<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>