<p>Yesterday, my son was summoned out of class by a note that instructed him to report to his dean’s office right away. He was certain that he was in some sort of trouble and couldn’t figure out what he’d done wrong.</p>
<p>When he arrived he was presented with a gift from the University of Alabama–a very handsome certificate commemorating his UA National Merit Scholarship, bound in a crimson leatherette case, embossed with a gold university seal. Yet another, surprising example of Bama’s high-touch approach.</p>
<p>My son’s school, which sends about 97% of its graduates to four-year universities, including many each year to the Ivies, Stanford, and their kin, NEVER guides students toward UA. That may soon change, for my son’s dean, who is also a college counselor, has followed his UA journey (from the “Bama? You’ve got to be kidding me” stage to the commitment stage) and now acknowledges she’s never seen any university show so much attention to detail, warmth, and hospitality in their recruitment of a student. </p>
<p>Please don’t misread this post as me bragging on my son (trust me, there are, and have been, far stronger students at his school than him). I mean this as high praise for Alabama, who continues to blow us away. Y’all sure this is really a state school? :)</p>
<p>Roll Tide!</p>
<p>That is just great. Thanks for sharing!</p>
<p>When he arrived he was presented with a gift from the University of Alabama–a very handsome certificate commemorating his UA National Merit Scholarship, bound in a crimson leatherette case, embossed with a gold university seal. Yet another, surprising example of Bama’s high-touch approach.</p>
<p>Yep…those sure are nice! At my kids’ high school, they are presented at graduation (sometimes a Bama rep is there to make the presentations).</p>
<p>Whoop Whoop…Roll Tide Roll !!! Those classy southerners…LOL!!!</p>
<p>Agree that it is a nice touch but…</p>
<p>i think they give them here at an awards ceremony.</p>
<p>Well, UA has certainly come a long way. When I graduated in 92, I had completed the requirements for the Honors Program, but they neglected to give me a purple sash for my accomplishment. They also charged me for a book that I had returned, only to find it months later. I’m so glad they have people who are on the ball now.</p>
<p>Last May, our guidance counselor received a call from our regional UA admission rep saying that she would love to present my son with his National Merit award, if possible. Our HS is tiny (400 students grades 8-12), so we hold a separate scholarship ceremony (with the juniors and sophomores in attendance so they can see what one can earn – a bit of inspiration, so to speak). Not only did the UA rep come, but she read the list of all the items that a NM student at Alabama receives. Kids and teachers were flipping out that the package included a laptop. </p>
<p>Then, our rep stayed for a reception and chatted with some prospective students, including my younger son, who is now an eighth grader. My oldest would like to think that that visit inspired three students this past fall to apply to Alabama, and perhaps, a few more this fall.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>That’s exactly what happens at my kids’ school (also very small - less than 350 kids). Everyone is there, including lots of parents, and everyone is so impressed to hear all that the kids are given. </p>
<p>Bama certainly increases its apps that way.</p>
<p>Everything I have seen says that UA is a state school, but one can never be sure…
I’ll echo UA’s regret that they were unable to send somebody to present it to him. My school had a scholarship ceremony were some outside scholarship committees presented awards, but no colleges presented any awards. I got my certificate/case when I picked up my diploma after graduation. No other student got anything like it from their colleges.</p>
<p>On a side note, the certificate and case is bigger than my hs diploma.</p>
<p>If your son’s school has a ceremony where they announce which colleges the students will be attending, be prepared to see a lot of surprised faces when they announce that he will be attending UA.</p>
<p>Roll Tide!</p>
<p>Everything I have seen says that UA is a state school, but one can never be sure…</p>
<p>I think it’s owned by that Mobile guy who drives to every game in his $2 million dollar custom RV and brings $30k worth of champagne and wine each time.</p>
<p>;)</p>
<p>Yes, I’m pretty positive it’s a public school.</p>
<p>Yes, it’s a public school. Malanai wasn’t seriously asking this question. LOL</p>
<p>Awwww, son was presented his scholarship today at school. He was grinning from ear to ear!</p>
<p>That’s the way the TIDE ROLLS!!! :)</p>
<p>^^^Acknowledgement is a wondrous thing. Congratulations!</p>
<p>How lovely - and Malanai, take credit where its due! I work with kids every day who were born with incredible potential and promise and left to the wayside by their parents. Good job, parents!</p>
<p>^^^Mahalo. Very kind of you.</p>