<p>I am a black, female high school senior (predicted valedictorian of my class), and I have finally narrowed my last two college choices down to Auburn University and the University of Alabama in Birmingham. I want to major in engineering, preferably computer software or electrical. If I go to Auburn, I can major in computer software engineering, but if I go to UAB, I will have to major in electrical engineering, with either a focus or minor in software engineering. From UAB, I would receive either 7,000 a year from their Golden Excellence scholarship or tuition for four years (when/if I receive their AP scholarship from passing my AP calculus exam in May). From Auburn, I would only receive $2,500 a year and [almost] tuition for four years from my PAC program, and I have also applied for extra scholarships. The main con of UAB is that I live 10 minutes away and feel that I wouldn't get the real "college experience' of moving away. Any help would be great! (I will answer any questions.)</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard, the UAB Birmingham AP thing covers a little bit more than tuition, but for calculations it’d probably be safer just to go from the Golden Excellence award alone. If you’re wanting to go with net costs for each school from that angle, you’re looking at a base of $13,401/year for UAB (assuming you want housing; if you don’t it’s only $3,931/year plus your food costs) and $24,048/year for Auburn (base housing estimates can be cut down about $3000/year depending on what you want). Keep in mind that with the new PACT revision (pending 2013) you could potentially end up with full tuition and fees at both schools with whatever scholarships you get to make up for the rest of your costs. You didn’t list any specific questions about the two schools in general, but it may be helpful to ask this on the Auburn forum.</p>