She applied :)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Alabama
1

<p>My daughter called me into her room today asking for my credit card number (you’d think she would have it memorized by now with all the apps. and test score stuff.) :wink: Anyway, why do you think she needed it? Because she just applied to University of Alabama! I had no idea she was in there doing that. I had forwarded her some info. from Mom2Collegekids. Thanks, Mom! :slight_smile: </p>

<p>So, I read here somewhere that she needs to wait for an email from UA giving her an ID so she can apply for the UA Scholar award? It said that it usually takes a couple days, right? She’ll keep checking. In the meantime, the ACT site is down until this evening so she’ll go back and have her 30 ACT score sent. She filled out an envelope to give to her counselor for her transcript. </p>

<p>Trouble is, my husband is not happy about her thinking about Alabama. When I mentioned how generous they were with scholarships, he said “It’s not about the money…we can work that out (thinking of other schools she’s applied to). That’s all you’re thinking of is how much cheaper it will be”. Well, duh. That IS a big part of it. No, I probably wouldn’t have even given UA a thought if it hadn’t been for their generous merit aid. But, after reasearching the school a bit more and reading the positive information here on CC, I figured, why not? She can at least apply and IF, for some reason she doesn’t get accepted to somewhere like Cal Poly…and we simply cannot afford the other schools she’s applied to…then it won’t hurt to give UA some serious consideration.</p>

<p>Her first choice school is still Indiana University Bloomington, even over CA schools. And, even though she’s eligible for a $9,000 yearly scholarship, that definitely will still make it more money than UA. Granted, Indiana is rated higher and is known for their music and businesss (none of which she’s interested in). I do like basketball the BEST. Love the Hoosiers. The town of Bloomington is supposed to be a great college town. Colder weather, though! She says she doesn’t care. I think she’s looking for an area with defined seasons.</p>

<p>Well, we’ll see how it goes! Again, my secret wish would be for her to stay in-state for her undergrad education. After that, she can certainly think about doing her grad school studies across the U.S. for a change of pace. Boston (city) is her first choice right now.</p>

<p>First things first! Thanks for all the great information re; UA. I can’t believe how fast the application process is to USC! Yikes—that is ONE long and thorough app!</p>

<p>I’m going to continue to read more about UA. I really want to see the whole picture—the negative as well as the positive. I want to see why people like it for MORE than just generous merit aid. I mean, we can easily learn to like something if it means paying less money. :slight_smile: I certainly love my Honda over a BMW. But, then I would, anyway. That’s what I want to hear when I read about University of Alabama–that folks like it for what it IS and not just what they can GIVE. :)</p>

<p>Thanks again, everyone! We’ll keep you updated!</p>

2

<p>My D had IU high on her list too until she visited UA. That sealed the deal. If you and D have not visited, you really need to take a look. The difference in weather was a factor as well. We live between the 2 schools, so travel was not much difference, but the cultures were. Both are gorgeous campuses, but there was something about UA that just clicked, that and the generous scholarships and Honors program.
D spent 2 weeks at IU summer program 2 years ago, but 1 visit to UA sold her, and us, on the school.
Good luck where ever your D decides to attend.</p>

3

<p>First, glad to hear your D applied :slight_smile: The university does have that traditional college look that she wants (which is rare in Calif).</p>

<p>I can understand your H’s hesitation. To many of us Californians, Alabama can seem - well - odd. LOL :)</p>

<p>Heck, when my H told me that we were being transferred to either Illinois, Alabama, or Maryland (our pick), I said (and this is embarrassing)…where exactly is Alabama? Does it have a coastline? LOL That’s how dumb I was about the south. LOLOLOLOL In my mind, all the southern states were just this kind of group on the right lower side of our country. (Isn’t that a sad commentary on my memory from geography classes…LOL)</p>

<p>Anyway, we came to Alabama with all of our pre-conceived notions, and we found that most of them were wrong. LOL …I don’t feel any differently now than I do when I’m in Orange County (except now I experience MORE trees in suburban areas, no smog, no Santa Ana winds, and much less traffic) We have many of the same stores and restaurants, plus some regional ones.</p>

<p>Yes, you may meet some poorly educated people in the more rural parts of the state, but heck, I used to meet poorly educated people in various parts of Calif, too. What state has perfectly educated people? :)</p>

4

<p>2Leashes,</p>

<p>I agree with catfan–a visit to UA could seal the deal! :slight_smile: Though that’s a mighty long trip from CA! </p>

<p>I’m pretty familiar with CA schools–we were stationed in Coronado (aka paradise) for two years, and my middle S looked at both USC and UCLA, but ended up at UVA. And I spent many a weekend at football and basketball games at Indiana (I was a fellow Big Ten student at Northwestern). Big differences among the schools your D’s looking at–and I’m not just talking about the weather! Still, as pretty as USC and IU are, UA rivals both! My D and I visited a week ago, and though she’d visited a lot of schools over the years, she was sold on UA within minutes of walking on the campus. There’s just something about it…</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

