Anonymous
10/22/2024 19:56
Subject: Experience with Auburn?
We observed this up close via our daughter. I do think that stereotypical student might prefer Alabama, if rush is more important to them than the entirety of the four year experience. Not all, but many. There were so many girls at rush and a good bit of geographic diversity among them. That was part of the appeal, tbh. They were uniformly affluent. Or at least gave off that vibe. But that is also part of Greek life everywhere.
One of my daughter’s first roommates was the stereotype to a T. She got what she wanted. Nothing wrong with that. Not everyone wants the same thing?
I do think that Auburn’s rapid rise in popularity is diluting some of the parochial nature that might have historically been limiting. But the warm character of the place and the family vibe are solidly in tact. My daughter loved that.
One of my daughter’s first roommates was the stereotype to a T. She got what she wanted. Nothing wrong with that. Not everyone wants the same thing?
I do think that Auburn’s rapid rise in popularity is diluting some of the parochial nature that might have historically been limiting. But the warm character of the place and the family vibe are solidly in tact. My daughter loved that.
Anonymous
10/22/2024 19:46
Subject: Experience with Auburn?
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.
Anonymous
10/22/2024 18:57
Subject: Experience with Auburn?
(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.
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.
Anonymous
10/22/2024 17:17
Subject: Experience with Auburn?
As long as your kid is not interested in Greek life, it’s wonderful. Great professors who were involved and genuinely interested in the kids. It’s easy to get a shuttle to the Atlanta airport. It has a happy, laid back vibe and it’s a nice town. No complaints about 99% of it.
Rush was hell. Hopefully they’ve fixed that now. They made a questionable decision to add an unknown house several years ago and really struggled to grow it, restructured the process to reach their organizational goals, and caused a lot of ugly drama making rush way more emotionally abusive than it already naturally is. So much so that in-state moms, who place a lot of importance on this part of college life, told their daughters to go to Bama instead where they were more likely to get an authentic fit for a house.
Rush was hell. Hopefully they’ve fixed that now. They made a questionable decision to add an unknown house several years ago and really struggled to grow it, restructured the process to reach their organizational goals, and caused a lot of ugly drama making rush way more emotionally abusive than it already naturally is. So much so that in-state moms, who place a lot of importance on this part of college life, told their daughters to go to Bama instead where they were more likely to get an authentic fit for a house.
Anonymous
10/22/2024 14:41
Subject: Experience with Auburn?
Anonymous wrote:My DS was just admitted with a mid 1400 score and a weighted GPA slightly under 4.Anonymous wrote:Think DS gets in with a 4.3 and 1220 SAT?
Auburn is pretty straightforward with their process with EA only considering grades and test scores. They do a comprehensive review for RD. I would reach out to your school's rep and ask if it is best to apply EA or RD where they consider other factors. They provide useful information on the RD process.
https://www.auburn.edu/admissions/prospective-students/freshmen/index.php
I don't think they reject many EA - just defer to RD.
Anonymous
10/22/2024 14:39
Subject: Experience with Auburn?
My DS was just admitted with a mid 1400 score and a weighted GPA slightly under 4.Anonymous wrote:Think DS gets in with a 4.3 and 1220 SAT?
Auburn is pretty straightforward with their process with EA only considering grades and test scores. They do a comprehensive review for RD. I would reach out to your school's rep and ask if it is best to apply EA or RD where they consider other factors. They provide useful information on the RD process.
https://www.auburn.edu/admissions/prospective-students/freshmen/index.php
Anonymous
10/22/2024 14:33
Subject: Experience with Auburn?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Think DS gets in with a 4.3 and 1220 SAT?
1220 is the bottom of the 25th-75th SAT range (1220-1380), but I wouldn't say absolutely not.
Should add that I'm the PP whose DS was deferred then rejected. His score was mid 1400's. Can yours retake?
Anonymous
10/22/2024 14:31
Subject: Experience with Auburn?
Anonymous wrote:Think DS gets in with a 4.3 and 1220 SAT?
Might be deferred in EA rounds and accepted RD. Increase the SAT to 1300+ and EA acceptance becomes likely.
Anonymous
10/22/2024 14:30
Subject: Experience with Auburn?
Anonymous wrote:Think DS gets in with a 4.3 and 1220 SAT?
OOS? That is a toss up. Terrific grades, but the score is well below OOS median.
Because there are no essays, I would roll the dice. Nothing to lose? Low reach is how I would classify it.
Anonymous
10/22/2024 14:30
Subject: Experience with Auburn?
Anonymous wrote:Think DS gets in with a 4.3 and 1220 SAT?
1220 is the bottom of the 25th-75th SAT range (1220-1380), but I wouldn't say absolutely not.
Anonymous
10/22/2024 14:22
Subject: Experience with Auburn?
Think DS gets in with a 4.3 and 1220 SAT?
Anonymous
10/22/2024 14:08
Subject: Experience with Auburn?
My son was deferred, then rejected. We really enjoyed the campus tour, though.
Anonymous
10/22/2024 14:07
Subject: Experience with Auburn?
My daughter loved it. She changed her major midway through, and was given tremendous support and advising in order to graduate in four years. Classes were hard and the environment was very collaborative. Her entire friend group found excellent jobs just before or after graduation. Class of ‘23.
Do you have more specific questions? Happy to answer if you list them.
The only downside for us was the weather in August. We are from California and had never lived in a humid climate. That was as an adjustment! (The rest of the year was lovely.)
Do you have more specific questions? Happy to answer if you list them.
The only downside for us was the weather in August. We are from California and had never lived in a humid climate. That was as an adjustment! (The rest of the year was lovely.)
bebg4
10/22/2024 13:17
Subject: Experience with Auburn?
It is consistently rated as one of the happiest student populations in the country and this year made the Princeton Reviews #1 spot of Happiest Student Body. It is a fantastic place for anyone to spend 4 years and admissions is becoming increasingly more difficult.
Anonymous
10/22/2024 13:06
Subject: Experience with Auburn?
My DD is interested in Auburn. Anyone have a DC there? Are they happy? Pros & cons?