<p>I was recently accepted into all three schools. I am torn between them. I plan to be a business major. I have not yet visited, but am hoping for some feedback. I’m from ct and have no ties to the south, but I love the school spirit and sense of community. I am very interested in rushing, but I know very little about the process and its kind of intimidating.</p>
<p>As you may know, UGA is the largest of the three, and will be the most expensive for an OOS. GA does not offer a lot of scholarship opportunities to OOS either, so if cost is an issue, then these factors should be taken under consideration. </p>
<p>Auburn will be a bit more laid back and have a smaller feel than the other two, but UGA has a more varied student body in terms of campus culture and interests. All three have reputable business schools that share similar ranking. You will probably want to visit all three and gauge for yourself which is the best fit for you and the program you are most interested in. Ask to visit each school separately from the general tour, and meet the respective deans. If you can sit in on a class, that’s even better. There are some posters on this board who are very familiar with the business school – hopefully they will chime in and offer you some more detailed feedback. </p>
<p>If you are eligible, apply and/or enroll in the Honors College. This will greatly enhance your academic experience and allow you to get in smaller classes. After the first semester, you will also get priority enrollment if you’re in HC. </p>
<p>Sorority life within southern universities is a pretty big deal, but UGA will be the least “greek” of the three, with only about 22% of the female population involved in sororities. Auburn is going to be right in the middle of this pack, with about 31-32% of the female population in a greek org. It’s important to note that AU does not have sorority houses. Instead, they all use Magnolia Hall in the Village – each has its own housing and chapter room. The overall sorority membership costs at AU however, are quite low since the girls do not have to pay for the upkeep of individual houses. UA is the most greek-centric of the three. If this aspect of college is really important to you, then visiting UA’s Greek Row will be pretty impressive – it’s quite a sight to behold.</p>
<p>In order to go through recruitment/rush, you will need to get a recommendation letter from a sorority alum for each house you are interested in joining. At least as far as AU is concerned, it doesn’t have to be an Auburn alum, just an alum from the particular sorority. If you can’t obtain a recommendation, then the organization you are interested in will make arrangements to get you a rec letter (once you establish contact with them, they will explain this procedure). You will also need to prepare a “resume” of sorts that includes your interests, accolades, and a photo. This material is mailed to the corresponding organizations. Anyway, I hope this helps you out a little. Another tidbit to keep in mind is that besides the full greek org, AU offers “social” greek organizations – my D’s friend belongs to one. It basically is just a group that allows girls to meet other new people, go out to eat, participate in some campus activities and volunteer as a group, without the overarching time and monetary constraints of a full-fledged sorority. They have meetings, but it’s all pretty casual. I would assume that UGA and UA also offer these types of organizations.</p>
<p>Good luck and War Eagle!</p>
<p>Great response audellmom. My son was also accepted to all of these schools - as well as several others. While we have lived in Atlanta for many years, we originate from the midwest. Big state southern schools have a certain vibe - but each also has its own flavor, and it is very important to visit each.</p>
<p>UGA is ranked highest overall but is best known for its liberal arts and science programs. The honors college is well respected and there are many activities on campus and in Athens to keep one busy. Atlanta is just an hour away. I would agree that UGA will have the most cultural diversity of the schools you are looking at. Greek life is very big if you are in it but not overwhelming if you choose another path. </p>
<p>The University of Alabama has a beautiful campus and a very well respected honors program. They have built many new dorms and are working on increasing their already large enrollment. We felt this school had the most “southern” feel. Greek participation at Alabama is probably similiar to Auburn but has a reputation of having a much bigger influence on campus. The common perception is that rush is much more cutthroat at Alabama. Tuscalossa and nearby Birmingham provide lots to do off campus.</p>
<p>Auburn also has a very beautiful campus. Both Alabama and Auburn are often listed on “most beautiful” lists. Greek spirit does run high on campus for those involved. About 30% of the students are Greek and it is very active on campus, but the divide between Greek and non-Greek does not seem as wide. Students who choose not to rush have hundreds of organizations to get involved in. My son did not know anyone on campus but met a great group of friends the first week at activities sponsored by the SGA ( Student Government Assoc). The town of Auburn is lovely but very small - life revolves around the college. Lots of new building on campus, including a huge state of the art student rec center to open in 2013. Engineering is highly respected at Auburn, which was important to us. The honors college is excellent and provided worthwhile activities as well. I believe the business program is equally respected at all of these schools. </p>
<p>We found Auburn to be very southern but have much more of that midwest laid back feeling…full of school pride, high expectations, but more relaxed. My son qualified for scholarships at all of these schools but after visiting Auburn he never looked back. He absolutely loves it.</p>
<p>And southern football ( at all of these schools) is like nothing you will have ever seen. Good Luck and War Eagle : )</p>
<p>In addition to the great responses here, Auburn has been listed as one of the top schools in the Southeast where there is little grade inflation–in other words, it is harder to get an “A” in coursework at AU. I don’t know if that’s a downside. My D sees it as badge of honor that students who get A’s really deserve them. (UGA and UA did not make the list)</p>
