<p>My family just got back from a recent visit to Alabama. All I can say is it was most impressive. My son is interested in aerospace engineering and marching band. He set up appointments to meet with directors of both departments and they were terrific meetings. Most informative and very gracious, especially since my son is just a high school junior and not an accepted student on the fence. The campus was beautiful and the tour was good. I followed the advice of many on this thread and looked at honors housing, ate in the dining room and just poked around. We didn’t have an honors tour just the regular one which was fine. </p>
<p>We did eat at Dreamland which was delicious. My son was insistent on finding Chiptole which we did and poked around inthat area. We stayed at the Fairlfiled and that was fine also.</p>
<p>I want to thank everyone here for all the tips and suggestions. I printed alot of stuff out and it really helped. My son will be applying to Alabama in the fall especially since he is headed for merit aid (1360 SAT and 4.6 GPA) with lots of ECS. We are still looking at other schools as we are Virginia residents and VT is hard to beat for engineering. My son also likes that school. But I think Bama was special to him. Thanks again and if anyone has any imput on the aero engineering program please let me know.</p>
<p>Yes! Have him take the SAT again and also the ACT!</p>
<p>However, if he’s going to major in engineering, then he gets full tuition with his current score (as long as the engineering doesn’t change its rules. )</p>
<p>COE Students who have a 30-31 ACT or 1330-1390 SAT (math and verbal scores only) and at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA* will receive a tuition supplement to bring their University-level scholarship offer up to the value of tuition. In addition, they will receive $2,500 per year for four years.***</p>
<p>Glad to hear that the visit went well! And, glad to hear that you liked Dreamland. Dreamland is one of those places that I think you either LOVE it, LOVE it, or you want a sweeter BBQ. I love sweets, so I like my BBQ sweeter and I like my cole slaw sweeter. LOL.</p>
<p>Hi hokiefan! Glad to hear you had a great trip! Did you all drive down and if so, how was the drive? We are in central Virginia and my youngest has expressed interest in Alabama. We are a couple of years out yet, but I was wondering how hard of a drive it is down there. Mapquest has it at about 12 hours, but I wonder is it 12 “nice scenery” hours or 12 hours of just monotonous highway…</p>
<p>We actually drove over from Florida as we were visiting relatives over spring break. The ride home was nice and scenic but we stopped at Virgina Tech to pay them a visit. It was out of the way for us as we live in the Richmond area. My son did like VT but really liked Alabama and especially liked the buttermilk fried chicken from the Ferg. And I am not kidding about that last statment:) The ride probaly would take us 12 hours. Too long for me but I guess doable, I am a wimp!</p>
<p>My D & I visited campus last week and we are sold. Even though we gave less than 24 hours notice of our visit we received a warm reception and a great personal tour.
D faxed the NM people on Monday listing UA as her choice school and we’re just waiting for final word from admissions since she applied late in the game. We wouldn’t have found the UAhonors college without CC and especially Mom2collegekids. Thanks Mom!</p>
<p>Glad to hear that your D is going to Bama. </p>
<p>I’m sure her admissions will fly thru. Ms. Rogers knows that the NMF acceptances have to go thru fast at this point. </p>
<p>If you don’t hear anything by the end of this week, send an email to her and Jami Gates. </p>
<p>Oh…you can also check acceptance status by going onto MyBama. Click on the “Academics” tab. Look down the left column (scroll down). If there is a link to apply to the Honors College, then she’s admitted. You have to submit the honors app at that point, too. But it’s easy. The essay is just a one paragraph introduction of the student. No big deal. She’s NMF, so she’s in once they get her app.</p>
<p>Thankfully, the humidity is largely gone towards the end of August. Until then, run indoors on the inside track at the rec center or swim in one of the many pools.</p>
<p>Fall is absolutely wonderful in Alabama! The leaves are turning color, the skies are blue, the clouds are puffy white… gorgeous!</p>
<p>however, it can still be hot in the stadium for daytime games, but get cold for night games.</p>
<p>Yes, I think the weather will be very similar to Memphis. D is VERY used to extreme humidity. The air here is so thick in lat July-August you could slice it, but fall-winter-spring are all gorgeous.</p>
<p>My son is trying to decide. It is the 11th hour. He has a full ride NMF scholarship at Bama,
full scholarship at Univ of Louisville Speed Engineering school, Partial scholarship at Case Western Reserve, Partial scholarship at Centre College, and got into Carnegie Mellon with
really no merit based aid. Is there anyone going to Alabama from Kentucky? Advice?</p>
<p>There are several Kentucky students at Bama. I know this, because some are Facebook friends with my son. </p>
<p>The only thing I can say about attending Bama is this – your son will be treated like royality. He will live in an awesome honors dorm. He will have priority registration for classes (not every school offers that). He will attend classes in a beautiful new building in Shelby Hall. He will have opportunities for study abroad (my son will be going to Costa Rica in a little over a week as part of the Alabama Action program). He will have plenty of chances to gain internships and research. Oh, and he will be among a lot of OOS students, including my son. Don’t know what your financial situation is, but it is tough to turn down that $140,000 NM package.</p>
<p>Speed Engineering has a good rep, but since you’re already from Louisville don’t discount the value of moving away as a huge learning experience. DS is coming from Chicago and we’ve found many OOS students on here. C’mon Down! Roll Tide!</p>
<p>This fall, UA had 83 undergraduates from Kentucky, so your son will not be the only one. I agree with the other posters on the UA experience and value of attending college away from home. You son would have a really good time at UA.</p>