<p>My name is Adriel, and I’m from Sao Paulo Brazil.
I always wanted to study and live in the USA, and a few weeks ago I met with some representatives from University of South Alabama at a International Student EXPO here in my city. I researched about the University, and I became very interested. Before I pick the school, I have some questions about the college and Mobile, Alabama. Could you help me please? </p>
<p>Is University of South Alabama a good school?
What’s studying and living in Mobile, Alabama like?
It’s safe?
What’s the weather like?
What are the best things to do there?
Do you have any advises or recommendations about living there?</p>
No. Though more worrisome than their academic standards are their retention and graduation rates. Only 68% of their entering students return for a second year, and only 33% will earn a degree within 6 years. That usually means 1 of 2 things:</p>
<ul>
<li>Maybe students are super unhappy at this university and transfer to another university and finish their degree there.</li>
<li>Maybe their students are from a socioeconomic background that makes it difficult for them to finish college. (e.g. they may have to quit school because they can’t afford to attend anymore) </li>
</ul>
<p>Let me put those retention and graduation numbers into context. The University of Alabama (a better public university in the same state) has a retention rate of 87% and a graduaton rate of 67%. The University of California at Berkeley (one of the best public universities in the country) has a retention rate of 97% and a graduation rate of 91%. </p>