<p>Any feedback from current students or parents of students would be appreciated!</p>
<p>Just found out daughter can receive in-state tuition since her dad is an Arkansas resident. </p>
<p>She would love to get away from southern Calif. I’m optimistic the reputation for friendliness in the south will help to make her feel welcome…just hoping she wouldn’t feel like a ‘fish out of water’??</p>
<p>socalmom,
As a recent student (and recent staff), I think she’d be fine. The biggest adjustments would be weather and proximity to a beach of course, but Northwest Arkansas is a pretty imported area and she definitely wouldn’t be the only California student there. I’ve noticed that the number of students from California looking at Arkansas has increased pretty steadily the past few years (actually, it seems there’s been a pretty steady increase in OOS interest outside the immediate region, but California has been the most noticeable by calls/visits), so there may be even a larger group of CA students there the next couple years than I’m aware of.</p>
<p>Would certainly love to see a current student or parent chime in (or parent who has visited at least) for you too though!
-Matt</p>
<p>A close friend of mine’s son is a freshman this year at Arkansas and he is from Los Angeles. He has found terrific friends and all of the people have been very welcoming. His suite mates are from Texas and they all have been so nice to him, inviting him to their homes for Thanksgiving, and things like that. The only thing my friend has mentioned to me, that she has noticed, is that her son feels like he has to change his style of dress, like the people dress a lot more preppy than he would like (polo shirts and khakis instead of t-shirts and jeans). And also the other day she mentioned to me that his roomates gave him a hard time for wanting to go to a black rapper’s concert.</p>
<p>SoCalMother:
Both my husband and I are from SoCal. Even though we now live in TX we still have roots there and visit every summer. That being said, we recently toured the campus and our tour guide was from the valley! The school spirit is somewhat like USC. There is an active greek system and the athletics are impressive. The Walmart connection is everywhere so if your daughter has any issues with the company, then UofA is not the place for her.</p>
<p>I’m new to CC board and thought I just posted a reply but maybe it timed out on me (hope this isn’t a duplicate post!)</p>
<p>THANKS to all of you for taking the time to provide such positive feedback!</p>
<p>@mmcnell - I believe the weather will be a big change. She had a campus visit scheduled for Feb. 3rd but it was cancelled due to the weather. She says if she has the ‘right’ winter clothes then she’ll be fine and it was nice seeing all the students out sledding.</p>
<p>@Rousse54 - I appreciate the info re: your friends’s son and although it will be a culture change from southern Calif, she says she is up for the challenge.</p>
<p>@Mckinneymomma - loved the info on your campus visit… my daughter wants to do the sorority and great athletics + school spirit seem to be her ideal college experience. Is your daughter/son planning on attending UofA??</p>
<p>SoCalMother,
Yes son loved it and will attend. He has already put the UofA razorback sticker on his car!</p>