Questions about UA Birmingham

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Alabama
1

<p>Few questions!</p>

<p>1) As a chinese, will I feel out of place? I see that the school only has about 5% Asian, and the city has only about 1% Asian.</p>

<p>2) What type of scholarships do they give to OOS (from CA, not that it really matters)? My stats are 33 ACT, 2060/1440 SAT, 4.04 W, 3.86 UW</p>

<p>3) The chemistry scholars program
[UAB</a> Department of Chemistry](<a href=“http://main.uab.edu/chemistry/show.asp?durki=75527&site=3429&return=69932]UAB”>http://main.uab.edu/chemistry/show.asp?durki=75527&site=3429&return=69932) Is it worth it? I think with my stats I would be able to get into UCSD, perhaps UC Berkeley. It seems to be regarded as a much better school than UAB. Seems like all thats special about the scholars program is TA during undergrad years, perhaps easier chance of getting research, and interacting more with professors. Wouldnt one be easily able to accomplish the later two at any other university? Would it be worth attending UAB for that?</p>

<p>4) The early med school acceptance program [Early</a> Medical School Acceptance Program (EMSAP)](<a href=“http://main.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=27435]Early”>http://main.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=27435) How competitive is it to be accepted? What are the average stats of applicants?</p>

<p>5) The science and technology honors program [How</a> to Apply](<a href=“http://main.uab.edu/Sites/undergraduate-programs/honors_academy/sthonors/30225/]How”>http://main.uab.edu/Sites/undergraduate-programs/honors_academy/sthonors/30225/) How does it differ from the chemistry scholars program? Can I apply and if accepted, participate in both?</p>

<p>6) What are the average class sizes? (for lower division and upper division)</p>

<p>7) Can you tell me more about the school? :)</p>

2

<p>out of state costs would be 20K per year (tuition room and board)</p>

<p>[College</a> Costs](<a href=“http://main.uab.edu/Sites/apply/financial_aid/costs/]College”>http://main.uab.edu/Sites/apply/financial_aid/costs/)</p>

<p>i think as an oos student with a 33 you get 6K per year merit scholarship. </p>

<p>the early medical acceptance program is VERY competitive, even though it says a 30 act can apply i have heard that it requires a minimum 34.</p>

<p>sci tech honors is a program you should also look at… it gives you research from 1st year The head of that program is Dr. Tucker (really nice person) just give her a call, she would be glad to speak with you and can give you the info on class size etc.
[Science</a> and Technology Honors Program](<a href=“http://main.uab.edu/Sites/undergraduate-programs/honors_academy/sthonors/]Science”>http://main.uab.edu/Sites/undergraduate-programs/honors_academy/sthonors/)<br>
it also pays for your phd is you continue at uab. Yes you can participate in both!</p>

<p>Chem scholars is competitive and although you might not find too much on the website they have a fairly new program in forensic chemistry that is certified… quite a heavy courseload though. Chem scholars also pays you a stipend each year, think it is 1600 first year and 3600 each additional year. (on top of merit aid)</p>

<p>UAB does not have a traditional campus, its in the middle of the city…but has an incredible student center, good housing (new dorms for freshman) </p>

<p>UAB just ranked very high for med school in primary care and in medical research (26th). It actually receives more NIH funding that alot of schools Last i checked it ranked 16th in funding.
my son is probably going to uab and is iaccepted in both sci/tech and chem scholars</p>

3

<p>I think you may get a much better scholarship from Alabama than UAB as an OOS student. UAB used to give better automatic scholarships, but has recently reduced them. UAB still has a few competitive scholarships that you “might” get, but no assurances that you’d get one and no assurances that whatever was given for 2010 will be available in 2011. Right now, UAB doesn’t its OOS scholarships published. </p>

<p>UAB has a really good med school, but the undergrads complain that it lacks somewhat in “campus life.” UAB does have nice off-campus hangouts at Five Points, and UA has nice off campus hangouts on The Strip.</p>

<p>My son’s girlfriend goes to UAB (she’s Asian, by the way), and she’s envious of what Bama has to offer for a full campus experience. She chose UAB because at the time, UAB gave a better scholarship for her stats (that scholarship is no longer available - she got full tuition plus half housing). She’ll be going to Pharm school, so saving money was very important to her.</p>

<p>However, if you’re the more quiet, studious type, you may not care if a school doesn’t have the more developed social side. </p>

<p>The early entrance into UAB med school is very competitive. However, it’s really not that necessary. Both schools are generous with AP credits, so many students can graduate from either school in 3 years, and go to med school early. Both of my boys could have easily graduated within 3 years at Bama. They are choosing not to because they are pursuing double majors and extra minors.</p>

<p>For your stats and what you want, I think you should also apply to Bama. You’d get full OOS tuition (worth about $80k). You should also apply to Bama’s Computer-Based Honors Program (avg ACT 33). Only 40 students are admitted. It’s not a Comp Sci program; it’s a research program. Of course, you would qualify for the other honors program as well.</p>

<p>Bama has the new Shelby Science and Engineering Complex (see below)</p>

<p>UA Shelby Science & Engineering Complex
Phase I (completed)
[Shelby</a> Tour](<a href=“http://www.bama.ua.edu/~chem/facilities/buildings/shelbytour/tour.html]Shelby”>http://www.bama.ua.edu/~chem/facilities/buildings/shelbytour/tour.html)</p>

