@Atlanta68 Thanks for the insight. Coming from an undergrad experience of 3% AA, I definitely value a more representative ratio of 10% or more (reflective of a national representation of about 12%-13%). Of course the South has significantly higher percentages of AA residents, so I would expect flagship state schools to reflect that. I believe Alabama is about 26% AA and the AA population at UA is about 11%. Not proportionate, but certainly not nearly as isolating as other state flagships. It’s definitely a plus.
That said, while my undergraduate institution had a relatively low AA percentage at the time I was there (late 80s), the first AA student graduated in 1895. Lots of challenges in our history, but I believe I had a very different experience than my peers who attended state institutions that did not accept AA students until a couple of decades before they got there. Thus my questions about the current culture for students of color, especially those who aren’t from the South.
I’ve heard wonderful things about the school from a variety of parents and students…we’ll look forward to visiting to see if it’s a potential fit for my D17.