Hi, I’m researching universities to study Industrial Engineering on fall of 2016, and Auburn University is good on this field. When researching about it, I immediately compared it to Clemson. They both look alike (beautiful campus), have similar school colors, and the mascot is the same: a tiger! Because I like Clemson, a lot, I started liking Auburn too. But when researching more about it, I found out it is a “commuter campus”, and only a small percentage live on campus while others commute from their parents home (I think this is what a “commuter campus” is) I like more the idea of a “residential campus” and people living off campus in apartments, but not in their actual homes (it is not that fun, and the campus can get lonely). Also, I saw that it does not have a good financial aid, I’m out of state and only a 50% average need is awarded in Auburn University. Also, I read that because of its location, it can be racist and full of redneck close-minded Americans, which doesn’t sound that good, taking into account that I am a Latino.
So, are these things true? What is your opinion on Auburn University?
I don’t know where you are getting your information, but I wouldn’t believe any of what you’ve read. Auburn is not a commuter campus. It is definitely a residential campus surrounded by apartments that cater almost exclusively to students. There are around 24,000 students - trust me something is always going on. The City of Auburn has a very good relationship with the university and is not known for being racist or redneck. There may be people like that in the area (and probably where you live too), but you’d be unlikely to run into them. When I attended years ago there were people from all over the country and many international students as well. The university is much more diverse now than when I attended. Though I don’t physically look Hispanic, I am and I have a Hispanic maiden name. Never had any issues. I cannot speak to financial aide, you should ask the financial aide office your questions, as aid is very specific to your individual circumstances.
I don’t know where you are getting your information, but I wouldn’t believe any of what you’ve read. Auburn is not a commuter campus. It is definitely a residential campus surrounded by apartments that cater almost exclusively to students. There are around 24,000 students - trust me something is always going on. The City of Auburn has a very good relationship with the university and is not known for being racist or redneck. There may be people like that in the area (and probably where you live too), but you’d be unlikely to run into them. When I attended years ago there were people from all over the country and many international students as well. The university is much more diverse now than when I attended. Though I don’t physically look Hispanic, I am and I have a Hispanic maiden name. Never had any issues. I cannot speak to financial aide, you should ask the financial aide office your questions, as aid is very specific to your individual circumstances.
I knew of no one who commuted from their parents home. Even one of my sorority sisters who was from Auburn, lived in the dorms.
The ‘commuter’ statistic is skewed because a large percentage of students choose to not live in dorms and instead live in apartments right off campus. They are not actually commuters.
It does not have good financial aid because it is a public school intended to subsidize the education of in-state students, not out of state students. I would research the larger freshman tuition scholarships and see what you’d have to do (ACT and GPA) to get one.
Finally, I would not go in with the mindset that everyone is a “redneck close-minded American” because that’s frankly an insulting mindset and can color your experience when you first tour if that’s how you are going in. I haven’t personally experienced any instance of racism there, and the multicultural center is doing a lot to increase diversity on campus.
I think you probably need to do a little research on your own and take the initiative to tour campus as well.
As an Auburn graduate who spent almost 5 years there, I had the same experience – I knew zero students who lived with their parents while attending Auburn. Definitely not a commuter school. Most students live off campus because there are not enough dorms. Besides, it is more enjoyable.
Also, I did not know any rednecks or racists while at Auburn (oops, I almost forgot, I did know one anti-Semite). I knew tons of polite, kind and thoughtful students who said “good morning” even when they had no idea who you were. I have never since been around as many courteous people as I witnessed at Auburn. Spoiled me, in a way, but also taught me the value of good manners.