who can tell me about Bama?

[Shmily1]

When we first starting looking at Southern schools we were looking at the private schools, such as Tulane, Vanderbilt, Florida Southern, Eckerd, Emory. Some we ruled out because she doesn't want an academic grind, others aren't big sport schools and others are too small. We then started looking at Southern Flagship universities basically looking for something that would offer what Michigan State offers without being 47K+ students. University of Georgia actually has sent loads of recruiting info here because they are looking for out of state students with deep pockets, like University of Michigan. Bama caught my attention due to it's ranking in the USNWR College Edition for commitment to undergraduate education and freshman programs.

Certain schools heavily recruit students in the Catholic Prep schools because they figure the parents are used to paying big bucks. We are looking for a school that wants bright out of state students and are willing to make it economically feasible to go there. She currently has a smaller public out of state college (around 18K students) on her list that is closer to home and will pay merit money for academics that makes it more affordable than our in-state options. She is OK with it, but not thrilled and over the moon. She has been so thrilled with her high school, loving it every single day, that I would like that for her in college as well.

Bama fit the bill but we are open to other suggestions. I am spending time looking at the websites of the schools that are mentioned here on this thread. I was also pleased that Bama has a huge Catholic Parish across the street with a very active collegiate program. DD is in the leadership group of her Youth Ministry and she would be more than happy to continue on in college. The other thread regarding the difficulty of getting in a sorority does concern me. If she doesn't pledge, she would be happy to be very involved in the campus ministry. Also, she's a march to the beat of my own drummer kind of girl so when she sees what rush is all about , she may decide it's not for her. She may be attractive to the Sororities for GPA purposes.

So to answer your question, we are looking for any school that will end up offering an alternative to MSU, cost the same or less, with the following parameters:

small class sizes
great school spirit and sports program
reasonably active Catholic Campus ministry
swimming pool available at convenient times/ great Rec center
Greek system
solid undergraduate education


I am open to any suggestions. Thanks

You sound like you are describing Southern! Actually, the first home football game is this weekend and everything is GO EAGLES right now! I've got my blue shirt ready. They have a new RAC center that is awesome. It's open most of the time, even really late and has about everything you can imagine including and inside walking track upstairs, weight rooms, restaurants, pool inside, etc. There are lots of sorority opportunities there and the students really enjoy it. Many majors to choose from and are happy to have students that don't know what they want yet. They have classes to help them figure it out too. DS20 said his out of state friends got really good deals on tuition so it should be very reasonable for bright athletic students. There are also many groups of student "clubs" that involve religion as well as other religious opportunities. Lots of information on line at georgiasouthern dot edu.

Actually, I love that DS goes there. It has such a strong history and such a bright future. It's safe, has lots of opportunities for him, and I know that he's getting degrees from a reputable place. He's my oldest and I was totally terrified of him moving away--until I visited there. Then I was totally at ease with it.

 

[johnsontrio]

You sound like you are describing Southern! Actually, the first home football game is this weekend and everything is GO EAGLES right now! I've got my blue shirt ready. They have a new RAC center that is awesome. It's open most of the time, even really late and has about everything you can imagine including and inside walking track upstairs, weight rooms, restaurants, pool inside, etc. There are lots of sorority opportunities there and the students really enjoy it. Many majors to choose from and are happy to have students that don't know what they want yet. They have classes to help them figure it out too. DS20 said his out of state friends got really good deals on tuition so it should be very reasonable for bright athletic students. There are also many groups of student "clubs" that involve religion as well as other religious opportunities. Lots of information on line at georgiasouthern dot edu.

Actually, I love that DS goes there. It has such a strong history and such a bright future. It's safe, has lots of opportunities for him, and I know that he's getting degrees from a reputable place. He's my oldest and I was totally terrified of him moving away--until I visited there. Then I was totally at ease with it.

Thank you! I took a quick look at the website when you mentioned it in your other reply. I will make a note to look into it further. Today is DD's second day of school and I am venturing into the upstairs of the house for the first time since May to deep clean. I don't know how someone can live that way? She interviewed for a year round lifeguarding job at our city Rec center and got it yesterday so that along with her other responsibilities she will be quite busy so I don't mind doing the cleaning. It's great experience for her to have a boss other than me.

