<p>I can understand that cc classes that aren't related to preparing for a 4 yr might be easier than honors classes at a high school. But there is no excuse for cc classes to be easier if they are part of the requirements that one completes before transferring to a 4 yr college. </p>
<p>No one is doing ANYONE any favors if a cc "General Education" style program doesn't really prepare a person for a 4 yr institution. Instead, they are just ripping off the taxpayer who provides the funding.</p>
<p>So as an out of state senior who got a 32 on his act and has a 3.93(I believe, we use a 5 point system) unweighted gpa (something like 4.5 weighted, 14 in a class of 558), I would get an automatic full tuition ride?</p>
<p>looks like you would as long as you meet the deadline of dec 1</p>
<p>Presidential Scholar
An out-of-state first-time freshman student who meets the December 1st scholarship priority deadline<em>, has a 32-36 ACT or 1400-1600 SAT</em>* score and at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA will be selected as a Presidential Scholar and will receive the value of out-of-state tuition*** for four years</p>
<p>Awesome. From what I have read Alabama would be a good fit for me, especially those honors dorms (I am a bit more of the secluded nerdy type, still social, just prefer to be alone). The deadline should be easy to meet.Thank you JL50ish you have potentially saved my family tens of thousands of dollars. Also what is typically required when applying? Application and essay, send them official transcript, send them act scores from the act people, and teacher recommendations? Sorry about all the questions, I will be the first in my family to choose the "conventional" college route, and therefore I am unfamiliar with the whole process.</p>
<p>here's a link to admissions page:
Undergraduate</a> Admissions - The University of Alabama
looks like you would be left with about 8600 per year to pay but you may also qualify for financial aid? (the scholarship would cover the 9K /semester tuition ie 18K)</p>
<p>link to costs: Estimated</a> Semester Budget for 2008-09</p>
<p>8600 a year is very manageable for my family to be honest, even in the current economic crisis. Other colleges being considered all have tuitions at 18k and above (UCLA, U of Arizona, Vanderbilt etc.), and I am willing to forgo some prestige to save money.</p>
<p>arnold...</p>
<p>You would qualify for full tuition (including oos) for four years (must maintain GPA)</p>
<p>As soon as possible.... do all below before Dec 1</p>
<p>Make sure you fill out the school ap (online and EASY/FAST $35) at ua.edu
Make sure you fill out the scholarship ap (online and easy)
Have your school transcript sent (if your school lists both weighted and unweighted GPA, the school will take the highest GPA) to UA, Tuscaloosa, AL
Make sure that your ACT sent to UA (the flagship in Tuscaloosa - not the other cities)</p>
<p>Later, you can arrange to have any AP scores sent - if you list UA when you take any AP's in May, then I think all your AP scores will be sent to UA in July 09. UA is quite generous with AP credits so that makes it easier to take on a minor or dbl major if you wish.</p>
<p>You would still have to pay for dorm, meal plan, and books.... But depending on what you put as your major on your application, you may get more money from the department (for example... engineering gives someone with your stats an additional $2500 per year - about half of your dorm cost. Other departments also give scholarships)</p>
<p>Thanks for the information. So are no recommendation letters required? And I will make sure to list Alabama when I take my calculus government and economics tests. If they don't get my other ap's already taken then it is no problem, I can easily send them.</p>
<p>Arnold....</p>
<p>If you can, you should try to do a campus visit - on a day that school is in session - preferably not on a Friday (unless it's a home game weekend).</p>
<p>arnold..</p>
<p>The UA application is super easy & fast ... no recs ..... no essays. They only use SATs/ACTs and GPA's to figure admissions. It's much easier that way. If you have a 4 or 5 on your AP English, then you don't have to take English Comp.</p>
<p>And... if you get all the stuff in ASAP, you'll have your acceptance and your scholarship offer in about a month or so.</p>
<p>Arnold...</p>
<p>Don't be afraid to ask me anything about UA.... I have one son there and another going next year... I've become a bit of an "expert" about the university. And, what I don't know, I will always try to find out. It is truly a BEAUTIFUL campus and has state of the art facilities. </p>
<p>Wait until you see those honors dorms! My son LOVES having his own room. He likes his suitemates (the 3 in the other 3 bedrooms in his suite).</p>
<p>And even if you're not "into" football... it still is fun to be at a school that has a lot of spirit and tradition.</p>
<p>Arnold...</p>
<p>Also.... I forgot to tell you... you need to apply to the Honors College (another easy application online) to get access to the Honors Dorms. With your stats, you're an automatic admit after they receive your honors app. Apply to the UHP - University Honors Program. There is a small essay needed for that, but it's just a one paragraph kind of thing - NO BIG DEAL - seriously. Just write a few coherent and grammatically-correct sentences that introduce yourself.</p>
<p>Once you decide to accept their offer, you will have to give one or two deposits (can't remember if there is one or two). I think each deposit is about $250 - one is for dorm and I think one is for Bama Bound (orientation) and something else. I will check on this and give better info. Deposits are needed even if tuition is free (my son's housing deposit is returned after school starts since he's an NM and gets housing for free.)</p>
<p>LOL.... of course you're going to have to learn:</p>
<p>T-Town is the nickname for Tuscaloosa (the college town where the school resides)
The Crimson Tide is the school's team name.<br>
The football team is currently #2 in the nation.
