Out of state students - what brings you to UA? :)

mom2collegekids · 09-25-2009, 05:03 PM

I'm happy to see all the OOS interest in UA. May I ask what got you interested in UA? Have you visited the campus, or at least have done the "online tour"?

Looking forward to reading your posts!

Shrinkrap · 09-25-2009, 08:28 PM

Something you posted on another thread about religion counting toward GPA, broadcasting md sports. And my dad is from Alabama ( Huntsville, born there, 1913...lots of history there)....

whitesox24 · 09-26-2009, 12:45 AM

I've pretty much decided that I wanted to go to a large public school so I started researching basically all of the state flagships. What really got me interested in UA at first was the automatic scholarships. I was amazed that they automatically gave out full tuition for a 32+ on your ACT. I visited last Spring and I really liked the campus and like the idea of the honors college. My only concern about UA is the distance away from home, as I live in Illinois, but it is probably one of my most realistic options.

mom2collegekids · 09-26-2009, 08:32 AM

>>> Something you posted on another thread about religion counting toward GPA, broadcasting md sports. And my dad is from Alabama ( Huntsville, born there, 1913...lots of history there).... <<<<

Ahhh! LOL I know who you are!!! You're the football player!

I read your parent's post!

Glad to see that you're checking out the Crimson Tide. I have 2 sons there....Ask me anything!

I had a sense you might be going to a private/parochial school, so I mentioned that religion grades count at UA! I knew that you needed some GPA help.

Have a great senior year...(I know senioritis is a killer!

)

BTW....did you say that your dad was born in 1913??? Is that right???

mom2collegekids · 09-26-2009, 08:43 AM

>>>> I've pretty much decided that I wanted to go to a large public school so I started researching basically all of the state flagships. What really got me interested in UA at first was the automatic scholarships. I was amazed that they automatically gave out full tuition for a 32+ on your ACT. I visited last Spring and I really liked the campus and like the idea of the honors college. My only concern about UA is the distance away from home, as I live in Illinois, but it is probably one of my most realistic options. <<<<

Yes, the automatic scholarship is true (and so awesome!), make sure you get your app done on time - preferably early. BTW... if you major in Engineering, you probably also get another $2500 a year. Be sure to apply as an engineering major. You wouldn't get the extra money if you later major in engineering. (If you will be majoring in engineering, contact engineering dept...I'm pretty sure a 32 ACT OOS still gets the extra money).

Glad to hear that you visited the campus...it is very, very nice! I hope you got to visit the honors dorms...they're really nice. My younger son is in the newest one Ridgecrest North, and my older son is in Lakeside.

parent56 · 09-26-2009, 08:47 AM

i would second what white sox says. we are actually in state (and the automatic scholarships are wonderful) but i think in these economic times, finances are even more important than usual. my son is also looking for oos colleges, and most are not even close in the amount of merit offered to oos students at UA, or very forthcoming about what merit is available. I wish all colleges would make it as easy as UA to determine what scholarships are available.

whitesox24 · 09-26-2009, 10:53 AM

Thanks mom2collegekids for the advice. I already applied a few weeks ago and have filled out the scholarship application and yes I did get to visit one of the honors dorms. They were absolutely amazing. By far the the nicest dorms I have seen at any college.

AL34 · 09-26-2009, 10:56 AM

WhiteSox pretty much sums it up, DS is planning on Comp. Sci., was looking for state flagships, (we live outside Chicago) and neither of us liked UIUC so that was out. He was the ONLY one from his class of 1150+ kids who went to the UA presentation at his school, his peers think it's really funny, being in the South and all... jokes on them! We had found the info online earlier and had seen the DVD etc. so already had extensive background info. Have lived down South so that is not even a slight concern, also IMHO the potential for economic growth seems to be greater in that region.
The UA rep was wonderful, very enthusiastic and DS got the one-on-one input he was looking for...
The cherry, of course, is that he qualifies for the full tuition plus $2,500 in the College of Engineering, and with a 28+ you're an automatic admit in Honors College, chance for CBHP, Elite Fellows etc., the opportunities are there to at least try for.
Going down for University Days in Nov., (also visiting UA Huntsvile) we are hoping it is all it seems to be!

