<p>What does U Florida offer? I haven't been able to find it.</p>
<p>Can anyone comment on the biochemistry dept at U Alabama Huntsville?</p>
<p>Jaf1991: Email U Florida.
They charge in-state tuition for OOS NMfinalist students. They may also give $1,000/yr,can't recall.
If in-state tuition goes up, though, you have to pay the new in-state tuition cost like everyone else.</p>
<p>U. Mississippi in Hattiesburg does do better than UA-H. UM-H gives tuition, room and board to NMSF, and $4,000 for study abroad and a new laptop if you go to NMF.</p>
<p>If you are an NMF, you will be receiving a LOT of email from schools that offer full rides. Ones that come to mind are Univ. of Tulsa(might be good for their premed!), Arizona State, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Other schools give you in state tuition(A&M, UT(?), Missouri). Just go to any college's website and search for National Merit Scholarships.</p>
<p>Let me add this - UA has a solid pre-med advising program. BUT, there will be lots of pre-meds at alabama and Auburn. UA seems to take good care of their scholarship students because they are trying to improve their overall profile. The honors dorm is VERY nice.
Consider trying for state residency, the med school is truly top notch, and may be slightly less competitive than med school in NC - that won't affect where or not you can relocate back to Charlotte, that will depend on your choice of residency location and/or type of specialty.</p>
<p>Biochem at UAH - hmmm, I think of computers and engineering when I think of UAH, look at UAB for biochem.</p>
<p>Well, UAlab-Birmingham isn't offering the National Merit finalist free ride.</p>
<p>Univ of Texas at Austin does give in-state tuition for OOS NMFs. (and they are right behind Harvard University in the # of NMFs who attend their univ. Harvard had I think it is 258 NMFs last year and U.Tex-A had 256)</p>
<p>At OK, they will PAY for NMs to come and visit them! They put you up at a hotel and pay for it all. NMs are treated like royalty all their four years. They get a free ride plus stipend. If you are a TX resident, A&M gives a free ride as well....there are many options open to you if you are NMF and looking to save money for grad work/professional school.</p>
<p>uaprophet, i'm a high school senior in illinois, scored 33ACT, have 3.9 GPA, and interested in business or engineering. i recently learned that UA offers lots of merit aid, something i will need. wondering your thoughts on a student coming from the midwest to a southern school. too much of a cultural divide?also, is the recruiting for jobs down south, or is do companies come from all over the country. and finally, do you have any friends in the business school that can comment on their experiences.</p>
<p>Rocco, this is the U.S. What is this cultural divide thing? The south is full of people who may in general be a bit more conservative, but they are good people nonetheless.<br>
My sister works for the government in D.C.. Half her division went to Huntsville. She travels down there to monitor her staff who works down there. Huntsville is home to many national companies. Because U.Alab-H is located right in the middle of the industrial park--no industry, just businesses, right outside the university doors--there are wonderful engineering internship opportunities during the school year and in the summers. My sister also told me that the business department at UAlab-H has an excellent reputation. Her staff down there have told her so, and the federal government recruits from UAlab-H. My d isn't interested in business, but my sister just called to tell me that and also how highly regarded the university was by her staff, because she knew that I was mulling over the free ride for national merit finalists.</p>
<p>Sorry, know you addressed your inquiry to another responder, but wanted to just add my 2 cents.</p>
<p>pensive123, thanks for the info. i'm sure the south is full of great people. growing up in the midwest however, means we have different experiences, reference points, not necessarily different values. if i go to Bama, I would not be with my family or the friends I've grown up with. that's got to be a factor. looking ahead to graduating, I guess I was looking for assurances that if I wanted, I could get a job closer to my family in the Midwest. therefore, i was curious if companies from around the united states interview there.</p>
<p>So interesting--never would have thought about this school w/out CC!</p>
<p>I called admissions & asked about the scholarship req'd gpa (unweighted or weighted). They said, "whatever the school puts on your transcript--we take what the school has there."</p>
<p>At son's school, I think they put weighted and unweighted on the transcript. Wondered which the admin would look at if both were put down?</p>
<p>I think the culture does vary from region to region. My daughter fears it and does not want to leave the west coast. Lots of gentle nudging from mom has not changed this yet. I would love for her to look at Alabama or Auburn but I don't know if she will give them serious consideration. </p>
<p>Where we live near Seattle is super laid back. I think she's afraid of not knowing the social expectations and standing out in a bad way.</p>
<p>My #3 daughter graduated in 2007 - she said practically her whole life that she couldn't wait to get out of PA. She went to the same school district k-12and same friends all the way through.
