Started By
Message
Looking into colleges...
Posted on 12/5/19 at 8:33 pm
Posted on 12/5/19 at 8:33 pm
What were your experiences at an SEC school (Florida, Alabama, LSU, Vandy are at the top of my SEC school list). What did you like or dislike about the school and positives/negatives on academics, campus life, dorms, cost, etc? Just trying to get some good feedback and figured that this was a good place to get some
14
Posted on 12/5/19 at 9:37 pm to GoGators04
quote:
Florida, Alabama, LSU, Vandy
One of these is not like the others.
I enjoyed Ole Miss, made life long friends there and have good business connections because of having gone there, but I’ll probably encourage my children to go somewhere like Vandy.
This post was edited on 12/5/19 at 10:04 pm
Posted on 12/5/19 at 10:01 pm to GoGators04
The very first thing I did was schedule a campus visit and try out the cafeteria food.
Posted on 12/5/19 at 10:13 pm to GoGators04
I will give you the same advice I gave my kids. Go where you get the most money. Your undergrad doesn't matter that much if you plan on going to grad school.
As far as personal experience goes, I really enjoyed my time at Alabama. Two of my kids went there as well. In state tuition isn't very high. Out of state is significantly more, but if you are a good student, they absolutely throw scholarship money at OOS kids. Over half of the buildings on campus are new or have been completely renovated in the last decade or so. Most of the dorms are new (they have held on to a few of the older ones, though) and they are fairly nice as far as dorms go. My two oldest kids and my daughter's husband went there, and living on campus was mandatory for one year.
My daughter and her (now) husband both took advantage of all the scholarship money for their undergrad degrees there and got doctorates at schools that were highly rated in their chosen fields.
My youngest went to Auburn. The campus isn't quite as pretty, IMO, but the experience is very similar. Living on campus wasn't mandatory for freshmen, as they don't have enough dorm space, but, like Tuscaloosa, there are tons of new apartments and nice rentals.
If you aren't scholarship eligible (and cost doesn't matter to you), and don't intend to go to grad school, then Vandy, UF, Bama, LSU. In that order.
As far as personal experience goes, I really enjoyed my time at Alabama. Two of my kids went there as well. In state tuition isn't very high. Out of state is significantly more, but if you are a good student, they absolutely throw scholarship money at OOS kids. Over half of the buildings on campus are new or have been completely renovated in the last decade or so. Most of the dorms are new (they have held on to a few of the older ones, though) and they are fairly nice as far as dorms go. My two oldest kids and my daughter's husband went there, and living on campus was mandatory for one year.
My daughter and her (now) husband both took advantage of all the scholarship money for their undergrad degrees there and got doctorates at schools that were highly rated in their chosen fields.
My youngest went to Auburn. The campus isn't quite as pretty, IMO, but the experience is very similar. Living on campus wasn't mandatory for freshmen, as they don't have enough dorm space, but, like Tuscaloosa, there are tons of new apartments and nice rentals.
If you aren't scholarship eligible (and cost doesn't matter to you), and don't intend to go to grad school, then Vandy, UF, Bama, LSU. In that order.
This post was edited on 12/5/19 at 10:15 pm
Posted on 12/5/19 at 11:14 pm to GoGators04
Well the fun parts were on Wednesday’s, Thursday’s, Friday’s, and Saturday’s when we drank. Occasionally some Sundays, Monday’s, and tuesdays too
The worst parts were when I actually showed up to class
The worst parts were when I actually showed up to class
Posted on 12/6/19 at 12:25 am to GoGators04
Check out the Northeast
Posted on 12/6/19 at 5:30 am to GoGators04
What are you trying to do out of college?
I only know it from one industry.
I won’t go into my whole talk unless that’s what you want because then it’s pointless
But also college I think you’ll enjoy your time regardless of where you go
Every school is a party school too
I only know it from one industry.
I won’t go into my whole talk unless that’s what you want because then it’s pointless
But also college I think you’ll enjoy your time regardless of where you go
Every school is a party school too
This post was edited on 12/6/19 at 5:31 am
Posted on 12/6/19 at 9:55 am to Evolved Simian
quote:
I will give you the same advice I gave my kids. Go where you get the most money. Your undergrad doesn't matter that much if you plan on going to grad school.
This isn’t bad advice, either.
I had some very good schools, better than Ole Miss, offering more money than Ole Miss, but I was more comfortable going to Ole Miss, and thanks to my parents I ended up with no undergrad debt. Same thing with grad school, but I did end up with grad school debt because I chose to stay comfortable and take on some loan obligations rather than chase the money. Life would have been a little easier had I taken the money and gone to the other school. Then again, I have no regrets about where I am today.