Nick Saban, the football coach, is a demigod around here - LOL
The phrase ...."Roll Tide" will be on a lot of the school's literature.</p>
<p>And... everyone is friendly in the south.</p>
<p>JL50ish - Just wanted to say thank you for all of this info. Although my D is only a sophomore, I'm trying to read up as much as I can now, since our finances will play a big role in the decision-making process. The more I read, the more UA sounds like a great option! H is a huge Bama fan, so it would be his dream come true for D to go there... of course that's the problem, she may veto it just for that reason.</p>
<p>Jl50ish did either of your sons try for the University Fellow Program or the academic elite scholarship?</p>
<p>JL50ish, once again thank you. I have lived in the south (Tennessee), and can attest to the general kindness of its people, despite the large amount of racism and general ignorace where I lived, especially when compared to where I am currently (Chicago suburbs). I lived in California (San Diego) also, and loved it, mostly because of how laid back everyone was. How do you think Alabama compares to California?</p>
<p>The dorms are a big selling point to me to be honest. Something about living without a roommate, but near people, sounds excellent to the introvert in me.</p>
<p>I am a football friend, and have a few friends that are football fanatics going to UT Knoxville, so the SEC rivalry will be fun, and an excuse to meet up.</p>
<p>Is the campus in a big town? Small town? College town?</p>
<p>Does your son have any regrets or can you point out any negative aspects?</p>
<p>Will my stuff be instantly stolen?</p>
<p>Sorry about the massive amount of questions, just trying to make an informed decision.</p>
<p>JL50ish, I agree this should not be happening but it is. The AP exams are standard for everyone so colleges know pretty much what a kid knows if he has a 3/4/5 on those exams. Community college is a whole different story. Those courses are not taught to a certain standard. It can be a real problem. That's why a lot of colleges prefer AP test scores to Community college courses in showing advance work. </p>
<p>It CAN be done. Those kids who want to go on for a 4 year degree should be taking courses with AP type exams that show there is a standard met. Actually if the school if vigilant about these things, that is not even necessary. There are many 3rd, 4th tier colleges that teach engineering courses that cover the basic materials as well as Cal Tech or MIT. The engineering curriculum is pretty much standard throughout the US. However, there are courses that just are not being taught to any standard, and that should change. No one wants to be more accountable; that is why this situation exists.</p>
<p>How do you know that colleges prefer AP test scores to Community College courses?</p>
<p>I check the quality of the CC courses that our kids have taken, are taking or will take and will supplement their courses if they are not up to my standards. I found that UIUC NetMath courses are as tough as what you'd find in university courses and you can go quite far above what AP offers.</p>
<p>Most college admissions officers know the community colleges and local schools where courses are good foundations. They also know programs where kids earn college credit and which ones are good bets for taking care of prerequisites. Some colleges will out and out refuse to give credit for cc courses or any outside course without vetting the course material, and the students knowledge thereof. Others are generous with credits and prereqs and put it all on the student's head if he is unprepared.</p>
<p>^^ But colleges are not going to individually check on the quality of CC courses. Your kids may take rigorous courses, but others may not, whereas AP scores are standardized for everyone.</p>
<p>arnoldsoccer--Tuscaloosa is a small, college town about 45 minutes from Birmingham. There is a regional (international) airport in B'ham. No, your stuff will not be stolen. And, while you may have an image of racism in the south, I believe that Alabama is trying very hard to overcome that image. This is not the south of the 50's and 60's civil rights era. Try visiting Alabama and make an assessment for yourself. Football is huge in Tuscaloosa and Alabama. You might compare U of A football to an NFL team in other big cities across the country. (I sometimes think there is too much emphasis on the football; glad to see Dr. Witt focusing on the academics!) Come visit; you will see what a charming state we have!!!</p>