AU vs UA

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Alabama
1

<p>both offer national merit finalists full ride scholarships. i have taken virtual tours, etc of both, and in terms of endowment dollars, climate, and enrollment there isnt a big difference. which has a better engineering school and (in your opinion) a nicer campus?</p>

2

<p>We have toured both and like Bama’s campus better. </p>

<p>Bama has more money, which is why its been able to build and grow as it has. Auburn doesn’t have nearly enough housing. Those who’ve been promised honors housing at Auburn this year will be in shock next year when they try to get anything similar.</p>

<p>Auburn has a reputation of having a stronger engineering program, but I don’t know if with all the recent improvements that Bama has done with its engineering and science programs and facilities if that remains the case. </p>

<p>Bama also has better honors programs.</p>

<p>You would have to visit both and decide.</p>

3

<p>When I graduated in 2006, pretty much everyone (teachers, counselors, college prep mentors), told me that Auburn generally had the stronger engineering program versus UA. They offer almost twice the engineering degrees UA offers, but UA is SERIOUS about developing our engineering program into a regional and eventually national contender as a top choice. Furthermore, our dean is developing/pushing for programs for engineering students so that they can have a truly well-rounded experience - meaning opportunities to coop, study abroad, pursue the arts, develop an entrepreneurial spirit, volunteer, etc. His goal is that every engineering student will have the opportunity to gain some type of “non-classroom” experience. </p>

<p>Be careful not to mistake the UA NMF scholarship for a true full ride. It covers tuition, housing, you get a $2k one time for study abroad/research, and if you do not receive a corporate scholarship or the one time $2500 through national merit then you also receive a $1K/yr stipend. You still have to pay for meal plans, books, and all the facility fees. These fees are not part of tuition so they are not covered. Now you will receive additional scholarships from the college of engineering if you receive an NMF scholarship from UA which will help pay for those other bills, but that is not a part of the UA NMF scholarship.</p>

4

<p>And if you are considering chemical engineering, our curriculum includes a mandatory summer course which is essentially an extra “semester” so be aware that this summer course is not covered by the UA NMF scholarship so you will have to pay out of pocket for it.</p>

5

<p>Below you will find links to images of the UA’s Shelby Science and Engineering Complex, which, when completed, will provide over 900, 000 new square feet of space for the Sciences and Engineering at UA. These facilities will promote interdisciplinary cooperation and research. Auburn has a Shelby Complex as well, partially still under construction, but it will still be less than half the size of UA’s complex when the four phases of the latter’s construction are completed. This new complex will give UA the facilities to compete with any Engineering program in the nation. </p>

<p>[Google</a> Image Result for <a href=“http://www.hoarllc.com/Projects/Government/gov5_1.jpg[/url]”>http://www.hoarllc.com/Projects/Government/gov5_1.jpg](<a href=“http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.hoarllc.com/Projects/Government/gov5_1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.hoarllc.com/Projects/&usg=__W9L2W1g6ulK4KbVFud0LWJZF6XM=&h=420&w=530&sz=55&hl=en&start=6&sig2=vpNIN-AY52SjMuAC8BGwpQ&um=1&tbnid=5y5kfaOv6PrJBM:&tbnh=105&tbnw=132&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dscience%2Band%2Bengineering%2Bbuilding%2Buniversity%2Bof%2Balabama%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26rlz%3D1T4GFRE_enUS317US318%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1&ei=froCS7OoE8aFnAeI8LEz]Google”>http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.hoarllc.com/Projects/Government/gov5_1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.hoarllc.com/Projects/&usg=__W9L2W1g6ulK4KbVFud0LWJZF6XM=&h=420&w=530&sz=55&hl=en&start=6&sig2=vpNIN-AY52SjMuAC8BGwpQ&um=1&tbnid=5y5kfaOv6PrJBM:&tbnh=105&tbnw=132&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dscience%2Band%2Bengineering%2Bbuilding%2Buniversity%2Bof%2Balabama%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26rlz%3D1T4GFRE_enUS317US318%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1&ei=froCS7OoE8aFnAeI8LEz)</a></p>

