Dear Reader,
Please apply, even if you do not think you have the stats for it. You may surprise yourself.
I am a freshman at The University of Alabama in the Computer-Based Honors Program (soon to be renamed the Randall Research Scholars Program). I was initially placed in the reserve pool and did not think I was going to be accepted in to the program. I was interviewed at my Bama Bound orientation and promptly selected for the 50th cohort in June. My goal with this letter is to provide an inside look at my experience with this program in my first couple of months at UA. If you’re anything like me, then you will enjoy getting the “inside” scoop on what it’s really like to be a freshman in this program.
Let’s start off with the class itself—CBH 101. CBH 101 is a class offered at 12:00 or 1:00 PM MWF, and 6:00 PM on Monday. Half of your cohort (22 in this year’s case) is in one section, half in the other. The sections combine on Monday night where everyone attends a lecture. This is what the UA catalog has to say about the first class that students accepted in to CBH take:
“Taken by first-year students in the Computer-Based Honors Program, this course provides an accelerated introduction to computer hardware and software.”
Please note the adjective “accelerated”. During the first couple of weeks of the semester, the course is very simple: you are introduced to your instructor (Darren), you slowly learn everyone’s names, and Mrs. Batson makes a few announcements. Next, Darren has you read and learn about cybersecurity. You are quizzed frequently (almost every class). Then, you start to learn about hardware and number systems (binary, decimal, hexadecimal, octal, etc.). Darren assigns a group for you to conduct a presentation on a piece of hardware. My group was assigned motherboards. Presentations are very professional and last the length of a class period. In the midst of number systems swimming around in your head and worrying about your presentation, you are assigned a different group and a mentor with whom you will use CAD software to design and 3D print a Christmas ornament. Now we are in the present, and the rumored “final project” looms in the near future. Darren has already warned us that the effort required in learning FORTRAN in such a short time period is immense. This is what is meant by accelerated. The semester starts slowly and begins to build and build.
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s talk about the social aspects of the program. I’ve been told many times that a student is not admitted to CBH based on stats alone, but I never truly understood what they meant until I got to know my fellow classmates. Students are admitted based on their character. Words cannot describe my love for my fellow classmates. I have never been surrounded by more intelligent, respectful, or caring students in my life. Each and every student has a passion, a dream, and the drive to get there. It’s extremely motivating to see everything that everyone is doing.
One of my favorite parts of being in CBH is having 24/7 access to the CBHP Undergraduate Research Lab. In laymen’s terms, it’s a computer lab where CBH students are always welcome to do homework, grab a bite to eat in between classes, or in my case, receive advice from extremely encouraging upperclassmen. I have never felt more accepted or wanted by a group in my life, and I was heavily involved in one of my high school’s largest extracurricular activities.
Speaking of advice from upperclassmen, every single freshman is assigned a CBH mentor. The mentor simply exists to help you adjust to UA and CBH life. From recommending organizations for me to join, helping me prepare for on campus interviews, or even just grabbing a quick bite to eat from the Ferg—my mentor has been incredible.
CBH also presents a lot of opportunities. Upperclassmen often pop in to our freshman group message asking for help with their research or organizations. I have personally gotten involved with an upperclassman that is assisting a professor build a composite oven for an aerospace prototyping laboratory on campus.
Just this past week, Darren let us out of Monday night class early to listen to Dr. Randall (yes, THE Dr. Randall) give a seminar on professionalism. It was humbling to hear from such an educated individual and I have a newfound sense of joy knowing that the program is being renamed after her.
There is also “The List”. “The List” is an email list of every single current student, alumnus, alumna, and faculty member involved with CBH (freshman rule #1: NEVER reply directly to “The List”). Many things such as internships, research, scholarships, fellowships, announcements, and more are emailed out through this system.
Finally, I want to end by saying how much this program means to me. I have only been on campus for a couple of months, but the people in this program have made it my favorite part of UA. I strongly encourage anyone on the fence about applying to apply. CBH has been a college-defining experience for me so far. My words may not ring true for everyone, but I have spoken to other freshman about this and they seem to agree. If anyone has any questions for me, I would love to answer. Thank you to everyone on College Confidential for first making me aware of this program. I’m looking forward to my coming years at UA and growing closer to my CBH family.
All the best,