It’s down to these two schools. D prefers Auburn, and I prefer Auburn for her. We are OOS, but costs with scholarship are comparable to our in-state choices which is what we’ve planned for. It’s just so hard to say no to that Presidential scholarship from Bama!
Has anyone here made that choice? How?!
You are asking in the Auburn forum. Ask the question in the Alabama forum as well for a balanced set of answers. Both great schools. Good luck.
Yes, we made that choice. Son chose Auburn and we funded the difference. It was difficult for us as parents but the fit at Auburn was/is so right and he got his preferred dorm (Quad).
What is she planning to study? That may make the difference - for technical programs like engineering, architecture, etc. Auburn really is the better choice. Alabama has the edge on liberal arts. Both have tons of school spirit. Auburn is a little smaller.
If you prefer Auburn, and she prefers Auburn, then go to Auburn if y’all can afford it. At the end of the day, you want to go to a school where you have the opportunity to thrive and are comfortable with your campus, your classmates, and your professors. But, if she likes 'Bama just as much as AU and they offer a good degree for her, then go to Alabama. I can definitely understand the financial gain from a scholarship.
…And from my personal opinion, I visited both campuses and Auburn’s seemed more lively and upbeat. Alabama, despite its beautifully designed buildings, was gray and brown and Tuscaloosa was full of car dealerships 
@vamominvabeach She is planning to start in pre Interior Design. This seems to be a very highly regarded program at Auburn – apparently more highly ‘ranked’ than the program at Alabama. She was originally planning on a different major, but a lengthy senior project made her realize that she didn’t really care for that subject as much as she thought. Because of that she decided to look into other options at both schools. She is very intrigued by what she reads about the topic of interior design and the classes involved, but whether the reality of the major will be a fit is yet to be determined! However the strict progression of classes in Interior Design makes it the logical choice to start. I’m a little concerned by how labor-intensive this major is reported to be. And the program at Auburn is restricted and requires application after freshman year, while the program at Alabama is unrestricted.
@threeofthree That’s really the thing for us. The ‘fit’ at Auburn just seems so right. We visited a lot of college campuses, and Auburn is kind of exactly what it turns out she was looking for. We have been to both of these schools three times and each visit has caused her to fall more in love with Auburn. She loved the idea of Alabama, and loved the first time we visited – during the summer when there were no students. Oddly, when we have visited while school was in session, she just feels a different vibe. Has your son continued to feel that Auburn was the right fit?
@trailblazer11 Thanks for the input! D just loves the Auburn campus. I also prefer it between the two. H prefers the Alabama campus – he just loves how really new and shiny so much of the campus feels. I think that they’re both beautiful in different ways. It’s just so hard to make the decision to pay more!
Yes my son still really loves the school - it continues to be what both his dad and I wanted for him - that environment and experience you want for your kids where they are thriving.
I don’t know how to explain it any better than saying it is just a happy campus, people are nice and most people find their niche groups to belong.
This may be the same at UA but there just seemed to be a different feeling walking around campus at Auburn that made him feel this was where he was supposed to be,
I was an interior design major back when there were two different interiors programs at Auburn. My degree is from the College of Architecture, Design, and Construction. I have a Bach of Interior Design, then a 4 year degree. It is now a Bach of Interior Architecture and is a 5 year professional architecture degree with a focus on interiors. This is very different than the other interior design program at Auburn, which I believe is in the School of Human Sciences. And yes, these two programs at Auburn are very highly ranked and I would recommend either one over the program at Alabama. I am not just saying that as a an Auburn graduate, but as a practitioner in the Architecture and Interior Design community for over 20 years. The Auburn programs are very highly regarded nationally, especially the interior architecture program.
Yes, interior design (and architecture) is very rigorous and time consuming. It takes serious dedication, talent, and intestinal fortitude to make it through the program. I’m not going to lie, it’s hard and sacrifices will have to be made, especially of time. That said, I was a sorority member, member of other organizations, still had fun, went to parties and ball games - you just have to know the value of getting out of the studio and allow yourself to do that. You can easily get sucked into the idea that you have to spend every waking moment in the studio, but if you learn to manage your time well and remind yourself it’s ok to have fun too, you’ll do fine.
I often felt I could not please my professors, being the more pragmatic student I was. A friend told me that the saying was, those that make the A’s and B’s in architecture school would be working for those that made the C’s. This actually turned out to be quite true!