WhiteSox - if it turns out both you and DS end up going we should talk, could be helpful as far as travel etc.

Really, seriously, how could someone NOT consider UA?

parent56 · 09-26-2009, 11:12 AM

al34, it's kind of funny, but having been on cc since 2007 there appears to me to have been a significant change in the attitude to UA ( and somewhat to auburn) in the past year. They have been top public univ for years, have offered the automatic scholarships for years, etc but never got any "cc love"... tended to be mentioned more negatively "ie southern school, who would want to go'". What i love to see now, even though it is most likely due to the economy is that UA and Auburn seem to be getting some respect. Only downside is more competition for my son LOL.

mom2collegekids · 09-26-2009, 12:23 PM

AL34 >>> The cherry, of course, is that he qualifies for the full tuition plus $2,500 in the College of Engineering, and with a 28+ you're an automatic admit in Honors College, chance for CBHP, Elite Fellows etc., the opportunities are there to at least try for.
Going down for University Days in Nov., (also visiting UA Huntsvile) we are hoping it is all it seems to be! <<<

If you are interested in CBHP and/or Fellows-Academic Elite: A week or so before your UA campus visit, send a note to Dr. Sharpe (CBHP director and "acting Dean" of Honors College) to get an appt. Getting "face time" with Dr. Sharpe is a big step towards getting accepted into CBHP. My DS1 is in CBHP and loves it. They have their own lab and get lots of personal attention.

Also, try to get an appt with the director of Fellows program... BIG TIP...do not ask about the Academic Elite Scholarship .... the Fellows people don't like it when it looks like people are only after the big scholarship. They want people who are interested in the program.

As you probably know, the University Honors (UH) classes offered in the Honors College are very small...limited to 15 students. Many of them fulfill "Gen Ed/Core Curriculum" requirements. My kids have really enjoyed the honors classes. They are often unique, insightful and thought-provoking.

My DS1 recently took the UH Honors Arts and Parody course to fill his "Fine Arts" requirement. The prof was very exciting...the class was small (15 students) and they all sat around a big conference table discussing and presenting examples of parodies and satire in art, literature, TV, and movies...My DS1 loved that class.. If interested, this class fills up VERY QUICKLY...DS couldn't get in until his sophomore year.

The departmental honors classes (for instance..Honors Calculus), are also small (but larger than 15 students), but they get a lot of attention there, too.

BTW...belonging to the Honors College is a big advantage. Not only do you get to be in the nicer honors dorms, but you get priority registration...and believe me, that makes a huge difference when it comes to registering for classes each semester!!!

UA is also pretty generous with AP credits...that can "knock out" a lot of gen ed/core curriculum classes! Each of my sons entered UA with 41 college credits from AP classes. See website for what AP scores are needed for credit.

Shrinkrap · 09-26-2009, 12:56 PM

"BTW....did you say that your dad was born in 1913??? Is that right???"

LOL... that's because l'm the parent on THIS thread too... my kid is SO not a college confidential kid. It's MY dad who went to W. Virginia state,( where the OP on the other thread was going to do a "scared straight"), but was born in Alabama. And the student in question plays soccer, not football, and DOES go to a "Christian" school. He's a junior, but after a whole academic career of "itis" he finally had an aha! moment, followed by the dreaded "upward trend". I'm not sure he'd be interested, but I'm gathering info, so thanks!

Any insights about soccer there?

mom2collegekids · 09-26-2009, 02:09 PM

AL 34 >>> Going down for University Days in Nov., (also visiting UA Huntsvile) we are hoping it is all it seems to be! <<<

I live very, very close to UAH Huntsville. It has a lot of new building going on. It is a strong school in various subjects - especially high-tech.

However, the social aspect of the "college experience" is rather lacking at UAH for non-Greeks (the university recently built several big houses for the Greeks.) Also, since it isn't very old, it lacks the "beloved traditions" and spirit that can be found at older universities.

