<p>I was born and raised in the northeast, where the perception of U of Alabama was less than desirable. My D has been accepted to Alabama as well as some NC schools and some NE smaller schools. She was born and raised in FL. I just cant get past the perception of Bama. If others have that same perception will it affect her going forward. This is not meant to tick anyone off but I am looking for insight and similar experiences.</p>
<p>Alabama is a great school with a lovely campus. However, it is one of the most Greek campuses in the country. For someone like me, who hate sororities and fraternities, it's a huge turn off. If your daughter is interested in being in a sorority, Alabama might be a good place for her. Check out the school in person if you can.</p>
<p>My husband and I had the same perception of UA. Then, we took our son, who has been accepted, for a visit during the Christmas holidays. It took no time to change our opinions of the place. The campus is beautiful. The faculty, staff and students were so friendly. The honors dorms, my son said that they are just unreal. He and I flew last week to Alabama for his interview for an honors program, and they just did a marvelous job of welcoming him. He met with some outstanding professors and faculty members. They encouraged him to double or triple major -- he has lots of AP credit that they will honor. </p>
<p>My husband calls UA an untapped jewel, and he's very much right. Our youngest, who won't graduate for five years, already says that it is his top choice, and he visited lots of outstanding schools with us over the past three years. </p>
<p>My best advice to you is to get on a plane, fly down and see the place. Meet the people. You will be very surprised -- and glad -- you did.</p>
<p>Perception: DeVry
Reality: Better than most colleges.</p>
<p>Could you elaborate on your perception? Do you mean the whole nine yards: not a very good school, deep south racist school, no indoor plumbing (lol).</p>
<p>I was born in Germany (dad in army) but raised in Alabama by parents who were born and raised in Detroit. I like to say I have the best of both worlds: Southern environment but Northern parents. Anyway, I was raised a Michigan fan and NEVER imagined going to Alabama. Literally, Alabama was the last college on my list. However I also really enjoyed my visits and they offer great scholarships. I can say that UA really tries to take care of its students, especially honors students. Because of our tremendous growth UA had to lease some brand new luxury off campus apartments, called The Bluffs to use as dorms. If you think the honors dorms are nice you have to see these. Furthermore, there are so many opportunities on this campus both academically and extracurricularly (is that a word?) If you work hard as a student it will not go unnoticed. I wish I would have applied myself more my freshman year!</p>
<p>In the North(Ohio), it is viewed by a lot of people as an illiterate redneck school, which is how a lot of people up here think of a lot schools below the Mason Dixon line, except for maybe schools in Florida and NC. It's unfortunate and I'm trying to change people's opinion's about UA, I think it is a pretty good school and if Notre Dame and Cornell don't work out for me I'd love to go to 'Bama. But I think people don't realize the only public schools that are better in Ohio are OSU and Miami(OH).</p>
<p>and don't forget hawaiiboy15, Alabama has an awesome football team. ROLL TIDE! ;)</p>
<p>I'm going out of state for school, but I'm a life-long Alabama football fan. :)</p>
<p>We have decided to visit this weekend. It will be a quick trip, any "must see" or advice. Thanks</p>
<p>My son would say that if your D qualified for the honors program, go over to the honors dorm and see if some nice student will let her come inside and see a suite. It blew him away. It was so nice, and he would get his own room. Drop over at the libraries -- they are wonderful. We went to Ferguson, the student center and had lunch. The science building was beautiful, too.</p>
<p>My youngest son recommends the student rec center and a visit to the stadium, but remember, he's just 12.</p>
<p>I loved Alabama but I'm not going there because the greeks run the school. I didn't see my self having a social life If I went there and didn't pledge. From what I've heard pledging is taken to a new level at schools like bama and ole miss.</p>
<p>amc26 said: "I didn't see my self having a social life If I went there and didn't pledge."</p>
<p>It is sad that you have this perception. My son did not pledge and has no problem what so ever with his social life. If you are out going, proactive, and respect others, you should have no problem finding like minded students (greek AND non greek). Greek life is not for everyone. Your college experience is what you make of it. </p>
<p>I hope you enjoy what ever school you pick.</p>
<p>Greek life is very important if you are planning a career in many types of business or in politics in the state of Alabama... otherwise, you can find other people. I'm gently encouraging my son to at least consider Greek life, he knows plenty about the down side, but he needs to get there and see if there are guys that are more like him.</p>
<p>As a northerner who has lived in the south, then back north, and now currently in the south I can honestly say that Northerners have a horrible perception of the south as a whole, not just Alabama. 'Bama is great, and the state of Alabama is great. People are genuinely friendly, they may speak slowly but it doesn't mean they think slowly! Don't underestimate anyone with a Southern drawl, you will come out on the short end of the stick! The least favorite place that I ever lived was in the Northeast, it was unbearable to me! People were rude and unfriendly for the most part, not all of them but on the whole I would say it was a good characterization. And when the people at my school found out I was moving to Georgia the jokes didn't stop and even the admins at school were a little snide, confident that their schools were superior. I wish they knew that once I moved here to Georgia I had to go back and take lower level classes because I was actually behind what the norm for my high school was! Advance in NJ was on level here! So don't judge 'Bama simply because it is in the Deep South, come for a visit and you will most likely be blown away by this genteel southern campus.</p>