 

[Shmily1]

Thank you! I took a quick look at the website when you mentioned it in your other reply. I will make a note to look into it further. Today is DD's second day of school and I am venturing into the upstairs of the house for the first time since May to deep clean. I don't know how someone can live that way? She interviewed for a year round lifeguarding job at our city Rec center and got it yesterday so that along with her other responsibilities she will be quite busy so I don't mind doing the cleaning. It's great experience for her to have a boss other than me.

Too funny! I think your DD is related to my DS. He has been a lifeguard during the summers here for the last 4 years and was such a messy person when in HS. Once he went to college, he became Mr Clean! BTW, there is also quite a few lifeguard opportunities there with the RAC needing lifeguards as well as the local rec department opened a water park during the summer months. They hire lots of lifeguards!

 

[johnsontrio]

Too funny! I think your DD is related to my DS. He has been a lifeguard during the summers here for the last 4 years and was such a messy person when in HS. Once he went to college, he became Mr Clean! BTW, there is also quite a few lifeguard opportunities there with the RAC needing lifeguards as well as the local rec department opened a water park during the summer months. They hire lots of lifeguards!

DD is a swimmer's version of a gym rat! She plans on working at the Rec center wherever she goes. She's also thinking about club or intramural water polo. And as far as her housekeeping goes, she is not messy but she doesn't clean. Everything is in it's place and she never loses anything, but just today I throw out 6 empty shampoo/conditioner bottles from her bathroom. She probably just left them because she knows if she throws them in the garbage, instead of rinsing them and putting them in the recycle bin, Mr. Recycle (aka DH), would get on her. If I were to bring it up, she'd tell me she didn't have time. I have no doubt after 16 years of living with us, she'll know how to keep a house.

 

[Shmily1]

DD is a swimmer's version of a gym rat! She plans on working at the Rec center wherever she goes. She's also thinking about club or intramural water polo. And as far as her housekeeping goes, she is not messy but she doesn't clean. Everything is in it's place and she never loses anything, but just today I throw out 6 empty shampoo/conditioner bottles from her bathroom. She probably just left them because she knows if she throws them in the garbage, instead of rinsing them and putting them in the recycle bin, Mr. Recycle (aka DH), would get on her. If I were to bring it up, she'd tell me she didn't have time. I have no doubt after 16 years of living with us, she'll know how to keep a house.

I know what you mean! Be sure to check out the CRI page then.. it has lots of info about Intramural and club sports. And by saving, I agree. DS use to keep packages--like the packages underwear comes in and the ones socks come in. LOL! I use to get such a kick out of cleaning his room!

 

[prncess674]

As others have mentioned SEC recruitment is cut throat and hard! It can be a traumatic experience to go through especially if you are an out of state student with no connections to the houses. Many houses have more legacies going through recruitment than there are spots for girls, so being a legacy and having a pile of recs doesn't guarantee anything. While official recruitment is based on the calendar the office of greek life posts but in reality it starts as early as the end of junior year of HS where girls make unofficial visits with friends to the campus. Sure an out of stater "could" get in but she needs to be extremely thin, pretty, well dressed, have demonstrated leadership positions (listing 20 clubs does nothing, she needs to be a pres of an org and explain her skills) and play a sport to assist in intramurals. I highlight the thin part because while the posters on greekchat ramble on and on about it being about personality, if you don't have the size 6 and below figure your chances to pledge drop exponentially with every dress size above that.

I know someone posted about going to Greek Chat but here are a few threads to see what you are in for:
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=115689
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=115031
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=106696

Another interesting piece of info to look at is the out of state matching rates. In 2009 4 girls from Michigan rushed and only 1 was placed in a house.

http://www.greeklife.ua.edu/panstatereport.html

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

Can't tell you much about the University although I did work in Tuscaloosa for 4 years. If sports is a major deciding factor, then I think U of A is the way to go. There is great "pride" associated with the school in terms of sports in general. A visit to campus would certainly be worth it. (Just be sure to wear your crimson and white!) If your child is wanting to go into a medical career field, I would suggest checking out the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). They are a medical research school and any medical programs there are top notch (can you tell I'm an alumni?!). The sports programs aren't what they are at U of A but it is still a great school. I loved UAB! There is also UAH, University of Alabama at Huntsville, although I can't tell you anything about it.

Good luck on college searches! We are about to embark on this journey with my DS also!

