Alabama reception

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Alabama
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<p>We have been invited to a reception given by Alabama at a local venue.</p>

<p>However, it is on the night before two major exams for son, where he’s borderline A/B.</p>

<p>Do you think my husband and I should go just ourselves, or do you think we should force son to attend with us?</p>

<p>He’s not interested, number one, because he doesn’t want to go to Bama, and number two, because of the two exams. </p>

<p>Really trying to get him to see Bama in the best frame of mind.</p>

<p>Saw them last on college night, and son was tired, so couldn’t get him engaged, but Mom and Dad perked up at the academic tilt of the presentation.</p>

<p>And I know driving five hours to Tuscaloosa is going to be a bad idea, as son is peetered out on these long drives for college visits. I’m willing to spring for plane fare to Birmingham and a rental car, if it makes it easier, but will have to miss school days unless we can do it at a break.</p>

<p>So, anyway, need some input. Should we push son to go, and get him even “madder” at Bama, or should we just go by ourselves, which I feel really weird about, since he was the one invited and it would be best geared toward?</p>

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<p>Five hours isn’t really that bad of a drive. There are places in Alabama that are more than a four-hours drive away from Tuscaloosa. He would probably get used to it.</p>

<p>I would not recommend forcing him to go the reception, especially if doesn’t want to go, especially if he wants to study for two exams. The way to show him UA would be to take a sightseeing trip up here.</p>

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<p>I wouldn’t have him go…let him prepare for his tests. </p>

<p>But, you really, really should visit the school…but fly, don’t drive since he has issues with long drives.</p>

<p>What days does your son have off in the next few weeks? Does he have a fall break? Does he go to a Catholic school where he has days off that UA would be in school? My kids went to a Catholic school and they often had days off that everyone else was in school…that is the time to visit!! LOL</p>

<p>If not, then I would have him miss school on a “light Monday”…a day when not much is happening or when school would agree to let him miss. That way, you could fly out over the weekend and visit school on Monday and then fly home later that evening.</p>

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<p>BTW…I don’t know if he cares about sports or not… (Are you the one whose son got upset at the band at a college visit?? or is that someone else (I need a cheatsheet to keep everyone straight…LOL)</p>

<p>DS1 was not “into” football AT ALL before he went to UA. Now, he won’t miss a game. He’s the shy, brainy type…but he NOW loves the Crimson Tide…never would have guessed that would’ve happened. LOL</p>

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<p>Well, you could do what I did - fill out the application for him. - Yes, that really happened hahaha. </p>

<p>Then, casually mention that you did it. I said, “Hey, guess what? You applied to UA today.”</p>

<p>Then, have him pitch a fit and be all, “I’m NOT going to UA. Why would I go there?, etc, etc.” </p>

<p>Then, mention (if he qualifies) that he would get FREE tuition and that would enable us to perhaps help with grad school (Son is convinced that he’s going to grad school). </p>

<p>Then, mention the really nice dorms (if he’s in honors and there are some even if he’ not). </p>

<p>Then, mention that since it’s rolling admissions, he’ll know in just a few weeks. </p>

<p>Then, give him the link to the virtual tour (there’s even one for iPod).</p>

<p>Then, go on a visit and hopefully you will have a great tour guide and by the time you leave the campus you son will be saying, “I AM going to UA! I am so glad that I applied.”</p>

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<p>Then, casually mention that you did it. I said, “Hey, guess what? You applied to UA today.”</p>

<p>Then, have him pitch a fit and be all, “I’m NOT going to UA. Why would I go there?, etc, etc.” </p>

<p>Then, mention (if he qualifies) that he would get FREE tuition and that would enable us to perhaps help with grad school (Son is convinced that he’s going to grad school). </p>

<p>Then, mention the really nice dorms (if he’s in honors and there are some even if he’ not). </p>

<p>Then, mention that since it’s rolling admissions, he’ll know in just a few weeks. </p>

<p>Then, give him the link to the virtual tour (there’s even one for iPod).</p>

<p>Then, go on a visit and hopefully you will have a great tour guide and by the time you leave the campus you son will be saying, “I AM going to UA! I am so glad that I applied.” <<<<</p>

