<p>catdaddy – DS was accepted at UNC, too, but Bama won hands down. Hard to argue with “FREE” (or nearly free, at least). </p>
<p>Plus, the more I learn, the more I think there are more opportunities at Bama. I know that sounds weird, given UNC’s prestige and all, but NC’s current budget crisis is definitely having its impact on our UNC-system schools. (E.g., UNC just cut its Slavic Studies graduate department. I know that doesn’t sound so horrible, but…from the POV of my Byzantinist husband, Slavic Studies is not all that obscure! I think one would be hard put to name another top-30 university that doesn’t offer a doctorate in Russian History or Russian Language & Literature.)</p>
<p>In contrast, Bama seems to be on the upsurge – building new cutting-edge science facilities, expanding (rather than contracting) programs, and so on. I get the sense that the Bama atmosphere is positive, optimistic, buoyant. The same is not so true here in NC. From my limited observation, anyway. :)</p>
<p>Plus, Bama’s generous merit aid (based on stats, not on subjective criteria) gave DS the impression that they really wanted him. It’s great to feel wanted! </p>
<p>Several UNC advocates have PMd me to argue UNC’s adacemic superiority over Bama. I appreciated their concern and paid attention to their advice…but, in the end, I think they were leaving one large variable out of the equation: the Bama Honors College. UNC’s median SATs are around 1300. Bama’s Honors College SATs average around 1330. I know that’s apples and oranges, because it’s UNC in toto versus just one part of Bama. But OTOH the Honors College is “a college within a college,” very tight-knit, with its own dorms and courses. (There’s nothing comparable at UNC, unless you count the Cobb dorm. There’s an Honors Program, not an Honors College – big difference.) Moreover, Bama’s CBHP program has an average SAT composite of 1485 – higher than that of many Ivies! My son is not in this program (we didn’t even know about it at application time), but he’s in a dorm complex (Riverside) that has a lot of CBHPers, from what I’m told. Maybe some of their brilliance will rub off on him, LOL!</p>
<p>Are you in NC, BTW? Did UNC give your child merit aid? (I do confess that the fact DS didn’t get merit aid from UNC heavily – nay, decisively – influenced his ultimate choice. It also left a rather sour taste in our mouths. But YMMV.)</p>
<p>Oh, one more thing. I’ve heard from many sources that the UNC dorms are nothing to write home about (unless you want to write home to complain, LOL). Whereas Bama’s Honors College dorms are nicer than my house. 
(Just kidding, although we do have a very average [NON-luxury] house…but these dorms are amazing. Almost makes me want to go back to school. Well, almost. ;)</p>
but ordered a mens small sweatshirt for my DD. Had to pay shipping as not available in stores near us. Still a deal!</p>
But I forgot to add “Roll Tide.” :D)</p>