<p>RRRROOOOOOOOLLLLLLLL TTTTTTTTIIIIIDDDDDDDEEEEEEEEE!!! go to bama. au is in back woods and very isolated. and uga has a very cramped looking campus.</p>
<p>We are out of state and my son is accepted at all 3 with merit scholarships. Considering the scholarships, the difference in price is 6 thousand/year (Alabama<Auburn<Georgia) based on the awards given. My son is interested in business or pre-law, but could change. He wants to go Greek. The answer on paper of where to go for me is easy–UGA. This is based on ranking and selectivity. I am trying to consider factors other than strictly rankings however. My son is heavily leaning toward Auburn, in no small part because two of his friends are going there. I think all three campuses are beautiful and especially like the towns of Auburn and Athens. He has been accepted to the honors program at Alabama and has applied but not yet heard from the honors programs at Auburn and Georgia. I am wondering what the experience of others has been in Auburn’s honors program and undergraduate business school? I do feel like he could do great at all three schools but would feel better about Auburn if he got into the honors college. I want this choice to be his, but for the right reasons. I would love to hear the experience of others who have made similar choices.</p>
<p>My daughter was deferred from UGA and is accepted at Auburn. UGA was her 1st choice. We loved UGA and we are scrambling to find the time to visit Auburn.</p>
<p>I am worried about housing being all taken already and wondering what the options will be at Auburn if this is the case</p>
<p>Some figures to keep in mind, coming from CT:</p>
<p>At UGA, 90% of all undergrads are from Georgia. There are only 23 students from CT, and a total of 126 (0.48%) from all of New England and NY. </p>
<p>At Auburn, 76% of undergrads are from Alabama or Georgia (which is only a few miles away). There are only 44 undergrads from CT, and a total of 189 (less than 1%) from all of New England and New York.</p>
<p>At Alabama, 43% of all undergrads are from other states, and more than half of the last two freshman classes are from OOS. There are 166 from CT, and a total of 651 (and steadily growing) from New England and New York. Add in the midwest (Bama is very popular) and you have a substantial number of “northerners” at Bama, way more than Auburn or UGA. This may or may not be important to you.</p>
<p>My son was accepted to Honors with merit scholarships at these 3 schools and several others and of course he picked the most expensive for us - Auburn. But it was just the right fit and I could see that the first time we visited. We are from Georgia and he joined the marching band so had an instant community of friends 2 weeks before school started…they are from Texas and Virginia and Georgia and Alabama. My son is just starting his second semester and has found his home. Audellemom and Eaglereader have given you good information - I hope you take the time to visit Auburn, I think you may find your new home too. It is a lovely place with genuinely nice people who care about their school and community.</p>
<p>Xraylady - I did not respond to the Honors question because my son just finished his first semester and he enjoyed his Honors classes, loves his Honors dorm, and appreciates priority scheduling…but I’m not sure that that is helpful…I just don’t have enough information yet to speak about the Honors program.</p>
<p>thanks for all the helpful info…my daughter applied ea to UGA (deferred) and regular adm to AU. She has high academics (4.67 UW GPA, 3.67 WGPA and 30 ACT). We are from CA and she is going toward Engineering; has lot of leadership and comm serv. My question is in regards to merit scholarship. Can you tell me how much merit scholarship $ you were offered. In a big school it would be great to be in Honors College; also I have heard UGA has gotten more difficult to get in. Do you think with these scores she will be admitted? Anyone else feel free to chime in.</p>
<p>If she’s leaning towards engineering - I would steer her towards Auburn or Alabama. My son basically had free tuition plus another $2000 annually at Georgia but their engineering disciplines (other than biological and chemical ) were not yet accredited and on an Honors invitation only visit for kids from our school they just mentioned (oh, btw) that they were going to start up mechanical and other basic engineering disciplines but emphasized the good food at UGA more than anything .</p>
<p>Alabama by far will give you the most for your money (actually their money) you should visit, lovely campus and they are committed to growing their engineering.</p>
<p>Auburn does not offer near the merit money for out of state but has a terrific (well regarded) engineering school and lovely campus - you need to visit… This is where my son now calls home.</p>
<p>UA and AU both have their merit scholarships listed online - they are automatic based on GPA and test scores (you may have to fill out paperwork to get them but they are basically auto)</p>
<p>We were shocked at our UGA deferment. She applied to AU early action and was admitted quickly early on. We can’t visit AU until March. Hopefully we will hear from UGA by then and go for a 2nd visit to UGA at the same time.</p>
<p>AU’s housing is 1st come 1st served so now I have to send in a deposit to hold a room</p>
<p>Doberlady I’m in the same situation as you! UGA was my 2nd choice school and I was shocked that I got deferred, especially after I got into my reach school i thought id never get into! I am from RI for reference and I really think UGA doesnt take any people OOS that are less than perfect EA. Good luck to you for RD!</p>
<p>yeah My daughter has not had 1 rejection yet and was accepted to 7 schools Purdue and The Ohio State, Auburn etc</p>
<p>I am wondering now if 99% of people are GA residents will she feel comfortable there…</p>
<p>I was accepted to the pharmacy program at Northeastern and accepted to 3 other schools too. I had no idea UGA preferenced GA students so much when i applied. i havent seen the campus yet but i am also wondering the same thing… i love the south but id rather go to a more diverse school</p>
<p>We liked the campus a lot Our student tour guide was a doll except my dd asked where the library was and he had no idea :x</p>
<p>my dd wants to go to Vet School so she only applied to schools with animal sciences/farms/a vet school</p>
<p>Waiting to hear from NCSU, Penn State and Clemson</p>
<p>Can’t wait until this is over!!</p>
<p>Good luck! Those are all great schools</p>
<p>Thanks!! Good luck to you too!</p>