Which school and major?
Alabama - Roll Tide. Major: Applied math Minors: Computer Based Honors (CBH) and Philosophy
What were few important deciding factors?
Awesome opportunities, drop-dead gorgeous campus. CBH program, which is a minor (renamed to Randall Research Scholars Program (RRSH)). I think the program was fantastic. Helped develop research and presentation skills. Also created a “small school environment” at a big school.
If an applicant doesn’t get into RRSH, then applying/participating in Emerging Scholars is also an awesome opportunity (research starts freshman year).
Also, the Honors College is amazing. The list of offered classes is so unique that YOU will want to go back to school! And the honors classes are very small (I think the limit is 15 students per class).
One take away? Tour the campus. Contact the Honors College (Susan Dendy) and have her set up tour and the rest of the day. Let her know that the student is a likely NMF, major, career goal. She’ll arrange a day of tour, dorm visit, visiting the major dept and likely speaking with someone in the major dept. If premed/health, then meet with their advising.
Was NMF a big, some, no benefit? Huge benefit. Huge scholarship. NO DEBT!!! Also being a NMF may have been a tipping point into admission into the highly competitive CBH program. Plus, when he was offered an internship, the company increased his hourly wage by $3/hour because they are a NMF sponsor.
Being a NMF stays with you forever…
My son had ZERO interest in football - he came from a small private high that didn’t have football. However, as many without any football interest who choose Bama, the fever is catching…and he’s been a Crimson Tide watching fan ever since. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard stories like this. One parent was shocked to see her formerly non-sports-interested NMF son on TV sporting body paint at a game. Lol. Another parent told me that they (parents/daughter) had zero interest in sports, she’s now a Bama grad and they all fly in for at least one game per year. There’s no cure. Bama Fever, catch it and enjoy the ride. 