<p><a href=“http://i171.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/albums/u282/jlauer95/UA%20pics/UAanotheraerialviewofShelbyandcompl.jpg[/url]”>http://i171.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/albums/u282/jlauer95/UA%20pics/UAanotheraerialviewofShelbyandcompl.jpg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>[Google</a> Image Result for <a href=“http://www.scup.org/asset/53405/01-U-of-A-Shelby-horizontal.jpg[/url]”>http://www.scup.org/asset/53405/01-U-of-A-Shelby-horizontal.jpg](<a href=“http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.scup.org/asset/53405/01-U-of-A-Shelby-horizontal.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.scup.org/page/membership/awards/2009/recipient/award4&usg=__rtVDqqJytjMvRANuVnKYTwc5Mkc=&h=609&w=1000&sz=733&hl=en&start=5&sig2=63pk3gh1AUldkfzbySnr_w&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=M9lMy1cHgU-oWM:&tbnh=91&tbnw=149&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dscience%2Band%2Bengineering%2Bbuilding%2Buniversity%2Bof%2Balabama%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26rlz%3D1T4GFRE_enUS317US318%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1&ei=xTEfS-rqBI21tgf8i5WeCg]Google”>http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.scup.org/asset/53405/01-U-of-A-Shelby-horizontal.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.scup.org/page/membership/awards/2009/recipient/award4&usg=__rtVDqqJytjMvRANuVnKYTwc5Mkc=&h=609&w=1000&sz=733&hl=en&start=5&sig2=63pk3gh1AUldkfzbySnr_w&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=M9lMy1cHgU-oWM:&tbnh=91&tbnw=149&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dscience%2Band%2Bengineering%2Bbuilding%2Buniversity%2Bof%2Balabama%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26rlz%3D1T4GFRE_enUS317US318%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1&ei=xTEfS-rqBI21tgf8i5WeCg)</a></p>

<p>[University</a> of Alabama Science and Engineering Complex Owner-Requested Study](<a href=“http://wadsarch.com/University%20of%20Alabama%20SEC.htm]University”>http://wadsarch.com/University%20of%20Alabama%20SEC.htm) (the second pic on this page is a sketchup of the Third Phase of the Science and Engineering Complex, which is currently in the early stages of construction, and will be completed by next fall. The Fourth and final phase, for which there is currently no rendering, will be completed by 2012-13. </p>

<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.whitakerandrawson.com/gallery.php?p_id=136&pt_id=2&p_ref=1]Portfolio”>http://www.whitakerandrawson.com/gallery.php?p_id=136&pt_id=2&p_ref=1]Portfolio</a> - Whitaker & Rawson, Inc.<a href=“additional%20renderings%20of%20the%20Phase%202%20and%20the%20Phase%203%20of%20the%20SEC”>/url</a></p>

6

<p>Also, my understanding is that Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Computer Science and now housed in Phase 2 of the SEC, and Aerospace, Mechanical, and Industrial will be housed in Phase 3. Materials Engineering will be housed in the Fourth Phase. Of course, UA already has the Bevill Building, which was completed in the nineties, and is a great facility for Engineering as well. But overall, these new facilities were much needed.</p>

7

<p>Where did you read that the two schools have the same endowment size? Actually, that is one of the big differences. UA has a significant edge there. It is one of the reasons it has been able to offer so many different scholarships. AU has improved on the gap, but the size differential is still there. As a UA alum, Im biased, and think my campus is better, but AU has a lovely campus as well. It has certainly become much more attractive in the last ten years. However, I think even most AU alumni would admit that UA has the prettier campus.</p>

8

<p>Bama has a LOT more money than Auburn. That is why Bama has been able to expand, build more dorms, etc.</p>

<p>*And if you are considering chemical engineering, our curriculum includes a mandatory summer course which is essentially an extra “semester” so be aware that this summer course is not covered by the UA NMF scholarship so you will have to pay out of pocket for it. *</p>

<p>My son, a Chem E major has been told that the summer program will not be required anymore. If that’s true, then that difference no longer exists.</p>

<p>Neither UA or AU NMF scholarship covers meals. The way it’s written above could be misunderstood. But, if you’re an engineering major, Bama does give you an extra $2500 per year. That goes a good way to cover meals.</p>

9

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<p>The matter is STILL being fought over, unfortunately.</p>

10

<p>sorry i mistakenly looked at an old endowment figure. alabama does have considerably more money now. tuition and housing is close to a full ride, and with the engineering scholarship that m2ck mentioned (for UA) it basically is. i think both schools will be great options but with the dorm shortages i have heard about at AU, alabama looks like a better option. thanks everyone</p>

