<p>I posted this question on the Parents forum, and the early response has come mostly from WashU folks. I’d love to hear from some 'Bama people as well. Please take a look at the thread there.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/904162-penn-vs-washu-vs-bama.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/904162-penn-vs-washu-vs-bama.html</a></p>
<p>I personally found that the campus atmosphere was not the same as it were in the visits I made, but that’s a different subject and I’m not gonna derail the thread with that. Based on the points you made, I think Alabama would be the best pick for your son. CBHP and Fellows are top notch, and they’re both rarely found in other universities. True, the engineering school isn’t Georgia Tech or something along those lines, but it is very good, and they got a brand new complex that is AWESOME (courtesy of the federal government). Plus, you’d have money in the bank, which is pretty important. You can get a good or bad education anywhere, but money is money. </p>
<p>Just my thoughts.</p>
<p>It’s really a personal choice.</p>
<p>There are good reasons to choose each of these schools.</p>
<p>Since you can afford any of the choices, it’s hard to say.</p>
<p>What does your son like about each school?</p>
<p>As for future grad school…today at Honors Day, it was amazing how many graduating seniors are going to ivies, MIT, Stanford, or Berkeley for grad school.</p>
<p>Wow, that’s awesome, mom!</p>
<p>Each school is very different, so it is a matter of personal choice. For my son, it came down to Washington University and Alabama. He just felt that he could not turn down a chance to graduate without debt. He still loves Wash U. Still has a t-shirt from there. </p>
<p>Well, there is always grad school.</p>
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<p>In our case, he can graduate without debt from either 'Bama or WashU. However, if he chooses 'Bama, he finishes undergrad with about $85,000 in the bank. That’s because mom and dad are willing to save the money we would otherwise have spent on his undergrad expenses and let him use it to attend grad school, start a business, or buy a house.</p>
<p>I think it is hard for a young person to understand just how much money $85,000 is, and how difficult it would be to accumulate that sum on one’s own.</p>
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<p>We can afford 'Bama or WashU. We don’t know yet about Penn. Mom and dad are spending the same amount either way. If he chooses Penn, it almost undoubtedly will not be enough, and HE has to come up with the difference. We don’t have Penn’s offer yet, so we don’t know the details, but we expect he’d have to take out some loans. He has said he’s willing to borrow up to $20,000, which I think is reasonable. If it requires more than that, he’ll probably take Penn off the list.</p>
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<p>mom2collegekids, do you know if this list is posted online anywhere? My ds and I would love to take a look at it.</p>
<p>Congrats to your son on three great options! Our D will be at UA next fall and in UFE. She passed some other great options - most notably Duke, UVa and UNC.</p>
<p>For her, it all came down to fit. UA had the best combination of merit aid, programs, and social life.</p>
<p>I don’t have any first-hand knowledge of Wash U, but we did visit Penn. She really liked Penn, but when it came time to apply she didn’t because she knew it wasn’t in her top three or four schools (and she was very tired of doing apps!). She liked the feel of the Penn campus and the quality of the school. Comparing UA and Penn she preferred the college town, warmer weather, and school spirit that UA offered. She also liked the idea of being more than just an average student.</p>
<p>The other thing that has to be mentioned is the warmth of the people and good old Southern Hospitality. This board, and all of the people we have met (staff, faculty and students included) in person have been unbelievably kind and welcoming. We are delighted to become part of the UA family.</p>
<p>Your son has great options and it sounds like he will thrive wherever he lands. Good luck!</p>
<p>As for future grad school…today at Honors Day, it was amazing how many graduating seniors are going to ivies, MIT, Stanford, or Berkeley for grad school.</p>
<p>*mom2collegekids, do you know if this list is posted online anywhere? My ds and I would love to take a look at it. *</p>
<p>I doubt that this could be found online. We were at Honors Day and at the 3 presentations that we attended, each presenter would give a little bio about any of the graduating seniors who were receiving awards - including where they would be going to grad/med/law school in the fall.</p>
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<p>This doesn’t precisely answer the question, but it gives a description of the awards and names the recipients: </p>
<p>[University</a> of Alabama News Campus Scholars, Leaders Recognized at UA Honors Day](<a href=“http://uanews.ua.edu/2010/04/campus-scholars-leaders-recognized-at-ua-honors-day/]University”>http://uanews.ua.edu/2010/04/campus-scholars-leaders-recognized-at-ua-honors-day/)</p>
<p>Thanks! That is only a partial list. </p>
<p>I was at the awards for College of Arts and Science; Computer-Based Honors, & the Mortar Board tapping. The Mortar Board recipients are listed on that link, but the award winners for the various dept honors are not. </p>
<p>A booklet was given out that lists all the names of award recipients from the various departments.</p>
<p>There were monetary prizes with some of the awards, too. My son got $700 for one award! :)</p>
<p>^^^ Congratulations to you and your son! Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but it looks like some out-of-state-students are going to need to step up to the plate and claim a few of these awards in the years to come :)</p>
<p>Hey…a lot of the award winners were from OOS. :)</p>
<p>There were parents present from Calif, NY, Washington, Texas, etc. </p>
<p>The presentations go all day long…LOL. There are the major presentations (like the College of A&S awards ), and then many of the departments had their own awards presentations later at smaller events. </p>
<p>When I was looking through the booklet at some of the other awards presentations, I was surprised to see the awards that Mercedes Benz was giving to German students. LOL. </p>
<p>There are many endowed awards. </p>
<p>We found it interesting hearing from the various dept heads in A&S, because I really don’t know much about some of these majors. So, it was fascinating to hear what those students have been working on, what some of their theses were, and where they are going to grad school, etc. </p>
<p>There was one grad school mentioned that I had never heard of, but the Dept Head was excited so I guess it’s known for their major.</p>
<p>^^^ Just kidding, mom :)</p>
<p>Oh, I know… :)</p>
<p>I just wanted everyone to know that award winners are from everywhere. :)</p>
<p>:) to your son with the $700 award!</p>