Back From University Days

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Alabama
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<p>DD and I got back yesterday from UA and University Day. We were hoping to get a lot of info, see a lot of things and have great weather (was rainy and windy both days). We got two out of three! </p>

<p>We flew in early Thursday afternoon and checked into our hotel and headed to campus. We had a meeting schedule with Dr. Sharpe and with the cold weather and rain, we got to Nott Hall about a half hour early. We checked in with Dr. Sharpe’s Admin Asst (I think her name was Susan Haynes) who was extremely nice and gave us some information about the Honors College. There was another gentlemen in the room so we were prepared just to check in and then wait out in the hallway. Turns out, the gentleman waiting to see Dr. Sharpe was Dr Halli! He came over and introduced himself so DD had a great conversation with him. While we are all talking, Jami Gates happened to pop in also. She introduced herself and chatted a bit with us. </p>

<p>Dr. Sharpe finished up his meeting and we got a chance to talk to him one on one. DD did a great job of listening to him and then asking questions. I once thought my DD was shy. I was wrong!! As the meeting was winding down, we were prepared to say our thanks and head out but Dr. Sharpe said he was instructed to take us over to meet with Jami. We met with Jami and she went a lot deeper into the Honor’s programs. Jami also went out and brought in a current CBHP student who was able to give DD a student’s overview of the program. As we were finishing up, Jami arranged for another current CBHP student to give us a tour of the computer lab. </p>

<p>After we said our thanks and were walking out, we ran into Dr. Halli again and talked with him for another 15 minutes. What a great guy! He told us that he had recently retired and they asked him to come back and assist with recruiting for the Honors College. As we were talking to him, at least three students walked by and greeted him and he knew each of them by name! </p>

<p>DD commented later that she could not get over the fact that everyone we ran into and talked to was so nice. Needless to say, UA immediately jumped to #1 on her list.</p>

<p>University Day was just OK. We did find out some things we did not know but overall, DD was not impressed with the day. We started out in the Ferg for the Welcome and explanation of the day’s events. We went to the College of Arts and Sciences overview first (kinda bland) and then we went to the second College of Arts and Sciences overview with Paul Leblanc of the Biology Dept and Chris Hutt (director of health professions). DD enjoyed their discussion. </p>

<p>After that, we headed to the stadium for a tour and lunch. Stadium is awesome looking and lunch was boxed from McAllister’s Deli. After that, we headed back to the Ferg for an Admissions and Scholarship overview. Should have taken a pass on that. It was review for us. So we headed to the University store so DD could get some UA stuff and then walked over to Ridgecrest East to view the suites. DD was very impressed. After that, we walked over to Shelby. Wow is all I can say. It was pretty awesome looking. </p>

<p>We were going to take the walking tour but were too tired. Plus it had started raining again and was breezy. DD still had a little bronchitis so we called it a day. </p>

<p>Overall, DD was very impressed with the Honors College and especially the people. She said she thought she would fit in with them because they are a lot like her. We felt we got bonuses on Thursday by meeting Dr. Halli and Jami Gates (and the two CBHP students). DD said UA will be hard to beat.</p>

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<p>shamrockdad, glad you had a good visit!! out of curiosity… seems they spent a fair amount of time discussing cbhp…is you daughter a finalist already?</p>

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<p>No. She is a Junior right now and has an interest in CBHP and Fellows. I guess we were fortunate to be in the right place at the right time!</p>

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<p>we’ll all have to cross our fingers for your d for next year!! good luck with this whole process. some of it is wonderful and affirming, while at other times your heart breaks for their disappointment, your stomach churns while waiting for results, and you begin to wonder if perhaps you have become obsessive as you continue to click refresh on email accounts LOL</p>

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<p>Glad you had a good visit! </p>

<p>Sorry the weather didn’t cooperate. It seems like the Miami and the Super Bowl is the only place that’s having awesome weather this weekend. LOL</p>

<p>What state are you from?</p>

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<p>We are from Texas.</p>

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<p>Great!</p>

<p>Is she a likely NMSF?</p>

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<p>Unfortunately no. She will be commended. Had the proverbial bad day on PSAT day.</p>

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<p>shamrock if she is a stong student, utdallas has the mcdermott scholarship which is incredible, with full tuition, room board and an incredible study abroad allowance!. ut dallas actually has a reputation as a commuter school but with the new dorms, and dining halls i think that will change. its stats are among the highest for texas. the apartment dorms are incredible, havent seen the suite style dorms but they are brand new (after 1st year you can have a pet in apt too!!) and the mcdermott scholarship personnel are really wonderful. it does not have that traditional college feel of old buildings etc rather a more modern feel with alot of new buildings. but the opportunities for great students to do research and study abroad are great</p>

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<p>know what you mean about bad psat day!! son developed severe ear infection the day before his psat, was on mega antibiotics and pain pills that morning. based on his sophomore scores he had a good shot at it.</p>

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<p>We had hopes but right after she took it, she knew. She has a good ACT score (33) and we have been led to believe she is ranked very high at her school (we think she is in the top three at worst) so at least at UA, there is four years of tuition to start. She looked at UT Dallas but was not too impressed by it.</p>

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<p>Yeah for free tuition!!! </p>

<p>That’s enough to make most parents super happy! LOL</p>

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<p>ShamrockDad: we had the same type of introduction to UA when D was a junior. Jami Gates spent a good amount of time with us & we also met Fran O’Neill. We couldn’t get over how welcoming they were to D and how happy they seemed to have her there. You’re right…it is tough for other schools to measure up to that type of first impression!</p>

<p>Rhodes came close as well as Birmingham Southern, but they just can’t give that “big” college experience than a public research university can. Good luck with your D’s journey!</p>

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<p>That definately is a plus. My wife still does not believe it is true! We think that with outside scholarships, we can make UA almost cost free.</p>