I graduated from UAH, way back in 1993! It is a very science & technology oriented school. My degree is in civil engineering. Almost everyone I knew was in physics, engineering, or math. There is a good nursing program there. I wouldn't think it a strong liberal arts school.

Things, I'm sure, have changed some since I graduated. UAH used to be more of a commuter school with a slightly older student population. Sports were not as strong. We didn't have a football team - we had a hockey team. Yeah, college hockey in the South. It's still a smaller school than what it sounds like the OP's daughter is looking for.

 

[johnsontrio]

As others have mentioned SEC recruitment is cut throat and hard! It can be a traumatic experience to go through especially if you are an out of state student with no connections to the houses. Many houses have more legacies going through recruitment than there are spots for girls, so being a legacy and having a pile of recs doesn't guarantee anything. While official recruitment is based on the calendar the office of greek life posts but in reality it starts as early as the end of junior year of HS where girls make unofficial visits with friends to the campus. Sure an out of stater "could" get in but she needs to be extremely thin, pretty, well dressed, have demonstrated leadership positions (listing 20 clubs does nothing, she needs to be a pres of an org and explain her skills) and play a sport to assist in intramurals. I highlight the thin part because while the posters on greekchat ramble on and on about it being about personality, if you don't have the size 6 and below figure your chances to pledge drop exponentially with every dress size above that.

I know someone posted about going to Greek Chat but here are a few threads to see what you are in for:
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=115689
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=115031
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=106696

Another interesting piece of info to look at is the out of state matching rates. In 2009 4 girls from Michigan rushed and only 1 was placed in a house.

Well as harsh as all that is to hear.... Thank you so much for your honesty.
I really appreciate it. My DD does not fit the stereotype of the Southern Belle Sorority girl and it doesn't sound as if times have changed much. She also is not thin or blonde. Coming from an all girls high school I think it's natural for her to think she wants to pledge, not sure what her reaction will be when she sees it in real life. Up here, nobody pledges... I cant think of one girl that has graduated from the grade school DD went to that is now in a sorority. My DH is one of 7 and none of them, and none of their first cousins, were in the Greek system. She has only 1 legacy, me, and my sorority doesn't have a chapter at Bama. Since they rush for the week before school starts, that might be a bad, bad, way to start a college experience. I appreciate your candor.

 

[budmonster]

We are having the hardest time figuring out which schools DD16 wants to apply to for admission Fall 2011. She has wanted to go out of state for the longest time and by process of elimination we are now considering University of Alabama. I am looking for info, good and bad, that might help us decide if it is somewhere she should apply to and visit.

She is an only child, very outgoing, an athlete but won't swim in college, very bright but also very social, doesn't really identify with the brainiac kids, more spiritual and religious than most of her peers, very independent and relates better to adults than some kids, doesn't really care what the other kids are doing, doesn't hang out with the party crowd, but is open minded and doesn't judge. She likes to dress casually, jeans, yoga pants hoodies, cute tops, Uggs, etc.. She thinks that she wants to rush and pledge a sorority. She currently attends an all girls school. She isn't sure what she wants to major in but her interests probably lie somewhere in the medical field or something along the lines of hospitality or HR management.

She wants to go to school with smart athletic kids with mainstream interests. A great sports school with immense school pride in a must. On her visit to UM she felt like there were only super smart kids there with very specific niche interests. She would probably do great at MSU but wants a smaller school and one that is not in Michigan.

She is wondering if she will be accepted as an out of state Catholic student there. The OOS kids make up 31% according to their website and I have been told Catholics are 10% of the student body which is large for a southern university.

Any information is appreciated.

Can I throw a suggestion out... University of Florida, GO GATORS. I also have a DS16 and he plans on attending UF as do my other 2 kids. I have to say that I am partial to UF also because I work there. There is such a diverse group of kids there so of the best college kids in the country.

 

[punkin]

Can I throw a suggestion out... University of Florida, GO GATORS. I also have a DS16 and he plans on attending UF as do my other 2 kids. I have to say that I am partial to UF also because I work there. There is such a diverse group of kids there so of the best college kids in the country.

As far as I know, Alabama is actively recruiting kids from out of state while UF seems to be next to impossible to get into from out of state. At least that's the impression I got from DD's guidance counselor last year.