She applied to West Point and Temple U in Philly. Spring of her senior year - West Point offered her a scholarship to a military school for one year in Alabama and then admission to West Point the following year. She was initially excited - then not so excited about going to Alabama.</p>
<p>So this is what I said - this is the time in your life to take a chance. When presented with an opportunity to live in another part of our country, be a part of another culture take it. Our country is full of beauty and wonder and really nice people. See how the other half lives. </p>
<p>Anyway - long story short - she went to Alabama and really liked it. She was about 45 mins from Tuscaloosa and went there and to Birmingham often. She loved the people and sweet tea. She did NOT come home with a southern accent. She got to see a different side of life and different struggles.
She went to a Southern Baptist church in Selma the Sunday before MLK day and was the only white, blue eyed blond in the church. She had a wonderful time and the ladies were so nice to her.</p>
<p>Bottom line - all things being equal, I would encourage a kid who has a desire to see this country to go away. Live in another area - embrace it.<br>
The beauty of the south and southern people is they are so welcoming. The worst that can happen is that you don't like and go home but you still have the adventure.</p>
<p>Great story, JustAMomOf4. What a super experience for your daughter.</p>
<p>Wondered if Alabama was a 'party school' though? And I know other posters have mentioned that some students who attend are not so motivated. Thinking my son might do better in an environment w/lots of high-achievers and academic atmosphere (responds to those around him a bit). </p>
<p>But possible free tuition (&, as you said, an interesting cultural experience) is very attractive....!</p>
<p>Why are so many people afraid of the south??? We moved here 5 years ago and I can tell you that the people are nicer here than anywhere we have ever lived. I thought CA was friendly, but it is more of a superficial friendly than here in the south. Southerners are genuinely, deep down friendly and caring. Jolynne, don't fool yourself. Every school is a party school if that is what you are looking for. I know kids at Baylor that drink to excess every weekend. If you want to hang out with high achievers, that is what you will do. If you want to hang out with partiers, you will do that no matter where.</p>
<p>
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Wondered if Alabama was a 'party school' though?
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<p>haha - yep why do you think she went on the weekends - LOL. Actually, Alabama is a pretty big school. Lots of greek life and football is king.<br>
Anytime you are at a big school there will be a subculture of very highly motivated and high achieving kids - look at the great scholarships they offer.</p>
<p>Alabama is a poor state. In the north and the south there is more money and the public schools are very good. In the middle they are still poor. This is why they offer great scholarships - to attract students like your son. </p>
<p>Even in a "party" school there will always be a group who doesn't partake - or partake often. I would not shy away solely because of the party atmosphere.</p>
<p>Interesting re: the party school ideas, bandnerd91321 & JustAMomof4. I've heard that, but was just a little leery to throw son into a place where it was the dominent culture.</p>
<p>Btw, in our short (4 day) tour of southern schools about a week ago, we found the people gracious, friendly and welcoming. The owner of a B&B invited us in for a tour of his Southern mansion establishment, young men (some middle school age!) always held the door for daughter & I...people smiled a lot.</p>
<p>My first college roommate was from Alabama, so I know a bit about the Crimson Tide. :-)</p>
<p>My niece just finished her freshman year at the University of Alabama. She's a northerner through and through (from western PA) but, so far, she couldn't be happier with her choice. Socially she loves it - she's in a sorority, dating, going to football games and fitting in just fine with her Alabama-born roommates. Academically, she's doing well. She was a B average HS student and she is finding her courses challenging. </p>
<p>She wasn't entirely unfamiliar with Alabama, as that's where my mother is from (and where she is now living). My niece has vacationed there with family several times, so the southern culture was no surprise to her.</p>