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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]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.[/quote]

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.[/quote]

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. [/quote]

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. [/quote]

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