 

[budmonster]

As far as I know, Alabama is actively recruiting kids from out of state while UF seems to be next to impossible to get into from out of state. At least that's the impression I got from DD's guidance counselor last year.

Really can't comment on this one because we live in state, but I do see a lot of kids from other states.

 

[tar heel]

Florida offers a full scholarship to National Merit Finalists. I would consider that recruiting and most of them are out of state.

 

[punkin]

Florida offers a full scholarship to National Merit Finalists. I would consider that recruiting and most of them are out of state.

National Merit Scholars finalists from my state needed a PSAT score of 221 last year. Not a whole lot of kids get that and the ones that do usually have astronomical grades too. These are not the kids who will have trouble getting in anywhere, UF included.

Your general A-/B+ student with decent (not stellar) scores will not get into UF from out of state, but will probably be able to get a nice scholarship from Alabama.

 

[prncess674]

Since they rush for the week before school starts, that might be a bad, bad, way to start a college experience. I appreciate your candor.

I think the whole pre school starting recruitment period is way too stressful for 17/18 yr old girls who have never been away from home. Many southern girls have grown up staring at sorority gear around their mom's house that is practically screaming "you go XYZ or you are toast." The moms and daughter work tirelessly to make sure the girl has the absolute best recruitment they can possibly have. Girls are cut after each round and girls who have top grades, athletics, honors etc are shattered when anyone cuts them. Many northern schools do spring recruitment, which I think is better. The girls are all incoming freshman together and have to "survive" as an independent the first semester. Since they are independents they get to see the sororities in action the first semester on campus and make a more informed decision. SEC schools all put the actives on essentially radio silence as of the end of spring semester for fall recruitment. The incoming freshman are making big decisions based on a few parties where there are huge productions, loud chanting and plenty of sisters crying telling them how much XYZ means to them.

There are plenty of southern girls who go thru Bama recruitment and if they don't get a bid or a bid to a house they deem acceptable drop out and head to another school with a later rush period. In southern schools you almost exclusively pledge as a freshman or not at all. Sororities are a business and if they snag you as a freshman they can squeeze 4 years of active dues out of you verses if they get you as a sophmore/junior. It isn't that they don't love the sophmores and juniors going through rush the active's hands are tied by national. Bama sororities are toppling at 200+ girls per chapters and there are 1,000 - 1,200 freshmen who are wide and excited to join.

The good thing about 200+ person chapters is that it doesn't really matter where you end up. They are all strong and you will fine someone who you connect with when you join such a large group.

My DD does not fit the stereotype of the Southern Belle Sorority girl and it doesn't sound as if times have changed much. She also is not thin or blonde.

Dont get caught up in what is the typical "southern sorority" girl is meaning completely girly and blonde, but don't let anyone fool you that weight isn't an issue. If your daughter is otherwise a great candidate: athletic, great grades (avg sorority college gpa is well over 3.0, which is much harder than a high school 3.0) and generally personable and well liked then dropping a 10 or 15 lbs to get into a small size is still attainable since she is just now looking at schools. If she otherwise fits the bill then go for it, but don't hang all your hopes on it.

 

[sharlon]

As others have mentioned SEC recruitment is cut throat and hard! It can be a traumatic experience to go through especially if you are an out of state student with no connections to the houses. Many houses have more legacies going through recruitment than there are spots for girls, so being a legacy and having a pile of recs doesn't guarantee anything. While official recruitment is based on the calendar the office of greek life posts but in reality it starts as early as the end of junior year of HS where girls make unofficial visits with friends to the campus. Sure an out of stater "could" get in but she needs to be extremely thin, pretty, well dressed, have demonstrated leadership positions (listing 20 clubs does nothing, she needs to be a pres of an org and explain her skills) and play a sport to assist in intramurals. I highlight the thin part because while the posters on greekchat ramble on and on about it being about personality, if you don't have the size 6 and below figure your chances to pledge drop exponentially with every dress size above that.

I know someone posted about going to Greek Chat but here are a few threads to see what you are in for:
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=115689
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=115031
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=106696

Another interesting piece of info to look at is the out of state matching rates. In 2009 4 girls from Michigan rushed and only 1 was placed in a house.

http://www.greeklife.ua.edu/panstatereport.html

It's been a few years, but I did not experience this with many of the sororities when I rushed at Auburn. I was a MAJOR geek (aerospace engineering major). I ended up pledging and enjoyed a wonderful time in my sorority. Auburn does not have houses, but halls in dorms with chapter rooms. This may help. Many of my good friends, including my roommate, were not Greek and it was never an issue. We mingled well. I have been back to Auburn the last 4 years and understand it is still the same as far as rush and the Greeks and Non-Greeks easily mingling.
I will tell you that my friends at other schools, including Georgia and Alabama had very different experiences with Rush. Closer to what the poster above described.

