re: Alabama academics

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How do we not have an online mba. I still don’t get that. Schools are printing money offering that

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This drives me insane too. I know far too many people that wanted to do Bama's MBA program but decided to do Auburn's because there's was fully online. I bet off the top of my head I can name at least 10 people that did this. I do think Bama has a much better reputation though when it comes to our MBA. The average GMAT score of our business school was something like 674 or 647 and Auburn's was in the mid 500 range. I was actually quite impressed

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I’m going through the process now. Moved away from Tuscaloosa after completing my undergrad. I wanted to throw my dollars at UA but sadly there’s no online program. It’s crazy… even very competitive B schools offer online formats.

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I ended up doing my MBA through Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech). UNA also has a very good MBA program

Well, I guess I shoud post an update. U of A has continued to push for my youngest to come to Tuscaloosa for a full tour. After spending several days in Gulf Shores, we made the trip north to Tuscaloosa for the visit she had told them she would take. They rolled out the red carpet. This tour was for only 5 out of state HS student candidates that are entering their senior year this fall. The tour was focused on the Honors College Program in addition to the standard full campus tour. When we arrived, my daughter did not want to like the time on campus. They did a fantastic job with her.

While Auburn is still her 1st choice, Alabama is now a "VERY close 2nd" and she said her choice will likely come down to which university offers her the best overall package.

It is a true shame the U of A did not make this same effort with my older two when they were in-state students. Otherwise, today would have locked her choice down as an out of state student.

We are out of state. Both daughters had achieved the highest level of Bright Futures here in FL and could have gone to any public college in state tuition free. Oldest daughter got a Presidential scholarship to Bama and a few weeks ago graduated Summa cum Laude with dual degrees and admission to Alabama law school.
Youngest just got a full ride to Bama. UA wasn’t her first choice; she wanted somewhere more prestigious. But 1) she hates Gainesville so that eliminated the in state option. 2) Nobody gave her enough money to match what Bama was giving. She was looking and applying to UVa, UNC, Georgetown, George Mason, William and Mary, George Washington, Washington and Lee, Ole Miss, and a couple of other schools. She was accepted everywhere but UNC (rejected) and UVa (waitlisted) and got money from all of the rest, but they couldn’t best Bama. Ole Miss came closest. All this to say Alabama is a great school and a great value. It may not have the reputation of a UF (which is quite frankly, bullshite IMHO. They have a good medical school and a good law school. Other than that, meh!) but they attract good OOS students because of the campus, the athletics, and scholarships. My oldest had friends from Cali, Colorado, Kansas, and Arizona. Alabama was a better value for most of them and most weren’t on scholarship like mine. Alabama is doing a LOT of things right to attract the out of state kids. They could probably improve their in state practices to get the kids from Alabama. But overall, I think they are doing a great job.
My oldest was applying to law schools and had gotten into a couple like Tulane and UF but the minute she got accepted to Alabama law, she shut it down and sais she wanted to be in Tuscaloosa for 3 more years.

Just an FYI compairson by one out-of-state high school rising senior girl (Atlanta high end private school). She has visited South Carolina, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Duke, Vanderbilt, Texas, TCU, Auburn, and Alabama. Her last two visits are Tennessee (today) and Clemson (next week).

Georgia, Georgia Tech (too close to home), Duke (too much like her HS), Vanderbilt (not a real SEC feel), Texas (too far away), TCU (too small & far away), and Florida out before visits completed. South Carolina made a good impression but did not make the cut (her best friend is headed to SC).

Current order of interest for her. #1 Auburn, # 2 Alabama, # 3 Florida State, # 4 Miami (likely out for distance). Her GPA is great but her ACT (first take) is only 34. Alabama and FL State are pushing the hardest and both are wanting to work with her HS to set up dual enrolment for 2 to 4 classes next year to get her started for early enrolement and a 5 year plan for her Masters. None of the other schools have talked with her at that level of detail yet. (Alabama moved from just a back-up plan to a contender during the visit) Because of the U of A visit she canceled a trip to Ole Miss and will likely cancel Clemson. She has a realy good friend already headed to FL State, Miami, and Auburn. She is the only one of her 5 girl group that has not yet made a decision. They all visited Auburn, Florida, FL State, Miami, and South Carolina together.

Both of her older sisters and her mother graduated from Auburn. The older sisters were Alabama fans until Alabama chose not to recruit them like Auburn did. Auburn gave them a far better packages.For the last 12 years, the little sister has been all about Auburn. She took the visit to Alabama just because of me. None of her 4 friends would even visit Alabama.

She is wanting psychology/early child development (like one of her sisters) or kinesiology. I suspect kinesiology is where she will end up. She is a gymnist and co-head chear leader (as a jr & senior).

And Tennessee is out.