<p>Yeah, there’s something about getting that quick acceptance and scholarship that makes a kid smile. (at first, he’ll be given the Presidential, and later, when he’s named NMF, he’ll get the big one), </p>

<p>But, seriously, get on the campus! Heck, I’d be willing to drive down there, too, to give a personal tour…LOL :)</p>

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<p>While I’ve heard that Alabama’s receptions are excellent, I would not recommend having your son go if he has so much work to do. There will be other receptions or you can always visit campus as previous posters suggested. </p>

<p>If I remember correctly, Alabama only considers grades up to Junior year, but the National Merit program is a totally different animal from what I hear. Getting National Merit (or University Fellows) would make Alabama too hard to pass up in my opinion.</p>

<p>You say that your son is planning on grad school, but I don’t know what type of major. A little known fact is that many departmentents at UA participate in the University Scholars program. This program enables a student to get their masters at the same time as the BA/BS. With National Merit or the Presidential Scholarship, this is a great deal. I just signed up for the program in my department.</p>

<p>There are many CC members at U, me included, who have been in a similar situation. Convince your son to come down for a visit. It’s said a lot, but just one visit gets people hooked on UA. Personally, I liked the idea of parents filling out the UA application and submitting it for their kids, it was quite entertaining.</p>

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<p>Definitely go! I went to the one in Nashville at the country music hall of fame and it was awesome! Definitely worth my time.</p>

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<p>Seatide…a question about your quote…</p>

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<p>My DS1 has been invited to participate in University Scholars…have you asked if your scholarship will pay for those grad classes (500 level+), if they are taken during your 4 undergrad years? We were wondering.</p>

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<p>I agree that the UA receptions are very nice, but since her son is “anti UA” right now, AND has 2 exams to study for…I wouldn’t have him go. But, the parents can definitely attend, instead.</p>

<p>Also, there is a RSVP phone number with the invite…call and ask if there will be another reception soon in your area. </p>

<p>But, that said, you really, really need to get your son on the UA campus. Over the years, I have brought many kids/parents to UA campus tours…and everyone fell in love with UA once they were on the campus…every single one.</p>

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<p>I had quite the fun time running around asking people about the University Scholars program recently.</p>

<p>According to the scholarship office and the department chair, scholarships cover 8 semesters of work done as an undergraduate student. Normally, grad school classes do not count, but the University Scholars Program is an exception. As long as the student does not earn a bachelor’s degree before the masters (they are earned at the same time in University Scholars), all masters (500 level) classes count. In fact, many 500 level classes (at least in the business school) are 400 level classes with some extra work, usually a paper. The only catch is that the student is not able to do graduate teaching or get graduate scholarships until they get a bachelor’s, which would negate their other scholarship. Eventually, the student does have to take the GRE/GMAT and score above a certain level.</p>

<p>According to Dr. Halli of the Honors College, 500-level courses are considered honors courses and count towards the 18 required hours for UHP, though I haven’t talked with Dr. O’Neal about IHP’s requirements. Since one can only do two honors by contract courses, this is a good option for many people. </p>

<p>I recall that your DS#1 is a junior? University Scholars may require ancillary classes not needed for a BA/BS, which may make the situation difficult. I bet you know though that the classes of 2013 and earlier can still take 17 credits (not 16) for free on full-tuition scholarships, which might help.</p>

<p>The University Scholars program is a great idea if one can handle the workload. As an interesting fact, one would actually get the masters before the bachelors because the higher degrees are handed out first. If either of your DS’s are interested in the program, have them schedule an appointment with that department chair. Though the program is technically invitation-only, a good student should be able to get one like your DS#1 already has.</p>

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<p>Sea-Tide…thanks for the info! Glad to know that his scholarship will pay for it. :)</p>

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<p>TooRealistic: We sent in the application for my son to UA last October. He, too, had no interest in the place. Got that quick acceptance and promise of at least full tuition based on his SAT score.</p>

<p>Went to visit the place twice – once as a family, once as an invitation to the computer-based honors program. Liked the school, but still did not want to commit, because he had lots of applications out there and wanted to weigh all the offers.</p>

