Auburn vs Alabama

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t imagine getting into T20 and choosing Alabama. Is it because of money only? Parents didn’t save up for college?

Easy to imagine....

4 kids to put through college @ full pay.

One kid goes undergrad for free and funds parents saved will pay for top law/grad school (also @ full pay which will cost approx. $300k+).

But what makes you think they will get into a top law school after Alabama?

Wouldn’t a kid who got into Harvard undergrad but attended Alabama have as good or better chance of getting into a top law school from Alabama. Is there some secret sauce at a T20 school that is going to make a kid smarter? Or is it the fact that a kid had the intelligence and work ethic to get into a top 20 school and not the top 20 school that is the differentiator.

I don’t know. Because Harvard undergrad studied and AL undergrad went to football games?

Sounds like you didn’t go to Harvard because if you did you would know Harvard has football. Alabama has superior football and opportunities for TOP students that rival any TOP college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid got a full scholarship to both and chose Auburn. Like a PP said, they have different “vibes”. Auburn feels more laid back and wholesome. Alabama is also more political about leadership (“The Machine”) Accepted to T14 law school, but took a nearly full scholarship to a T20 law school instead.

They are both perfectly good schools in nice college towns.

The “machine” only affects Greek life, which is 39% of Alabama. The rest of the school is pretty apolitical.

The machine affects all student leadership opportunities, not just Greek.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t imagine getting into T20 and choosing Alabama. Is it because of money only? Parents didn’t save up for college?

Easy to imagine....

4 kids to put through college @ full pay.

One kid goes undergrad for free and funds parents saved will pay for top law/grad school (also @ full pay which will cost approx. $300k+).

But what makes you think they will get into a top law school after Alabama?

Wouldn’t a kid who got into Harvard undergrad but attended Alabama have as good or better chance of getting into a top law school from Alabama. Is there some secret sauce at a T20 school that is going to make a kid smarter? Or is it the fact that a kid had the intelligence and work ethic to get into a top 20 school and not the top 20 school that is the differentiator.

I don’t know. Because Harvard undergrad studied and AL undergrad went to football games?

Sounds like you didn’t go to Harvard because if you did you would know Harvard has football. Alabama has superior football and opportunities for TOP students that rival any TOP college.

True, Harvard has football, but who goes to their games?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t imagine getting into T20 and choosing Alabama. Is it because of money only? Parents didn’t save up for college?

Easy to imagine....

4 kids to put through college @ full pay.

One kid goes undergrad for free and funds parents saved will pay for top law/grad school (also @ full pay which will cost approx. $300k+).

But what makes you think they will get into a top law school after Alabama?

Wouldn’t a kid who got into Harvard undergrad but attended Alabama have as good or better chance of getting into a top law school from Alabama. Is there some secret sauce at a T20 school that is going to make a kid smarter? Or is it the fact that a kid had the intelligence and work ethic to get into a top 20 school and not the top 20 school that is the differentiator.

I don’t know. Because Harvard undergrad studied and AL undergrad went to football games?

Sounds like you didn’t go to Harvard because if you did you would know Harvard has football. Alabama has superior football and opportunities for TOP students that rival any TOP college.

True, Harvard has football, but who goes to their games?

That must be boring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid got a full scholarship to both and chose Auburn. Like a PP said, they have different “vibes”. Auburn feels more laid back and wholesome. Alabama is also more political about leadership (“The Machine”) Accepted to T14 law school, but took a nearly full scholarship to a T20 law school instead.

They are both perfectly good schools in nice college towns.

The top oos merit scholarship at Auburn is $17k/yr (1/2 oos tuition) - my kid was offered this but was SUPER high stats. Auburn doesn't offer full ride scholarships that I know of??
Would love to hear more about the full scholarship at Auburn - was this recent? About to go through process again with another one of my kids but we had taken Auburn off the table since their merit scholarships are so limited and the top $17k award requires insanely high stats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do the smarter kids go to Auburn in Alabama like the best kids in VA go to UVA? If admitted to both Auburn has a much better ranking and the academic profile is superior.

7th generation Alabamian here. My recent observation is that as the U of Alabama has aggressively pursued out of state students, football glory and "Bama Rush" Internet exposure, Auburn has increasingly become the school of choice for both talented in state kids and the state's social elite. Dare I say it, Bama is becoming considered a bit "tacky" by the old line Southerners.

More kids from Mountain Brook in Birmingham go to Auburn these days than Alabama (if they stay in state at all). A similar pattern holds for other top public systems and the top private schools statewide (Indian Springs, Altamont, Randolph, St. Paul's Episcopal in Mobile etc.). This is quite a reversal from the historical practice, when the state's elite primarily went to the "Capstone" while looking down on the barners attending that cow college on the other side of the state. The higher quality kids in-state, both socially and academically, mostly say "War Eagle" these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do the smarter kids go to Auburn in Alabama like the best kids in VA go to UVA? If admitted to both Auburn has a much better ranking and the academic profile is superior.

