eheard

Still considering...

As far as I can tell, the architecture and MSRED programs seem to be highly respected/ranked but the planning program is more or less unmentioned in rankings (though at least in part because they don't respond to surveys). I've also had trouble finding much substantial discussion of the program elsewhere but, I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the open house. What were your impressions of the program?

Oh, I forgot. I'm not sure about exotics exactly but OSU has a very good veterinarian school so I'm sure there must be at least a few good vets in the area.

I grew up in Oklahoma City, and my parents have lived in Oklahoma City and Norman so maybe I can add something. I would definitely second the conservative vibe. I'm pretty sure it's gotten worse in recent years too, and the whole state (every single county) went red in the last presedential election. Norman is very much a college town. There are other universities in the area (OSU two hours north in Stillwater, UCO 40 min North in Edmond, and OCU just north of downtown OKC)but Norman pretty much centers around OU. Also, my cousin lives in Norman, is very strictly vegan and seems to manage alright. There aren't a whole lot of vegetarian restaurants but I remember at least one or two small groceries catering to vegan and vegetarians in Norman. Otherwise, the closest you'll get to Organics is Akin's in OKC, and they are building a Whole Foods in OKC. Finally, I didn't realize til I left how much access I had to Korean and Vietnamese food in "Little Asia," which is around 30th and May in OKC. Other than that, I would just add that the OKC metro is pretty much suburban sprawl in every direction, though there are pockets of interesting showing up all the time. Downtown OKC around Broadway has some cool coffee shops and bike shops, Bricktown if you're into clubs and loud bars, the Paseo has art walks, there's a decent museum, a new central library, the new NBA team, and there's even an itsy bitsy gay district on NE 36th and Penn. That said, I would totally get out of sprawlville once and awhile and see the flatness of the plains and the huge ass sky, which I always preferred.

Hello! I applied to about five planning schools this year, in geographic tandem with my partner. In the end, I was only accepted at Columbia (with no funding), which I primarily applied to due to proximity to my partner's first choice. Before I make a final decision about attending Columbia, I was hoping to get a better idea of the program's focus. On paper it sounds really good but I was wondering how current and past students felt about the program? Do you feel like you got a good technical foundation? Did you have any qualms about the program's reputation when you went to apply for non-academic jobs? I am hoping to work in government or consulting, not really interested in an academic track. Thanks!