<p>“If you’ll consider Tulsa (in Oklahoma), there’s no reason not to consider Bama.” m2ck</p>
<p>Not sure what you mean here, m2ck. These are two very different schools. Tulsa is very small school in a medium size city, with a heavy emphasis on academics. I would say University of Oklahoma is more like Bama, a larger state school located in a college town. All three (Tulsa, OU and Bama) are excellent opportunities for NMFs.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>What I meant is this…</p>
<p>The student said that his parents were concerned about the LOCATION of the school (not size) as it pertains to JOBS. So, if the student’s parents are ok with going to school in Oklahoma, then going to school in Alabama shouldn’t be feared. </p>
<p>this wasn’t a discussion regarding size or public/private. It was a discussion about parental concerns. The parents think that the student needs to go to school in the NE or the West for job placement.</p>
<p>Well, true. Point well taken. I’m still looking, but leaning towards baylor/NE/Alabama. I’ve got time to decide. In terms of placement, Alabama sure isn’t bad. We were looking at Oklahoma based on advice of family friend who went, but re-evaluated based on other opinions, etc. So really it’s baylor NE and alabama.</p>
<p>CS at OU isn’t the best, or so it would seem based on discussion. Plus looking at their placement was sort of depressing.</p>
<p>In terms of placement, Alabama sure isn’t bad.</p>
<p>Gosh no. With Cummings Research Park, there are jobs, internships, co-ops, etc. And, if your goal is to work elsewhere, that happens as well. And, some opt to work in the state for a couple of years, get experience and wait for the economy to recover elsewhere…and then find jobs wherever they want to live.</p>
<p>The problem with the West coast (and maybe the NE) is that there are few jobs available there. My friend’s Columbia eng’g son (grad 09) FINALLY found a job in Calif…and it’s only part-time!!!</p>
<p>Meh… What type?</p>
<p>Do you have any thoughts on baylor/northeastern? I’m trying to objectively compare, but it is sort of tough…</p>
<p>Well, Tulsa/OU is very close to Dallas, and the state of Texas. Pretty good state for jobs lately. I have to admit though I am not that knowlegable about CS and best states for that. Does it really matter which state your college is in, as long as its a good college?</p>
<p>My son is NMSF and Northeastern is his top choice. He visited Boston and liked NEU more than BU or Tufts. What really intrigues him is the coop program. He also likes the campus and the location in Boston. He spent his whole life in suburban Houston and is definitely looking for a change of scenery! So in addition to the prospect of living in Boston, the idea of experiencing other cities for coops really appeals to him. Good luck!</p>
<p>Yeah. The thing with alabama, is after talking to two current students, and one graduate (two in Engineering, one pre-law Econ)</p>
<p>None of them really enjoyed their experience at Alabama.
Both Engineering majors regretted not going to a better program. One got subpar job in state. Other is currently going to grad school at UCR, and considers himself lucky.
Both felt like although there were resources being pushed at engineering that nobody really cared, and that even in the honors program things were highly impersonal.</p>
<p>The pre-law didn’t enjoy the experience, but will probably be admitted to a top law-school. The only good things he had to say is that the courses were easy, which allowed him to get a great GPA.</p>
<p>I’m trying to keep an open mind, but there are certainly many people who did not enjoy it, and although Alabama is a fine state, it isn’t exactly my first choice for a college atmosphere in terms of weather, football culture, etc.</p>
<p>Thanks bluetrav. May I ask what your son is going in under?</p>
<p>He applied to the business school. He’s eagerly awaiting his EA decision, which apparently should come in a week or two.</p>
<p>* The thing with alabama, is after talking to two current students, and one graduate (two in Engineering, one pre-law Econ)</p>
<p>None of them really enjoyed their experience at Alabama.
