Oklahoma City University - Office of Admissions

Brittany Name: Brittany Jo Bisel Major: Mass Communications Classification: Freshman HomeTown: Okeene, Oklahoma Why did you choose OCU?: From the moment I stepped on campus at OCU, I knew this would become my home away from home. I was immediately drawn to this school's friendly staff and students and its close knit community atmosphere. OCU has an amazing Mass Comm Department as well. All of these factors added up to help me make my college decision and become a Star. How has OCU prepared you for your future? So far, OCU has challenged me to prioritize things in life and really focus on my education and future. I have already had the opportunity to hold leadership positions as a freshman on campus through various organizations. Also, OCU has broadened my horizons to a diverse group of people on campus, which will help me adjust to life after college more smoothly. What is your experience like outside of the classroom? OCU has amazing opportunities outside of the classroom. I have had the opportunity to be apart of the OCULeads, a freshman leadership and service learning class, that has given me opportunities to succeed both on and off campus. I am also a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority. This group of young women are some of the best friends I have ever met, and the sorority has given me the chance to be apart of great tradition and leadership on campus. I am a part of the Relay For Life committee for the OCU community and the leadership and community service opportunity presented by the event has been an amazing and fulfilling experience. Life in Oklahoma City is great! With plenty of local restaurants, a mall right down the street, exciting Bricktown nightlife, and great shopping and movie venues, there is always something to do close by to campus to get away from the stresses of being a student. What advice would you give incoming freshmen? Just come into this college experience ready to dive in and try new things. Join a club, go through rush, enjoy a sporting event--take any and every opportunity to meet new people your first few weeks here at OCU. You are guaranteed to meet some of the most amazing friends of your life here at Oklahoma City University!	Andrew Name: Andrew Holder Major: Broadcasting Classification: Sophomore HomeTown: Alva, Ok Why did you choose OCU?: I chose OCU because of the well-roundedness that this school has to offer. I never experienced a school on my search with better tools to aid me on my road to a bright future. How has OCU prepared you for your future? OCU has prepared me for my future by allowing me to be involved in so many organizations and activities on campus while still being able to keep my schoolwork at priority #1. What is your experience like outside of the classroom? My college experience here at OCU has been nothing short of an adventure. From campus involvement to adventures in Oklahoma City, it is hard to find a dull moment in the life of an OCU student. What advice would you give incoming freshmen? The advice I would give to incoming freshman is to be sure and go to college with an open mind. The atmosphere WILL be different than you are used to, and that can be a fantastic opportunity if you let it be one.	Gokul Name: Gokul Jayaraman Major: Business administration Classification: Senior HomeTown: Hyderabad, India Why did you choose OCU?: Oklahoma city university is one of the best in the state for business administration. Meinders School of Business has a high value and its own reputation for education with the most qualified professors. How has OCU prepared you for your future? We get to meet so many international students from various countries and the exposure level is really high. Your talent in group discussions are sharpened and to the point. What is your experience like outside of the classroom? My professional and personal life is good. You get to work and play on the same premises. I work in the law school and also have fun playing pool, hand soccer etc in McDaniel Student Center. OCU has a lovely cafeteria and the food is good. What advice would you give incoming freshmen? Have fun and prosper with your aims and goals. The right place is Oklahoma city University.	Emily Name: Emily Dimmitt Major: Vocal Performance Classification: Sophomore HomeTown: Harrisonville, Missouri Why did you choose OCU?: It was an extremely tough decision to move far away from home as I grew up in the same little town my whole life. I ended up choosing OCU for it's outstanding Music program as well as the great campus visit I had. The students were all very friendly. Everyone we walked by smiled. OCU just felt like home for me. How has OCU prepared you for your future? OCU has prepared me for my future in many ways. I've already improved so much in my major and feel confident that my preparation at OCU can get me where I want to go, wherever that may be. Who knows if I'll go sing at the Met, become a singer/songwriter, or maybe even work for Disney? I know that I have any option because of my support at OCU. What is your experience like outside of the classroom? Life in Oklahoma City has been different but very exciting. Living in a big city as compared to a town of 10,000 is a big jump. Bricktown is a great place to go and hang out as well as many other places in the city. Also, Kappa Phi and Sigma Alpha Iota have been great places for me to be. Kappa Phi (the Christian sorority on campus) is a very loving environment and participating in homecoming and service activities have been great. Sigma Alpha Iota has provided me with many friends in my department that know what I'm going through. Also, through OCU Leads my freshman year, I've been introduced to many faculty that I would not know otherwise. What advice would you give incoming freshmen? Get a planner! Write down your classes, then schedule time for homework, practicing, and any other thing you need for school. Then add in any extra fun stuff you have. It will make life much easier when you get to school!
