Compass

She didn't bump it.....

Thanks for the reply. I hope she rounds up as well. Well, we had a group project, and the rubric was very much not clear. We actually were evaluated by the rest of the class and we received a 92, but we were also the first of 6 groups to go. As the first group, the professor and the other students had no comparison. I think people's grading on the first presenter is generally a little unreliable because there is no context of performance expectation. I wouldn't normally buy in to the whole subjectivity thing, but with an 89.9 anything could bump it.

I don't freaking believe this. I just added up all of my grades in my business class and it's an 89.9 I'm so pissed. Partly, because a lot of this class is subjective. We had a group project and essays on both of the exams. Do you guys think the professor will round up? She really doesn't seem like a hard a$$. She also seems to like me and we had pretty good rapport. I'm really stressed though.

yes! ^ bump

oh, and what I mean by "intensely segregated by population and income" in my earlier post is that West Norman has got quite a bit of suburban sprawl, with professionals and families living along 1-35. Over there you have movie theaters and typical anywhere USA chain restaurants (chilli's TGi Fridays Teds Escondido etc). It's like a whole separate world. Two miles east you run into University Land, basically a separate city, with the bars and locally owned restaurants that cater to the 25,000+ university crowd. No one really goes over to white suburbia West Norman except for dinner with visiting family or dates or movie theaters. Oh and OKC is far enough away to be very separate, but close enough to offer Thunder NBA games, concerts at the Ford Center and Malls, and the airport. But it's all 45 mins. away

Hey guys! I'm a Californian-Oklahoman. I've lived in both sates as well as abroad and I can tell you a lot about Norman because I did my undergrad at OU! Okay, here's the skinny: Norman is a college town. It's about 110,000 Population and is intensely segregated by occupation/income. the Middle of the city is totally run by the university. It's about a 3 by 5 mile square of densely populated homes, duplexes and apartments with the University in the middle. Within this square you will see students and locals riding bicycles, many Obama signs on cars and yards and you will see professors and their families as well as a lot of Normanites who either went to OU and stuck around or are "taking some time off". It's a liberal vibe and there are quite an array of bars and coffee shops. You can live here without a car, and there are collective communes here and there. Looots of hipsters as of recent years, and like any college town in 2013, a sizable LGBT population and vegan/new age. As far as Oklahoma goes, and really much of this part of the country, Norman is liberal. You certainly won't be chastized for having liberal views and you will find many others who feel the same. It's a university! That said, there is a healthy conservative element. There is a sizable greek population at OU, with our sororities and fraternities being regionally notable. They tend to be less liberal and flaunt typical excessive consumerism mostly feeding in from Dallas and Houston (OU is roughly 60% Texan). But they aren't so bad, and there are liberals amongst them as well. Anyway, anything else you all would like to know? I'd be happy to answer any questions!

Oh and also, don't listen to people telling you you can't work and fund yourself. I literally laughed out loud, just came back from east Asia, and english teachers are waaaaay overpaid in China, Mongolia and Korea. I know several people that have taught english and had enough money to survive as well as afford airfare and travel to other locations (while working 4-5 hours a day). No big deal. The only exception might be Japan, I know the cost of living is much higher, but the previous three nations I mentioned, you're pretty good to go. Esp. Mongolia (I lived there for 2 years).

Alright, i'm not a PHD student so I might not seem like the most relevant person to be giving advice, but I have had my fair share of trials and tribulations that i've had to sort out (volunteering in developing countries, living in rough conditions etc). I'd like to offer the advice of not quitting. Some of the other posters have said things akin to "it's OK to quit, cause it's hard," as if hard is bad. No, quitting a PHD endeavor after 6 years is bad. No matter which way you spin it, you are going to WANT that PHD after the time and energy invested in it. You need that title for yourself, not your career. It could potentially be a huge blow to your psyche and sense of self. Those of merit and moral fortitude do not exist for everything to be easy all the time. You can tough it out. There are people all over the world that have a will deal with tougher situations and life circumstances than you are dealing with now. Reorganize, re-evaulate, and gain a little perspective, but don't quit that program. You need it.

Thank you for the great and helpful response! I will most definitely check out the Dept. of Public Health resource!

I have a BA in Geography and a minor in African American Studies. I'm currently a TEFL volunteer in the Peace Corps. I'm interested in a MPP Disaster Management focus, MPA disaster management focus, or a MS Emergency Management. Which of these makes the most sense with my background? I still have yet to take the GRE, but my GPA is around a 3.1, although I did graduate in 3 years which I feel hurt my GPA . Any advice would be helpful.... I'd eventually like to work for FEMA. thanks!