<p>To Sherpa, others:</p>
<p>Regarding NMF full-ride choices:</p>
<p>My son chose Auburn this past fall, after touring both 'Bama and Auburn. Both schools had compelling things in their favor. He would have gone to 'Bama if he hadn’t decided also to tour Auburn. Everyone’s reasons are different, but it usually comes down to a few basic reasons, which for him were:</p>
<p>1) The program: He’s in Engineering (Chemical), and felt Alabama’s program was not at the same level as Auburn’s.</p>
<p>2) “Feel”–Auburn has a more compact campus feel; it felt to him more like a smaller private school We live in Madison WI, near the UW, which has nearly 50,000 students so both AU and Bama feel like small schools!</p>
<p>3) The quality of both schools, the financial offerings for NMF’s, the hospitality and knowlege of the staff and school officials-- a toss up. Both outstanding.</p>
<p>4) Football? 
Auburn, of course! War Eagle!</p>
<p>5) Surroundings: We all felt the Auburn community was nicer–if small town, suburban is what you feel comfortable with. Tuscaloosa felt a little strip-mallish, a bit “grittier” to us, but that’s certainly just an initial visual impression. What can you see and experience in just one afternoon? Not much.</p>
<p>Our Senior in HS son is also a NMSF, and has been accepted at Auburn. He is likely to go to Auburn. Not because his brother is there–that argues for another choice!–but because, after touring both schools, he felt the same way about Auburn vs. Alabama. </p>
<p>However, as mentioned many times on other posts, the housing situation at Alabama is definitely superior. Many more top quality “suites” for Honors College students. Also, I think 'Bama had a more compelling Honors program than Auburn. </p>
<p>On the whole, we could toss a coin for both boys and be happy with either school </p>
<p>Footnote: We’re northerners. Never been to Alabama, had all the “Good 'ol boy” stereotypes, etc. In fact, I went to UC-Berkely, my wife to Univ. of Washington, we live in Madison, WI–not your typical Auburn family. Frankly, we have been so impressed with the Alabama schools we think folks in our area are the ones with the inaccurate, sometimes cruel, stereotypes. </p>
<p>Good luck with your decisions. War Eagle!</p>