Large flagships with engineering typically have large career fairs.
The state of Alabama is home to the second largest research park in the nation, Cummings Research Park…many, many high tech companies there…who recruit!
Any student views on which school to attend? Would love to hear from people my own age as well
The traditional dorms at UA are a lot less expensive than the suite style dorms - which I understand, students like having the better if they can afford it. Both schools may have required first year meal plan (UA’s is unlimited swipes).
Greek life is a big expense - may be lesser at ISU. It also takes a lot of time and energy - you need to decide if you can afford this EC. Cost strain and academic strain.
Wanting to double major, and taking a challenging engineering field - you need to consider the transition to college and having solid grades first. If you were my student, I would say complete the first year first, then see if still interested in Greek life. UA also offers some honors programs just before college begins, which run the same time as Rush. Since my DD is in Million Dollar Band, the Rookie camp ran at the same time; otherwise she would have been in Camp 1831 or one of the honors programs that ran just before fall classes - good way to get to know other students and bond.
Off campus housing has a similar price spread as on campus at UA. My DD has the Presidential and Engineering scholarships and did live in the suite style housing her first year because she also had extra college $$. She is in a very close off campus apt that is super nice, and a little less money than the suite style dorm (and she cooks her own food so saves a lot on that). Again, she can afford it, but there are lesser priced places available - esp if one has a car and is willing to live beyond walking, or at an apt that has shuttle service to campus.
The south has a lot of job growth. Internship and Co-op opportunities.
You may want to experience life outside of Iowa. UA has students from all over, almost split with in state and OOS so you would also expand experiences that way too.
My DD is in her second year at UA - civil and structural engineering, and has a great summer internship lined up. She is also in the STEM MBA honors program.
You need to look at the pros and the cons of each institution and how good of a fit each would be for you. Have your visited UA?
@SOSConcern Thank you! I have not yet visited, because I didn’t consider it until recently. I plan on visiting later after I have received information from some more elite schools I applied to as well.
A neighbor’s DD wanted to do sorority but the cost and the time - she started at UA this fall, has a great group of friends she has met in classes and in her dorm (she is in a traditional style dorm with the cost savings). She now is exploring all her academic opportunities. She has traveled on weekends to several friends’ homes (who live within drive-able range for that).
Once one establishes some friends, or a tribe - that is key.
Greek life is about 30% of UA students - so the majority are not Greek. It just is visible when you see the groups together. There are a number of ways to get involved - and a Week of Welcome, to learn about it. UA is a big campus, but offers a lot and has good information out there for students to find their way. Also can do things with Honors College.
@SOSConcern I am planning on participating in the Honors College! Do you know if the person you are referring to feels left out or overwhelmed because of the strong Greek presence?
At a high stat female eng student, you may get enough money from some of the schools you have applied to.
When you are ready to visit UA, have Honors College set it up. I would recommend specific tours on the Friday before the Saturday Scholars Day (the Scholars Day has amazing speakers and various programs set up; a lot of OOS students come) - it is I believe in Jan. Check the UA web site, check with HC.
Okay thank you! @SOSConcern
@ettphonehome You might want to repost in the UA forum. UA students don’t often look in this forum to respond.
They are both good options with not huge cost differences. It really boils down to how far you want to be from home and how frequently you want to go back - travel costs can be substantial. Is Des Moines your closest airport? If so, it’s not a major hub and when flights need to be cancelled due to weather, the non-hubs get hit first. Take a look at transportation options and costs as well. Also look at off campus housing options as many students like to experience a more independent type of living form the dorms at some point.
Thank you! I’m looking to live on campus for the first 2 or 3 years wherever I go. @singermom4
Both are large public universities so they have a lot in common.
Alabama has a top 10 honors college and milder weather during the school year.
Iowa State is, presumably, closer to home.
You should visit and choose based on your visit - in particular, ask to sit in on classes, eat in the cafeteria, try to do an overnight to see the atmosphere in the dorms…
Will do! Thank you! @MYOS1634
Help me make a choice!!!
Watch some of CBH live today. https://live.cbhp.ua.edu/index-live.php (Presentations only go until 4 central)
@ettphonehome I am going to provide you with some generic advice, and that is to visit the Alabama campus and maybe try to spend a weekend there before deciding to attend.
I’ve had the opportunity to visit Ames a number of times, and it seems like a neat college town. I agree that Iowa is cold; a few times I’ve been there in June and it’s been almost freezing. But there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with Iowa State to me (U of I looks like more fun).
A few of the Southern colleges can be a real culture shock, particularly Ole Miss, Auburn, and Alabama. I think rush right now at Alabama is pretty brutal. Their enrollment has been rising, which is overcrowding the sororities. It’s always harder to rush a Southern sorority if you are not from the South. And you should probably look at the U.S. Electoral maps of 1948, 1964, or 1968 to understand how people in Alabama define “The South.”
The Alabama free tuition offer with grad school rollover is a really sweet deal, and I’m certainly looking it over as a possibility for my children. Of course, I’m from down here, so it’s easier. Anyway, I just wanted to give you some things to think about. A lot of people from all over the country come to these Southern schools and absolutely love them. But some end up developing a pretty strong dislike. I’m just urging you to do your homework so you don’t get whipsawed by culture shock.
If you do visit Bama, I suggest visiting on a school day, not over the weekend. Weekends don’t give a real impression of what a campus is like. Moreover, there isn’t faculty on campus on weekends to speak with.
I’m from the Midwest and Iowa State just seems incredibly boring to me-Bama would be my pick. The full ride is definitely a nice perks fun I imagine the Greek life to be better.
@Badgers21 that’s how I’m feeling. But it also is not a full ride it’s jus tuition