<p>I am a rising high school senior from SC who is considering UA very seriously. My parents, however, do not think much of it because other schools on my list are much harder to get into and have a better reputation (they are in love with Clemson, UNC, and Vanderbilt). I’ve thought about applying to the Honors Program to make them happy, but I don’t know that it would be the right fit for me. I know I want probably join a sorority, and I know at several schools the honors kids tend to keep to themselves and not mingle with the greek types. Can someone give me some insight into what being an honors student at Bama is like? I also have no idea what I want to do (I’m leaning PR or poli sci at the moment), so I don’t know if that is a problem. Sorry this is a little lengthy! I absolutely loved UA when I visited in the spring, I just want to make sure it is the best place for me.</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>So, you’ve visited!!! :)</p>
<p>Did your parents come, too? If not, then they should visit…they’d fall in love.</p>
<p>Yes, there are Greeks in honors, so don’t worry about that. Many of the sororities pride themselves on their GPAs. </p>
<p>What are your stats?</p>
<p>Would you be interested in CBHP or Fellows? I’m thinking that Fellows might be a good fit for a PR or Poly Sci student.</p>
<p>If those honors programs don’t interest you, then either the International and/or the University Honors Program would.</p>
<p>My parents visited with me. They felt it was too big, but they are originally from NJ and went to small private schools. Growing up in the south I prefer the big state school vibe with lots of spirit and tradition.</p>
<p>My GPA is a 4.6, my SAT is a 1280 (I’m still working on bringing my math up), and I take the ACT for the first time tomorrow so I’m hoping to do a little better on that.</p>
<p>Bama can seem “too big” at first glance. But, when you see how it’s laid out, you can see that during the first year or two, you’ll spend a lot of time around the quad and in the area of your intended major…and then after that, most of your time is spent in the area of the campus that hosts your major. In your case, that would be the western side of campus.</p>
<p>Good luck on the ACT tomorrow! :)</p>
<p>Did you know that UA’s PR program is rated tops in the nation? Someone here posted a link to that info a while back, so UA would be a great choice for you if you really want to major in PR. Look into this, and show the info to your folks. Anyone have the old post link?</p>
<p>Here’s a link…</p>
<p>[PRWeek</a> UA #1](<a href=“http://cis.ua.edu/apr/PRWeekUA1.html]PRWeek”>http://cis.ua.edu/apr/PRWeekUA1.html)</p>
<p>UA is the #1 Undergrad Program in the Nation</p>
<p>The University of Alabama’s Advertising and Public Relations department has the top ranked undergraduate PR program in the U.S., according to PRWeek Magazine. The 2010 PRWeek Awards were announced at a gala dinner ceremony in New York City on March 11th.</p>
<p>“We have the #1 undergraduate PR program in the United States,” said Dr. Joseph Phelps, chairman of the UA Advertising and Public Relations department. “That is something to be excited about and our students, alumni and faculty have every right to be extremely proud of this accomplishment. It is their efforts, facilitated by the many supporters of our department and college, which captured this distinction.”</p>
<p>“To be absolutely clear about this, New York University captured the top spot in the overall rankings for its graduate program. It does not have an undergraduate program in public relations. We were right behind them in overall rankings and at the very top of the rankings for undergraduate programs. For parents looking for the highest quality education for their children, this is yet more evidence that they can find it right here in Alabama,” Phelps said.</p>
<p>According to Dr. Bruce Berger, professor and former chairman of the department, who organized the application materials, “The judges focus on the quality of internships, professional involvement, faculty research productivity, quality of program content, program goals and achievements, and the use of new media.”</p>
<p>“The PRWeek national awards are recognized throughout the profession,” Berger said. “Those involved in the program—alumni, students, faculty, and other supporters—have long felt that our advertising and public relations educational efforts and results are outstanding. The PRWeek award validates that belief and also raises the bar for future performance.”</p>
<p>PRWeek provides timely news, reviews, profiles, techniques, and timely research for industry professionals. The magazine started the PRWeek Awards 11 years ago to recognize outstanding accomplishments in the field of PR.</p>
<p>I had heard that about the PR program which is another big pull for me and something I continue to remind my parents of. I really didn’t feel overwhelmed by the size - the expansiveness of the quad and the large beautiful buildings are what made me love the campus. I might go back and tour again this summer, though because we didn’t go on an official tour we just walked around. Thanks for all the advice and tips! I’m really looking for an ideal balance of academics and fun, and I think Bama could provide that for me.</p>
<p>If you decide to go on an official tour this is what you need to do…</p>
<p>Schedule your tour time (the extra info session is probably not necessary, you can get a lot of that info here on CC)</p>
<p>Contact Jami Gates at the Honors College and let her know your tour time, your intended major, etc, and ask if she can arrange for you to meet the PR dept head, tour honors housing, etc. She can also set up appt with Dr. Morgan (with Fellows) and Dr. Oneil (for international honors) if that interests you. 
</p>
<p>Jami will set up all the other appts around the time of your campus tour time. :)</p>
<p>jami gates 205-348-5599 <a href=“mailto:jami.n.gates@ua.edu”>jami.n.gates@ua.edu</a></p>
<p>Mavs congrats on considering U of Alabama.</p>
<p>I suggest you apply and return for one of the Honors presentations.</p>
<p>D is a rising sophomore (actually junior) with all her AP credits!</p>
<p>She was accepted to all the schools on your list except Vandy (she did not apply).</p>
<p>After our visit in the March of her senior year it was difficult for the other schools to measure up.</p>
<p>She is a member of a sorority and in honors. All her roommates also did both.
