<p>It's a quintessential college town..now when I went the drinking age was 18...which was good cause there were 8 bars for every church. As a shop-a-holic there wasn't much in the way of retail diverson, but Athens had everything you needed. The relationship between townies and students was good...it's no Ann Arbor or Madison (they're small cities, Athens is a town), you won't want for night life. I was out of state, an although I don't know much anout Alabama, I would assume that OU is a bit more diverse and worldly...lots of international students and a niche for everyone cause it's big and I remember a good-sized out-of-state population, but we might have gravitated to each other.</p>
<p>Do you think I stand much of a chance of getting in, though?</p>
<p>It's true that OU is boosting of the average student having a 3.3, but I think plenty are well below. I also know they are actively recruiting out-of-state kids. here in NJ, very few of the 500 kids in my daughter's high school go to the midwest, and I guess that's a trend (they are all staying on the east coast). I know Miami of Ohio (a somewhat tougher school) is throwing money at them. At the last college fair they were handing out flyers saying that they were giving $4000 a year to any out-of-state kid with a GPA over 3.5 (I know that's not you, but it shows they really want the kids from out of state at the Ohio state schools. If you put time into your application with a kick-ass essay...I'd bet good money you's be a bobcat come Fall! </p>
<p>I don't know if you can work your acadmic goals for college into the application, but I think they'd be impressed. Also you can apply ED...then I think you're good as in! Plus your a legacy.</p>
<p>What's ED?</p>
<p>Early Decision.</p>
<p>Can someone explain to me how the early decision works? I have an idea, and I've looked it up but it's still alittle unclear.</p>
<p>Basically, it's way to end the college process early. </p>
<p>Let's say that Alabama is your first choice (which I'm assuming it is?). If they offer an early decision option, what you can do is turn in your application early, and hear back by December. Applicants typically have a better chance of getting in if they apply ED. The only catch is that it's binding - if you apply ED and get in, you have to go there. </p>
<p>Lots of state schools don't offer ED though, so check and see if your top pick offers it. Some offer early action, which is similar, but it doesn't give you an andvantage and it's not binding.</p>
<p>I've read great things about Ohio University - I was actually considering applying there. I think you have a pretty good shot at Alabama and Ohio.</p>
<p>Definitely apply to ASU too. University of Arizona is probably a reach- they want OOS students to have at least a 3.0 gpa.</p>
<p>I think web sites like this one are hard on the "average" student. Truth is, a 500 and 600 on the SAT's is probably above average. My daughter really has problems with the math section. And she got a 550. The score report said that put her in the 60th percentile nationally. That said, I know a few Ivy League-educated adults who barely scrape by and their kids are worried about paying for school, and I know LOTS of Ohio U and say City University of NY graduates who are MULTI millionaires. Trick is, you have to have make the MOST of where you go, work hard, and most important develop those social skills that are FAR more important in real life than a Wharton Degree (Ideally you want the Wharton degree AND the social skills). I look back on the most successful people I know and I hate to say it, but a lot of them aren't what you'd call "book smart". Remember (my signature phrase) The Unibomber was a Harvard Graduate... He was a hermit living in a shed with no running water or human skills. Good Luck Kids, it breaks my heart to see you worry so much about this stuff I swear we didn't LOOSE a night's sleep over when we were your age (But aren't sleeping now over our kids getting in!!!)</p>