<p>Onecollegekid: Welcome to Bama!! </p>
<p>Please come and join us on our very lively and daily updated University of Alabama Forum here on College Confidential. You will find many of your questions probably already answered (look at current and old threads).</p>
<p>However, I will try to answer some of your current concerns here.</p>
<p>It is true that transfer students and some upperclassmen live off campus. There are many outstanding complexes will you can live off campus, some have beautiful pools and recreation rooms, so meeting people should not be a problem.</p>
<p>What are your stats and will you be in honors? Honor students have the opportunity to live in honors housing (I am not sure if this applies to transfer honor students) but you can contact UA housing here:
Housing and Residential Communities | Box 870399 | Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 | (888) 498-BAMA or (205)348-6676
Email: <a href=“mailto:housing@sa.ua.edu”>housing@sa.ua.edu</a> </p>
<p>Take a look at their housing page as well:
[Student</a> Affairs | Housing & Residential Communities](<a href=“http://housing.ua.edu%5DStudent”>http://housing.ua.edu)</p>
<p>Call first thing on Tuesday and you will have all your questions about housing answered. If there is the possibility of on campus housing, you MUST make a housing deposit immediately. Housing selection for current students begins this week.</p>
<p>If you are not eligible for on campus housing, start looking immediately for an apartment or room in a house. Come see our threads on off campus housing for places to live.</p>
<p>I have a son who is a freshman, so I am not sure that I can speak to the “sophomore experience” but one of the other posters on our forum can surely answer all your questions. However, I believe that there are so many opportunities on campus that activities and “fun” should continue throughout your college years. There are many clubs and societies, sports and sporting events, lectures and community service opportunities, I can’t imagine that you would have trouble finding interesting things to do. Of course, you do not necessarily have to be “Greek” to get invited to parties.</p>
<p>Let me address your concern about racism and close mindedness: does it exist? Of course it does - just like it exists on other campuses and in other states. Unfortunately, there will always be a small number of people who are prejudiced. Is it worse than elsewhere? I personally did not see or hear one instance of this intolerable behavior on campus or in Tuscaloosa. My son has never mentioned any problems of this nature.</p>
<p>Recently there was an instance of racial name calling on campus and the President of the university sent out a campus wide e-mail condemning this behavior. It was an immediate reaction from the administration and confirmed our belief in President Witt’s leadership. It was a quick and proactive approach.</p>
<p>I personally believe that you will find many different but open viewpoints on campus. There is a large out of state population and my Northeast son has had no problems finding openminded friends and professors.</p>
<p>About sororities, again here, I claim no first hand knowledge, but I can’t think of one of my sons female friends who are in a sorority. They are all smart, ambitious, talented and extremely attractive young women.</p>
<p>All that being said, as you probably know, college is what you make of it. Take every opportunity offered and run with it. Join clubs and sports to make friends. Go to office hours and meet your professors, study and excel. Can you do this at other colleges? Sure. Can you do this at a more beautiful and engaging college than the University of Alabama? I personally don’t think so! </p>
<p>Here are some interesting UA facts:
The University of Alabama is ranked among the top 50 public universities in the nation for the ninth consecutive year in U.S. News and World Report’s annual college rankings, fall 2009.</p>
<p>The University of Alabama ranked 10th in the nation among public universities in the enrollment of National Merit Scholars in the 2009 freshman class.</p>
<p>The University of Alabama led the nation with a record 10 students named to USA Today’s 2010 All-USA College Academic Team. UA has had great success in placing students on this national team that honors the “best of the best” undergraduate academic all-stars from across the nation, having placed 46 students on the team since 2003. In addition to this year, UA also had the most students on the list in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009 and tied for the top spot in 2007. </p>
<p>Enrollment at The University of Alabama reached a record high of 30,232 for fall 2010. The entering freshman class, at 5,563 students, is the largest in UA history.</p>
<p>The University of Alabama has a dramatic impact on the economy of Alabama, returning three dollars for every one dollar invested in the University by the State. UA each year contributes $1.8 billion to the state’s economy.</p>
