Please tell me all about the University of Alabama

<p>Mom2collegekids, you wrote:</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>I guess from I reading I was thinking if D achieved semi-finalist standing, she’d automatically get the scholarship. Is this not the case then based on you saying they get apps for at least twice that many? Is this a competitive scholarship? We won’t be able to go visit for awhile, but now I am worried.</p>

<p>linnylu,</p>

<p>Worry not. Some have other opportunities that they accept. If your D makes NMSF then it is guaranteed. All she has to do is accept the offer. </p>

<p>So, to be clear, Bama must get about 250 NMF applicants each year and about 125 accept the offer.</p>

<p>That’s how I read it.</p>

<p>^^^
Correct, remember a lot of NMSF, NMF etc., are also applying to West Point, Air Force/Naval Academy and many of the other low probability opportunities, even for a NMF…</p>

<p>Chardo -</p>

<p>I just graduated with a CHE degree in December 2010. I now work for P&G as a process engineer. </p>

<p>I turned down a partial scholarship to Georgia Tech for the full NM ride at UA in addition to being in the CBHP which helped me tremendously throughout college (the support system from Dr. Sharpe, Mrs. Batson, etc is genuine). The advantages of a top engineering school are that they undoubtedly attract a larger pool of companies. So while UA may have 50 companies at the engineering career fair Georgia Tech may have 100. However, UA is an undergraduate researched based university so there are plenty of opportunities to engage in research with a professor if that is what your student wants. I am not 100% sure, but an undergrad may have a more difficult time accessing that at larger, top engineering schools. </p>

<p>Also, Cummings Research Park is a great area but most of those positions are for electrical/computer engineers so keep that in mind too. Also, not all of those companies actively recruit at UA for entry level positions.</p>

<p>Since my H has worked in Cummings Research Park for over 12 years now, I know that companies in CRP hire other majors as well…math majors, accounting majors, MechE majors, Comp Sci majors, MBA’s, etc. </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>+++++++++</p>

<p>I guess from I reading I was thinking if D achieved semi-finalist standing, she’d automatically get the scholarship. Is this not the case then based on you saying they get apps for at least twice that many? Is this a competitive scholarship? We won’t be able to go visit for awhile, but now I am worried. *</p>

<p>================</p>

<p>Any NMF that applies to Bama is awarded the scholarship. (Achieving NMSF is not enough…you must be a NMF…However, as long as your D has the SAT, GPA, does the NMSF paperwork, and isn’t a discipline problem at school (and sends SAT to NMCorp), she will make NMF.</p>

<p>This is NOT a competitive scholarship…all NMFs who apply by the deadline are awarded the scholarship. </p>

<p>Bama likely has 300+ NMF students applying each year, but probably only about 125 actually enroll at Bama. Not every applicant enrolls at any school. </p>

<p>My point was that since about 300+ NMSF/Fs are sending in apps (and many NAs), Bama can’t really justify paying for “campus visits” for that many (or more) students.</p>

<p>I guess from I reading I was thinking if D achieved semi-finalist standing, she’d automatically get the scholarship.</p>

<p>To further clarify…most/all schools do not actually award NMF scholarships UNTIL the student makes NMF…because these are “NMF scholarships.”</p>

<p>While some schools have competitive NMF scholarships for those who make NMF, the Bama scholarship is assured. :)</p>

<p>At Bama, once you make NMSF, you’re awarded the Presidential (free tuition), then when you’re named a Finalist (in Feb of senior year), you’re awarded the rest of the scholarship (housing, etc).</p>

<p>I have a few more questions! I’m also happy to report a classmate of my daughter is hoping to attend UA too. This girl has relative nearby, so that makes me feel better.</p>

<p>If someone could tell me how students get from the airport to the college that would be helpful.</p>

<p>Also, is Thanksgiving break longer than just a 4 day weekend? Do kids have to be back Sunday night?</p>

<p>Finally, can the Academic Elite Scholarship be won by a NM finalist? Would they send the application to a NMF? I see they receive the same package as the NMF but also receive $8500 for 4 years which would help with food and travel and books.</p>

<p>-Shuttle bus to the airport</p>

<p>-Thanksgiving break is Wed-Sun, Many kids don’t go home for Thanksgiving, it is the weekend of the Iron Bowl - game with Auburn, one of the biggest Football games of yr. (There is also a ‘Mid-semester Break’ for Halloween)</p>

<p>-Scholarships, that’s for someone else.</p>

<p>Christmas break is 3+ weeks! (Dec 17th-Jan 8th)</p>

<p>Can anyone give me a few more details about the shuttle bus?</p>

<p>There are organized shuttles to and from the airport. I don’t know the cost. You have to call and reserve a seat for your needed time.</p>

<p>*Finally, can the Academic Elite Scholarship be won by a NM finalist? Would they send the application to a NMF? I see they receive the same package as the NMF but also receive $8500 for 4 years which would help with food and travel and books. *</p>

<p>There isn’t really an application for Academic Elite. And, you’re not supposed to even ask about it because it is believed that those who ask about it are only interested in Fellows to get the stipend. So, it’s kind of a hush/hush deal…and the awarding process is not really announced.</p>

<p>If a student is chosen for the University Fellows, then he/she is considered for the AE scholarship. However, I don’t think they give it to NMFs. I’m not sure about that, but I’ve never known a NMF to get that scholarship.</p>

<p>Frankly, I’d like to see that scholarship greatly changed because I don’t think it’s right or fair that of the 30-40 UFE kids, that about 8 get a stipend…while the others don’t. That’s a little nutty to me…and bad for morale since everyone will be working hard on their projects. And, it becomes really crazy if some of the AE recipients turns out to be a weak leader/worker.</p>

