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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]It’s not just the healthcare. It’s the sororities too, the whole ethos. If you took the same girl and sent her to BU or anyplace else not in the South it is much more likely she would be launched on a successful career path. [/quote]

This poster has no idea. Try to visit, [b]it is eye-opening[/b]. The school is impressive and the [b]opportunities amazing[/b]. All kinds of kids, with an energetic and happy vibe, not angry or tense like many northern schools.  [/quote]
Curious to know what's eye-opening and about the amazing opportunities. Thanks. [/quote]

For DD, it was access to labs and research.  Alabama is a very wealthy R1 university and undergrads get great experience — DD is running her lab, reporting to the professor and is a TA.  Her name will be high up on a publication, she has presented at conferences and has a job offer.  Pre med, labs and clinical are easy to get — Alabama placed 100% of its pre med program in med school, many in top programs. The thing is, the Blount and Randall kids support each other and tell each other about labs and opportunities.  There’s no elbowing or backstabbing for these jobs like there is at other schools (eg Michigan).

If you are in even considering — visit.  I guarantee the naysayers have never been here.  I’m down here now for homecoming, and Alabama is not the predominant license plate.  I am still in awe at the energy and pride of this place.[/quote]

It is not a very wealthy college…actually has a minimal endowment compared to other more prominent flagships.

They likely are comfortable borrowing heavily as their $1.2BN endowment isn’t paying for the new facilities.

They aren’t going bust so probably not a great concern.
[/quote]

Wrong. They are an extremely wealthy university and very well-managed.  Unlike WVU, Alabama did not take loans.  Their endowment is healthy, but they don’t hoard and have a very loyal and generous alumni along with 100s of millions from SEC sports.  Look into it.  [/quote]

You are arguing against facts.  A $1.2BN endowment pales against UT, UC schools, Michigan, UVA, UNC, etc. and of course nothing against the top private schools.

SEC sports revenue just helps the athletic department break even…again, a verifiable fact that shows inflows and outflows.[/quote]

Nope. It doesn’t appear you know much about this school. It is very financially healthy. They pay their professors well, are well capitalized and well-managed. UVA had significant financial problems and pay professors poorly. I don’t know about the others, but UMD is known to be poorly managed and Michigan just spent $250 million on DEI. Whereas Alabama has spent wisely and attracts considerable research money, professor talent and labs are well funded.  [/quote]

Nope what?  Again…I provided facts and you provided opinion and nonsense.

Michigan’s endowment is nearly 20x Alabama.  $250MM spent on DEI over several years is a rounding error.  Their professors are doing just fine and their research labs aren’t hurting for funding either.

UVA’s endowment is 14x larger…UT’s 40x larger.

Nobody is saying the school is financially troubled, but it’s not a school with lots of endowment to tap nor is it a “wealthy” school.[/quote]
To be fair, some of your statements are also opinions. Opinions: appears to be a rounding error, professors are doing fine, research labs aren't hurting.....[/quote]

Fair point…but endowments, sports revenue (and expenses) and basically all other financial metrics are public.

The school has a niche attracting OOS UMC kids where parents want a free ride.  Alabama doesn’t have the luxury that UNC, UVA, UC and UT have that can limit OOS to very low percentages.  Clearly they don’t receive enough qualified in-state applications as the overall acceptance rate is very high.[/quote]

That’s not really true.  Auburn is the “Alabama” school, much higher percentage of in-state kids there and they are “qualified”.  University of Alabama has a different focus and it’s intentional. They want the R1 money and they have gotten that by being attractive to professors and courting the high stats out of state kids. Not all these kids are there only for the scholarships, although they all receive them.  As a PP mentioned, the school caters to these kids in the special programs like Blount and the opportunities and grad placements are amazing. [/quote]

Only problem with that logic is that Auburn is an R1 university as well...as are UT, UNC, Michigan, UVA, and essentially every major university that anyone knows. [/quote]

It’s not logic, it’s actually the way it is. Auburn is R1, but if you are interested in doing research, Alabama is the place to go. The school is focused on the research funds and courting OOS high stats kids. Auburn is different, it doesn’t have the same research focus (except engineering, which is much better) or the same scholarship opportunities.  The other schools you list are of course great research schools, but you were commenting on the quality of in-state populations.  [/quote]

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