Amber Name: Amber Paris Major: Nursing Education Classification: Senior HomeTown: Pacific Grove, CA Why did you choose OCU?: I chose OCU as a result of my positive identification with both the mission and philosophy of the college. I returned to school to complete my BSN degree at Kramer School of Nursing in 2008. I was encouraged to continue my education following graduation, I am currently enrolled at OCU as a Graduate Nursing Student. How has OCU prepared you for your future? I am confident that I will possess the knowledge, wisdom and skills required of me upon graduation that I may successfully transition from student to "learning facilitator". What is your experience like outside of the classroom? Through OCU I have had the opportunity to become involved in my community via service learning and various events hosted by the college. I enjoy going to the Museum and sharing a meal with my International classmates. As a re-entry student OCU has many resources and connections within the community available to help me get the most of my continued education. What advice would you give incoming freshmen? Be excited, you have worked very hard to prepare for college. You can do it..... you are a star!	Chad Name: Chad Carmen Major: Information Technology Classification: Junior HomeTown: Midwest City, OK Why did you choose OCU?: The baseball program. I wanted to play for one of the best programs in the country. It just happened that I ended up getting a great education at the same time. How has OCU prepared you for your future? The business classes use a lot of hands on material that is discussed in the work place every day. A lot of the professors will teach you the material in the book, along with the material "used in the real world." What is your experience like outside of the classroom? The campus life has been fantastic. The entire campus is flowing with talent, from organizations like FCA to athletic events to dance shows and musicals, every student here has a wealth of talent. The city isn't too crowded and Bricktown is great for the weekends. What advice would you give incoming freshmen? Be ready to study. Other than that, come to Oklahoma City with the mind set that you are going to meet everybody you can. A lot of the people you will meet here will go on to do great things some day.	Thomas Name: Thomas York Major: Psychology Classification: Freshman HomeTown: Oklahoma City, OK Why did you choose OCU?: I chose OCU because it is close to home and because it has a community of students that are supremely intelligent. OCU truly is a place where you are a name and not a number, everybody that i have met and dealt with are some of the nicest people i have ever met. They act as if they really care and they will help you if you ask for it. This is one thing i have really come to love about OCU. How has OCU prepared you for your future? My journey at OCU has only just begun, but already i think OCU has made me a more critical thinker and problem solver from my first two months. What is your experience like outside of the classroom? Being a psychology major, I am part of a club called NAMI and we have movie nights every other week and attending those has been a lot of fun! What advice would you give incoming freshmen? Pay attention in class and take notes. Most of all, do not get behind!	Anita Name: Anita Nguyen Major: Business Administration Classification: Freshmen HomeTown: Oklahoma City, OK Why did you choose OCU?: I chose OCU because it is a small school where I can focus on my academic life and not worry about other factors that I would have to deal with in a larger academic community. How has OCU prepared you for your future? I am a freshman and still figuring out what I really want to do and so far my advisors and teachers are helping me along in the process. What is your experience like outside of the classroom? I am involved in various organizations on campus such as OCU leads, serving as freshman-at-large for SGA, and I am an Alpha Phi. Also, there are many things you can do on campus or just in the city such as going to a play or going downtown. What advice would you give incoming freshmen? Make sure you prepare yourself academically and figure out what you would like to do in the future so that you wont have to stress about it later on.
Rachel Name: Rachel Spencer Major: BFA Acting Classification: Freshman HomeTown: Owasso, Oklahoma Why did you choose OCU?: I originally came because of the amazing Theater program. Also,everyone was so friendly and the faculty remembered me and said hello on the second time I visited. How has OCU prepared you for your future? I have a broader outlook on life and already feel more prepared for life after I graduate. What is your experience like outside of the classroom? Oklahoma City is full of energy and all the students make it feel like home. What advice would you give incoming freshmen? Keep focused and don't worry when things seem overwhelming--it will slow down and it is all worth it.	Michael Name: Michael Madison Major: Religion Classification: Senior HomeTown: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Why did you choose OCU?: It was always one of my choices because of its rich heritage. How has OCU prepared you for your future? They are able to pack a lot of information into a small space and time. What is your experience like outside of the classroom? I work and raise a family. What advice would you give incoming freshmen? Make as many friends as possible.	Sasha Name: Sasha Major: kinesiology & Exercise Studies Classification: Senior HomeTown: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Why did you choose OCU?: I came on a Track scholarship, but when I came on my visit I was very pleased on what I saw and learned about this University. How has OCU prepared you for your future? This is my second year at OCU and Yes my major department has taught and prepared many opportunities that I can obtain if I keep working for it. What is your experience like outside of the classroom? The most important involvement activity for me is Track & Field. Also, I am a proud member of Black Student Association, which is organization that promotes leadership,community service, support and involvement within OCU. Last but not least, I enjoy my work study job with the Financial & Student Accounts. What advice would you give incoming freshmen? This is a very great known University to attend and experience throughout your years of education. Be a student First and stay focus then Second get well organized to where you can enjoy the college life outside of the classroom and Third know that you don't ever have to fail because OCU is there to help you stand.	Darbi Name: Darbi Williams Major: Nursing Classification: Sophomore HomeTown: Oklahoma City, OK Why did you choose OCU?: I was interested in OCU because they were top 10% in the nation in Nursing. Still, OCU was too expensive for me to go to but OCU gave me the opportunity to go there because of the Clara Luper Scholarship. How has OCU prepared you for your future? While attending OCU I have met plenty of people who are interested in me succeeding in life and have opened doors for me that would have stayed closed without them. While studying the teachers have also put me in environments that are similar to the work field. What is your experience like outside of the classroom? Life on campus is amazing. First, you have people around you that are excited about learning and willing to help you if you need it. But, even though OCU is heavily motivated by education they are not afraid of having. Three times a semester I participate at Free Movie night and watch a moving of my choosing paid by OCU. In the Fall I have an amazing time participating in homecoming. I could keep going and listing all the things I do but it would take way too much time.