5

<p>UA wasn’t even on my DD’s radar screen her senior year, and she (and we) had heard some of those pre-conceived notions about Alabama. For her, it was all about going to Univ of Florida, and that’s where she was headed. On advice of an UA alum friend, we decided to swing by Tuscaloosa on a trip to Atlanta. That visit sold her. The tour was excellent, the dorms beautiful, and most importantly, the admissions counselor sat down with her one on one for quite a while. They talked about her interests, the advantages of the honors program, and all the opportunities at UA. No other college tour was as personal, people as friendly; plus the feel of the campus was great. Not too big, and not too small. She was accepted in late October, and when she went to the Capstone Scholars Day, that sealed the deal. So the acceptance to UF and Vandy didn’t matter much after that :-). Plus, we really liked the scholarships…but that was just the icing on the cake!</p>

6

<p>I wish some students would come and post their experiences at UA.</p>

7

<p>mom2collegekids,</p>

<p>Laughing out loud at your post! My “introduction” to the South was very similar…</p>

<p>I spent the first 23 years of my life living outside Chicago, where I grew up and went to college. Then I married my H (career military officer) and all that changed–eleven times! Our first few tours were in major metropolitan areas, including Orange County, CA and Washington, DC, which were not too different from what I was used to. Then one day he came home and told me we were being transferred to Beaufort, SC. I did a double take…okay, maybe a triple take. Beaufort, where???</p>

<p>The six years we spent there ended up being some of the best we’ve had as a family. Not only is the tiny town beautiful and full of history, but the natives are so warm and gracious. Like you, I’m embarrassed to admit I ever had reservations about living in the South. It truly is a wonderful part of the world! </p>

<p>All three kids were born in Orange County, CA, (and we’ve returned to live in SoCal again and again, for a total of four times), but since they spent many of the best years of their childhood in SC, they fancy themselves southerners. And they’re darn proud of it! What’s more, all three wanted to return to the South for school–and refused to apply anywhere else. Guess they’re just smarter than their old mom! </p>

<p>Anyway, it’s that southern warmth that drew my daughter to consider UA in the first place…then we visited, and the rest, as they say, is history!</p>

8

<p>pixeljig…</p>

<p>I’m sure that SEA_Tide will.</p>

9

<p>Like many students, my son never thought about UA as a possibility. He talked about the Ivies or Duke or Washington U. or one of the schools in our state of Virginia. Then, the National Merit offers started to roll in last fall. The economy was starting to tank. So we told our son to apply to one of the schools with the nice National Merit offer – just in case. Use it as a backup. He did in an reluctant manner. He had a huge smile the day he received his acceptance – at least he had a place to go. We went to visit the school three days before Christmas – we loved it. He, on the other hand, liked it, but wanted to see what other offers he would receive.</p>

<p>He got lots of great offers, but he selected Alabama. The National Merit offer was huge. So was entrance into three different honors programs and those awesome dorms.</p>

<p>Two weeks into this fall semester, he called me to say that he wasted a lot of money and time doing applications and essays a year ago. We never looked upon it as a waste.</p>

<p>But he said, and still believes, Alabama was truly the place that he was meant to be.</p>

10

<p>I know that while in high school DS2 used to say, “I’m not going to the same school as my brother.” And, we were fine with that. :)</p>

<p>But…then…after visiting UA several times because of DS1, DS2 didn’t want to apply anywhere else. I did make him apply to a few other schools, but all he wanted was Alabama. So, he’s with his brother. LOL </p>

<p>I also don’t think it was a waste for him to apply elsewhere, too. I’m glad we did. Then, when the spring came, he still really had a choice. :)</p>

<p>kids!!! :)</p>

11

<p>Okay, I’ll bite.</p>

<p>I learned about UA from lurking around CC. I also heard about U South Carolina and U Pittsburgh, which I eventually applied to. Seattle hosted the NACAC National Conference in 2008 along with the college fair the same weekend. I had learned about UA’s honors programs from one of the guidebooks about honors colleges, so I knew about the 3 main programs. Anyway, I was preparing to leave the fair but noticed that UA had sent one of the top admissions officials (not a regional rep) to the conference and he had decided to stay for the college fair. I went over and talked to him. Since many people were not interested in UA, it was one of the booths that had little interest and few pamphlets to give out.</p>

<p>I started talking to the representative about the 3 honors programs and comparing it to U South Carolina. Upon this and hearing my ACT score (which I had already hoped would be more than 32 so I could get a big scholarship from UA), his eyes lighted up, he gave me an admissions bag, and encouraged me to apply. I then left the fair, applied the next day, and was admitted 2-3 weeks later.</p>

