Oklahoma State University

I grew up in Texas, did my undergrad in Colorado, and now live in Kansas City, Missouri, not too far from the Kansas border. Oklahoma previously was a state I used to drive through to get to my mom's house. I think a bit differently now! The initial college visit of my eleven campus tour was to Oklahoma State University. I'll be honest and admit that I incorrectly had low expectations. To say that I was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement! My first appointment on campus was with the honors program in the newly renovated Old Central, the original campus building. I met with both the director and a current honors student from TX by way of Boston, As an honors program alumna myself, I enjoyed my conversations with both contacts. Who doesn't love a campus that provides a t-shirt to each of its visiting guests? Although our admission representative used the word, "awesome" far too many times during her presentation, she did a great job of explaining admission and the university versus departmental scholarship process utilized by the OSU staff. The gorgeous room we were in inside the Phillips Alumni Center during her talk was a bonus, too! This is one of the few large campuses I have visited where the varsity athletic facilities are smack in the middle of campus, rather than located at a distance. I absolutely LOVED being able to stand at the uprights in Boone Pickens Stadium, embraced the opportunity to see the memorial to the students and staff lost when the plane carrying the basketball team crashed in Colorado, looked curiously at all of the items in the OSU Athletic Hall of Honor (including the original Pistol Pete head!), and to stand on the original hardwoods in Gallagher-Iba Arena (known as the rowdiest stands in college basketball). Unique to the facility is the opportunity for a spectator in the luxury suites to face basketball or wrestling on one side and football on the other, all from the same spot. Interesting! Be ready to WALK, WALK, WALK on this campus tour! There is a lot of land to cover and the tour guides , an interesting cross section of the OSU student body, did a great job of keeping us moving and not allowing anyone to lolligag for too long behind the group. Wear your most comfy shoes for this visit! And take them up on the offer for a bottle of water before embarking on your adventure. Interesting to hear in the middle of Oklahoma, but according to one of our tour guide, there are 30 dining options, "from steak to sushi." Her suggestion: get the smallest meal plan possible, you can always add more if needed. Sage advise. Holy residence hall options...traditional, suite style, and deluxe suites. There are floor plans and virtual tours of each option available on the residence life portion of the OSU website. Visits to the halls are a separate campus tour from the regular trip around campus, even though you pass in front of most of the buildings. Keep this in mind when scheduling your own visit. There were several construction sites on campus, which I always like to see. But despite the heavy equipment and piles of mud and dirt, I did not see one piece of trash on campus while walking. Well maintained and pride of property! OSU is known for their Hotel and Restaurant Management degree and upon entering the building that houses the program, I got a good whiff of the students' craft in the completely student run venue. Wish I could have sampled! And thank you to the admission office for offering the opportunity to get the parking ticket validated, making my hours on campus a free excursion. Much appreciated! Pictures from my visit to OSU are posted on the Essential Elements: Comprehensive College Planning fan page on Facebook.

Southwestern University

As part of a recent whirlwind trip to eleven campuses in two states, my tenth visit was at Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX (outside of Austin). I was rather impressed! Here are a just few notes about my time on campus: My first stop was the brand new Admission Center, which opened in February 2009. It is a LEED certified building, which struck a chord with my "green" personality. I was also quite thrilled that in each restroom stall, there is a large cut out shelf for placing items, particularly backpacks. Let this be a model for public restrooms everywhere!

Student visitors, as well as myself, were welcomed with a sign showing our names. My own undergraduate alma mater did this (maybe still does?), but it is a tradition fewer and fewer campuses seem to take the time to do for their guests. It was a welcomed…welcome!

Pirate Bikes. Love this program! Donated in 2004 following the death of a Southwestern alum in a cycling accident, these bright yellow bikes are found everywhere on campus. If as a student you need a ride, find a bike and use it to get to your next campus destination. Then simply leave it outside the building for the next person to use. If a bike is in need of repair, park it as usual, just upside down!

When students prepare for and return from study abroad or longer term service projects, they participate in a "debriefing" of sorts, an opportunity to discuss the experience and to reflect upon the "why" and "how" and "what next" regarding the trip. I have never heard another campus representative mention such follow-up to national and world travel.

The Peideia (pronounced py-day-uh) Seminar is an interesting enrichment opportunity, allowing a cohort of ten students from different academic disciplines to enhance their education over the course of three years by discussing current issues, how coursework relates to real life, and making connections across fields of study. Peideia groups are also provided with a small budget to fund additional educational activities together. What a unique way to facilitate learning for more than a grade or a credit earned!

Close to my heart is the fight against breast cancer. What does this have to do with Southwestern? The cross country coach is Francie Larrieu Smith, who is not only a five-time US Olympian, but whose likeness was printed nationally on Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure t-shirts prior to the foundation rebranding and creating a new logo. Francie is on MANY of the shirts in my closet!

And finally, the Southwestern Honor Code is both an oath and a pledge. The Honor Oath, recited during orientation, says, "As a student of Southwestern I hereby pledge my full support to the Honor Code. I pledge to be honest myself, and in order that the spirit and integrity of the Honor Code may endure, I pledge that I will make known to the Honor Code Council any case of academic dishonesty which I observe at Southwestern." And the Honor Pledge, which is written and signed on all assignments reads, "I have acted with honesty and integrity in producing this work and am unaware of anyone who has not."

Pictures from my visit to Southwestern University are posted on the Essential Elements: Comprehensive College Planning fan page on Facebook.