Abdullah Name: Abdullah Aljaser Major: MBA - Finance Classification: Senior HomeTown: Saudi Arabia Why did you choose OCU?: The Saudi Cultural Mission in the USA highly recommended OCU. How has OCU prepared you for your future? I already got a job in my country. OCU has taught me what i need to do to get this job that i've dreamed about. What is your experience like outside of the classroom? I like the environment in OKC it is quiet, cheap, and healthy. People here are nice and lovely on and of the campus. What advice would you give incoming freshmen? Study hard and OCU will get you ready for the future!	Maxwell Name: Maxwell Gattuso Major: Musical Theater Classification: Freshman HomeTown: McKinney, TX Why did you choose OCU?: I chose OCU because of the great training i could receive, in an environment that's like no other university in the world. How has OCU prepared you for your future? OCU has shown me that no matter where you are, you can feel at home. What is your experience like outside of the classroom? I've made hundreds of new friends in all different areas, from Kappa Sigma, to soccer players, and even in my field, musical theater. What advice would you give incoming freshmen? Don't be shy, meet as many people as you can, your bound to find a friend in an unexpected place!	Kourtni Name: Kourtni Beebe Major: BFA Acting Classification: Sophomore HomeTown: Norman, OK Why did you choose OCU?: I chose OCU because of it's reputation in what I want to pursue as my career. It has always been my dream to come to this school and everyday I feel incredibly lucky to be here. How has OCU prepared you for your future? OCU so far has definitely prepared me for my future. I have improved my skills as an actress and can't wait to apply it to the real world once I graduate. Along with that, being at OCU has taught me amazing life lessons that I could have never learned in a class room. It's taught me how to be a better person on and off the stage. What is your experience like outside of the classroom? My experience outside of school has been amazing. I've learned so much about who I am as a person and it has given me so much confidence. I love going to free movie night every month and Oozeball! Those are my favorite activities here! I also enjoy my sorority. I have amazing friends that I could never even imagine having here and know that I can look ahead in 20 years and they'll still be right there with all the support in the world. What advice would you give incoming freshmen? What I would say to Freshmen is to not forget who you are and come in with your head held high. No worries at all! It'll be an amazing experience and a place that you will easily be able to call home.	Erica Name: Erica Olavarria Major: Dance Management Classification: Sophomore HomeTown: Kirkland, WA Why did you choose OCU?: I chose OCU for its world renowned dance department. I saw an advertisement in one of my Dance Spirit magazines, and after a little bit of research, I was hooked. I visited the campus in spring my junior year, and I loved it. Then I attended OCU's summer dance intensive in summer 2007 and knew that this was the place for me. OCU was my first choice and my only choice. How has OCU prepared you for your future? Apart from my classes, there are many other opportunities available at OCU that prepare me for the future. Getting involved around campus forces me to manage my time and working as a Student Professional gives me experience working in a true professional setting. Additionally, the dance department prides itself in running like a professional company, and it is training me to present myself in a professional manner, both through appearance and behavior. What is your experience like outside of the classroom? Although OCU is a small university, I have met many people here with different backgrounds than my own. Through these social interactions, I feel like I have gotten a taste of diversity that I had not known in high school. In terms of campus involvement, there is always something on campus to do, whether it be a concert, a performance, or some other type of campus event. And if you want, you can always spice up the weekends with a trip to Bricktown! What advice would you give incoming freshmen? Make the most of your college experiences! Get involved on campus and meet as many people as you possibly can. All that said, stay on top of your schoolwork because, while OCU has so many other things to offer, you are still here to earn your degree.