<p>My parents were surprised that I wanted to attend an OOS school. But upon presenting the scholarship and an invitation to Capstone Scholars Day, they let me book a trip down to see UA. I loved UA more the more I learned about it. Frankly, I don’t know why I applied anywhere else, UA was my first application and acceptance and judging by the way I tore open the acceptance letter, my #1 choice. </p>

<p>UA and Alabama have become my second home. I have met many amazing people, including a few student CC posters and CC parents’ children. I don’t know how many people pressured me to go to Stanford or another top school, but I didn’t even apply. I enjoy attending an institution with a deep history and a rising reputation on both CC and in the public arena. I have been involved in events that do not happen at HYPS or other schools and am also looking forward to a possible National Championship in the Rose Bowl of all places.</p>

<p>UA accepted me as who I am and helps me become who I want to be. I don’t think I could have chosen a better school for myself. Even before I applied, most of my wardrobe is crimson, my favorite animal is an elephant, my favorite musical group is Alabama, and I like southern food. I wanted a school that I had to fly to (near an airport with many airlines and cheap flights), had warmer weather, great academic opportunities but still a strong social atmosphere, tuition and other costs I could afford, a comfortable dorm,an inexpensive grocery store/Wal-Mart nearby, and most of all, a school where I could be myself. Unlike other schools, the University of Alabama fit all these criteria and I have never been happier. Like I conclude most e-mails, Roll Tide Roll!!!</p>

12

<p>Our S is actively resisting applying to UA - he met with the UA college rep at his school, brought home the paperwork etc. I think he is resisting because I am pushing him to apply - so he is pushing back. </p>

<p>The more I ask him about it the more he digs in his heels…oh well, he still has a couple of days to apply before the deadline for scholarships - and if he misses it he has shot himself in the foot…</p>

13

<p>CACOVA,</p>

<p>I’d show him SEA-tide’s last post–the one just before yours. :)</p>

14

<p>I would - but I have been forbidden to mention the topic by my wife [who I have found out over the many years we have been married usually knows the best!]</p>

<p>She will work on him to get the application in and I am to keep quiet about it…something that is not easy for me to do! </p>

<p>Thank goodness I can vent here at CC :)</p>

15

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>Can someone tell me what the diversity is like? I am Hispanic and African American, living in Southern California which is very diverse:) </p>

<p>What is UA like?</p>

16

<p>My take having lived a few miles from Bloomington: get just outside of Bloomington and there are plenty of rednecks in IN. Bloomington is a great town - an island in the middle of a very << how to put this nicely ??? >> traditional area. :slight_smile: </p>

<p>I’m very happy that DD has been accepted, offered $, and been invited to apply to the honors program at Bama. It’s her safety school - how great is that - to have an experience and school of that quality in her pocket. </p>

<p>CACOVA, maybe take that approach with S. The application takes 5 minutes.</p>

<p>Oh yeah one more thing: Cal Poly grad here!!! Wouldn’t trade it for anything (well maybe a few more years there…)</p>

17

<p>Why did I think there was no application fee?</p>

18

<p>CACOVA… :)</p>

<p>shhhh… this is just between us. But, some parents just do the app themselves because it only takes a few minutes - super easy. LOL</p>

<p>I wish I could find the post, but a mom did post here that her D wouldn’t apply either ( a lot of eye-rolling and such - we know the look LOL). So, the mom did the app ( I think she told her D ahead of time). They visited the school and her D loved it and that’s where she is this year.</p>

<p>Because this is Thanksgiving week, it’s important to get that app in ASAP, so UA can send you the follow-up email with info to do the scholarship app (that’s needed). </p>

<p>I did speak to UA about the issue of the school being closed for the holiday and how the emails would be handled - and I was told that if the school app is submitted by this week, they understand that the email may not come in time for Dec 1 deadline (next Tues) for scholarships, and that will still be ok. But, the school app needs to be submitted ASAP. :)</p>

19

<p>pixel. :)</p>

<p>I think that most publics charge an app fee. The UA app fee is about $35. Not too bad. :)</p>

<p>(an exception is made for those kids who have fee waivers from incomes under a certain amount.) </p>

<p>I know that a few privates do waive the app fee for online apps.</p>

20

<p>We too are from the Midwest. Over a year ago, when we realized that we were already late to the party and that everyone seemed to have managers and consultants to help out with the application process, an acquaintance of mine told me about her daughter’s story. She went to UA (how exotic!) after it was assumed she would go to UIUC or Mizzou. Deposits had been paid to other schools and it wasn’t until they had visited that their daughter decied on UA. Fast forward to about a month ago, our DD met with a UA rep, applied that night and the letters, scholarship offers, and invitation to Capstone Scholars Day arrived this last week. (Which is good thing as my husband likes to see it in writing!) We have yet to visit and I guess it feels all a little to good to be true. She’s been accepted to other schools, good schools with scholarship and merit offers too. But, until we visit, and get the next round of notices (Dec.11th), no decisions yet.</p>