7th generation Alabamian here. My recent observation is that as the U of Alabama has aggressively pursued out of state students, football glory and "Bama Rush" Internet exposure, Auburn has increasingly become the school of choice for both talented in state kids and the state's social elite. Dare I say it, Bama is becoming considered a bit "tacky" by the old line Southerners.

More kids from Mountain Brook in Birmingham go to Auburn these days than Alabama (if they stay in state at all). A similar pattern holds for other top public systems and the top private schools statewide (Indian Springs, Altamont, Randolph, St. Paul's Episcopal in Mobile etc.). This is quite a reversal from the historical practice, when the state's elite primarily went to the "Capstone" while looking down on the barners attending that cow college on the other side of the state. The higher quality kids in-state, both socially and academically, mostly say "War Eagle" these days.

Do you have a citation for any of this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do the smarter kids go to Auburn in Alabama like the best kids in VA go to UVA? If admitted to both Auburn has a much better ranking and the academic profile is superior.

7th generation Alabamian here. My recent observation is that as the U of Alabama has aggressively pursued out of state students, football glory and "Bama Rush" Internet exposure, Auburn has increasingly become the school of choice for both talented in state kids and the state's social elite. Dare I say it, Bama is becoming considered a bit "tacky" by the old line Southerners.

More kids from Mountain Brook in Birmingham go to Auburn these days than Alabama (if they stay in state at all). A similar pattern holds for other top public systems and the top private schools statewide (Indian Springs, Altamont, Randolph, St. Paul's Episcopal in Mobile etc.). This is quite a reversal from the historical practice, when the state's elite primarily went to the "Capstone" while looking down on the barners attending that cow college on the other side of the state. The higher quality kids in-state, both socially and academically, mostly say "War Eagle" these days.

Do you have a citation for any of this?

This isn’t an online college class. You don’t need a bibliography at the end of each post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do the smarter kids go to Auburn in Alabama like the best kids in VA go to UVA? If admitted to both Auburn has a much better ranking and the academic profile is superior.

7th generation Alabamian here. My recent observation is that as the U of Alabama has aggressively pursued out of state students, football glory and "Bama Rush" Internet exposure, Auburn has increasingly become the school of choice for both talented in state kids and the state's social elite. Dare I say it, Bama is becoming considered a bit "tacky" by the old line Southerners.

More kids from Mountain Brook in Birmingham go to Auburn these days than Alabama (if they stay in state at all). A similar pattern holds for other top public systems and the top private schools statewide (Indian Springs, Altamont, Randolph, St. Paul's Episcopal in Mobile etc.). This is quite a reversal from the historical practice, when the state's elite primarily went to the "Capstone" while looking down on the barners attending that cow college on the other side of the state. The higher quality kids in-state, both socially and academically, mostly say "War Eagle" these days.

Do you have a citation for any of this?

This isn’t an online college class. You don’t need a bibliography at the end of each post.

Maybe you’re new here. It’s not unusual for posters to ask for a cite. You could at least link the matriculation list for the schools you mentioned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did anyone here have kids that applied to Auburn and/or Alabama from DMV before a tour, then eventually toured and were so impressed that it became the choice? Or because Alabama offered excellent merit?

That was us! Kid is a NMF and had toured UT Dallas, Northeastern, and Oklahoma as options aside from in state options. He was ready to go to UTD but last minute we toured Alabama and he immediately decided to go.

He’s got a full ride (5 years!), is in the Blount Scholars program, and Honors. He does miss the diversity and abundant options for food in this area but he’s making the most of the experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do the smarter kids go to Auburn in Alabama like the best kids in VA go to UVA? If admitted to both Auburn has a much better ranking and the academic profile is superior.

7th generation Alabamian here. My recent observation is that as the U of Alabama has aggressively pursued out of state students, football glory and "Bama Rush" Internet exposure, Auburn has increasingly become the school of choice for both talented in state kids and the state's social elite. Dare I say it, Bama is becoming considered a bit "tacky" by the old line Southerners.

More kids from Mountain Brook in Birmingham go to Auburn these days than Alabama (if they stay in state at all). A similar pattern holds for other top public systems and the top private schools statewide (Indian Springs, Altamont, Randolph, St. Paul's Episcopal in Mobile etc.). This is quite a reversal from the historical practice, when the state's elite primarily went to the "Capstone" while looking down on the barners attending that cow college on the other side of the state. The higher quality kids in-state, both socially and academically, mostly say "War Eagle" these days.

I believe you, pp.

But I’ll offer another perspective as a bleeding heart liberal from a very blue state whose kid opted for Bama.