I think selecting a college is similar to trying on shoes. My son’s experience was that he was certain junior year of high school that Vanderbilt was his top choice. He loved everything he read online and their colorful brochures were stunning. So, we decided to travel to Nashville from our home in Florida. Not keen on driving straight through, we decided to stop in Auburn for the night and figured we would take the tour while we were there. Every moment of the tour and every person we met was genuinely kind and thoughtful. They listened to what he wanted in a college, told him about Auburn, but also encouraged the grander search. As we traveled north, he was sure Vandy would be even better. Boy, was he wrong. We finished the tour and he decided to cancel his one on one with a student there. He said, “It’s just not Auburn!” Both great schools. Auburn fit him perfectly! He is now finishing his freshman year, and has exceeded expectations. His advisers both in the engineering and honors colleges have guided him on a path that suits him. He is making fantastic academic relationships and friends. He has been able to continue his passion for community service, and is nearly bilingual after never considering minoring in a foreign language to complement his engineering studies after high school until he came to Auburn. I can’t imagine him anywhere else. My advice? Take your D back to accepted students weekends at both schools. Have her meet and sit down with other students. And, let her decide which shoe fits! 
@Tbosmom , just popped back onto CC after the hectic decision month of April. My son grew up an Auburn fan, but we wanted to expose him to a variety of good to great engineering schools in the SE. His heart led him back to AU, even though him Mom and Dad wanted him to go with the best financial deal elsewhere. He was willing to sacrifice, along with us, to make Auburn happen. He may run into your son as he will also be in the COE and Honors College. So glad your son discovered Auburn. I’m and alum and my husband has adopted AU with wide open arms.
@threeofthree , how did your S find out he got the housing he wanted? I received a postcard that said housing assignments won’t be released until May 16. My S’s priority date is Dec 2.
I’m trying to remember - he was also in the Honors College and selected a specific dorm in the Upper Quad. It was very early, October I believe, so we were pretty certain he would receive the Quad just not the specific dorm. I just found his email and scanned copy of housing confirmation. He applied and paid on 10/25/12, confirmation email he had on-campus housing reserved for him on 10/26/12 and a letter mailed to him dated 5/21/13 confirming the he was in his selected dorm - took a while.
Oh yes, I do remember we called housing as well when we received the confirmation on housing if he would be in the Quad and they confirmed he would be in the Quad, and most likely he would get his preferred dorm as well since his application was so early.
@WeSayWarEagle, Love your username, BTW! We are a many generation Gator family, and we too now say, “War Eagle”! I am driving up there tomorrow to help S move out of Teague in the Upper Quad. If you have a choice, he was extremely happy with this dorm location. But, he has also made friends with kids on the Hill and both choices have their perks for sure. The honors coursework is very challenging, but he has found the small class sizes to be beneficial. He learned about Supplemental Instruction for the “weed out” courses like Engineering Physics and Chemistry, and it has been extremely helpful to him. Camp War Eagle for parents was quite informative. My favorite take away was the advice that when he calls home or texts with a question, our answer should always be, “What’s your plan?” As a result of this simple advice, he has matured so much in the past year! We couldn’t be happier. Feel free to PM me if I can help answer any questions you may have. And, “Welcome” back to Auburn! War Eagle!
@Tbosmom, glad you like my username. We are definitely and “All In” Auburn family. Thanks for the great insight regarding Honors. Did your son go to an IB program in High School? Curious to hear about kids who went IB route and their impression of rigor of Honors in comparison. We asked about Honors on every school tour and there was a pattern of responses that was totally dependent on if the student his or herself was an Honors student. Non-H… they all say courses are much harder. All the Honors students emphasized the small classes, more interesting, better professors, privileges, and freedom to create their own special study program as a Jr or Sr. My son is really hoping for the Village, but Quad is #2. He’ll be off campus 2017-18 since the housing is ridiculous $$$$. Since you offered, you may hear from me via PM. So glad you folks allowed your S to attend AU. I grew up in FL, so could’ve easily become a Gator. Excellent school, surprised AU reeled your S in. How’d that happen?
@WeSayWarEagle - sorry to jump in on your conversation but my son did get his IB Diploma and thinks college is easier only because you have more control of your schedule. My son also did Honors Freshman & Sophomore year and the symposium classes were A classes if you’re used to IB reading, analysis, and discussion - however the honors calc 1 he thought he could make an A (5 on AP exam) in he ended up with a C he believes because of the professor - they really do matter.
You son will do fine in honors just chedule extra curriculars carefully and ask around about Profs and/or check Rate My Professor - my son has found it to be fairly accurate.
You’ll Love this place. War Eagle!
Great advice @threeofthree, even back in “the old days”, who you got as a prof for math mattered greatly. The Rate My Professor info is a keeper. Appreciate the insight from everyone in this forum.