<p>*
I do have one question- I have seen both Birmingham and Tuscaloosa mentioned. What is the difference?</p>
<p>I think I read that the meal plan is not included- is that correct? *</p>
<p>UA …the flagship…is in Tuscaloosa…that’s the one we’re talking about. :)</p>
<p>UAB…another university is in Birmingham…where the airport is. UAB is a fine school, but I wouldn’t recommend it to an OOS student since only 10% of UAB’s students are OOS.</p>
<p>linnylu,</p>
<p>My D is a current junior at UA.
She was not a NMF, her scores qualified her as a commended student in Ohio.
She qualified for the Presidential Scholarship from UA.</p>
<p>We are from Northeast Ohio and she has had an amazing first two years!</p>
<p>After looking and applying to way to many schools we threw in the Bama application at the last minute! She really had zero interest in even looking at UA. I believe she just did the application so she did not have to listen to me!</p>
<p>Anyway after our eye opening tour in March of her senior year her decision was easy.</p>
<p>We still had a few more schools to look at and that even sealed the deal more. Nothing could compare!</p>
<p>There is a feeling you get from every person involved at the University of Alabama that they what you to be successful. </p>
<p>As far as traveling down I made the drive a few times (just did it this weekend for a quick visit)! We also flew out to Atlanta from Akron Canton and rented cars a few times. Two of Ds freshman roommmates were from ATL and gave her lifts for a couple trips home. Sophomore year she had a car and lived off campus. So she drove home for breaks.</p>
<p>She has a great social life, belongs to a sorority. Also participated in Alabama Action and belongs to many groups on campus. She has also participated in various research projects. </p>
<p>If you have any questions let me know!</p>
<p>*How is the recruiting for these honors students, particularly engineering? I mean, if a kid turns down a top engineering school for Bama, will they regret it at graduation? *</p>
<p>Since the state of Alabama is home to the second largest research park in the nation (Cummings Research Park), recruitment is not a problem. CRP is home to many, many high tech Fortune 500 companies and smaller high tech companies.
[Huntsville</a> Alabama USA - Economic Development](<a href=“http://www.huntsvillealabamausa.com/new_exp/new_crp_toc.html]Huntsville”>http://www.huntsvillealabamausa.com/new_exp/new_crp_toc.html)</p>
<p>Here’s a list of some of the major corporations at Cummings Research Park…</p>
<p>[Huntsville</a> Alabama USA - Companies in CRP - Fortune 500 Companies (2004 Rank)](<a href=“http://www.huntsvillealabamausa.com/new_exp/crp/companies/f500.html]Huntsville”>http://www.huntsvillealabamausa.com/new_exp/crp/companies/f500.html)</p>
<p>Companies and Entities in CRP</p>
<p>A-B</p>
<pre><code>* AAI Corporation
<p>[edit] C-E</p>
<pre><code>* Calhoun Community College
<p>[edit] F-I</p>
<pre><code>* Faulkner University
<p>[edit] J-M</p>
<pre><code>* JAYCOR
<p>[edit] N-O</p>
<pre><code>* National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC)
<p>[edit] P-R</p>
<pre><code>* Paradigm Technologies
<p>[edit] S</p>
<pre><code>* SAIC
<p>[edit] T-U</p>
<pre><code>* Technical Micronics Controls, Inc. (TMC)
<p>[edit] V-X</p>
<pre><code>* Veridian Engineering, Inc.
<p>So there are a lot of tech jobs in Huntsville (which is how close to UA?). What about all the out of state kids?</p>
<p>"What about all the out of state kids? "</p>
<p>Kids from the North and East frequently decide that the people are nicer, the cost of living is lower and life is just plain better in the New South. :></p>
<p>Many 1st jobs are gotten through internships, where the student interns with a company and then is hired on there upon graduation. UA has a very active intern program.</p>
<p>2010 UA engineering job placement report:
<a href=“http://career.ua.edu/downloads/firstDestination/First%20Destination%20Report%20ENG%20May%202010.pdf[/url]”>http://career.ua.edu/downloads/firstDestination/First%20Destination%20Report%20ENG%20May%202010.pdf</a></p>
<p>Huntsville is 2 1/2 hrs north</p>
<p>Employer’s recruiting on campus schedule:
<a href=“Events - Career Center”>Events - Career Center;
(Obviously more near spring graduation)</p>
<p>Huntsville is about a 2.5–2.75 hour drive from Tuscaloosa, depending on traffic and which part of the county you’re coming from.</p>
<p>My daughter barely missed out on being NMF. She had very high stats, lots of AP credit and leadership, community involvement,etc. UA has a couple other scholarship opportunities that are also considered Elite scholarships and are very comparable to the NMF package. </p>
<p>One program is the Academic Elite Scholarship. Recipients are chosen from those admitted to the University Fellows Experience. D applied for both UFE and the Computer-Based Honors and didn’t make it. </p>
<p>The other Elite scholarship package (awarded to kids on same level as the NMF and UFE kids) is the Crimson Scholarship offered through the National Alumni Association. I think there are 10-15 of these given out each year. Students from our county plus 4 other surrounding counties are given priority consideration for two of these. D received one of these scholarships.</p>
<p>She just picked up her laptop that came as part of her package today.</p>
<p>Because she has so much AP credit, D was also invited to apply to the Emerging Scholars program, that plugs students into major research opportunities their freshman year. Similar in some ways to the Computer-Based Honors Program, but without the requirement for the computer programming classes. Emerging Scholars ended up being a much better fit for D. </p>
<p>D is a biology major with a concentration in Molecular and Cellular Biology and a flute performance minor. She plans to go to UAB to get a doctorate in genetics research.</p>
