jrt336

I might just be a moron. It won't let me log into myBama. When I click Need an Account, I can't create one. What am I doing wrong? Do I need to finish my app before I do this?
Also, does Alabama want any letters of recommendation?

jrt336

And also-NMSF don't need to tell Alabama that they are their 1st choice by the Dec. 1deadline, right?

mom2collegekids

^^^^

You're right; you don't need to tell UA that they are the #1 choice until spring.

Congrats on making NMSF!!!

No letters of rec are needed for application or for scholarship app. Make sure your scores and transcripts are sent.



OK....as for the mybama log on problem

Account set up https://bama.ua.edu/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/helpdesk/reset.pl

Did UA give you an email account?

If so, the first part is your log on ID....so if your email account is... ABJones@crimson.ua.edu .... then your log on ID should be ABJones


mybama https://mybama.ua.edu/cp/home/displaylogin

You should be able to create your password

--------------------------------------------------

If you cannot use this tool or are still unable to login to myBama, please contact the Help Desk at (205)348-HELP or Help.Desk@ua.edu.

jrt336

At this https://bama.ua.edu/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/helpdesk/reset.pl link, it won't recognize my SSN and I don't have a CWID.

mom2collegekids

Ok...

When did you submit your application?

Usually it takes UA a couple of days after receiving your app to send you an email with your CWID. (College-Wide ID)

Have you received your email?

jrt336

Yeah that's why. I didn't know if I need to submit my app first or not (1st post). Thanks.

mom2collegekids

It's super easy to apply online. Takes like 2 minutes!!! LOL

jrt336

One more question-does the planned course of study matter? I put finance, but I can do whatever I want if I enroll right?

mom2collegekids

you can change it later but....

If you're also eligible for a department scholarship, you'll want to make sure that the right major is listed ASAP.

For instance...when DS2 applied, he put down Biology, but then about a week later submitted a change to Chemical Engineering (thru Student Services). By doing so, he received an extra $2500 per year scholarship from Engineering. IF he had waited to change his major, he wouldn't have received that extra money.

So, you'll want to make sure that your major is right.

What scholarships are you eligible for right now?

jrt336

The national merit one, so I won't be getting any others.

mom2collegekids

^^^

You can still get department scholarships even if you get the NMF one. What are your stats? You put finance, but what might your other choice be.

There are kids with both the NMF scholarship PLUS the engineering scholarship.

jrt336

I probably will change it to biology now. I don't think Alabama's bschool is anywhere near as good as Michigan's. Even though it'd be a 25k/yr difference, I think Michigan will give me a better education and better job prospects. I'd probably go to Alabama if I change my mind over the next year and want to go the premed route (which is still entirely possible).

Is Alabama a total "southern" school? Is it harder for northern kids to fit in with the southern culture there?

mom2collegekids

^^^

Will you enter UA with a lot of AP credits (UA is quite generous with AP credits)? To find out what you'll get... see University of Alabama Undergraduate Catalog 2008-10 It is not unusual for a student who has credit from 7 AP classes to enter UA with 45 credit hours - which is the same as being a "second-semester sophomore."

If you'll have many AP credits, it may be easy for you to have a double major. If so, you could get a scholarship award from either department if you declare both majors soon (be sure to put the correct majors on your scholarship app, too).


BTW...it doesn't matter which AP English class you take, if you get a 4 or 5 in either one, then you get 6 English Comp credits. If you get a 3 in one, and a 3 in the other, then you also get 6 credits. Getting 6 English Comp credits fulfills the freshmen English requirement.

SEA_tide

jrt336, mom2collegekids has great descriptions of the UA in other threads, which I suggest you check out if you haven't already. In short, Alabama (the school and the state itself) is as southern as you want to make it. Many instate students are not originally from Alabama as their families came for jobs/the military. UA is recruiting nationwide and has students from all 50 states, with many from the North. I myself am from WA and know there are a few non-southerners that post on the UA board. On campus, it is difficult to find a student with a "southern" accent. Sure we might have a #1 football team, sing "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Dixieland Delight" at those games, and serve sweet tea in the dining halls, but we are not "stereotypically southern" unless the student is determined to view us that way. Come visit UA and experience the campus. After one visit, many students (and parents) fall in love with the University and the many things it has to offer.

mom2collegekids

>>>
Is Alabama a total "southern" school? Is it harder for northern kids to fit in with the southern culture there?
<<<

Somehow I missed this part of your post.

A northern kid would have NO PROBLEM fitting in at UA.

We're from Southern California (living in AL for the last few years), and I can tell you that UA is not the "deep south" AT ALL!!!! When I'm on the UA campus, the kids are no different than what I found on California campuses.

And, if you get an undergrad catalog or go online, you'll see that most of the profs were educated at top 25 universities...Ivies, Duke, Vanderbilt, Mich, UCs, Stanford, UVirginia, UNY, Notre Dame, Georgetown, etc. UA has done a fab job recruiting the best talent for its profs.

You have to understand that the major cities in AL (where many of UA students come from) are populated with "transplants" since the economy is strong and has been growing for a long time with high tech jobs. There is also a major Army base in my area (which is why I have 2 generals living on my street...LOL )

Plus, since UA has so agressively recruited from across the country; kids are from every state. I rarely ever hear a southern accent on the UA Tuscaloosa campus or in the Huntsville area (where I live). I live in Madison County which has the highest concentration of PhDs in the the US. Since Cummings Research Park is here, the area attracts all the top high-tech companies and highly educated employees.

Have you visited UA? I realize that such a trip might be difficult coming from NJ. You would be surprised. We are Catholic, so I was first concerned that my Catholic kids would be "unusual" on campus....until I saw the big Catholic parish across the street from the school (Tuscaloosa has 2 big Catholic parishes - a surprise to me.) Actually, the campus is surrounded by churches of all stripes, a Jewish temple, and Moslem, Buddhist and Hindu worship places. A new Hillel is being built for the Jewish students.

Politically, the school is also diverse...the Young Repubs, the Young Dems,and the Green Party are vibrant. And, of course, the campus has the same hundreds of clubs that all other campuses do...even the so-called more controversial ones.

The school is also racially diverse. It was "low" with the Asian students (compared to NE or western campuses), but that is quickly changing...largely because of the agressive recruiting, the generous academic scholarships, and the strong programs.

If you can't visit UA in person, you should at least do the online tours at these links.

Virtual Campus Tour - The University of Alabama I recommend viewing in full screen and scroll down to click on thumbnail pics. Move around with your mouse.

Watch - iTour Bama - The University of Alabama

Roll Tide!




Please read some of my other posts here...

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/...42-post35.html

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/...34-post16.html

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/...233-post3.html