Wow, it is really hard to believe that it was a year ago that ds was gearing up for his May Bama Bound session. At that point he had visited campus 3 times, thought the dept was a good fit, and was convinced that the undergrad research opportunities at UA surpassed what he would be able to experience at his other higher ranked options. (Undergrad research was just about #1 on his personal list of required criteria.) Ds walked away from all his top school acceptances without looking back, especially from a couple of schools where he was explicitly told the level of research he wanted to participate in was what grad students did, not undergrads.
UA was not on our radar until ds’s sr yr of high school. At the beginning of the application season, I never once seriously believed UA would be his final choice. It was his safety. Our personal knowledge of UA was limited to a curly A, an elephant, a houndstooth pattern and awesome scholarships. 
But, as the application season moved to visits and serious questioning about universities and their commitments to undergrad opportunities, UA repeatedly surprised me and sold ds by constantly rising to the top in response to his questions. (And ds had plenty. He interviewed schools. He interviewed dept deans and undergrad advisors. He sat in on classes. He sought out a school that offered him what he wanted.) He no longer viewed UA as a safety, but a serious contender bc they were offering the very opportunities that he not only wanted but in his mind needed for his long term career objectives. The research was one aspect, but the ability to take grad level classes, have his DE and AP credits transfer in so he could double major and still have time for research, be part of an honors group that he believed seriously valued its students, have peers who were at the top of their game…he believed last yr that UA offered it all.
Now, with just a few days remaining left in his freshman year, looking back at what were his hypothetical assessments and evaluating them in real terms, UA has matched all of his expectations. He was actively involved in research the entire second semester and in training to take over a graduating sr’s role. He will be particating in paid research this summer doing particle research (which is an area of strong interest). CBH and that whole group of students and professionals could not have been any better. He took upper level classes which were challenging and met his needs academically. He has learned a lot, made great friends, and says coming home for a visit before his research starts is going to be nice, but he is super excited about going back and participating in the research.
As a parent that says it all for me. He is super happy, thriving, challenged, and learning. He is moving forward with his vision for his life. He is forging his own path and UA is the foundation for that path. When I as a parent see my child having such a positive experience in achieving his desired objectives, I know he made the right decisions, too.
Well done, UA! Thank you for valuing your undergrads and providing such great educational opportunities!
ROLL TIDE!