<p>He is now a freshman at Alabama. Loves the campus, classes and activities. He holds junior standing thanks to his AP credit. He is in all three honors programs and already has talked to someone about the University Scholars. He lives in the honors dorm, which is awesome. He is planning back-to-back study abroad summers. And he is a National Merit Scholar.</p>

<p>Now he wonders why he ever considered any other school. Oh, and for a guy who was not really into football, it’s Roll Tide.</p>

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<p>Momreads, thanks for your post. I’m thinking an invitation to the computer based honors program would be a great thing for son to go to. </p>

<p>I’m going to look into the AP credit he can get for his scores. Many of the schools he’s looking at will not give him credit, because he’s scored a 3, whereas, other schools are more lenient. Having a higher class standing will give him time for “fun” courses, honors if he wants, and the chance at study abroad. </p>

<p>And I’m having a feeling that the no sports school is going to go by the wayside. At a college fair the other night, the first question he asked all the reps was if there were intramural sports. You could have picked me up off the floor.</p>

<p>Do you have any comments on whether to take him to the reception or not?</p>

<p>Thanks again.</p>

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<p>Your son could be my son… LOL … Roll Tide!</p>

<p>Doesn’t your son just love Dr. Sharpe! and Mrs. Batson! (she is like the CBH den mom! LOL)</p>

<p>Quick story…we met Dr. Sharpe when DS1 was a junior in high school. We went to the honors college office (no appt), and he just invited us into his office. We had no idea who he was or what CBHP was. We had brought DS1’s resume, a transcript copy, and his recent PSAT score which suggested that he would make NMSF/NMF. Dr. Sharpe kept DS1’s resume and transcript.</p>

<p>Fast forward a year. We went back to the UA campus and were in line at Lakeside Diner (now renamed something else) to get a bite to eat. Dr. Sharpe walked up to us and remembered my son’s NAME! Unbelievable. So, when CBH inteviews occurred the following month, I was pretty sure DS1 would get picked. He did. He’s a junior at UA, and DS2 is a freshman. Dr. Sharpe is such a good man…and such a good role model for all young people.</p>

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<p>The interviews occur in late February…but…Since even getting an invite for the CBHP interview is getting much, much harder, it is really important to get some “face time” with Dr. Sharpe before the interview list get selected. </p>

<p>Because of UA extensive nationwide recruitment, CBHP is getting a ridiculous number of applications - and only about 50 get invited for interviews in Feb, and only 40 get finally selected. Last year, Dr. Sharpe had over 500 applicants (mostly all applicants were NMF, straight A’s, high ACTs, etc) …Since the CBHP website states that the avg ACT for a CBHer is ACT 33, those with lower ACTs are less likely to apply. </p>

<p>So, to snag an interview, having a “face with the name” is a big help.</p>

<p>Dr. Sharpe was sad that he had to turn down so many highly qualified applicants last year. Usually, a highly qualified applicant at least gets interviewed, but last year, many 99 percentile kids did not get selected for interviews. </p>

<p>So, if you schedule a campus interview, try to snag an appt with Dr. Sharpe.</p>

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<p>mom2collegekids: My story about CBHP comes from Family Weekend. We were sitting in one of Tuscaloosa’s restaurants having lunch with my son and his girlfriend, who is also in CBH. I passed a remark why I thought my son decided to do CBH. He said, “Mom, you’re wrong. The reason why I decided to do CBH was Mrs. Batson.”</p>

<p>My son’s girlfriend was not an original selection to CBH. She was on the waiting list, and she did not learn that she had a spot until she got to Alabama. She is just thrilled with the program, too.</p>

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<p>Wow…did she find out when she showed up for Bama Bound or when she showed up for move in for fall semester? I bet she’s happy! :)</p>

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<p>the CBHP sounds interesting, but i kind of don’t get why kids are so interested in research. can someone explain??</p>

<p>i don’t think my DD will be a candidate for this anyway, but if so, i am not sure she would be able to fill out a compelling application. i don’t think i would be able to help her much either.</p>

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<p><<< the CBHP sounds interesting, but i kind of don’t get why kids are so interested in research. can someone explain?? <<<</p>

<p>I think the kids enjoy the non-traditional learning that goes on during their CBH projects. It’s not “classroom learning,” and it’s in fields that they have a career interest in.</p>