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Alabama academics
Posted on 4/5/24 at 11:58 am
Posted on 4/5/24 at 11:58 am
I know I know, blashphemy on this subject on this board as it says directly "Alabama Sports Board" but I wanted to get opinions from those who have college aged children in the state of Alabama and has sent them to other schools within this state.
This is kind of from a couple threads on the SECrant and I have noticed that many Bama posters have sent their children to other schools in this state. I am going to try to work with the Alumni association in my hometown to see what we (alumni or friends of the university) can do to get more interest from high school students in this state to apply and attend Bama. For those that have children who decided to go elsewhere, what was the determining factor(s) in your kids choice?
This is kind of from a couple threads on the SECrant and I have noticed that many Bama posters have sent their children to other schools in this state. I am going to try to work with the Alumni association in my hometown to see what we (alumni or friends of the university) can do to get more interest from high school students in this state to apply and attend Bama. For those that have children who decided to go elsewhere, what was the determining factor(s) in your kids choice?
10
Posted on 4/5/24 at 12:04 pm to cdur86
???
Posted on 4/5/24 at 12:09 pm to Panthers4life
quote:
???
What's the question? The mods can move it if this doesn't fit what you guys want to talk about
Posted on 4/5/24 at 12:27 pm to cdur86
Academic rankings are less meaningful than college football rankings.
Posted on 4/5/24 at 1:10 pm to cdur86
My daughter was deciding between Alabama and UNA. She decided on UNA because it was smaller and easier to get the classes she needed. She got a degree in Nursing and decided it doesn't matter where you get your nursing degree from. It basically came down to UNA was a better fit for her.
Posted on 4/5/24 at 1:11 pm to cdur86
Find a way to make it cost effective for most of the parents in state.
Posted on 4/5/24 at 1:42 pm to Bamachief
quote:
Find a way to make it cost effective for most of the parents in state.
Thanks for responding. I know UA has been very generous with scholarships. They even give scholarships for lower performing in-state students.
Posted on 4/5/24 at 3:12 pm to cdur86
I had one daughter go to UA (long-time Bama fans); the other daughter who was always a Bama fan went to AU and unfortunately is now a die-hard Aubie. Education was equal, in my opinion. UA daughter got a nursing degree. AU daughter got a degree in Chem E and went on to med school. From a parent's perspective, sorority life seems better at AU. Would not have wanted my daughter to join sorority at Bama for multiple reasons -- cost being the primary one. Both had great experiences and got a great education.
Scholarships were better at Bama at that time. Not sure about now. Daughter #2 actually had a little higher ACT score but didn't get room and board like daughter #2 at Bama. Both great schools.
Scholarships were better at Bama at that time. Not sure about now. Daughter #2 actually had a little higher ACT score but didn't get room and board like daughter #2 at Bama. Both great schools.
This post was edited on 4/5/24 at 3:15 pm
Posted on 4/5/24 at 3:19 pm to cdur86
The plan for my child is that she goes to an in-state institution since we have a 529 for her already and we sorta pegged our monthly contributions to hit a number that is likely to be around the cost of tuition at UA in a decade and a half (and some change). Ideally UA because we're close and there are some additional benefits that would make it a better deal almost certainly unless the other in-state school is offering to write her big checks above and beyond total cost of attendance.
My opinion is that undergraduate is mostly replacement level education unless you have a specific, unique undergraduate program you or your child is eying for a career. I hope my child is the type that goes from UA crimson in undergraduate to Harvard crimson for graduate/doctoral to be quiet honest.
It is early days yet and they certainly become their own person with their own ideas in due time...
My opinion is that undergraduate is mostly replacement level education unless you have a specific, unique undergraduate program you or your child is eying for a career. I hope my child is the type that goes from UA crimson in undergraduate to Harvard crimson for graduate/doctoral to be quiet honest.
It is early days yet and they certainly become their own person with their own ideas in due time...