<p>I’d like the scholarship to change to a flat amount that every UFE and CBH kid gets.</p>

<p>I’m not sure what the earlier question about the mention of Birmingham was referring to, but wanted to say that my S (NMSF - although not yet notified of such) has already applied and been accepted to UA - B’ham. Their package is not as nice as Tuscaloosa, but is still a full ride. S has looked at Tuscaloosa and it just doesn’t have to offer the same as B’ham for his interests (neuroscience/bio engineering).</p>

<p>The one issue that I have heard about B’ham (that may or may not also apply to Tuscaloosa) is that there is still a fair amount of racial tension between blacks and whites.</p>

<p>Question - if S were to attend B’ham and want to switch to Tuscaloosa, does mom2 (or anyone else) know if S would receive the same package as incoming NMF freshmen… in other words… would he get honors dorm, etc if transferring from one UA to the other UA?</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

<p>FWIW; My next door neighbor completed her Ph.D. in Genomic Science at UAB, she said she would not recommend it, rough neighborhood, racial tensions etc.</p>

<p>*Question - if S were to attend B’ham and want to switch to Tuscaloosa, does mom2 (or anyone else) know if S would receive the same package as incoming NMF freshmen… in other words… would he get honors dorm, etc if transferring from one UA to the other UA?</p>

<p>*</p>

<p>No, your son would not get the NMF package if he left UAB for UA…those are 2 different universities. </p>

<p>I would not recommend UAB for an OOS student. UAB is only 10% OOS and most kids either commute or go home on weekends.</p>

<p>* S has looked at Tuscaloosa and it just doesn’t have to offer the same as B’ham for his interests (neuroscience/bio engineering).</p>

<p>*</p>

<p>I don’t know what your son’s career interests are, but those undergrad majors are soooooo unnecessary for undergrads…absolutely unnecessary.</p>

<p>Crazymomster,</p>

<p>I suggest your son visit UA and talk to the Honors Folks about what he is looking for in an education. Alabama has some great opportunities and draws quite a few OOS NMSFs every year. Granted, the financial package is a huge incentive, but, most of those students would not go there if they thought they were going to get a mediocre education.</p>

<p>^^^</p>

<p>I think the son is basing his thoughts on the issue that his desired majors are bio-med engineering and neuroscience. Those majors, as undergrads, are not needed for any field. It would be a mistake for a student to discount another school just because it lacked 2 majors that are arbitrary in nature. </p>

<p>The careers that involve those areas of science require grad degrees or medical degrees…and neither route requires those majors for undergrad.</p>

<p>those who want to go into the research area or design area often major in MechE and take extra Bio classes…or they major in Chemistry and take extra Psych classes…or some combo of those areas.</p>

<p>those who want to go into medicine don’t need those majors either. Any major can work for pre-med. Those who want to specialize in neuroscience as physicians don’t need any sort of undergrad classes at all.</p>

<p>One more question- at my nephew’s school if you are in a suite with a bathroom shared by only 2-4 people, the students are responsible for cleaning the bathroom. DN is already complaining about that and how messy his roommates are. My DD was wondering if it is the same at UA- students clean their own bathroom?</p>

<p>linnylu: in the supersuites you are responsible for cleaning the bathrooms (and everything else.) In the traditional dorms like Tutwiler (the all girls freshman dorm with shared hall bathrooms) they have staff that clean them.</p>

<p>D happily cleans her bathroom :)</p>

<p>Yes, I told D that with such a nice suite she should be happy to clean the bathroom. My nephew is just complaining how sloppy his roommates are and D heard. Every little thing is causing her to stress lately.</p>

<p>well i’m going to put in a good word for UAB… it is not necessarily as depicted here… it also has automatic merit aid, NMF scholarships etc. It is a very strong school for sciences and has a one of a kind honors program for sci tech students. It is also THE school for health related fields. it is an urban campus (not like UA) about 11K undergrads. 17K total students. It has suite style dorms for freshman, and full apartment style dorms for upperclassmen. The average act is actually just a tad higher for UAB at 24. It is a tier 1 university one of very few ranked by carnegie as a high research university. It receives as much funding as schools like Harvard from NIH.</p>

<p>Fall 2011 First-Year Freshmen Estimated
First-Year FreshmanOut-of-State
Tuition and Fees<em>$14,256
Books and Supplies</em><em>$1000
Meal Plan$450 - $3,894
Total$15,706 - $19,150
Residence Hall (Blazer/Camp Hall)</em>**$5,200
Grand Total$20,906 - $24,350</p>

<p>Blazer Elite Scholarship
$10,000
Based on academic achievement (28-36 ACT and at least 3.0 GPA)
Blazer Gold Scholarship
$7,500
Based on academic achievement (26-27 ACT and at least 3.0 GPA)
Blazer Pride Scholarship
$5,000
Based on academic achievement (24-25 ACT and at least 3.0 GPA)</p>

<p>In the 2010 Princeton Review College Rankings, UAB is listed as one of the Best Southeastern Colleges and among the top 15 percent of colleges and universities in the U.S.
In addition, out of their 371 Best College Rankings, UAB was ranked third in race/class interaction and 11th for happiest students </p>

<p>The 2009 Academic Ranking of World Universities places UAB within the top 200 universities in the world and top 100 in the nation.</p>

<p>UAB is in birmingham which has an airport. And the commuter comments shouldnt be taken as fact…while alot of students are instate… that doesnt mean everyone goes home…the campus doesnt die on the weekends!</p>

<p>crazymomster feel free to pm me re UAB… and the neighborhood is not bad,nor sketchy, and as above racial tension is not terrible! UAB is the only school with biomedical engineering and he should definitely look at sci/tech honors …an incredible program that will also cover the cost of phd at uab</p>