<p>OK, after lurking for a long time - here goes with my very first post!</p>
<p>I am very interested in learning more about Alabama for my daughter who graduates in 2011. Any help or suggestions from parents that “have been there and done that” are appreciated. Looking for best practices and any tips you can offer. </p>
<p>Our background -</p>
<p>We are black & live in Southern VA (rural). She took the SAT in her Sophmore and got 1830. & 185 on the PSAT this year.
She has a 4.4 GPA weighted and is currently #2 in her class.
She will take the SAT agian in June 2010, hoping to break 2000.
She is extremly bright, varisty letter athelete in 3 sports and other EC’s,<br>
but is not a great test taker. </p>
<p>She plans to major in Engneering. </p>
<p>We do not think that we will get anything in need based aid - but money is a huge factor for us. Even though we have some great In State schools here in VA, we are interested in Merit $$. </p>
<p>What is the earliest that she can apply to Alabama this summer? Do they do rolling notifications or no? </p>
<p>Admissions are rolling and the application is incredibly easy and straightforward. Not sure when you can apply for 2011-12, but you can ask the admissions office at: 1-800-933-BAMA or 205-348-5666.</p>
<p>With so much potential merit $$ riding on the SAT, you might consider a good SAT prep course. For some students it can help boost their scores 100 or more points.</p>
<p>If I recall correctly, my D has her application into Alabama by July 3rd; she had transcripts in around July 25th & had a decision by mid August. </p>
<p>I would suggest having her take the ACT also; some kids test better on that than the SAT and vice versa. A 32 ACT or 1400 CR+M SAT with a 3.5 GPA = Presidential Scholarship with is out of state tuition for 4 years. </p>
<p>I am going to call them to verify. If she can get her SAT up to 1400 that would be incredible as a “safety” for her. With her current score she is at 1280 for CR+M. </p>
<p>She is taking the SAT for the 2nd time and the ACT for the 1st time in June 2010.</p>
<p>But, I have not been very successful in getting her to study for it. She is more interested in her current classes and her sports. </p>
<p>Side note - She has a strong dislike of any Standardized tests. She does not believe they are fair, etc, etc. - I agree but tell her it is what it is. Ugh!</p>
<p>Anyway - thanks so much for the feedback!</p>
<p>Is there anyone else that has experieince with the application to the School of Engineering? Or, the Honors program?</p>
<p>We have experience with the Honors College. BTW, we are also from Virginia.</p>
<p>Encourage your daughter to apply to the Honors College for lots of reasons. The courses are unique, and she will meet people from all over. Also, as a member of the Honors College, she can take honors-level classes offered by various departments. For example, my son’s girlfriend takes Honors Biology. My son did an audit for Honors Calculus (got the AP credit in high school).</p>
<p>Also, if she should also apply to the computer-based honors program. It is not just a computer science program – programming is part of it. The students learn two computer languages over the course of a year. These languages can be used in doing research projects with professors. My son is in CBHP (as it is called). </p>
<p>The honors dorms are incredible. A student gets his own room (10 by 10). That, among other things, sold my son on Alabama.</p>
<p>momreads - what were yours sons stats to get into the Honors College? The dorms do sound incredible. Wow! nothing like when I went to college in 1986 when there were 3 of us to a room and we only had 2 closets. :-)</p>
<p>Thanks so much everyone and keep the information coming! This is very helpful.</p>
<p>DD is sitting here with me right now and is really getting excited about Alabama. </p>
<p>She was a little hesitant at first, because of the location mostly - but seems to be impressed. We just recieved a DVD and a packet from the school yesterday and that is what peaked my interest enough to post. The packet is really nice BTW.</p>
<p>There is also the University Fellows Experience and the CBHP which Momreads mentioned. These are very competitive and you can read about that here on this forum since the selection process has just recently wrapped up.</p>
<p>One other thing that wasn’t mentioned yet is that Honors students get to register before everyone else. Including athletes.</p>
<p>If your D is going to major in Engineering or Computer Science, she only needs to get a ACT 30 or </p>
