Experience with Auburn?

[Anonymous]

Oh — almost for got to add: 50/50 gender balance is a gift in the current environment. Especially for girls. You can be as casual or serious as you like about hookups or serious dating. Because the supply/demand makes sense. Also was surprised to learn there is a thriving LGBTQ community as well. Not like up north, but definitely visible and welcome.

The balance was not a huge factor when she was deciding. But she was thrilled when she got there, unlike many of her friends from high school who landed in 58/42 or 65/35 territory.

[Anonymous]

DS is there and loving it. Posters above give a lot of great info. Please be aware that on campus housing is a disaster. Less so for girls. Not granteed for freshman. Many many out of luck. And forget it after (common at big southern schools)

Off campus housing is perfectly fine not close to campus is expensive.

[Anonymous]

DS was just admitted and hoping to travel there later in the fall. He was there 2 years ago, but hoping to rule out either Auburn or Georgia this trip. Still waiting on 3 other schools.

[Anonymous]

Strongly suggest sending in housing deposit now. It’s not a huge amount. Even if you are not certain he will attend. Think of it as an insurance policy.

Off campus housing is terrific, and close. Sophomore year and beyond. But a freshman should be on campus. Get that deposit in.

[Anonymous]

Just to clarify. My son was admitted in November of last year and for his deposit in and what we thought was an early slot to choose. His choices were a dorm not close to campus that previously was private apartments that the school took over.

I am just trying to be honest here. We love the school. If you aren’t admitted until spring you will have issues. Best thing to do is stay a single because singles do open up as people decline.

The OP asked for the cons too. This is one. But no reason not to go. The stats are the stats. Many freshman were not able to get on campus

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just to clarify. My son was admitted in November of last year and for his deposit in and what we thought was an early slot to choose. His choices were a dorm not close to campus that previously was private apartments that the school took over.

I am just trying to be honest here. We love the school. If you aren’t admitted until spring you will have issues. Best thing to do is stay a single because singles do open up as people decline.

The OP asked for the cons too. This is one. But no reason not to go. The stats are the stats. Many freshman were not able to get on campus

We went on a tour at Auburn and they told us to submit the housing deposit with the application. You don't have to be admitted to do so, and it wasn't a huge amount of money (I forget how much). Got the same advice at Texas, FWIW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:(California mom who posted above.)

My daughter really enjoyed her (second choice) sorority (decided to love the house that loved her back) and said rush was not meaningfully different than any other competitive school. There are always some who are disappointed, I get that. Periods of institutional growth can be challenging.

She was very committed freshman/sophomore years. Then her circle grew with her new professional interest and Greek life became more of a pleasant side group. That happens, especially as they mature into adults, and what they value in relationships grows.

I can’t imagine choosing one school over another based on the rush process alone. Auburn has a really robust Greek scene. It also has a huge bar scene. Lots of apartment parties. Pool parties. Plenty of clubs and interest groups. Mine was not a big drinker and loved playing volleyball and run club. I point this out because we are not a “Southern” family and our daughter felt there were myriad paths socially, for all sorts of people. Greek life was just one of them.

You can’t imagine it because you live in California. UMC southern moms prep their girls for years to include getting them to network in high school to help get certain houses. It’s very important to them and continues to be important to them as adults. Southern culture is all about belonging to groups.

There are definitely rush Moms and daughters that fit the stereotype at most Southern schools. However, knowing several legacies who rushed at Auburn (as well as other schools) and having a kid at another southern school that is known for its Greek system, it's not as important as the people who care (and those that want to make it sound like an exclusionary system) try to make it out to be. My kid chose not to rush, and is having a wonderful college experience and has a very happy social life. FWIW, I was in a sorority, and enjoyed it, but I wholeheartedly supported my DC's decision to not rush. It wouldn't have been a good fit for them (wouldn't have put up with people telling them what to do).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:(California mom who posted above.)

My daughter really enjoyed her (second choice) sorority (decided to love the house that loved her back) and said rush was not meaningfully different than any other competitive school. There are always some who are disappointed, I get that. Periods of institutional growth can be challenging.

She was very committed freshman/sophomore years. Then her circle grew with her new professional interest and Greek life became more of a pleasant side group. That happens, especially as they mature into adults, and what they value in relationships grows.

I can’t imagine choosing one school over another based on the rush process alone. Auburn has a really robust Greek scene. It also has a huge bar scene. Lots of apartment parties. Pool parties. Plenty of clubs and interest groups. Mine was not a big drinker and loved playing volleyball and run club. I point this out because we are not a “Southern” family and our daughter felt there were myriad paths socially, for all sorts of people. Greek life was just one of them.

You can’t imagine it because you live in California. UMC southern moms prep their girls for years to include getting them to network in high school to help get certain houses. It’s very important to them and continues to be important to them as adults. Southern culture is all about belonging to groups.