This post was edited on 4/5/24 at 3:21 pm
Posted on 4/5/24 at 3:20 pm to bamafan1953
quote:
(long-time Bama fans); the other daughter who was always a Bama fan went to AU and unfortunately is now a die-hard Aubie
I've seen this a lot lately unfortunately
quote:
From a parent's perspective, sorority life seems better at AU
I get it. I was in a fraternity at Bama and would never allow my son to be in one after that experience.
quote:
Scholarships were better at Bama at that time. Not sure about now
It still is and is really hard to beat UA's scholarship offers. That is why I am not understanding why so many in-state students are going elsewhere
Posted on 4/6/24 at 8:15 am to cdur86
I have a 2024 graduate and she’s going to Miss State, because they rolled out the red carpet for her. Her academics are really good, and she turned down about ten offers from D1-D3 schools for soccer to play club at MSU. We toured MSU and then Bama in the same week, hitting MSU first. They were amazing, and offered her a job on campus. She received weekly handwritten notes from her recruiter and others.
We get to Alabama and it’s beautiful, the new welcome center in the old Bryce hospital is jaw dropping… it was first class all the way. We’re in a big conference room and no kidding, we’re the ONLY people from Alabama and I’m the ONLY alumni. Alabama seemed to could have cared less. Unlike State, they offered no other personal tours, and we couldn’t get anyone to meet with us one on one like state did to discuss academics. My Alma mater didn’t seem to really want my kid.
She graduates from a 6A school in Baldwin County and MSU went above and beyond to get her. Bama… not even a little. I will say this, about 10-15 of her friends boys and girls applied to both Auburn and Alabama, every single one of them including mine got into Auburn… THREE including mine got into Alabama. That’s what blew my mind.
TLDR MSU rolled out the red carpet, Alabama could have cared less, they were more interested in the out of state students.
We get to Alabama and it’s beautiful, the new welcome center in the old Bryce hospital is jaw dropping… it was first class all the way. We’re in a big conference room and no kidding, we’re the ONLY people from Alabama and I’m the ONLY alumni. Alabama seemed to could have cared less. Unlike State, they offered no other personal tours, and we couldn’t get anyone to meet with us one on one like state did to discuss academics. My Alma mater didn’t seem to really want my kid.
She graduates from a 6A school in Baldwin County and MSU went above and beyond to get her. Bama… not even a little. I will say this, about 10-15 of her friends boys and girls applied to both Auburn and Alabama, every single one of them including mine got into Auburn… THREE including mine got into Alabama. That’s what blew my mind.
TLDR MSU rolled out the red carpet, Alabama could have cared less, they were more interested in the out of state students.
Posted on 4/6/24 at 8:38 am to ghoast
quote:
Alabama seemed to could have cared less. Unlike State, they offered no other personal tours, and we couldn’t get anyone to meet with us one on one like state did to discuss academics. My Alma mater didn’t seem to really want my kid.
This is not acceptable and not the first time I’ve heard that. The alumni chapters in this state needs to demand better. Sorry that the University gave you guys the cold shoulder.
quote:
about 10-15 of her friends boys and girls applied to both Auburn and Alabama, every single one of them including mine got into Auburn… THREE including mine got into Alabama. That’s what blew my mind.
Are you saying Alabama has stricter admission requirements than Auburn? That would be the first I’ve heard that and a pleasant surprise if so.
Posted on 4/6/24 at 8:45 am to cdur86
Sent both of my daughters to UA. We live in Columbus , Ms so didn’t have to pay out of state tuition. They enjoyed the sorority life but man , ole dad is broke . With sorority dues it is like putting two kids through school at once…
. With sorority dues it is like putting two kids through school at once…
Posted on 4/6/24 at 8:57 am to cdur86
quote:
I get it. I was in a fraternity at Bama and would never allow my son to be in one after that experience.
As someone who was not in a fraternity at UA, I would warn you that it really affects your social experience. So much of the social life on that campus runs through Greek Life that I really found non membership to be very isolating. Many may disagree if they attended earlier, but trust me when I say this was not a niche opinion. Everyone I talked to about it when I was there felt the same way. Social media and dating apps have made people more isolated, as we all know, and the Greek system at UA is so insular that it amplifies that.
Plenty of reason to not go Greek, but I'd definitely make sure your kid has some other club to be part of.
Posted on 4/6/24 at 9:05 am to cdur86
Obviously, UA can’t control who wants to attend and from where but it seems pretty obvious to me that UA is more interested in attracting out of state students when something like 66% of your student body is from out of state.
On the other hand, UA isn’t going to accept just anyone and I have wonder if OOS applicants have stronger academic backgrounds than many in state kids? I suspect that may often (not ALWAYS but often) be true.
I’m 99% sure UA LOOOOOOVES that out of state tuition, which helps fund all those nice shiny new buildings.
