Oglethorpe University Reviews

"I have had the opportunity to attend and graduate from Oglethorpe University. One thing about Oglethorpe is that, while it provides a liberal arts education, so much bias is thrown in your face at once. From day one, I have had every influential administrator that I came into contact with, and even students say that it's a small school that gives you an opportunity to grow and be independent; “it’s a school that gives you the opportunity to learn the way that is fitting for you.” It wasn't until recently I realized that this was true--in part—but not in the way that is was described to me. Being a relatively small campus in comparison to state schools, Oglethorpe possesses a familial ambiance. The core, writing intensive classes assure that if anything you will leave the university knowing how to write a paper--properly. The comparatively small teacher-student ratio allows for lasting relationships to form and grow between student and teacher; but what happens when this backfires? When the student realizes that a professor's style of teaching does not accommodate his/her style of learning? What happens when you are in a major with only 4-6 professors, meaning that you will end up in multiple classes with said professor? What happens when a lost of respect ensues between student and teacher, but yet you're "stuck" in that unhealthy "relationship" for the sake of graduating on time? Oglethorpe University is a private liberal arts school; in other words it is an expensive, interdisciplinary-like education. I know many students (who do not come from "money") that were unable to finish their Bachelor's degree program at OU--either taking a semester to a year off to collect funds or transfering, or just dropping our altogether--because they were unable to afford the school. While the Financial Aid office boasts its ability to help students afford OU, it has been proven time and time again to be untrue. If you do not seek (with a detective trench coat and magnifying glass in hand) you may not find enough funding. It was through prayer and God's grace alone that I was able to each semester meet the financial requirements. I have also come to realize that from a financial standpoint, taking out thousands in loans to attend OU is not the best financial investment. Now I am not being negative, because overall I loved my OU experience. As my first experience away from home, I appreciate the friendships I made, and some of the professors I have encountered; if I were to do it all over again I would. However, with all the "bubbly," feel-good descriptions of OU, a little reality check is overdue. This is something I wish someone would have told me prior to commencing my freshman year, and I hope it helps you in this critical, life-changing decision of choosing a school for your college career."