There are definitely rush Moms and daughters that fit the stereotype at most Southern schools. However, knowing several legacies who rushed at Auburn (as well as other schools) and having a kid at another southern school that is known for its Greek system, it's not as important as the people who care (and those that want to make it sound like an exclusionary system) try to make it out to be. My kid chose not to rush, and is having a wonderful college experience and has a very happy social life. FWIW, I was in a sorority, and enjoyed it, but I wholeheartedly supported my DC's decision to not rush. It wouldn't have been a good fit for them (wouldn't have put up with people telling them what to do).

Also, FWIW, at my kid's school, the Greek system seems to be dominated by kids from California (thanks to TikTok) and legacy isn't even considered any more at most, if not all, sororities. Every legacy I know of that went to college recently pledged a different sorority than their Mother.

[Anonymous]

We went on a tour at Auburn and they told us to submit the housing deposit with the application. You don't have to be admitted to do so, and it wasn't a huge amount of money (I forget how much). Got the same advice at Texas, FWIW.


This is NOT a true statement for this years cycle. My son has been accepted, and we have to wait until Nov 6 until housing opens up in order to put the deposit down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just to clarify. My son was admitted in November of last year and for his deposit in and what we thought was an early slot to choose. His choices were a dorm not close to campus that previously was private apartments that the school took over.

I am just trying to be honest here. We love the school. If you aren’t admitted until spring you will have issues. Best thing to do is stay a single because singles do open up as people decline.

The OP asked for the cons too. This is one. But no reason not to go. The stats are the stats. Many freshman were not able to get on campus

We went on a tour at Auburn and they told us to submit the housing deposit with the application. You don't have to be admitted to do so, and it wasn't a huge amount of money (I forget how much). Got the same advice at Texas, FWIW.

This is false. You have to be admitted. You don’t have to have accepted though.

Can you imagine the ridiculous inefficiency of everyone who applied could enter the lottery system.

U less things changed this year. You get admitted. You get a slot to submit an application. In spring you get a slot to go in and choose a dorm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just to clarify. My son was admitted in November of last year and for his deposit in and what we thought was an early slot to choose. His choices were a dorm not close to campus that previously was private apartments that the school took over.

I am just trying to be honest here. We love the school. If you aren’t admitted until spring you will have issues. Best thing to do is stay a single because singles do open up as people decline.

The OP asked for the cons too. This is one. But no reason not to go. The stats are the stats. Many freshman were not able to get on campus

We went on a tour at Auburn and they told us to submit the housing deposit with the application. You don't have to be admitted to do so, and it wasn't a huge amount of money (I forget how much). Got the same advice at Texas, FWIW.

This is false. You have to be admitted. You don’t have to have accepted though.

Can you imagine the ridiculous inefficiency of everyone who applied could enter the lottery system.

U less things changed this year. You get admitted. You get a slot to submit an application. In spring you get a slot to go in and choose a dorm.

My son was admitted a few weeks ago and this is what has been communicated to us as well. We can submit a housing deposit in November before my kid accepts.

[Anonymous]

My freshman loves it. Rush was not stressful at all. She lives at an apartment off campus but walks everywhere. It is a great college town. Classes seem to be going well too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Strongly suggest sending in housing deposit now. It’s not a huge amount. Even if you are not certain he will attend. Think of it as an insurance policy.

Off campus housing is terrific, and close. Sophomore year and beyond. But a freshman should be on campus. Get that deposit in.

They demolished some of the older on-campus dorms and are now using this new space to add several new massive academic/research buildings.

However, a new centrally-located on-campus residence hall is currently under construction (next to the student center).

https://www.auburn.edu/administration/facilities/webapps/projects/profile.php?proj=19-442

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just to clarify. My son was admitted in November of last year and for his deposit in and what we thought was an early slot to choose. His choices were a dorm not close to campus that previously was private apartments that the school took over.

I am just trying to be honest here. We love the school. If you aren’t admitted until spring you will have issues. Best thing to do is stay a single because singles do open up as people decline.

The OP asked for the cons too. This is one. But no reason not to go. The stats are the stats. Many freshman were not able to get on campus

We went on a tour at Auburn and they told us to submit the housing deposit with the application. You don't have to be admitted to do so, and it wasn't a huge amount of money (I forget how much). Got the same advice at Texas, FWIW.

This is false. You have to be admitted. You don’t have to have accepted though.

Can you imagine the ridiculous inefficiency of everyone who applied could enter the lottery system.

U less things changed this year. You get admitted. You get a slot to submit an application. In spring you get a slot to go in and choose a dorm.

They've changed it then. But even with the current system, they're going to get housing deposits from accepted kids that decide not to attend & those don't go into the lottery. It's not inefficient for the school at all -- the lottery is just kids that have accepted & they keep the housing deposits of the kids that choose to go elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

DS is a freshman. Loves it! Classes are challenging though. More than he anticipated. Hard to get seats in core classes and it is getting worse each year as they increase their class sizes of incoming freshman. Housing on campus is an issue as well, but off campus housing is plentiful (for now). Students there are super happy, nice, fun. Great atmosphere, students truly love their school. DD is considering it now as well. We love it there.