This summer, I visited University of Alabama and loved it. I loved the southern feel, the weather, the honors college, and the beautiful campus(especially the dorms). I have applied and been offered the presidential scholarship and have been accepted into the honors college. I could also use the scholarship to finish grad school. Sadly, I’ve realized that they don’t have a western equestrian team or a horse judging team, which are two things that are extremely important to me. And while I know I shouldn’t base my college decision off of clubs, I figure that I’ll be happiest at a school where I don’t have to stop doing everything that I care about.
Because of this, I’ve been looking at Clemson, because they have the horse opportunities, as well as also having the southern location and the honors college. I know that the scholarship won’t be quite as significant, but according to their calculator, I should get more than enough to make it doable as OOS. My aunt’s brother is also the head basketball coach, and while I don’t really know that part of the family, it would be nice to have some sort of family connection when I’m so far away from home. Clemson also seems to have a less prominent Greek life, which would be nice as I don’t plan on rushing.
What are some of the major similarities between these two schools? Differences? Do they generally have a similar feel? How do the honors colleges compare? Which do you think sounds like it might be a better fit?
You can always start a club.
I can only speak about Clemson as I’ve never visited Alabama. I do know that Calhoun Honors is very competitive and only accepts between 250 and 300 students each year. The deadline for application for honors consideration is Dec 1 for Clemson and Dec 15 for Honors. It is quite an extensive application with 4 essays and an optional statement . Greek life is prominent at Clemson as well but there are lots of other clubs and service organizations as well. The honors college is currently building brand new dorms close to the football stadium . What do you want to major in? Clemson is also in a good location. 2 1/2 hrs to Atlanta, Charlotte , 4 hrs to the beach in Charleston and mountains of Tennessee .
Clemson feels smaller than Bama, more compacted. It’s in a smaller town than Bama. Both are beautiful schools. Dorms at Clemson are not the luxurious dorms at Bama. Greek life is big at all southern big state schools but at Bama being an SEC school Greek life is very very big and sororities very competitive and very expensive. Clemson where I live would be considered the stronger academic school.
I can’t offer any info about Clemson, but if you want to participate in undergrad research, you might want to check into Bama’s CBH research honors program. Students have to take several CS courses as well as be part of a research project. My ds is a physics and math major at UA and loves it.
Clemson also has undergrad research opportunities starting in your Freshman year. If you are accepted into Calhoun Honors program there is also a summer program called Eureka which provides you with social , as well as research opportunities . From people that have attended , I’ve been told it’s a great learning experience and an opportunity to get to know the members of the Honors college before the start of your Freshman year.
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I have a 33 ACT, UW: 3.917, W: 4.36, 4/232 weighted class rank,
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Are those still your stats? And your parents will pay about $30k per year?
I have been to both schools. We went to Clemson before Alabama. Our son really liked Clemson, but we were concerned with how rural it was, with little to do off-campus.
When we visited Bama, it had what Clemson had, but a good-sized city for off-campus diversions.
Did you talk to Bama’s Equestrian folks to find out if they were interested in expanding to include your interests?
http://equestrian.ua.edu/
https://www.facebook.com/University-of-Alabama-Equestrian-136049079836686/timeline/
Bama is pretty good about providing for those who want to bring a new club or competition to the school.
Bama has a program called Emerging Scholars for freshman. it’s a research program so that frosh can get involved with research right away.
http://emergingscholars.ua.edu/
I agree with@mom2collegekids that it’s important to determine financial feasibility. Once that is done , I would recommend a trip to Clemson before you make any decisions. It’s hard to make decisions unless you can compare both equally. You know what’s important to you and only you can determine best fit. I’d definitely ask to see the equestrian facilities and to speak to someone involved with the program to see if it has what you want. I’m not sure where you are from, but you may want to also look at demographics of students when making a decision . The city of Clemson is small, but not rural and cars are allowed on campus as Freshman.
Can you fulfill your equestrian interests in the Tuscaloosa area, perhaps not formally associated with UA?
I spent time as a kid riding English saddle, fox hunting, dressage, Pony Camp, so I’m not as familiar with what’s out there for western saddle. But the southeast overall is a great place for horse people.
I know the area where Clemson is fairly well, and it’s beautiful. You’re very close to the mountains of NC.
My son has been accepted to UA, with scholarships as well (we have really come to love UA!). Though I have never been to Tuscaloosa, I have no doubt there is probably something for everyone there. I’m not sure that a huge tuition differential would be enough to push me towards Clemson, though my son is applying there too. But you do have the family connection so that may make the difference. I agree that you probably need to visit both, as soon as possible.
Also, have you heard of the Lyceum Scholarship at Clemson? It’s relatively small but an interesting program. http://www.clemson.edu/capitalism/lyceum.html