I do know UA does have strong scholarship incentives for really bright in state kids. My nephew in Trussville is a sophomore with a 4.2 GPA, takes all these AP courses and is doing great. UA has already been sending him materials trying to sway him there. His family are all Auburn (parents and grandparents are all AU alums) and the fact he says he’s probably going to Bama drives them nuts. I love it!
On the other hand, UA isn’t going to accept just anyone and I have wonder if OOS applicants have stronger academic backgrounds than many in state kids? I suspect that may often (not ALWAYS but often) be true.
I’m 99% sure UA LOOOOOOVES that out of state tuition, which helps fund all those nice shiny new buildings.
I do know UA does have strong scholarship incentives for really bright in state kids. My nephew in Trussville is a sophomore with a 4.2 GPA, takes all these AP courses and is doing great. UA has already been sending him materials trying to sway him there. His family are all Auburn (parents and grandparents are all AU alums) and the fact he says he’s probably going to Bama drives them nuts. I love it!
This post was edited on 4/6/24 at 9:06 am
Posted on 4/6/24 at 9:16 am to Amarillo Tide
One of the posters above mentioned Mississippi State. My son went there for his freshman year and I have to admit people in Starkville and MSU are THE nicest people I’ve ever met. So nice and friendly, my original thoughts were, “Are you messing with me?” but no, they’re just freakishly nice people.
Even though he only went there a year, I always pull for MSU as long as they’re not playing Bama.
A few people mentioned nursing. My daughter is an RN and unless you’re wanting to become a nursing instructor or go into research, 99% of employers (i.e. hospitals or doctors offices) don’t really care where you went to school as long as it’s accredited and you passed your boards.
Even though he only went there a year, I always pull for MSU as long as they’re not playing Bama.
A few people mentioned nursing. My daughter is an RN and unless you’re wanting to become a nursing instructor or go into research, 99% of employers (i.e. hospitals or doctors offices) don’t really care where you went to school as long as it’s accredited and you passed your boards.
Posted on 4/6/24 at 12:10 pm to cdur86
I remember a professor at a smaller university over in Ga (related to my wife)
tell me that education at the under graduate level isnt that different. He was a math professor and said I can teach an under graduate math class as well as anyone at Duke. The difference is in upper lever, PHD programs.
tell me that education at the under graduate level isnt that different. He was a math professor and said I can teach an under graduate math class as well as anyone at Duke. The difference is in upper lever, PHD programs.
Posted on 4/6/24 at 12:15 pm to cdur86
quote:
The alumni chapters in this state needs to demand better.
This 100%
Yeah, I’ve heard that from a few friends as well and I was hoping they’d do a little more. I love my University but they did not go above and beyond for an in state kid with an alumni parent. State definitely did and showed they wanted her.
Also, State waived the out of state and gave her a scholarship… it was actually cheaper to go to State than Bama.
I’m not sure about the standards or what the other kids made on ACT, and GPA… but most of her friends that applied to both schools only got into Auburn. I was surprised as well.
This post was edited on 4/6/24 at 12:22 pm
Posted on 4/6/24 at 12:19 pm to Amarillo Tide
quote:
One of the posters above mentioned Mississippi State. My son went there for his freshman year and I have to admit people in Starkville and MSU are THE nicest people I’ve ever met. So nice and friendly, my original thoughts were, “Are you messing with me?” but no, they’re just freakishly nice people.
We said the same thing, we’ve been back twice to State and met with countless people both on the athletic side and academic side and they are overly gracious and nice. I thought it was an act too… it’s not, they’re that nice.
Posted on 4/6/24 at 12:35 pm to IB4bama
I majored in accounting at Alabama. Those professors would ride your arse back then in the 70s. My roommate flunked the first intermediate class before the first test was even given because he didnt turn in 3 homework assignments. Busted him in front of the class. Told him he could keep attending since he had paid for it, but he had an F. And they were bad about riding your but if you couldnt answer a question. That would get your about 15 minutes of humiliation. But, I was sort of amazed at how far we were ahead of Auburn grads coming out of college. Back then the APB-Accounting Principals Bd and the FASB, Financial Accounting Standards board wrote all the accounting principals that guided us in financial statement prep. The barners had never even heard to them when we were studying for the CPA exam. Im sure things have changed since those days though.
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