UAH largely draws students from the Huntsville area, so many live at home. Freshman who live 30+ miles away (I think) must live on campus. But, it is still somewhat a commuter/suitcase college, which might be a problem for the OOS student.

The good news for the future is that more and more kids are coming from OOS because of its low cost, high-tech programs, and its associations with Cummings Research Park (and all the high-tech companies there).

Still, until more OOS kids begin to go to UAH, an OOS student may feel a bit lonely on the weekends unless he "goes Greek" or plays a sport for the school.

mom2collegekids · 09-26-2009, 02:33 PM

>>>> Any insights about soccer there? <<<<

If you mean intramural soccer...here is the link

The University of Alabama Student Recreation Center

I think I'm getting you (your kid) confused with another parent's kid who played football until his GPA started slipping; I think he goes to a private school, too (maybe not). I think that parent has "football" in his/her screenname I think that is the kid who wants to be a sportscaster (or is that your son). I need to have a "cheat sheet" nearby to make notes of who belongs with who... lol

Shrinkrap · 09-26-2009, 05:49 PM

"I think I'm getting you (your kid) confused with another parent's kid"

That's be because of a near hijack, on my part. We have similar kids, so it's all good!

My kid wants to play D1 soccer, but I prefer intramural.

He is African American, and I'm wondering if that's a part of the Greek life you are referring to.

He fancies himself with a career in television, but in front of the camera. I think he should be behind...

You really shouldn't need a cheat sheet if "we" are doing this right, since I think the best thing about this is when it applies to more than one student.

mom2collegekids · 09-26-2009, 06:44 PM

>>> My kid wants to play D1 soccer, but I prefer intramural.

He is African American, and I'm wondering if that's a part of the Greek life you are referring to.

He fancies himself with a career in television, but in front of the camera. I think he should be behind... <<<<

I'm not sure what you mean? Are you concerned that the intramural soccer at UA involves (or is controlled by) the Greek system?

There is intramural indoor and outdoor soccer. UA doesn't have a NCAA soccer team (I think UA can't field a soccer team because of rules (Title IX) concerning male and female sports.

From what I understand from the intramural website, any group (dorm group, friends, frat, whatever) can form a soccer intramural team...

The University of Alabama Student Recreation Center

"Forming a Team
The easiest way to get involved in team sports is to form a team on your own. You and a couple friends, perhaps the hall of your dorm or the neighbors in your apartment complex. Student organizations such as fraternities and sororities as well as other campus groups often put together teams. Ask at your organization at its next group meeting. To find out how many players you'll need for a complete team, browse through the sport’s rules available online.

How to Register
Once you've got a squad together, you'll need to register. The key here is to REGISTER EARLY! So, when you do register? Well, each sport has its own registration period. To find out when that is for each sport, check our Sports Planner for each semester. The Sports Planner is available online and in the IM Sports Office approximately 2 months prior to each semester, so you'll have plenty of time to plan for upcoming sports.
You'll register for all sports at the Intramural Sports Office located in the Student Recreation Center. We advise attempting to register on the FIRST DAY of the registration period. Just one person for your team will need to sign-up. "

And.... if someone can't form his own team, he can become a "free agent," be put on a list, and then get called to join an existing team. See below..

"Team Sport Free Agents
OK, so all this stuff about registering a team is great, but what if you don't know enough people to form a team on your own? Well, for most of our major team sports, we will put together free agent lists. To register as a free agent for a sport, sign up in the Intramural Sports Office located in the Student Recreation Center. The IM Free Agent group is advertised to existing teams so they might call you and ask you to join their team. If that doesn't happen, then we'll put together teams of all free agents to compete in our leagues. We put together these teams at a free agent meeting, so when you sign-up be sure to find out when and where that free agent meeting will be. At the free agent meeting, you'll be able to meet your teammates, establish practice times, etc."

I don't know if the link in my earlier post refers to some "club" that happens to have an intramural team or what...