<p>1st of all, thanks to Momof2collegekids for all the great info here. I think this might be the most informative college specific thread here on CC :)</p>
<p>Any feedback on the Blount Undergraduate Initiative? DD is accepted at UA and will be in UHP & IHP; she’s applying for Fellows. She’s gotten the packet for Blount and is intrigued but… really likes the regular honors housing and for Blount, you have to share a traditional dorm room (although they are new…it’s just the typical 2 to a room set up as opposed to the individual bedroom set up of the honors quad rooms.)</p>
<p>We’re going down for an honors day next week, and would love to have some insider info on Blount. She’s getting close to being app’d out, but she doesn’t want to close the door on something.</p>
<p>Neither of my kids are in BUI, but this is their take …</p>
<p>BUI is largely a Liberal Arts group, a little on the granola side. If that’s your bag, then awesome Some might have a different “take” on BUI, so please advise :)</p>
<p>My kids are Math and Chem Engineering/Bio majors, so BUI didn’t appeal to them. They’re enjoying the honors programs in the Honors College.</p>
<p>My own thought is this…a child who qualifies for Honors, should be in Honors housing if affordable. The private rooms are much better for studying and “getting away” from suitemates when quiet or sleep is desired.</p>
<p>Hello RobD, and thanks for your interest in the Blount Program. I am currently an undergrad at UA and I am in Blount as well. I am also in IHP and UHP. Because the Blount Program is designed for the College of Arts and Sciences, it is obviously going to be a Liberal Arts Program. Momof2collegekids’s kid that is an engineering major could not be in the Blount Program anyway; you must have a major that is within the College of Arts and Sciences.</p>
<p>Now about the program: we do learn a lot under the sciences and the humanities. It is designed to make you choose what you believe and to have you question all that you have been taught before. It really makes you use and improve your critical thinking skills. The program actually goes hand in hand with the honors college; in fact many of students who are in Blount are in honors as well (like me!). The whole point of this program is not to just feed the student information. It helps the student weave everything together into something that can be applied to real-world situations. Overall, the Blount Program and minor is a very good one. Another big thing is that some of your classes are in your dorm, so only have to walk to the first floor to go to class. I’m currently taking 17 hours and I only have to walk to 3 out of 5 classes.</p>
<p>Housing is another story. The rooms are not that bad, and are not that expensive. They are suite-style. You share a room with one person, and you and your roommate will share a bathroom with two other people, all of the same gender. The whole building is co-ed, as most are at UA now, but you will not share a room or bathroom with anyone of the opposite sex. You only have to live at Blount for the first year, so if your child doesn’t like this style of dorm then they can move to honors dorms the next year. Many Blount students do this.</p>
<p>Honors housing is nice, but expensive, so please consider cost when choosing dorms (that’s part of what made me choose Blount). Oh, and don’t be afraid of the December 1st deadline for applying for Blount. We rarely take in the max 180 students. I didn’t even turn in my application until February, and I was able to get an interview and become a part of the program just fine. </p>
<p>I hope I help and explained anything that you had questions about! I would definitely take a tour of Blount whenever you come; they can answer any questions you may have.</p>
<p>Thanks for the “real life” info about BUI It’s great to hear from an “insider” :)</p>
<p>Paprika Quote: * You only have to live at Blount for the first year, so if your child doesn’t like this style of dorm then they can move to honors dorms the next year. Many Blount students do this.
*</p>
<p>Students who don’t start in Honors housing are not allowed to move to honors housing later. Perhaps these kids are moving to non-honors suites buildings.</p>
<p>**Can I move into honors housing after my freshman year?</p>
<p>According to current HRC policy, only current residents and incoming freshmen in the Honors College can select a space in honors housing. Please keep that in mind as you select your housing for your freshman year.**</p>
<p>I don’t know if that rule for housing is new for next year or not, but it apparently applies for any dorm that a student may qualify for. Knowing UA, I’m sure there would be a way around this rule, especially since BUI requires that students live in Blount the first year. The dorm itself is nice, but not as much as the honors dorms, IMHO. You do not have to be in honors to be in Blount, though many are. Have your D apply and decide from there. Note that will require a lot of reading, but everyone in Blount (pronounced Blunt) seems to love the program.</p>
<p>I’m not in BUI, but I know many that are in the program. BUI is not for everyone. Some people I know love it, and others despise it. Check out the sample syllabus.</p>
<p>There’s also the Mallet Assembly, but I don’t think that someone applying for BUI would normally like Mallet. So in reality, we have 3 different honor programs with housing, the Honors College, Blount, and Mallet. Once again, I suggest she facebooks BUI, but it looks like their page is restricted to the Alabama network (which you can join with a crimson e-mail address).</p>
<p>PaprikaSmile: thanks for your description of BUI. DD is planning on being a History major so that could work for her, but as of now she is putting off the BUI app. I see that they talk about BUI at the Capstone Scholars Day, and it sounds like if it appeals to her at that point, she might still have a chance to apply. </p>
<p>SeaTide: your post is the first I’ve heard about Mallet. What is that exactly?
Thanks!</p>
<p>From the website that explains almost anything, [Mallet</a> Assembly - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mallet_Assembly]Mallet”>Mallet Assembly - Wikipedia) . There is a certain type of person who chooses to be in Mallet. For the homecoming parade, they had a detailed Star Wars theme for their group. I know a couple people in it who like it, but it is an interesting organization to say the least. I just thought I’d mention it in case somebody sees it mentioned and wonders what it is. After freshman year, UA has other honor programs, different types of student ambassadors, and at least one invitation only institute. Just because one doesn’t join CBHP, UFE, BUI, or Mallet doesn’t mean that there are not plenty of other opportunities.</p>
<p>Based on some quick research, the Emerging Scholars program was established in 2008 to provide research opportunities for freshmen from underrepresented groups. It is one of the many things headed by Dr. Sharpe as he is the contact for the program (there is no website). So if you are a URM, low income, and/or first generation, it might pay to contact Dr. Sharpe.</p>
<p>That is very good news. There are a couple of kids that I know that could use this info. I wonder if there is any extra scholarship $$ available for kids like worriedstudent?</p>
<p>My son sent in his application for the Blount Initiative on the Dec. 1 deadline. Does anyone have any idea when he might get feedback? He has not heard anything - on the website it said call in ten days if you have not heard regarding receipt of the application. He will do that Monday. He had an opportunity to visit UofA in November and familiarize himself with the program - something he really wants. He is a philosphy and political science major. Does anyone know what percent of applicants are invited for the interview and/or how the applications are judged. Thanks for any insights.</p>
<p>I assumed he would call Ms. Montgomery (I think) in the office. That has been his previous contact. Know she received it because he sent it with a delivery confirmation. State are 30 on ACT, 1230 SAT (700 CR and guess they would be more interested than in the 530 in math). Made 12 on writing part of SAT. Grade point only 3.4 (weighted) but has dual language including 4 years of Latin and AP courses. Nothing on Crimson e-mail. The essays were excellent, but not at all sure about the other part of the application -making paper his own. Very worried about the 3.4 since it is not good enough for guaranteed scholarships so concerned Blount is looking for higher. We discussed that on another thread. Thanks so much!!</p>
<p>I am a rising sophomore in Blount right now! If any of you have questions, feel free to ask!
Also, I have made a Facebook group- Blount Class of 2014 - for you upcoming freshman, please join! It’s an excellent way to find roommates and make friends before coming!</p>
Some might have a different “take” on BUI, so please advise :)</p>