<p>can anyone provide insights into the undergraduate business program at University of Alabama. I saw it made the Top 100 Business Week list, but lists are lists and things are not always what the seem. I’m from Illinois, 33 ACT, 3.9 uw GPA. Can probably get merit aid from UA, but wonder if Indiana University (Kelley) and University of Illinois programs worth the extra cost.</p>
<p>Absolutely no way those other schools are worth the extra money. You need to understand that the job market is BOOMING in the South and of course the jobs that are coming here have to be leaving somewhere right? That somewhere is the Midwest. The reason being is that the quality of living is simply better down here in big metro areas like Atlanta and Birmingham. The cost of living is cheaper and the weather is nicer year round. With that said, why should you take the merit aid Bama will give you and come to Bama? This trend of jobs moving south will not end any time in the near or not too distant future. It used to be that if you wanted one of those high paying jobs in the Midwest, you went to a Big Ten school for the alumni connections. Now a days it is all about going to an SEC, or even ACC school, because they are the bosses of the companies and job market that dominate this region. It is like this all over the United States. But if you want to get the best job, you have to come south. But if you come south and want to get that job, you better be a graduate from a great business school at places like Bama, UGA, UF, or Vandy.</p>
<p>isleofJD, many thanks, i will certainly apply to Bama. any issue with mid-west guy going to the south in terms of culture or acceptance?</p>
<p>rocco100, I agree with IslesofJD. </p>
<p>My son never even considered AL. He had great offers and scholarships from 9 other top tiered (non-Ivies). Alabama's NMF Scholarship was to nice to ignore. I asked that he apply and at least take a look at AL. He listened. He was accepted into the Honors College, planning to study applied mathematics. Son and I scheduled a visit this past March. Dean Hallie at the Honors College spent an hour and a half with the two of us. He encouraged my son to apply to the Computer Based Honors Program even though the deadline had past.<br>
My son chose AL for many reasons over Carnegie, Chicago, GW, Vandy, Emory, Davidson, Case, Texas A&M and one other. After our visit to campus, my son felt "at home" and believes the faculty and staff are committed to finding and providing the resources to any student that is eager to excell. AL is very pro-active in getting their top students recognized on a National level. Take a look at how many AL students have been selected for the USA Today's All -USA College Academic Teams over the past five years. AL is 1st with 31 students recognized, Harvard is 2nd with 17 and Yale is 3rd with 14 named. Indiana/Purdue has had only 1 and U of IL-Chicago has 7.<br>
I believe the University of AL's slogan says it all...."come as you are....leave as you want to be."</p>
<p>It's true, the honors program is fantastic. Many students reject top universities (Cal Tech and Stanford I know for a fact) to attend their Computer Based Honors Program.</p>
<p>You will be just fine coming to Bama from the midwest. I was recently in Lake Forest, IL (suburb outside of Chicago) and realized that the South is quite honestly more integrated and although, there are still pockets of uneducated white trash in the places no one has ever heard of in the south. However, color has just seemingly become something no one really cares about down here but from my experience, the south is much more integrated. My family is all from NYC and Boston but I was born in the south and I can honestly tell you that the people in this region are the most welcoming of any people in the country. We have the best college towns here in the South and Tuscaloosa is top 3 hands down. Atlanta is 3 hours away and Birmingham s 45 minutes so you will not be far from a city if need be. Simply put, you can't go wrong with the University of Alabama</p>
<p>My daughter Washington State daughter is afraid she won't fit in...are there many west coast students?</p>
<p>There is a very good contingent of West Coast students and Mountain West students. I actually know a number of students from California who were accepted to UCLA, Berkeley, or both, and chose to turn them down for Alabama. As one girl put it, "The UC system made me feel as though I had to feel privileged to be accepted and to attend" where as at the University of Alabama the mentality was "We would love to have someone as bright as you attend a big university like ours that can deliver the individual attention that an accomplished student like you deserves". You would think that mentality would only apply to honors students at Alabama but it applies to EVERYONE. One piece of advice that I have for those who do not truly comprehend southern greek life. Understand that girls who do join sororities get very dressed up for football games but, there are so many sororities and fraternities on campus that it is near impossible to not find one that fits your personality. But yes, I think your daughter would be just fine at Bama! :)</p>
<p>jaf1991</p>
<p>There are plenty of out of state students. One of my roommates was from LA. He is a very independent young man who has traveled across the world by himself; but, nevertheless he loves Alabama. Yes, you will be able to notice difference among the culture and lifestyle, but it is more like two sides of the same coin. I dare say I know more students who are from Texas than I do students from in-state.</p>