<p>Out-of-state students who have a 30-31 ACT or 1330-1390 SAT (math and verbal scores only) and at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA **will receive a tuition supplement to bring their University-level scholarship offer up to the value of tuition. In addition, they will receive $2,500 per year for four years. **</p>
<p>Of course, those who score a 32+ or a 1400+ also get full tuition plus $2500 per year. :)</p>
<p>On another note…do you know what the VA cut-off PSAT score for National Achievement was the past year? The scores do fluctuate a bit, but if your D’s score is about last year’s cut-off, there’s a chance your D could get the National Achievement Scholarship - which is free tuition and free housing…and some other goodies. :)</p>
<p>Definitely look into CBH and Fellows…that can be another source for scholarships. </p>
<p>BTW…she may find the ACT to be more “fair.” The SAT has been accused of being “tricky,” while the ACT is not. </p>
<p>*
But, I have not been very successful in getting her to study for it. She is more interested in her current classes and her sports.*</p>
<p>One of my sons wasn’t motivated to study for the tests either, until I had to dangle a carrot. I would offer movie tickets for him and a friend if he did a few test sections. After a few dangled carrots, my son began seeing for himself that his scores improved. From then on, he became motivated to study on his own. </p>
<p>So, for the cost of 4-6 movie tickets, we got much higher scores. :)</p>
<p>2011VAMom: You are right about landing merit money from the Virginia schools – my son got into William & Mary (only loans) and the U. of Richmond ($15,000 merit money a year). He did not apply to UVA, because he does not like the traffic in Charlottesville, but he has several friends attending the school, and none has merit money. Two are engineering majors, too.</p>
<p>That said, my son was a National Merit Scholar/National AP Scholar. Does your daughter do any Virtual Virginia classes? If so, the two may have met online in a class, as my son took several VVA courses. That allowed him to earn 65 credits from his APs.</p>
<p>Wait until your daughter receives her scores from her June SAT before making a decision to apply. She might choose, if she does not qualify for the out of state full tuition ride, to take the ACT/SAT in the fall. I know that West Virginia schools offer the ACT in September – not sure where you live in relation to WV. </p>
<p>You are welcome to send me a personal message with other questions.</p>
<p>I have been looking at the UA website trying to figure out the COA. I have looked on several different pages, and I can not nail down a final number. </p>
<p>Obviously the figures will change from this year to next year this time. </p>
<p>But, does anyone know where I can find the exact figure for 2010-2011 that the FA office is using for COA? If you have a link to a page that is fine as well. Thanks.</p>
<p>I think one of the best things you can do is visit the campus next Fall on E-day. It’s specifically for high school students who are interested in Engineering. Not only will she learn about the campus, she can also get a better feel what Engineering is all about. (or if it’s really something she’d like to pursue…)</p>
<p>Make sure to call ahead and speak with Honors Dept. They did an exceptionally great job of making arrangements, answering questions and being very organized.</p>
<p>FYI- Honors programs are by no means equal! (Read the requirements and perks carefully) Not only does UA offer several very interesting classes, they also have very desireable benefits like separate housing, early registration, Alabama Action, etc.</p>
<p>Just wanted to share my story with you to give your daughter inspiration. I took the GRE in 1992 and earned a 1220. Recently, I took it again, since I have considered returning to Grad School to start a new career. My October 2009 GRE score was a horrible 980, though my Verbal was in the top 9 per cent. In December, after much studying, I brought the score up to 1300, and in January, I was able to raise it 1430! Most shockingly, I raised the Quantitative portion to 740 out of 800, after getting a 340 in October, and only a 620 in December! The studying really paid off. Good luck with you daughter. Hope she goes to UA!</p>
<p>I wish I could fast forward to next year this time so that I could just know what sweatshirt to buy and focus on planning the graduation party. If only it could be that easy. LOL!</p>
<p>I’m guessing if she’s interested in Engineering then she’s more a Math/Science type. A vocab book my D used for SAT prep was called Direct Hits. (Little book but words are more frequently on actual exams) Good luck on the retake.</p>
<p>I’m with your daughter, the Honors dorms are wonderful. Really the nicest ones we’d seen.</p>