In terms of my credentials, I know a lot of wealthy and connected people from Alabama (who still reside there) as well as similarly situated people in both northern and slither states, including people with insight into Bama’s business model.

They are aggressively pursuing bright and affluent students from blue states to increase their stats and clout outside of the state. Simply put: the school’s reputation won’t improve to the level they aspire if they continue to cater to Alabamians.

I believe the school’s reputation won’t will rise in the rankings because their business model has already begun to attract smart kids from rich families.

Regardless, Auburn has the better reputation for now…but that probably has something to do with the fact that many northerners have no clue that Auburn is in Al.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do the smarter kids go to Auburn in Alabama like the best kids in VA go to UVA? If admitted to both Auburn has a much better ranking and the academic profile is superior.

7th generation Alabamian here. My recent observation is that as the U of Alabama has aggressively pursued out of state students, football glory and "Bama Rush" Internet exposure, Auburn has increasingly become the school of choice for both talented in state kids and the state's social elite. Dare I say it, Bama is becoming considered a bit "tacky" by the old line Southerners.

More kids from Mountain Brook in Birmingham go to Auburn these days than Alabama (if they stay in state at all). A similar pattern holds for other top public systems and the top private schools statewide (Indian Springs, Altamont, Randolph, St. Paul's Episcopal in Mobile etc.). This is quite a reversal from the historical practice, when the state's elite primarily went to the "Capstone" while looking down on the barners attending that cow college on the other side of the state. The higher quality kids in-state, both socially and academically, mostly say "War Eagle" these days.

I believe you, pp.

But I’ll offer another perspective as a bleeding heart liberal from a very blue state whose kid opted for Bama.

In terms of my credentials, I know a lot of wealthy and connected people from Alabama (who still reside there) as well as similarly situated people in both northern and slither states, including people with insight into Bama’s business model.

They are aggressively pursuing bright and affluent students from blue states to increase their stats and clout outside of the state. Simply put: the school’s reputation won’t improve to the level they aspire if they continue to cater to Alabamians.

I believe the school’s reputation won’t will rise in the rankings because their business model has already begun to attract smart kids from rich families.

Regardless, Auburn has the better reputation for now…but that probably has something to do with the fact that many northerners have no clue that Auburn is in Al.

DP this is accurate. However, one could reasonably ask why a state university is trying to increase its national reputation. Bama exists to educate Alabamians, and if Alabamians are now leaning towards Auburn, then Bama needs to reconsider its strategy. Because let’s be honest, Bama is never going to compete with UVA, UNC and even UGA nationally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do the smarter kids go to Auburn in Alabama like the best kids in VA go to UVA? If admitted to both Auburn has a much better ranking and the academic profile is superior.

7th generation Alabamian here. My recent observation is that as the U of Alabama has aggressively pursued out of state students, football glory and "Bama Rush" Internet exposure, Auburn has increasingly become the school of choice for both talented in state kids and the state's social elite. Dare I say it, Bama is becoming considered a bit "tacky" by the old line Southerners.

More kids from Mountain Brook in Birmingham go to Auburn these days than Alabama (if they stay in state at all). A similar pattern holds for other top public systems and the top private schools statewide (Indian Springs, Altamont, Randolph, St. Paul's Episcopal in Mobile etc.). This is quite a reversal from the historical practice, when the state's elite primarily went to the "Capstone" while looking down on the barners attending that cow college on the other side of the state. The higher quality kids in-state, both socially and academically, mostly say "War Eagle" these days.

I believe you, pp.

But I’ll offer another perspective as a bleeding heart liberal from a very blue state whose kid opted for Bama.

In terms of my credentials, I know a lot of wealthy and connected people from Alabama (who still reside there) as well as similarly situated people in both northern and slither states, including people with insight into Bama’s business model.

They are aggressively pursuing bright and affluent students from blue states to increase their stats and clout outside of the state. Simply put: the school’s reputation won’t improve to the level they aspire if they continue to cater to Alabamians.

I believe the school’s reputation won’t will rise in the rankings because their business model has already begun to attract smart kids from rich families.

Regardless, Auburn has the better reputation for now…but that probably has something to do with the fact that many northerners have no clue that Auburn is in Al.

DP this is accurate. However, one could reasonably ask why a state university is trying to increase its national reputation. Bama exists to educate Alabamians, and if Alabamians are now leaning towards Auburn, then Bama needs to reconsider its strategy. Because let’s be honest, Bama is never going to compete with UVA, UNC and even UGA nationally.

It might. They are bringing in tons of new money, and recruiting outside the state is smart…and what virtually every successful flagship has done.

UNC is really a unicorn in terms of prioritizing in/state students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do the smarter kids go to Auburn in Alabama like the best kids in VA go to UVA? If admitted to both Auburn has a much better ranking and the academic profile is superior.