<p>The UA School of Law is ranked 30th in the nation in U.S. News and World Report’s 2010 edition of the annual “Best Graduate Schools” publication. The UA School of Library and Information Studies is ranked 22nd in the nation.</p>
<p>UA’s undergraduate business program ranked 35th among public undergraduate business schools in U.S. News and World Report’s annual college rankings, fall 2009, and 57th when private universities are included.</p>
<p>The Center for College Affordability and Productivity ranks The University of Alabama seventh in the nation among public universities in a study published in Forbes magazine, May 2008. Criteria included student evaluations, graduation rates, the percentage of students winning top national awards, and professional achievement of graduates.</p>
<p>UA is regularly ranked among the top 100 public universities in Kiplinger’s annual list of colleges and universities that combine “great academics and affordable tuition.”</p>
<p>The University of Alabama debate and forensics program has won 16 national debate championships.</p>
<p>The University of Alabama’s graduates and students include 15 Rhodes Scholars, 29 Goldwater Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 13 Hollings Scholars, two Javits Fellows, one Udall Scholar and one Portz Scholar.</p>
<p>One in five freshmen enrolled in UA’s Honors College for fall 2008. These 1,065 students scored in the top 2 percent nationally on the ACT.</p>
<p>UA is #1 in the nation in enrollment and graduation of minority doctoral students under the Southern Regional Education Board’s Minority Doctoral Scholars Program. A total of 66 SREB fellows have completed their doctorates at UA, and 20 SREB doctoral fellows are currently enrolled in this program that encourages minority students to pursue doctoral degrees and become college-level professors.</p>
<p>UA is one of the top five public flagship universities in the nation in the enrollment of African-American students. For the 2008-2009 academic year, African-Americans represent 11.3 percent of the student body.</p>
<p>The public relations program at The University of Alabama is ranked second in the nation according to new rankings produced and published in PRWeek Magazine. UA is the highest ranked university that offers both graduate and undergraduate programs.</p>
<p>Participation in original research and creative activities is becoming a hallmark of the undergraduate experience at The University of Alabama. More than 250 undergraduates showcased their research and creative activity projects at UA’s spring 2009 “Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Conference.” </p>
<p>The University of Alabama has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Community Service Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service learning and civic engagement.</p>
<p>The University of Alabama has been selected by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for its 2008 Community Engagement Classification. The designation recognizes UA as one of the nation’s premiere institutions in community outreach and scholarship, and it underscores UA’s commitment to apply its resources and expertise to address critical community needs.</p>
<p>The University of Alabama has been engaged in an aggressive program to upgrade and expand facilities, opening more than 20 new facilities over the last five years. The new Science and Engineering building and the Ridgecrest South residential community opened in August 2009 and the Capstone College of Nursing building is scheduled for completion in 2010.</p>
<p>This year alone, more than 900 University of Alabama students will receive a total of more than $2.3 million in scholarships provided by the National Alumni Association. The UA National Alumni Association is among the nation’s leading public-university-based comprehensive associations, ranking among the top 10 in alumni support.</p>
<p>Founded in 1831, The University of Alabama is the state’s first university.</p>
<p>Here are the demographics:
Of the 30,232 undergraduate, professional, and graduate students enrolled at UA in the fall semester of 2010,</p>
<p>67% come from Alabama
31% come from elsewhere in the United States
3% are international students from 72 countries
27% of our undergraduates belong to sororities or fraternities
53% are women
12% are African-American
2% are Hispanic-American
1% are Asian-American
On our campus,</p>
<p>30% major in arts and sciences
22% major in business
9% major in communication
10% major in education
10% major in engineering
10% major in human environmental sciences
2% major in law
5% major in nursing
2% major in social work
(Due to rounding, totals may exceed 100%)</p>
<p>I am hoping that you have already come to campus for a visit and have already experienced the same “Southern Hospitality” that we did.</p>
<p>Good Luck with your choice and come visit our other threads!</p>