As far as I know, Alabama is actively recruiting kids from out of state while UF seems to be next to impossible to get into from out of state. At least that's the impression I got from DD's guidance counselor last year.

That is what I understand as well. The Florida state schools tend to discourage out of state applicants who are not superior in both grades and test scores.

 

[laurie31]

You're getting a lot of good information, but I wanted to jump back in with a thought about the Greek stuff. I have no doubt your DD would be accepted by the student body as a whole, but I don't know anything really about the Greek system. I did go to a few frat parties in my day, and I knew some sorority girls, but that was about the extent of it.

Anyway, what I wanted to bring up was, if she should choose nursing, then being Greek may be a moot point. I'm sure there are nursing majors "out there" who have done it, but I would think it would be almost impossible. I wasn't able to be in chorus, student outreach, or well, anything really, I barely made it to church on Sundays once clinicals started, and I was very involved in my church before that.

Nursing is a great career but being a nursing student is a LOT of work! She can still have a social life, but my guess is that the obligations of sorority life would take too much time. Maybe someone who knows firsthand will post.

 

[newddmommie]

Okay.. I had to come back and add a few things since I orginally brought up how tough RUSH is. In most cases in the state of Alabama, it's not neccessairly that you have to be thin. I'm certainly not, however, you do have to be well groomed and care about your appreance. RUSH is before school starts for the ease of the chapters. RUSH is a rough week for the activites and going to class on top of that would be nearly impossible. Being in a sorority is a great experience if you really want to do it. Don't go through with it if it's a half hearted thing. Sorry to get OT, but I just felt I had to defend the greek insitution. Proud Kappa Delta and a chemical engineer.

 

[johnsontrio]

Since this topic of Rush keeps coming up... Next year they are colonizing a new sorority at Bama. Since I assume they will be able to pledge a large number of girls to get up to close to what the other chapters have... how will this affect rush in general? Will a larger percentage of girls overall get placed in a chapter?

I hesitate to ask any of these questions on Greek life forum as they don't seem to like it much when Moms ask questions.

 

[newddmommie]

Since this topic of Rush keeps coming up... Next year they are colonizing a new sorority at Bama. Since I assume they will be able to pledge a large number of girls to get up to close to what the other chapters have... how will this affect rush in general? Will a larger percentage of girls overall get placed in a chapter?

I hesitate to ask any of these questions on Greek life forum as they don't seem to like it much when Moms ask questions.

It won't change formal RUSH, since quota is set by the number of girls going through. However, they will be able to do informal recruitment which goes on all year long. Meaning, you just go to one house and hang out with the girls. The house can take as many informal pledges as they want untill the house meets their quota. This is set by the campus and nationals as to how many girls are in each chapter. I hope that makes sense.

 

[prncess674]

Since this topic of Rush keeps coming up... Next year they are colonizing a new sorority at Bama. Since I assume they will be able to pledge a large number of girls to get up to close to what the other chapters have... how will this affect rush in general? Will a larger percentage of girls overall get placed in a chapter?

I hesitate to ask any of these questions on Greek life forum as they don't seem to like it much when Moms ask questions.

First point of order is they no longer call it Rush, it is recruitment. Second, Delta Gamma is the sorority that is colonizing. They have a huge following in the south with plenty of alumni support and deep pockets in the area. The competition will be just as fierce. Instead of going thru formal recruitment girls will express interest by attending a party that will be hosted by alumni, national reps and actives from local chapters (Ole Miss, UGA, USM, etc.) Freshmen should maximize their options and go thru formal recruitment and not put hopes on a colony. PNMs will be interviewed by Nationals and alumni and then they will issue pref letters. Girls will then go thru prefs and will be either extended a bid or sent a rejection letter. Upperclassman will fill many of the slots, because if they filled the new colony with all freshman then they will all graduate the same year. Upperclassmen with known grades and campus leadership will be actively recruited to boost the image.