It is not UAB (which would be U of Alabama at Birmingham) it is UA. They may have that many in their honors program; which strictly uses GPA and test scores to determine entrance. You have the scores, you are considered in the program. They are really trying to increase their reputation and primarily focusing their efforts in building a top Engineering program. Students with top scores and grades get free tuition and room & board for 4 years…actually think they get a few Thousand dollars in addition. Students w slightly lower scores can get 3/4 or 1/2 off of tuition. They built all new dorms with four bedrooms and two full baths in each “unit”. I think they are plowing some of there athletic money back into the general university in both infrastructure and substantial merit aid for above average students. I think they still have a stigma to over come, but they are getting some really top students. Their top 25% of the past several incoming classes match up with nearly any school in the country…but the bottom 50% only require a pulse and a check book. It will be interesting to see how it ends up. My son applied and would have half or 2/3rds tuition discount…don’t recall for sure, but decided to go to PSU. Two of his friends did chose to go to Alabama this fall. As tuition continues at absurd levels, I think top students from lower/low middle income families will have a tough time passing up these types of options going forward. I guess time will tell.