*</p>
<p>I find that very hard to believe. Something is not right…you say that 2 are current eng’g students and then you say that one got a sub-par job??? as a student? what? Sounds like either you’re confused or these are Auburn students pulling your leg. </p>
<p>Just the statement about the impersonal honors program is a “give away” that these aren’t really Bama students. Bama has a very personal honors program. </p>
<p>Bama STEM grads are not being offered “sub-par jobs”…that is ridiculous. My H is a hiring eng’g manager here. The Bama grads are paid the same as the Georgia Tech grads. </p>
<p>If you want real opinions, then visit the Bama forum here on CC
[University</a> of Alabama - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-alabama/]University”>University of Alabama - College Confidential Forums)</p>
<p>You will find plenty of Bama eng’g or other STEM majors who love the school, their programs, etc. </p>
<p>My younger son is a ChemE major at Bama and loves it. My older son (math major) graduated last May and is now in a PhD program at a Top 20 school.</p>
<p>Well, I misspoke. Not current students. “recently graduated students”</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>Well, I think these kids “misspoke” and aren’t really from Bama.</p>
<p>My D is a freshman at UA majoring in Biology and is loving it. D has met tons of people, is in multiple clubs, will be doing research in a lab next semester and just found out she got an internship with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Undergraduate Research program for the summer. Opportunities are there. D has yet to second guess her decision and I doubt that she will. </p>
<p>We are from South Texas and D has friends who have/or are attending Baylor. While Baylor is a good school, religion plays a part in virtually everything so be prepared for that.</p>
<p>The University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa is a large university with a smaller Honors Program which is in essence “a college within a college”. The Honors College Program’s are a very personalized experience. My son is in his second year and is known by faculty and staff by first name. They really get to know you, and follow your university career (this is great when you need LOR’s).</p>
<p>The STEM classes are NOT easy. You will be challenged and you will be competing with many of the nation’s best and brightest (The 2011 freshmen class was over 51% OOS). There are several specialized Honors Programs within the university which require an application, high stats and an interview. These programs are highly selective.</p>
<p>As an NMF you will be offered an unprecedented scholarship package when compared to many colleges, add engineering as your major, and you will receive additional money. The Honors housing is outstanding (suite style) with individual bedrooms and only two to a bathroom. The campus is beautiful and the weather is very mild most of the year. Sound good? Go to the website and investigate the university and if possible visit. We can supply you with all the info for a very personalized and specific tour.</p>
<p>As m2ck mentioned, come on over to UA’s forum. There really is such a thing as “Southern Hospitality”.</p>
<p>You definitely want to keep your options for Grad School open, so save your money and graduate from undergrad with no debt. UA’s Law School has a very good reputation.</p>
<p>They are definitely at alabama/alabama alumni. My career counselor actually looked up the last 3, and only 3 people to attend alabama from my school in the last few years. All 3 for NMF</p>
<p>I think a lot of it on their end is just frustration, all got into really high tier schools, and feel like it would have turned out better there. But still, it’s something to keep in mind.</p>
<p>Yeah… baylor is indeed quite religious, and waco sucks. The two negative aspects.</p>
<p>It is one thing to promote UA. But to say that people I talked to obviously were at Auburn because they didn’t like it is fairly propagandist.</p>
<p>I know wages vary by region but placement out of UCs is 15k more per year, placement for grad school is better, and the number of people who say they would return is significantly higher.</p>
<p>“I’m trying to keep an open mind, but there are certainly many people who did not enjoy it, and although Alabama is a fine state, it isn’t exactly my first choice for a college atmosphere in terms of weather, football culture, etc.”</p>
<p>OP, do you need to consider only U’s that offer full tuition NM scholarships? USC is right around the corner from you and as a NMF you would be awarded a 1/2 tuition scholarship. There are over 250 NM finalists in the class of 2014 at USC- only Harvard and the U of Chicago enroll more NMFs. USC also has one of the most generous FA programs of any U- over $225 million in Financial aid alone was given to UG’s last year alone, [60% of all entering students]. And you will find that you can go anywhere from USC- my DS was a NMF at USC and is now at CalTech doing his Phd , 2 of his room mates are now at MIT[ Phd in EE ] and at Oxford [ Computational Neuroscience], and the Val at USC has a full ride at Harvard Medical School.</p>
<p>I have applied. It is certainly also on the radar. Financially it’s still not the best, but I’m actually currently trying to figure out whether the money would be best allocated at USC, a full tuition, or full ride school in terms of graduate studies.</p>
<p>"at USC, a full tuition. "
Honey, If you are a NMF AND are accepted at USC, you WILL get an automatic 1/2 tuition scholarship! All you have to do, if you decide to go to USC, is notify NMSF that USC is your first choice before their Mid May deadline.
What are your grad school plans? If they are for a Phd you wont have to pay. For Med or law or business, you would be paying. Given the glut of lawyers these days, you might want to reconsider that option unless you can get into one of the very top rated law schools, as much of the legal grunt work that associates were hired for is now being outsourced around the world. And it probably would probably be easier to get into a top law school if you are coming from a top UG Univ. .</p>
<p>Won’t have to pay for PhD?</p>
<p>Really at this point after extensive research it’s USC vs Northeastern vs UC</p>
<p>UG universities don’t matter much for law, just GPA/LSAT, although that’s really not a very good career path, to be realistic.</p>
<p>*Won’t have to pay for PhD?</p>
<p>*</p>
<p>Often not.</p>
<p>Son is working on his PhD…full tuition plus stipend… so free.</p>