<p>My name is Erik and I’m from Iowa. I’ve been accepted to the University and the Honors College. I received the UA scholars scholarship for 2/3 tuition and I’m an engineering major so I received the 1/3 from the School of Engineering. From everything I’ve seen from people familiar with the university, the university is very appealing. Since I am from Iowa, I’m not quite as familiar with the big schools of the south, mainly the SEC. Some of the schools don’t have the best reputation, whether that’s academic or whatever. Some of that is probably influenced by the athletic programs. I was just wondering what sets the University of Alabama apart from the other schools in the SEC.</p>
<p>I’m not an expert on SEC schools, but while some of the schools are better than others, I don’t think any of them have bad reputations. </p>
<p>Vanderbilt is clearly the best academically, but Alabama is at least among the top 1/3.</p>
<p>Alabama offers good value, which is why I’m encouraging my son to consider it. I also like the fact that it doesn’t appear to be as radically left wing as some of the other large public schools my son is looking at.</p>
<p>I agree that Vanderbilt is the strongest academically, but I am strongly considering Alabama because it does provide a good value. I think the reputation thing is more of a regional stereotype developed by some of the less-informed people in my area. Thanks for the input. All answers will help.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t be influenced by the views of the uniformed/ignorant.</p>
<p>Hi Erik. Welcome to our forum. I can’t speak about other SEC schools, but take a look at this link and see if it gives you an idea why so many of us think UA is special: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-alabama/1373005-top-10-reasons-attend-ua-im-sure-we-can-think-more.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-alabama/1373005-top-10-reasons-attend-ua-im-sure-we-can-think-more.html</a></p>
<p>Best of luck with your decision and feel free to ask questions as you go. There are lots of folks here who were once in your shoes and they’re eager to help.</p>
<p>Roll Tide. :)</p>
<p>Thanks. That link has a lot of good information. I am scheduled to visit campus in December. If things go well, I plan on paying the housing and enrollment deposits while I am there. If I am waiting until early December to pay, will there still be housing choices? I’ve seen a lot of stuff where people are worried about not getting housing, but I’ve also seen a lot of things that say not to worry until February or March.</p>
<p>Erik, I think you’ll be fine with a December housing deposit. If I’m off-base, one of our pros will correct me. :)</p>
<p>Please make sure you set up a tour and itinerary for your visit with the Honors College.</p>
<p>Erik,</p>
<p>Please take a look at some of my other posts. We found 'Bama here on CC when my son (33 ACT, 3.7 GPA, strong EC/athletics) was looking for schools with good meri aid. Long story short, he will be attending next year, hands down, no doubt, one of the biggest blessings this kid will ever get. We visited last week, and haven’t ‘come down’ yet. We are from upstate NY so this was a complete surprise as he hadn’t even been looking south. So very glad we did.</p>
<p>We made our housing deposit early, if you feel you may attend i would encourage you to also, small price to pay for the comfort of a good spot in selection line and I think it is partially refundable.</p>
<p>PM me or facebook my son if you want any more info. Roll Tide…</p>
<p>I have already contacted Allison Verhine about a tour of the Honors College as well as a tour of the Engineering facilities. Since I am travelling quite a distance to visit campus, this will likely be the only visit for me until spring/summer for the orentation/accepted student special visit days. I would like to see as much as possible while I am down there. Is there anything else I should see on campus? I am visiting on a Friday so I will probably spend the weekend in Alabama (flying in and out of Birmingham). Is there anything I should see off campus in Tuscaloosa?</p>
<p>Are you coming THIS Friday? </p>
<p>If so, OH MY…this weekend will be crazy…it’s the TAMU game. Texans will be descending on T-town starting Thursday.</p>
<p>Tell Allison that you want to see the Science and Engineering Complex</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/13186247-post50.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/13186247-post50.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-alabama/1156069-bama-area-restaurant-guide.html?highlight=restaurants[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-alabama/1156069-bama-area-restaurant-guide.html?highlight=restaurants</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-alabama/1342479-things-see-do-around-ua.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-alabama/1342479-things-see-do-around-ua.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://visittuscaloosa.com/things-to-do[/url]”>http://visittuscaloosa.com/things-to-do</a></p>
<p>I am visiting in early December. The 7th is the day that I am actually touring campus. Thanks for the links. I will make sure to check those out.</p>
<p>HawksNSox–How did your visit to 'Bama go? </p>
<p>My son and I toured back in November and he is strongly considering it (we are from Arkansas, so naturally, our own flagship is a consideration, but also Ole’ Miss).</p>
<p>His best friend is definitely going…</p>
<p>The visit went really well. The weather wasn’t perfect, though, and the ambassadors explained that a lot of students were in the library/dorms studying for finals so the campus wasn’t full of students. I learned that it was dead week before finals so maybe it wasn’t the best planning on our part, but it still went very well. We toured campus on Friday and then came back on Saturday just to walk around on campus. I could really picture myself going there. It’s definitely my top choice right now.</p>
<p>Glad to hear that your visit went well. Sorry about the weather. Usually it’s pretty nice. Yes, Dead Week won’t give you a clear picture of what “campus life” is like because everyone is really buckled down and studying.</p>
<p>You know, the weather was kinda crappy when we went, too. It’s funny how that can impact a perception of a campus. It is also so much more expansive than the other SEC schools we visited this fall, and for us, a little intimidating at first.</p>
<p>Having said that, we were real impressed with the friendliness/ helpfulness of faculty and staff. My son is also real intrigued by the Blount initiative and applied to that program.</p>
<p>In the end, we will have to compare f.a. and merit packages to help finalize decisions.</p>
<p>My take: People from other parts of the country typically look down their noses on the south in general. It is a prejudice that extends to much more than southern universities. When you throw in their snobbery and resentment toward the “football culture” in the south, it only adds kindling to the fire. </p>
<p>The fact of the matter is that the large state schools in the south are no worse than similarly-situated state schools in other parts of the country. In some respects, depending on the academic programs in question, our schools are better. I believe 12 of the 14 SEC schools are in the top 150 (although I generally have disdain for such rankings). The addition of A&M has really strengthened the overall prestige of the SEC from top to bottom. </p>
<p>I have two degrees from LSU. My son is a student at Alabama. While some yankee folks might be dismissive of these schools as nothing more than football factories, those of us who are engaged with these institutions know different. Both schools have worked tirelessly in the last two decades to raise admissions standards and their national profile. Alabama is a little ahead of my alma mater in that respect, but LSU is light years ahead of where it was when I was a student.</p>
<p>Come on in. The water’s warm.</p>