Auburn vs Alabama

[Anonymous]

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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.

Cite?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It is outdated but Alabama had, at least for me, a shockingly high median family income in the 2017 NYT survey, especially for a public university.

[Anonymous]

Bama’s campus looks like they throw up a new building every time somebody at a committee meeting hints that maybe it would be a good idea to start in program in Xyzology. Auburn looks like they are comfortable with who & what they are. Completely different vibe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone visited both? How are the campuses and students similar or different?

If you are coming from out of state. it is all the same thing….most people outside as 200 mile radius just dont care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone visited both? How are the campuses and students similar or different?

If you are coming from out of state. it is all the same thing….most people outside as 200 mile radius just dont care.

Not true at all. Have you visited both? All you need to do is visit both and you will likely have an immediate preference.

We are not from Alabama and I do find it funny that almost everyone we know visits Auburn but doesn't bother to visit Alabama. OOS people think Auburn is a private school....
We were far more impressed with Alabama than Auburn. But I do think that Alabama does an excellent job of catering to super high stats kids, whereas Auburn is good fit for your standard umc good student/regular "smart kid".

Whereas Alabama is going after the NMF, perfect SAT, crazy smart crowd with their top programs and merit $.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bama’s campus looks like they throw up a new building every time somebody at a committee meeting hints that maybe it would be a good idea to start in program in Xyzology.

Auburn looks like they are comfortable with who & what they are. Completely different vibe.

Auburn, AL is the 5th fastest growing college town in the U.S. and university enrollment is around 35k now (up from 27k in 2015).

The new development is crazy with massive new academic buildings & research facilities under construction, others just recently approved and completed + several new major on-campus dorms u/c or soon to be approved, fancy new on-campus food market hall (modeled after, but larger than the one at Columbia University) along with the only 5-diamond designated hotel in AL, etc… and this is just campus development, downtown Auburn is booming with new hotels and apartment mid-rises...

[Anonymous]

Alabama is a shiny manicured giant campus. Like Arizona State. Auburn has a small town feel.

Auburn is a harder admit, but Alabama heavily recruits OOS NMF with free rides.

Auburn doesn’t have a med school or a law school. Alabama does.

Some have described Auburn as having more “wholesome” vibe and Alabama as party central.

I have been to both. They are VERY different, but both have excellent programs.

[Anonymous]

“Auburn doesn’t have a med school or a law school. Alabama does”

Technically, Alabama (UAT) does not have a med school - the med school is located in Birmingham (UAB campus).
Interestingly, UAB ranks higher than UAT in all major rankings (WSJ, USNWR, Forbes, Niche).

[Anonymous]

Agree that Auburn is the choice for many kids we know in the last 3 years. The kids are all very similar- UMC, smart, athletic- the well rounded versus the pointy kids.