7th generation Alabamian here. My recent observation is that as the U of Alabama has aggressively pursued out of state students, football glory and "Bama Rush" Internet exposure, Auburn has increasingly become the school of choice for both talented in state kids and the state's social elite. Dare I say it, Bama is becoming considered a bit "tacky" by the old line Southerners.

More kids from Mountain Brook in Birmingham go to Auburn these days than Alabama (if they stay in state at all). A similar pattern holds for other top public systems and the top private schools statewide (Indian Springs, Altamont, Randolph, St. Paul's Episcopal in Mobile etc.). This is quite a reversal from the historical practice, when the state's elite primarily went to the "Capstone" while looking down on the barners attending that cow college on the other side of the state. The higher quality kids in-state, both socially and academically, mostly say "War Eagle" these days.

I believe you, pp.

But I’ll offer another perspective as a bleeding heart liberal from a very blue state whose kid opted for Bama.

In terms of my credentials, I know a lot of wealthy and connected people from Alabama (who still reside there) as well as similarly situated people in both northern and slither states, including people with insight into Bama’s business model.

They are aggressively pursuing bright and affluent students from blue states to increase their stats and clout outside of the state. Simply put: the school’s reputation won’t improve to the level they aspire if they continue to cater to Alabamians.

I believe the school’s reputation won’t will rise in the rankings because their business model has already begun to attract smart kids from rich families.

Regardless, Auburn has the better reputation for now…but that probably has something to do with the fact that many northerners have no clue that Auburn is in Al.

DP this is accurate. However, one could reasonably ask why a state university is trying to increase its national reputation. Bama exists to educate Alabamians, and if Alabamians are now leaning towards Auburn, then Bama needs to reconsider its strategy. Because let’s be honest, Bama is never going to compete with UVA, UNC and even UGA nationally.

It might. They are bringing in tons of new money, and recruiting outside the state is smart…and what virtually every successful flagship has done.

UNC is really a unicorn in terms of prioritizing in/state students.

How many of those top kids would go to Bama if it wasn’t very heavily discounted, if not free? The demand of OOS kids willing to pay OOS tuition is the true litmus test in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do the smarter kids go to Auburn in Alabama like the best kids in VA go to UVA? If admitted to both Auburn has a much better ranking and the academic profile is superior.

7th generation Alabamian here. My recent observation is that as the U of Alabama has aggressively pursued out of state students, football glory and "Bama Rush" Internet exposure, Auburn has increasingly become the school of choice for both talented in state kids and the state's social elite. Dare I say it, Bama is becoming considered a bit "tacky" by the old line Southerners.

More kids from Mountain Brook in Birmingham go to Auburn these days than Alabama (if they stay in state at all). A similar pattern holds for other top public systems and the top private schools statewide (Indian Springs, Altamont, Randolph, St. Paul's Episcopal in Mobile etc.). This is quite a reversal from the historical practice, when the state's elite primarily went to the "Capstone" while looking down on the barners attending that cow college on the other side of the state. The higher quality kids in-state, both socially and academically, mostly say "War Eagle" these days.

I believe you, pp.

But I’ll offer another perspective as a bleeding heart liberal from a very blue state whose kid opted for Bama.

In terms of my credentials, I know a lot of wealthy and connected people from Alabama (who still reside there) as well as similarly situated people in both northern and slither states, including people with insight into Bama’s business model.

They are aggressively pursuing bright and affluent students from blue states to increase their stats and clout outside of the state. Simply put: the school’s reputation won’t improve to the level they aspire if they continue to cater to Alabamians.

I believe the school’s reputation won’t will rise in the rankings because their business model has already begun to attract smart kids from rich families.

Regardless, Auburn has the better reputation for now…but that probably has something to do with the fact that many northerners have no clue that Auburn is in Al.

DP this is accurate. However, one could reasonably ask why a state university is trying to increase its national reputation. Bama exists to educate Alabamians, and if Alabamians are now leaning towards Auburn, then Bama needs to reconsider its strategy. Because let’s be honest, Bama is never going to compete with UVA, UNC and even UGA nationally.

It might. They are bringing in tons of new money, and recruiting outside the state is smart…and what virtually every successful flagship has done.

UNC is really a unicorn in terms of prioritizing in/state students.

How many of those top kids would go to Bama if it wasn’t very heavily discounted, if not free? The demand of OOS kids willing to pay OOS tuition is the true litmus test in my opinion.

TONS of OOS kids are paying full tuition. TONS.

And the wealth on that campus is ridiculous…and I say that as an affluent person living in an affluent area up north. I’m shocked by the public display of wealth (think: cars, jewelry, clothing, shoes, vacations, etc.).

There are students with parents who own or fly private planes to/from the area. If I can point to a handful, surely there must be more.

It’s like the school is actually making fetch happen. And everyone knows success breeds success.