@Dis3456 - midwest family here; just wanted to say that our s20 is at Bama. His experience so far has been good (engineering). He joined a small fraternity - and in his pledge class there are two NMFs; and kids from everywhere - except alabama! NY; WI; IL; KY; NC; AZ; CA: MO; VA – etc. His roommates are from both coasts. He is thoroughly enjoying meeting people from all over. He’s loving the warm weather as well. We have 4 kids and have to go merit where possible. He chose bama over AZ; the other big contender in the (auto) merit game for us.