it seems to be growing. I've been to a few frat/sorority parties and they can either be fun and crazy, or lame. Many of the greek events are held at clubs in Pontiac, but I don't bother going. I haven't been involved in greek life, so thats all I can really say.

I would give the student body at OU a C- rating. Many students go to class and go home, and many just seem to stay with the people they knew in high school. There is also the students who are trying to make the most out of the college experience and have some school pride, which helps balance it out a little bit I guess. You will see the most school spirit at the OU basketball games, which get pretty packed. And BTW a team as good as Oakland needs a bigger stadium! The O'Rena is nice, but I think it holds like 1,000 fans. Come on now!

Finally, the education seems to be top notch. It is a very good school and you will get attention from most of your teachers. All the teachers give you organized syllabus and office hours at the start of the semester, and you basically will know what to expect in each of your classes. The online class module (Moodle) also makes keeping updated on school activity/classes very easy! I like the Moodle system a lot and the organization of everything academic wise at OU. I think the level of professionalism and organization at OU can compete with ANY school in Michigan and MOST schools in the country, honestly.

Overall, Oakland is a solid college. To make OU the ideal school I would say add 2-3 more residence halls, a football team, bigger basketball stadium and it's set. It has all the makings of a big name school minus the ones mentioned above. They have to make students want to stay here on the weekends. Personally, I'm from out of state so I don't go home often, so I have made great friends and gotten a good social experience. I guess any college is what you make of it. Hope my review helps.