Sweet Home Academia: Exploring My Top 2 Universities in Alabama
In this blog post I’ll be focusing on two powerhouse institutions in Alabama: the University of Alabama and Auburn University. As a college advisor, I've witnessed countless students embark on their academic journeys at these esteemed universities. Join me as we explore the rich academic offerings, vibrant campus life, and unique opportunities awaiting students at these top Alabama colleges.
First Up…
ua.edu
The University of Alabama, located in Tuscaloosa, is a renowned public research university. It offers a wide range of academic programs, including business, engineering, and law. With a strong athletic tradition, UA is home to the Crimson Tide football team. The campus features beautiful architecture and state-of-the-art facilities, providing students with a vibrant and engaging learning environment.
→ Admission Rates:
Acceptance Rate (2022): 83.8%
Middle 50% SAT Range: 1070-1330
Middle 50% ACT Range: 23-31
→ Campus Life:
Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Campus Size: 1,970 acres
Student Population: Approximately 38,000
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 23:1
Housing: On-campus housing available for about 8,000 students
→ Traditions:
"Roll Tide" Cheer: Used to express support for the Crimson Tide athletic teams.
Denny Chimes: A bell tower on campus that plays the university's fight song and serves as a gathering place for events.
Quad: The campus green space where students gather, play frisbee, and relax.
Homecoming: A week-long celebration featuring a parade, pep rally, and football game.
→ Notable Programs:
Business: Culverhouse College of Business is well-regarded, offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs.
Engineering: The College of Engineering offers various programs and is known for its research in fields like aerospace and materials science.
Law: The School of Law is ranked among the top law schools in the country.
→ Athletics:
Mascot: Big Al the Elephant
Conference: Southeastern Conference (SEC)
Football: The football team, the Crimson Tide, has a storied history with numerous national championships.
UA Direct Admit BS/MD Program
The University of Alabama offers a competitive combined Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine (BS/MD) program for students interested in pursuing a career in medicine. This program provides a streamlined path for students to complete their undergraduate and medical degrees in a shorter timeframe, typically in about seven or eight years. Admission to the BS/MD program is highly selective and requires strong academic performance, as well as a commitment to the field of medicine. Students in this program benefit from early exposure to clinical experiences and a supportive environment designed to prepare them for a successful career in medicine.
UA Fun Facts
1. Mascot Origin: The university's mascot, Big Al the Elephant, was first introduced in 1930, but the elephant mascot wasn't officially adopted until 1979.
2. Homecoming Queen Tradition: UA is known for its unique homecoming queen tradition, where the winner is crowned from the balcony of the President's Mansion during halftime of the homecoming football game.
3. Historic Landmarks: The campus is home to several historic landmarks, including the President's Mansion, which is the oldest public building in the state still in use for its original purpose.
4. The Quad: UA's campus features a traditional southern quad with lush green spaces, historic buildings, and iconic landmarks like Denny Chimes and the Gorgas House.
The magnolia trees in the Quad are rumored to have been planted in the 19th century by university co-founder Julia Tutwiler.
Denny Chimes, a 115-foot-tall campanile located in the Quad, is equipped with a carillon of 25 bells. It is a campus landmark and is rung on special occasions and after football victories.
5. Greek Life: The university has a strong Greek life presence, with over 50 fraternities and sororities on campus.
6. National Championships: The Crimson Tide football team has won numerous national championships, making it one of the most successful college football programs in history.
7. Famous Alumni: The University of Alabama has produced many notable alumni, including actors, politicians, athletes, and authors, such as Mel Allen, Deontay Wilder, and Hugo Black.
8. Research and Innovation: UA is a hub for research and innovation, with research centers and institutes focusing on areas such as engineering, science, and the humanities.
9. Denny Stadium: Bryant-Denny Stadium, home to the Crimson Tide football team, is one of the largest stadiums in the country and has a seating capacity of over 100,000.
10. Tuscaloosa Tornado: In 2011, the university and the city of Tuscaloosa were hit by a devastating tornado, but the campus and community rallied together to recover and rebuild stronger than before.
11. Alabama's First Radio Station: The university's radio station, WUAL-FM, was the first educational FM radio station in Alabama when it began broadcasting in 1948.
12. Hidden Tunnels: Beneath the university's campus, there is a network of tunnels that were once used to transport coal and supplies. Today, they are mainly used for utilities and are not accessible to the public.
Next Up…
auburn.edu
The University of Auburn, located in Auburn, Alabama, is a public research university known for its strong academic programs and spirited campus life. With over 30,000 students, it offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. Auburn is renowned for its programs in engineering, business, agriculture, and veterinary medicine. The university is also home to competitive sports teams, known as the Auburn Tigers, which compete in the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference.
→ Admission Rates:
Auburn is a competitive school, with an acceptance rate of around 81%. The middle 50% of admitted students have ACT scores between 24-30 and SAT scores between 1160-1340.
→ Campus:
Auburn's campus is known for its beauty, with historic buildings, green spaces, and modern facilities. The campus is home to over 30,000 students from all 50 states and over 100 countries.
→ Academics:
Auburn offers more than 140 majors across a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, business, agriculture, and the arts. The university is known for its strong programs in engineering, business, and architecture.
→ Athletics:
Auburn is a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and has a strong athletic tradition. The university's football team, the Auburn Tigers, is particularly popular and competes at the highest level of college football.
→ Student Life:
Auburn has a vibrant student life, with over 500 student organizations, including clubs, sports teams, and cultural groups. The university also has a strong Greek life presence.
→ Traditions:
Auburn has several cherished traditions, including the "War Eagle" battle cry, the rolling of Toomer's Corner after victories, and the Eagle Flight, where a live eagle flies over the football stadium before home games.
→ Community Engagement:
Auburn is committed to community engagement and has a strong tradition of service. The university offers many opportunities for students to get involved in community service and outreach.
Auburn University Fun Facts
Toomer's Corner: Toomer's Corner, located near the campus, is famous for its tradition of rolling the oak trees with toilet paper after significant victories. Unfortunately, the original trees were poisoned in 2010 but have since been replaced.
Auburn Oaks: To replace the poisoned trees, Auburn University obtained saplings from the original oaks' descendants, which were grown at a remote location until they were ready to be planted at Toomer's Corner.
The Auburn Creed: The Auburn Creed, written by George Petrie in 1945, is a statement of the university's beliefs and values. It emphasizes hard work, honesty, and a spirit of service.
Jordan-Hare Stadium: Auburn's football stadium, Jordan-Hare Stadium, is named after Ralph "Shug" Jordan, the university's all-time winningest football coach, and Cliff Hare, a member of Auburn's first football team.
The Auburn University Marching Band: Known as the "AUMB," the Auburn University Marching Band is renowned for its high-energy performances and intricate marching formations.
Historic Buildings: Auburn's campus is home to several historic buildings, including Samford Hall, which houses the university's administration and is one of the most recognizable landmarks on campus.
Raptor Center: Auburn University is home to the Southeastern Raptor Center, a rehabilitation and education facility for birds of prey. The center also houses the eagles used in the Eagle's Flight tradition.
Auburn's Agricultural History: Auburn University has a strong agricultural heritage, and its College of Agriculture was the first land-grant college in the South.