Posted on 12/6/19 at 11:39 am to GoGators04
I would definitely look heavily into which school offers you the most money. Your number 1 concern should be return on investment. Pick a school that is renowned for what you plan to major in. It will make job opportunities a lot more prevalent for you. Also, a degree is only worth so much if you have a mountain of debt hanging over your head. Best of luck. College was the best 5 years of my life 
Hail State!
Hail State!
This post was edited on 12/6/19 at 11:40 am
Posted on 12/6/19 at 1:32 pm to GoGators04
Looking back, I think it would have been cool to go to a school like St. John’s College with the great books curriculum. Admittedly, I have no idea how much it costs or if scholarships are available there. Graduating debt free is key
Posted on 12/6/19 at 1:52 pm to GoGators04
I would go to the school that has the degree you are most interested in and is the most cost effective.
Posted on 12/6/19 at 6:01 pm to GoGators04
Everyone has already given you a chance to sit under the learning tree with some solid advice.
Yes, getting a degree from a school that has a great department for what you want to study is important. But I agree with those that advise you to keep your college debt as being the most important thing you can do.
Maybe you get lucky and land a top notch job right off the bat and pay off your student loan like its nothing. Or maybe you don't. In which case a lot of debt will cripple you financially. All of the major things in life, getting married, buying a car, buying a house, having children... all of that gets pushed back when a good chunk of your income goes into servicing your debt.
If you are a real cheapskate, like I am, you might consider taking the freshman level classes at an accredited local junior college dirt cheap.
Other than that, go to the campus, get a feel for not only the school but the local community. You are going to be there for 3-4 years. You don't want to discover you are now living in a place you can't stand.
Yes, getting a degree from a school that has a great department for what you want to study is important. But I agree with those that advise you to keep your college debt as being the most important thing you can do.
Maybe you get lucky and land a top notch job right off the bat and pay off your student loan like its nothing. Or maybe you don't. In which case a lot of debt will cripple you financially. All of the major things in life, getting married, buying a car, buying a house, having children... all of that gets pushed back when a good chunk of your income goes into servicing your debt.
If you are a real cheapskate, like I am, you might consider taking the freshman level classes at an accredited local junior college dirt cheap.
Other than that, go to the campus, get a feel for not only the school but the local community. You are going to be there for 3-4 years. You don't want to discover you are now living in a place you can't stand.
Posted on 12/6/19 at 9:06 pm to Arksulli
quote:
Other than that, go to the campus, get a feel for not only the school but the local community. You are going to be there for 3-4 years. You don't want to discover you are now living in a place you can't stand.
This is a great point. You should absolutely schedule campus tours and visits with the faculty or advisors in the department where you want to study.
Posted on 12/10/19 at 3:37 pm to GoGators04
Go to the school that will cost the least. Go to the school that is good in your prospective field. Not all schools are good at all subjects.
You can enjoy your time at any of those schools.
Except Alabama.
You can enjoy your time at any of those schools.
Except Alabama.
Posted on 12/10/19 at 4:40 pm to GoGators04
I had a blast at Alabama, but this was over 20 years ago and it's a completely different place than it was then.
Posted on 12/10/19 at 5:08 pm to The Spleen
They all are since then. We probably caught the tail end of the "Animal House" years at our respective universities before the rise of the internet and cell phones.
Posted on 12/27/19 at 8:39 pm to GoGators04
Pretty much any school is going to be fun, so it depends on cost and what you want to major in. If you're deciding between two similar schools and one offers you a scholarship, go to that school. Unless it's clemson, never go to clemson.
Posted on 12/27/19 at 11:18 pm to DownSouthJukin
I like your enthusiasm and want to for your children but it is very difficult to get into a premier SEC school. My daughter, because of me, applied to UGA and was rejected. More than likely becuase of the Hope scholarship. We live in coastal Alabama so I belive we lsot due to this. Private schoool, 4.3, 30 ACT no go. I think TN also has an in state preference. I wish the best and please be hopeful, but golly it’s tough. She did decided on Ole Miss and loves it!
Posted on 12/28/19 at 1:40 pm to GoGators04
I went to LSU without ever visiting, got lucky and enjoyed my time. My advice is to first think about your career goals. It's okay to not know what you want to do, but think about your skills and interests. Figure out if any of the schools provide a better option for that path. Also, look into scholarships, money should not be left on the table. If financially possible and reasonable, I recommend going somewhere that's away from home
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News