The University of Alabama Top Questions

I am a girl from a middle-class family, with a lot of upper-class friends. This advice may seem to be on a superficial level, but I feel like it is very important because I see people like me everywhere. My advice to students and their parents is to discuss your financial situation and make an appropriate budget before every semester. I guess my parents assumed I had a better understanding of my spending habits, so we did not talk about money very often. I ended up making several financial mistakes that I'm still working on fixing. When you have friends that don't have to think about money, it is easy to think you can spend as much money as them. Well, that is not the case. When I was worried about my financial situation in school, my schoolwork suffered because I had too much on my mind. I feel like I learned a valuable lesson. It is not smart to try to live outside of your means. Although I have been able to recover from my mistakes, I wish I had been advised about my finances prior to entering college.

Apply to several schools that meet your geographic, and major requirements. Make on campus visits. Meet all deadlines for scholarship applications. Don't worry about the money at first. Don't let cost keep you from applying. If it's a good fit the school should help you find the funds needed. After you are accepted, then decide what school fits the best. Good luck

I would advise parents to tour the school that their child is most interested in and take a look at the buidlings that every student will be in at some point like the English building, Math and Science building etc, to make sure that no course of study is being looked over by the school and that every building offers a healthy learning environment. Some buidlings seem to get neglected and a lot of times it is the ones like the English building where every student on campus will have to take classes in at some point. It is important for parents to make sure that their money is going to provide thier child with a healthy learning environment and not just provide new flowers for the campus each week. Students should take an easy load their first semester to adapt to change and should not allow themselves to lose site of what they are really at college for because after college is over and student loans are there to pay off because one messed around instead of being serious, regreat and debt will overcome you.

The advice I would give to parents and/or students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience would be to visit as many campuses possible on your journey before you finding which one best fits. You never know what you like until you have discovered what you do not like in a college. Until one has researched and received a hand on experience on a collegiate campus, a student or parent will not be able to fully know the benefits the college provides. Make a pros and cons list with the colleges, and you will see which college is worth your time and money. Always important, the financial aid provided within the college can be key to the decision making process as well. It is not a decision that you can make over night. Each college offers different strengths. My advice is to take your time with the decision that can and will affect your career and the rest of your life. Look from every angle and take every step to fully grasp the benefits and avenues provided by the colleges of your choice. No pressure, just have fun with it :)

I would tell parents and students to seek out every type of university considered in the application process. I would also tell them to consider out of state schools because it can be an amazing thing, and I speak from experience. I would also tell them to make sure that they visit the universities and take tours.

My advice would be to pick a place you would love. I have wanted to go to the University of Alabama since I was young. This is my dream. Following your dreams are key to get you were you need to be in life. As life changes your dream may change, they may take you down a path that you never thought life would lead you down. Never give up even if it seems impossible. Success is always possible as long as you believe in yourself. Do not let others bring you down, show them you can do anything you set your mind to. Success does not discriminate against ethnicity, economic situation, or gender. Stay positive and always look forward. You can do anything you put your mind to, just believe in yourself.

Make sure you really do your research on colleges. Talk to the students not just the recruiters. That way you really know what campus life is like. If you don't plan on being greek and want to be active, make sure you attend a university where greeks don't control everything. I would love UA if it was not for their corrupt, racist, elitist greek system. The machine is a reality, and if you are not greek, don't even sign up for the SGA because even if you are elected, your opinion wont matter if it does not align with the greeks.

I know that big universities are not for everyone, while small private schools are not for everyone as well. I would suggest to all parents and future college students to visit every possible school that they can. Just like I was with the University of Alabama, when you arrive you'll know you're supposed to be there. It just feels like home. When you do choose which school to go to, try to get involved as soon as you get there. I don't know what I would do without my closest friends at school. As long as you are disciplined enough with classwork, you can have as much fun as you want! Live your life in a safe positive way!

Campus tours are always great. If the students like to travel home often then closing a school that is far away is not always in their best interest. Research the school thoroughly and find out what student organzation they have that they may be interested in.

Learn, live, and have fun. This school is great, you just have to find you place.