Hi everyone! I am a senior from Indiana and I am deciding between Indiana University and The University of Alabama. I got an automatic scholarship to UA for out-of-state students that makes it pretty close in price (not including travel costs to and from school). I have visited both schools and I love them both. I plan on majoring in Marketing if I attend IU and Public Relations if I attend UA. I am definitely more interested in Public Relations than Marketing, but I was admitted to the Kelley School of Business direct admit and thatās tough to pass up! I could also switch majors at IU if I really donāt enjoy it. At Bama, I love the dorms, the weather, the school, and the Greek life! I was also admitted to the Honors College at UA. However I live very far away and I probably will not know anyone. I would definitely be more comfortable at IU initially because a ton of people from my high school go there, but I also like the idea of being able to see and experience a new place and people. Both schools check my boxes and it is difficult to choose which one. I just need help on whether I should go 9 Ā½ hours away from home (2 hr plane ride) and not know anyone or stay close and stick to the Midwest and attend with some people I have known my entire life. Would anyone be able to help? I would really appreciate it!
Kelley will give you more options.
If the price is near the same, then you can pick either for whatever reason you like. UA has a majority of students from out of state. I wouldnāt worry about not knowing anyone at first. Even at IU, almost all of the people will be new. Donāt forget to include the cost of Greek life if that interests you. It can get very expensive.
Thereās an old thread on here somewhere, titled something like āThe College I said āNoā to in Order to Attend U of Alabamaā. Try to find it because it gives a lot of insight into reasons to pick Alabama over high-rated schools. For one, their honors program is supposed be awesome, and they have a huge alumni network (and of course the weather in AL vs. winters in IN - enough said).
Yes, Kelley is rated higher, and you got direct-admit, which is big - but thereās a lot to be said for going somewhere new and getting out of your comfort zone. My daughter is weighing the same issue here in NC. Going to one of our in-state schools (which is a great and cheaper option) but being with many high school classmates, or going out of state and having a new experience.
You still have some time so I would advise connecting with faculty and/or current students in the business school at Alabama and getting real-time feedback on the program. Itās a tough choice for sure!
ETA - the thread I was talking about is pinned in the University of Alabama forumā¦
My D is at Bama but isnāt studying PR
PR is in the Comms school at Bama, not the Culverhouse school of business. Many of Dās sorority sisters are studying Comms or PR. Those that seem to do well post grad have had considerable internship and work experience, as well as getting involved a lot on campus.
However, Kelley is better regarded for a business degree especially outside the SE.
I would look at internships and career placements of both lots of degree recipients. For Kelley, make sure you look at marketing specifically so the answer isnāt skewed by finance/accounting. If you canāt find the info for either school online, call/email and ask them!
You could also double major in PR and a subject such as Poli Sci/English/ Economics/ Statistics to bolster your academic credentials? Being able to write well and be comfortable with quantitative analysis are essential for many jobs now.
As someone said above, Greek Life at Bama is expensive (add $3-4k per semester for out of house costs, although this includes a meal plan M-F). Many girls have PT jobs too.
I donāt think you can go wrong although Bama might mean more effort from you in finding opportunities post grad. The Kelley name, and also being in a business school, will make you eligible for many on-campus recruiting opportunities that you may not find in the Comms school at Bama.
Yes Greek Life definitely gets expensive! I am planning on rushing no matter where I go.
Thank you! I read the thread you mentioned and that was very helpful. I feel like many people assume that Bama is not a great school due to its reputation/ranking, but they do have a lot to offer. I feel like the Honors College would give me a chance to individualize my education and I have toured twice and feel like they really do care about their students.
Youāre welcome! I found that thread very interesting!
Yes, Kelley is a great business school! Job placement is one of my concerns because people have said that a UA degree is only valuable down south and I am thinking of moving up to Chicago after college. And I am strongly considering a double major though I am not exactly sure what.
Yes- Bama really does care about its students and it is a special place. There are a lot of people from the Tri-State area so it is becoming better known in the NE. I think if you have a plan for strong academics, internships and to really network and get involved on campus, I think you will do well. If you want more of a āpipelineā to the NE, then it would be Kelley. Also nothing wrong with working a couple of years in Atlanta or Nashville then moving back to the NE later maybe.