<p>D is part of the Million Dollar Band this year. She’ll be going to Italy on a 10-day trip with the band in May. She’s been on campus since the 13th for band camp and is having a fabulous time. Half her high school band seems to be at UA this year, so she had an established friend system in place. </p>
<p>She loves her honors dorm and likes her roommates a lot so far.</p>
<p>We arranged a campus visit through the National Alumni Association in spring of daughter’s junior year, along with her best friend. The girls were practically treated like royalty, and everyone we met went out of their way to make the girls feel like UA really wanted the girls to come to school there. The girls were ready to go home the next day to pack their bags and move off to college right away.</p>
<p>We arranged a campus visit in October of senior year through the Honors college. We met with Dr. Sharpe to discuss CBHP and Dr. Guy Caldwell to discuss bio research opportunities. He gave D a tour of his Worm Shack research lab and acted like he really wanted D to come be part of UA’s bio dept. She’s very excited to start his Honors Bio class tomorrow even though she has AP bio credit.</p>
<p>We received so much mail from UA during senior year. The Honors College stayed in very close touch, and many other departments contacted D to try to convince her to join them instead. </p>
<p>Our experience is a bit unique in that UA was the only college my D applied to. I tried to convince her to apply to Vanderbilt (where I went for 2 years before finishing at UA-Huntsville) or UNC Chapel Hill (my sister’s alma mater) or Duke or University of South Carolina (where my sister teachers now), but D wasn’t hearing any of it.</p>
<p>She knew she wanted to go to UA because of the band, orchestra, and other music opportunities, the Honors College, the bio dept and chance to get involved in cutting-edge research, plus she just loved the look and feel of the campus. Oh, yes, she also wanted a LARGE school.</p>
<p>The UA NMF Scholarship is indeed very lucrative and I wish your DD all the best on her achievements! I do wish to point out that UA’s OOS Academic Scholarships are excellent as well thus I would hope DD/DH would consider and visit UA NMF or not. </p>
<p>DS is not NMF but an OOS entering freshman and was awarded or provided:
<p>Just wanted to jump back in and answer the question about the meal plan: no, the NMF package does NOT cover the meal plan. 1st year students have to take the Silver Plan (160 meals) or above both fall & spring semesters. Cost is $1350/semester + $300 in Dining Dollars (which can be used at various dining establishments) per semester. So $3300 in dining charges 1st year.</p>
<p>After the 1st year, only the $300/semester Dining Dollars charge is mandatory. </p>
<p>Of course, part of the scholarship is the $1000/year NMF stipend so that can always be used to offset the dining charges and if your student doesn’t use the Dining Dollars they can be refunded.</p>
<p>I, too could repeat all of the above. My son didn’t make NMS and hadn’t even applied to Bama. But his scores were strong on the SATs and they contacted him. Alabama wasn’t on our radar. In fact, we were rather focussed on another school and had visited many, with UA not on that list.</p>
<p>A, ummm, ‘more mature’ (translate: older) parent, who had lived in California during the 60s and 70s, I had rather preconceived and,it turns out, inaccurate visions of what Alabama is like.</p>
<p>The financial package offered and some very good friends, as well as strong folks on CC, like M2CK and others, convinced us to make the trip.</p>
<p>We haven’t looked back and have been VERY pleased with everything at UA. Like others, my son holds junior standing this semester, his second year at UA. He studied in China for 5 weeks this summer but with the school schedule being what is was, was still able to come home for a good spell and work, too.</p>
<p>Things make sense at UA. Everything seems thought out and our kids can do well without us because of that.</p>
<p>My son travels about 9 hours total when leaving CA and heading to T-town. Many of his friends in California have to drive that long for instate schools. </p>
<p>Getting out of California is a special bonus, especially with the problems throughout the state that seriously impact the formerly wonderful state university system.</p>
<p>You’ll have to go and see if Bama is a fit for you and your child. </p>
<p>I do have a lot of bittersweet moments considering that my DS is some distance from home. However, he is using his wings, with the support of what UA offers, and that, after all, is our job…</p>
<p>Good luck in making your decision. As part of the UA ‘family’, I proudly say “Roll Tide.”</p>
<p>linnylu,</p>
<p>Regarding the meal plan, no, it’s not formally covered in the NMF plan.</p>
<p>NMF covered expenses:
<p>Additional funds:
NMF stipend $500/semester
Possible Departmental Scholarship (Engineering $1250/semester)</p>
<p>The additional funds almost cover the books and meal plan this year for my son. It should more than cover the meal plan as we decrease the number of meals in future years.</p>
<p>As you look as scholarships opportunities be sure to check what GPA is required for them to be renewed. I can’t find that currently on Bama’s web site, but, I remember it was very reasonable. One Departmental Scholarship (Engineering) at another school required a 3.75 GPA to be eligible for renewal. Tough standard.</p>
<p>Okay, I am sold! We will visit whether or not D is a NMSF. Her stats are good enough for some kind of scholarship. </p>
<p>Omama, can you tell me how far UA is from Atlanta? My sister in law lives there and I’d love a family member who is semi-close. </p>
<p>Can anyone comment on class size for freshman classes? </p>
<p>I will have to look at flying out of Akron-Canton.</p>
<p>For those living in the Northeast, what school breaks does your student come home for?
Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break? What about Easter?</p>
<p>Atlanta is about 21/2 to 3 hours depending on where they live. There are lots of students from the ATL area at UA. Also there is a 1 hour time difference. ATL airport to Tuscaloosa is a very easy drive.</p>
<p>My D came home Thanksgiving her freshman year. Last year she stayed for the Auburn game. She was invited to a friends house for Thanksgiving. Since entering UA she has been invited all over the south!</p>
<p>This year she is heading north for Fall break but she will be going to OU (Halloween and her best friends 21st bday!) We will probably drive down and say hi!</p>
<p>She went to spring break down in Destin both years, but I usually travel down once or twice in the spring. They finish in early May.</p>
<p>My DD will be NMSF this year. Does UA ever cover the travel expenses for a visit? We have a DD already in college so the budget is tight! I really want to see what all the buzz is about!</p>
<p>Regardless if your D becomes NMF, she will definitely qualify for one of the generous guaranteed scholarships. The honor’s college itself was a real selling point. There were so many honor’s classes that were appealing, she had a hard time choosing which ones to take. </p>
<p>My D was originally thinking she would prefer a smaller school but she realized that a larger university also has a lot to offer in terms of concerts, sports, internships. Especially when you are an OSS, it’s important that there’s a lot happening on the weekends. (Whereas with some of the smaller schools we visited the campuses were dead on Saturday b/c everyone’s gone home.)</p>
<p>It is somewhat ironic that although UA was the largest school she considered, it was also by far the most personal in every respect! Students/parents on CC are also exceeding responsive in answering questions, offering suggestions, providing advice. The more we investigated UA, the more we were pleased. By the time she visited for CBH weekend, she’d decided she wanted to go to Bama whether or not she was admitted to the program.</p>
<p>*My DD will be NMSF this year. Does UA ever cover the travel expenses for a visit? *</p>
<p>Only for those who are finalists for 2 of the competitive honors programs…UFE and CBH. Those UFE and CBH finalists are given trips in February of senior year.</p>
<p>Bama enrolls about 125 NMFs and about 15-20 NAs every year, and probably gets apps for at least twice that many, so it’s not really economically feasible to fund trips for these kids. </p>
<p>The honors college would arrange for a NMF student to spend the night with an honors student if that’s desired. </p>
<p>Where are you coming from?</p>
<p>*I really want to see what all the buzz is about! *</p>
<p>:) I can understand. Did you watch the video?
[The</a> University of Alabama College of Arts & Sciences “This is How College is Meant to Be” - YouTube](<a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube)</p>
<p>You can also go to the website and request info…and Bama will send you all kinds of stuff…including some DVDs that provide more info.<br>
<a href=“http://gobama.ua.edu/contact/request_info.html[/url]”>http://gobama.ua.edu/contact/request_info.html</a></p>
<p>Yeah, I kind of figured…but one can always hope. We are coming from Houston,TX so we can drive, but’s it’s a pretty long trip. I will check into those honors programs you mentioned. D is a very tippy top student (she got a free trip to Notre Dame this summer) so maybe she should apply. I tried to watch the video but got an error. Maybe my browser…</p>
<p>Yes, your D should apply to the elite programs. I must say though, that visiting campus before finalist selection and getting some “face time” with those honors directors can be a big help for being selected as a finalist. Bama gets lots of apps for those programs, and showing early interest helps getting selected. </p>
<p>I have done the drive from Houston to T-town. It can be done in a day. </p>
<p>The link is working, so it may be your browser.</p>
<p>Try this…go to YouTube and search for …</p>
<p>The University of Alabama College of Arts & Sciences “This is How College is Meant to Be” </p>
<p>It should be the second link to come up. :)</p>
<p>MC2K - Do you know if they would cover travel expenses for those living outside the U.S. (should they be lucky enough to be chosen as a finalist)?</p>
<p>My daughter has submitted her app (waiting on transcripts), but we wouldn’t be able to visit until the spring. </p>
<p>We did receive the DVDs which are great and helped give a feel for the campus.</p>
<p>*MC2K - Do you know if they would cover travel expenses for those living outside the U.S. *</p>
<p>Do you mean if your child makes “finalist” for one of the elite honors programs at Bama? I believe there is a dollar value…like up to about $450 for airfare…so not likely going to cover an int’l flight.</p>
<p>Yes, finalist for one of the elite honor programs. Thanks for the information - that makes sense to have a cutoff amount per flight.</p>