In her eyes its the best of both worlds. She gets the big fun state school with a vibrant social life and a fabulous honors program that already has meet all her expectations!</p>
<p>Best of luck in your search!!</p>
<p>Thanks again for all the imput! I have to say that the Alabama contributers seem like some of the most friendly and helpful that I’ve seen on CC, and it’s really encouraging to get feedback. You’ve sold me on applying to the Honors College. :)</p>
<p>Definitely apply. You can always decide later that it’s not for you, but I think you’ll enjoy it. </p>
<p>The courses aren’t harder; they’re more interesting and discussion-based since the class sizes are small.</p>
<p>I think you need to get your parents on campus on a REAL tour and with appts with those in the Honors College. They will overcome their doubts. :)</p>
<p>If it turns out that you don’t like the honors college, you can always leave it later on. I thought that I might have to do that because I couldn’t complete 18 hours of honors courses, but I’ll be doing a program that ends up satisfying that requirement.</p>
<p>I understand that Bama can feel big. After all, it has almost 29,000 students. Really though, I sometimes forget that I am at a large school. The university tries hard to make the school feel small and personal and in my experience, it succeeds very well. Especially in honors, you end up seeing many of the same people throughout the year in various parts of campus. Personnel-wise, the people that work on campus will get to recognizing you if you make the effort. From your advisers to dining hall staff to the people that work at the post office, people are very friendly. This past year, I’d walk into the dining hall, say hello to the lady that worked the stir fry station, and she’d be go make me my favorite dish without me having to remind her what I wanted.</p>
<p>Remember that while you are attending the college, your parents will most likely be paying for part of it. As occasional visitors, the school will probably feel large to them just as the layout of a grocery store can be confusing the first few times you shop there. What they need to know is that at UA, you will be more than an ID number, you will be a valued, integral member of the UA community and people will do their best to help you succeed.</p>
<p>Many honors students are Greek and are highly intelligent. In addition, one doesn’t have to be in honors to be intelligent. I have quite a few friends who aren’t in honors and i have some of the most intellectually stimulating conversations with them.</p>
<p>I highly encourage you and your parents to visit again on a more official visit. Take a campus tour if you so desire, meet with professors or deans in your prospective department(s), and meet with Dr. Sharpe (Dean of the Honors College). If he is on campus, try to meet with Dr. Halli. He knows almost everything about UA and the opportunities you could have if you attend, including little-known programs that might interest you and the big things like Fulbright and Truman scholarships. If there is anybody else you would like to meet, either have Jami Gates arrange it or just e-mail them. It is possible for somebody to get a meeting with any person on campus, even President Witt. If you are so inclined, many of us student posters are willing to meet with you and your parents while on campus. I personally know many of my fellow posters and they are great people.</p>
<p>Best of luck in your college search.</p>
<p>Roll Tide!</p>
<p>PS: If you do choose to attend UA, I highly recommend participating Alabama Action or Outdoor Action (some people do rush and participate in Alabama or Outdoor Action) as a way to both give back to the community and meet some of your future classmates and friends.</p>
<p>mavs, I hope you will visit UA when school is in session. It’s a totally different experience than summer, when the student population is greatly reduced. It would also be great if you could get tickets for a football game and go that weekend! </p>
<p>But do take an official tour. They’ll take you to places you might not otherwise know exist, and will arrange for you to talk with faculty in your intended major.</p>
<p>Yes, and please contact the honors college a week or two before you visit so they can set some things up for you. Have your campus tour time set up already so that appts can be set up around that time.</p>
<p>They can set up some meetings with Dept heads, honors college profs, touring the honors dorms, sitting in some classes, etc.</p>
<p>Send an email or call Jami Gates in honors and she can arrange this for you. But give her plenty of notice. Give her your tour time and date, your stats, and intended major. She’ll work around your tour time. :)</p>
<p>Jami gates 205-348-5599 <a href=“mailto:jami.n.gates@ua.edu”>jami.n.gates@ua.edu</a></p>
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<p>How could one do that? I wouldn’t necessarily be trying to use the visit as an opportunity to get into a game, but my son would be very interested in the Million Dollar Band and he’d have to get into a game to be able to see what they do.</p>
<p>you can probably find some million dollar band videos on youtube if that would help.</p>
<p>my DD was invited to a game last year (i think), but she couldn’t go due to her marching band schedule.</p>
<p>maybe if you were in contact with the MDB, you could get an invite thru them. idk.</p>
<p>GaDad: This past year D applied over the summer and on the heels of all the mail she got in September with her acceptances, she got an invitation to a game (Florida International.) She and DH had a great time when they went.</p>
<p>Get your application and transcripts in ASAP since I think the game that Bama would be inviting future high stats freshmen is early in the season.</p>
<p>Bama usually sends a postcard with a code on it that you go online and use.</p>
<p>I don’t know how high your stats have to be to get the free tix for 2 people, but I imagine all NMFs and Presidentials (and maybe some others) get the postcard.</p>