11

<p>The impression I had in looking at the two NMF programs is that Auburn covers the full cost of a double room while Bama doesn’t cover housing. Am I mistaken? The website says the package includes “Value of tuition in-state or out-of-state for 4 years” and “4 years of on-campus housing at regular room rate.” Does that mean that the housing is provided or that the recipient is obliged to live on campus for four years at the regular rate in order to get the tuition grant?</p>

12

<p>UA will pay for on-campus housing in whatever room the student chooses, except that spaces in the 1or 2-person (instead of the standard 4-person) super-suite dorms have an extra charge as does the fee for summer housing if staying in the Bluffs. These might not be the only exceptions, but in general, the NMF scholarship pays for on-campus housing. If a student decides to move off-campus or into Greek Housing, then the scholarship will not cover the cost of that housing, but they will still get everything else.</p>

13

<p>*The impression I had in looking at the two NMF programs is that Auburn covers the full cost of a double room while Bama doesn’t cover housing. *</p>

<p>???</p>

<p>The NMF scholarship clearly covers housing. The only thing that isn’t clear is that Bama’s does cover honors housing in a 4 room super suite (which costs over $7000/yr). The scholarship doesn’t specifically give that dollar amount because it won’t give you a rebate if you choose less expensive housing. However, you must choose on campus housing or 3 room apt at The Bluff (if you want a 2 bedroom at The Bluff or a 2 bedroom super-suite, you must pay an upcharge).</p>

<p>Bama has the advantage that it actually can provide super suites housing for all 4 years for an NMF student if desired…unlike Auburn who can’t even begin to do that.</p>

<p>I’m not sure if Auburn’s NMF scholarship covers their super suites or if an upcharge is charged since super suites cost more than double rooms.</p>

14

<p>If you’re fond of cows then you’ll love auburn’s campus. If you want a beautiful, traditional college campus with a great layout then The Capstone is the place for you.</p>

<p>So to reiterate.</p>

<p>auburn = cows</p>

<p>The University of Alabama = Beauty, class, tradition, layout, and anything else a college campus should be. </p>

<p>This is my 100% unbiased opinion :-)</p>

15

<p>Bama also has the advantage of being in a good-sized city…about 100,000 people. So, more off-campus stuff…stores, restaurants, etc.</p>

16

<p>I spoke with Dr. Acoff a few weeks ago before school let out. She told me that the summer lab wasn’t going anywhere. She also said though that the CHE department is going to start “advertising” the summer lab more so that potential incoming students are aware that the NMF scholarships or any other UA full tuition scholarships do not cover the summer lab - the CHE curriculum essentially has 9 semester versus 8.</p>

17

<p>I don’t understand why scholarships don’t cover summer semesters. What about those with extra semesters left-over? Do they just forfeit them? There has to be some reason that UA doesn’t want scholarship money covering summer classes.</p>

18

<p>^^</p>

<p>I was told that a student could forfeit a semester of scholarship for a summer session, but that could mean that an engineering student could end up short. I don’t remember if NMF housing could also be forfeited for a semester…</p>

<p>*She also said though that the CHE department is going to start “advertising” the summer lab more so that potential incoming students are aware that the NMF scholarships or any other UA full tuition scholarships do not cover the summer lab - the CHE curriculum essentially has 9 semester versus 8. *</p>

<p>LOL…boy is she out of it. I’m not suggesting that Bama hide the fact, but that fact will be a reason for NMFs who are considering ChemE to choose Auburn. I will contact Dr. Judy Bonner and Dr. Witt about this because they already have concerns about anything that would cause a NMF to choose to go elsewhere. Dr. Bonner is against the ChemE summer program.</p>

19

<p>I don’t understand why should/would be. Is she an engineer?</p>

20

<p>feeno- let me clarify. The UA scholarships (at least the national merits, etc ) can be used to cover summer courses, but technically you only have 8 semesters worth of scholarship dollars. Now, for any curriculum 8 semesters is perfect. However, for some reason our beloved CHE department felt it was better to have this course during the summer and not work it into the senior year like most other schools. Therefore, UA Chemical Engineering students have 9 semesters instead of 8. </p>

<p>The housing portion of the NMF scholarships CANNOT be used during the summer. Only the tuition part. </p>

<p>And Dr. Acoff isn’t out of it - that is what any respectable and/or decent university should do. But Auburn CHE has some type of summer course they take as well so CHE students over there are probably in the same boat as us. </p>

<p>And I do not believe Dr. Bonner is an engineer, lol. She is probably just against it for administrative reasons.</p>