re: Alabama academics

My son was raised a Bama fan but went to AU for their aerospace program. He is now a doctoral candidate and is still a Bama fan.

quote:

---

Are you saying Alabama has stricter admission requirements than Auburn? That would be the first I’ve heard that and a pleasant surprise if so.

---

Requirements are still stricter at Auburn, but it seems like UA is trying very hard to get students in from all over the country and it’s harder for the above average, but not well above average in state student to get accepted at Alabama.

I can give you my view as an Alabama alum with a wife is is an Auburn alum. I have 3 daughters. Both of the older girls had over 4.2 GPA's. Auburn recruited them much harder and more effectively than did Alabama. Auburn offered a far better scholarship package to both of them. They both went to Auburn. They were both in a sorority and both had a fantastic experience at Auburn. Both had grown up as Alabama fans and gone to games in Tuscaloosa often.

I have 4 nephews. 3 of them had above 4.2 GPA's.All 4 grew up as Auburn fans but were out of state students. The oldest went to Vandy (full ride) and never considered Alabama. The second, same age as my oldest daughter, had the same level of grades and same level of ACT/SAT scores. Alabama rolled out the red carpet for him. He went to Alabama on a fullride scholarship in the School of Engineering.

Nephew #3 was an Alabama resident by heis Soph year in High school.Same level of grades and test scores. Alabama did not put on the hard press they had for #2. He took a full ride at Covenant College near Chattanooga.

Nephew #4 had pretty bad dislexia but fought his was to pretty good grades and test scores. Just not National Merrit Finalist level. He went to Alabama solely because of the field of study he wanted.

Alabama prioritized out of state over in state ina major way. One out of state boy got the carpet rolled out and two in state girls got largely ignored.

My 3rd daughter is a Jr. in High School. He grades and scores are fantastic (4.2+ GPA) but not quite as high as that of her cousin and two older sisters. She is an out of state student. Alabama is pursuing her like they did her cousin. But for her, Alabama is just a "back-up plan" school. She is Auburn first, Vandy second, Florida State 3rd, and Texas 4th. Alabama's treatment of her sisters ruined their chances of landing her.

quote:

---

So in actuality you recognize that if you had been in a “better” fraternity, you probably would have had a much better experience? Sounds like a pretty dumb reason to keep your son from having a chance to experience it if that’s something he wants. But maybe that’s just me

---

It’s definitely more than just that. The drinking is out of control. The cocaine was out of control when I was there. The hazing in all the “good” fraternities was absurd. I’m not bashing the Greek system. I think they bring a fun atmosphere to campus. I guess I shouldn’t have said “never allow it” since I don’t know how mature he will be in 12 years

quote:

---

Makes sense I guess

---

Sure I guess, but if you can do pre med and pre engineering at UA then they should be able to do BME. I was a little shocked that they aren't even trying.

Talking to MS State & Vandy also.

That’s what mine is doing at State. They’re pumping money into it.

My son is a junior at Bama now.. Not in a fraternity. Really isn't a big deal... He has no problem with friends and finding stuff to do. He says the Greek keep to themselves and really isn't that big of a deal as it's made out to be.

My kid is pretty confident and outgoing... Also very determined and has goals. Says all the drinking, partying, and mandatory activities would get in his way.

For him, Bama has the best degree program and facilities in the state (some of the best in the sec) for digital media, film, and sports journalism. He has a small scholarship that made it fairly reasonable to attend over other schools in state.

Y'all check him out on Instagram: Logan b films. Awesome content updated regularly!

quote:

---

I know UA has been very generous with scholarships.

---

Not directly at you cdur, but based on my own ignorance of being offered scholarships. How does it even work? My wife & I are both UA grads, but did it w/o scholarships.

Is it literally as simple as going to afford.ua.edu/scholarships & applying? Or is there more to it?

We're expatriates who kept our Georgia residency (vote, pay state income tax) because our oldest was able to get the HOPE scholarship. But the younger one in 11th has no credits in a GA HS, it's all from a private international school, so I don't think Georgia will allow it this time.

When they don't give the HOPE again, we'll cut our ties w/ the state of Georgia, so it's out of state tuition everywhere. We need to start prepping on getting scholarship offers & from the way you guys talk, I feel like there are processes/inquiries that I'm missing.

quote:

---

Is it literally as simple as going to afford.ua.edu/scholarships & applying? Or is there more to it?

---

Man most schools are giving half tuition scholarships, as a base, just right off the top without needing to apply for anything at all.

It honestly feels like they're just trying to tell people who don't qualify for the base scholarship that they shouldn't even apply.