Yes, I saw that discussion - but I didn’t see the OP participating in it or that they even commented on it. Also, earlier in the thread, I saw him/her admit that they really want to attend UA and that they see Wisconsin as being “safer.” While the OP should most definitely consider which school suits them academically, the school atmosphere is just as important.
Be that as it may, Wisconsin won’t be a “safer” option if he is not admitted.
And there are many on this forum who would disagree with your statement that “the school atmosphere is just as important.” Particularly those with experience in academia, the strengths of the academics will often take priority as the most important measure when comparing schools. Then the atmosphere and other campus / town / extra-curricular activities. Thus it will be recommended that one compare schools that offer relatively similar qualities of academic experience, and then secondly, to choose the better fit from those (assuming the candidate is admitted, and they can afford the respective options).
This is not to say Alabama does not offer a solid education with a good honors program – it does. However, those things iterated previously are meaningful distinctions that provide qualitative differences in educational depth and opportunities. That is why organizations such as the AAU exist – it is not a frivolous distinction.
That’s fine, we all have different opinions. All I know is, there are tons of kids who have decided on a college, only to transfer later because the school’s/city’s atmosphere (e.g., similar to how people were calling UA conservative) just wasn’t right for them.
Again, I agree with you - the OP should consider which school will cater to his/her academic needs. If that’s Wisconsin, then fine; if that’s UA, fine. I just hope that they choose which is best for them, whether that decision comes down to academics, atmosphere, or something else altogether.
Good luck OP!
@asbks123 not really. Sure there are many church goers but doesn’t mean that the school is conservative.
OP, the school is populated more than 50% of OUT OF STATE students from 40+ states, so you won’t find much of conservative or liberal atmosphere. In fact, the city is less conservative than the state as a whole.
Plus, the school has 34k undergrad, which is quite a lot! People of any types can find their friends in UA.
I never said I wanted a conservative cocoon. I just said that in the original post because it is a good indicator of what kind of person I am and that would factor into the school atmosphere part of the debate. Both atmospheres would suit me well. I am used to Wisconsin weather and people; I would fit in there. I also think I would fit in at Bama. I would gain more academically from Madison because the academics are stronger, but I would also gain a lot from the experience of going out of state to a different region. It’s a tough decision.i should not have a problem getting in to Madison though. It’s true that I’m not guaranteed admission with my current stats, but I would most likely get in. I am taking the ACT again in June. If there are any questions I forgot to answer, let me know. Thanks for the input everyone!
You are welcome, and you sound like you’re going to think through your decision carefully. My questions would be whether your 3.9 GPA is unweighted right now, and what your potential goals are post-graduation. That may make a difference.
Apply to both, to UMNTC as well. It’s always better to have a choice - you may have a change of heart or of direction in Aprils 2016, keep as many doors open as you can.
Looks like a win win situation. If you want to be closer to home pick Wisconsin, if you want to go away pick Alabama. You might like Arkansas as well.
Alabama is very generous with AP credits, so if you are bringing in a lot of those, you might get sophomore status right off the bat. Also I believe the full tuition scholarship can be used for grad school study at UA if you didn’t use all 4 years of the scholarship.
3.9 is unweighted and I don’t have any specific goals after college
If you’re conservative, why are you looking at state schools? Typically, conservatives dislike socialism.
I would go with Wisconsin over Bama at equal cost. Take the cheapest option otherwise.
With his excellent grades, maybe he is more intelligent than your proposed, typical conservative, and feels that both Wisconsin and Alabama can offer him some great things for an affordable price. Typically private schools of similar caliber can be much more expensive, unless one is awarded major financial aid – in which case, I would agree that it is worth investigating, if he feels there are appropriate matches out there. Being fiscally conservative can certainly account for seeking the highest value, at the lowest price, for a quality education.
OP, thanks for the answers. I would second the advice to apply to both, or all three, or even more, and then feel it out as the decisions get closer.
I agree with suggestions to look at schools other than Wisconsin and Alabama. Try to apply to at least five or six colleges (and ten is not excessive). You might be surprised how quickly your options narrow when applying to fewer than that.
Down south, you might take a look at 'Bama’s rival Auburn, which is often ranked as one of the most conservative schools in the country. It is also less preppy than 'Bama. On the other hand, it typically does not offer as much merit aid.
Another rather conservative school in the south is Berry College in Georgia. You can minor in business, but not major. Although a small student body (about 2,200), it has over 25,000 acres of land which is reputed to be the most acreage of any school in the country. For comparison, U.Wisconsin is less than 1,000 acres. It is a private school, but the truth is that many private schools end up costing as little as state schools. I do recommend that you find at least one private college that you like and apply to it. It might work out.
I agree with @NROTCgrad. Depending on your family’s EFC (run the net price calculators!!!), you might be eligible for significant financial aid that makes a private school more affordable that Wisconsin or Bama, and there are other publics that offer good merit aid, as well (OU, Ole Miss). Choice is good!
Thanks for the advice everyone! I’ll check out some private schools.
Just an update in case anyone was curious. I recently took the ACT again and got a 32 so I am taking a full tuition scholarship at Bama next fall. I appreciate everyone’s input and interest. Thank you and Roll Tide!
Congratulation!
Thank you!