<p>Phase II (completed) <a href=“http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=TL&Date=20090720&Category=FRONTPAGE&ArtNo=720009998&Ref=PH&Profile=1007&Params=Itemnr=1[/url]”>http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=TL&Date=20090720&Category=FRONTPAGE&ArtNo=720009998&Ref=PH&Profile=1007&Params=Itemnr=1&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>aerial view - scroll down for the pic [News</a> from the College | College of Arts and Sciences](<a href=“http://web.as.ua.edu/home/news/2009/mailnews/october/webmail.php]News”>http://web.as.ua.edu/home/news/2009/mailnews/october/webmail.php) Phase III is being built above the buildings in the pic. </p>

<p>At either school, you’re going to find the concentration of Asians to be greater in the sciences and engineering. Therefore, you will not be unique. :slight_smile: </p>

<p>Luckily, both schools are not far away from each other, so you could visit both during a campus visit. </p>

<p>Apply to both UAB and Bama and see who gives you the best scholarships. And, consider applying to Bama’s Computer-based honors program. For more info about that, contact Dr. Sharpe (very nice man). He’s the director of the program. Include a mention of your stats if you contact him. <a href=“mailto:ssharpe@bama.ua.edu”>ssharpe@bama.ua.edu</a> <a href=“mailto:ssharpe@AALAN.UA.EDU”>ssharpe@AALAN.UA.EDU</a></p>

4

<p>the early medical program isnt just about going to med school early… it guarantees your spot in med school at uab (as long as you maintain certain gpa) so you would know as a college freshman that you have med school acceptance.</p>

5

<p>Oh I know that. :)</p>

<p>However, for this OOS student, it may be cheaper for him to go to med school at a UC.</p>

6

<p>I had a nice convo with a Bama pre-med advisor last week. Bama’s med school acceptance rate is 80%. Those who don’t get accepted are largely to blame - either they apply to too few med schools and/or their stats are not good enough. </p>

<p>I asked why some only apply to a few med schools and I was told that some only apply to nearby med schools because they’re in relationships and/or they only apply to the 2 instate med schools because of low cost.</p>

<p>Those with good stats and the willingness to apply to various med schools get accepted.</p>

7

<p>Thanks parent56. If I may ask, what are your son’s stats? Alabama resident?</p>

<p>Dangit, that scholarships sounds great, full tuition/half housing :frowning: I will consider both campuses, but what made me think of appying to UAB is the BS/MD, Science and Technology honors, Chemistry scholars programs. It’s just that it will be weird going somewhere with barely any asians, as there are 40% asians where I live now. </p>

<p>It probably will be cheaper for me to attend med school at a UC, but they are so freaking competitive to get into.</p>

8

<p>^^^</p>

<p>The Asian population is certainly growing in the South. Keep in mind that Asian students are not typically evenly spread out amongst all majors. Asian students can mostly be found in about 5 majors…engineering, bio, chem, math, physics, etc. Therefore, even if there aren’t many at a campus as a whole, there will be more in your major. </p>

<p>Apply to both campuses and see which school gives you the best scholarship. :)</p>

9

<p>lunatichemist… his act was 33, his school doesnt rank or weight but he had ap and advanced courses which helps, your gpa etc looks very similar to his stats. the chem scholars and sci/tech programs require applications and interviews. another thing if you like md/phd programs is that uab is part of the mstp schools…then med school and phd are paid for through NIH and your receive a stipend (depends on the state but around 25-30K per year). Of course you would need to be interested in research or academia (those are the usual paths mdphd follow) MD/PHD programs are selective and not all md/phd programs provide the tuition and stipend. And it takes r years of med school, about 2-4 for phd and then you still have residency program requirements so it is a huge committment.</p>

<p>there are other scholarships for oos students i think, but i didnt look into them as we are in state. but also remember the TOTAL cost is 20K which includes room and board…so about 14K out of pocket if you got the 6K merit</p>

10

<p>My son was accepted into UAB as a biomedical engineering major. He was initially offered the Blazer Elite, about 7K/year, but as a National Merit Finalist, they upgraded his offer to the UAB presidential scholarship, which provides full tuition and fees, on campus housing, and a 2500 study abroad stipend. He was invited to interview for the sci/tech program but declined as he had decided on Bama and didn’t want to take a spot away from another deserving student. I would highly recommend you visit UAB on their honors day next year, if you’re a junior. You may not receive an invite, but if you call, you can get yourself invited. It was a great program, and you even got an admission decision that day, to the university, which is comforting as you’re starting senior year. The event is held in early fall, like late August or September, so start calling them right away once you start senior year. As for your concern about ethnicity, we did get a phone call from an Asian girl who was in the early med school program to see if we had any questions about the school. There are a fair amount of African American students, so it’s not a “lily white” school. I do not think race will be an issue there for you. I would definitely apply there and visit during the honors day and apply for the different honors programs that are offered there. If anything, it would be a good option should finances and fit not work out at other schools you’re applying to. Good luck!</p>

11

<p>Thanks guys. I’ll apply and see what happens. Thats neat, an acceptance early on :)</p>

12

<p>Apply to both campuses in August. You’ll have 2 acceptances in your pocket right away! You’ll also get your scholarships quite soon, too.</p>

13

<p>Yes, definitely, apply to both UAB and Bama. Then pick the one that fits YOU best. It was so nice for son to be able to choose a school that fit not just our wallet, but fit HIM.
And take that ACT/SAT in fall of senior year. You may get a winning score!</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>