University of Alabama
Reviews

Differences

Most students look like the typical young adult. However, if you dig a little deeper you will find that not everyone fits into a typical social or cultural mold.

Just Be Discreet.

the UAPD is more concerned with keeping everyone safe than trying to make as many arrests as possible. But be warned that the UAPD sends anyone who has been arrested to the Tuscaloosa jail. Don't do anything stupid in public. Also, don't park anywhere outside your parking zone before 6 PM or on weekends. You will get a ticket within 15 minutes.

Safe and Comfortable Atmosphere

I have always felt safe and secure on UA campus. Love my dorm and have stayed in the same room every year.

Drugs on Campus

As you will find on campus, Alcohol isn't exactly hard to come across. The University has a pretty good lock-down on the system while still understanding that students in college are going to drink if they so choose to. We are all in college and are on the road to being indepent adults; some of us have already reached the independent destination. I have never felt pressured to do something I wasn't comfortable with at the University. The University understands that students in college drink, this is why they have alcohol awareness classes about how to be safe when drinking if you so choose to do so.

Bryant Denny Stadium

One of the best college stadiums in the country, Bryant Denny is the place to be on a Saturday. The tailgating around campus is insanity, yet the community is gracious. Everyone is well accepted as a Tide fan, and a friendly "Roll Tide" will get you far.

Escape the Cold

Coming from the north, southern weather is the greatest. Over the winter, it gets obviously colder, but nowhere near unbearable. Autumn and Spring weather are absolutely beautiful when it's sunny, and the Quad is the place to hang out on a nice day. If it rains too hard, classes are cancelled, and there is rarely snow.

Know Your Southern Boys

The boys around campus come from all over the country, mostly from the south. Many are involved in Greek Life, but you don't have to be to have a good time. Everyone seems to dress up pretty nicely, especially for the football games. Most everyone is pretty approachable and if you have northern accent you'll be a big hit!

A Drug Free Campus

The drug scene at UA is not a really big issue. The students are very much aware of the consequences if you're caught with drugs. There is no big problem here with drugs. Drinking is more popular than drugs.

Dorms

The new dorms at the University of Alabama are very nice! They have four and two bedroom suites available with a living area and kitchenette. In my four bedroom dorm suite, there are two bathrooms so not all four people are sharing one. There's also laundry rooms on every floor and there's a laundry service as well. The best part is that anyone can stay in these dorms; not just upperclassmen!

I'm Greek!

I am a sophomore in an Old Row sorority here on campus. Greek life is amazing and has provided me with countless opportunities to meet new people and to get involved in so many ways. Most non-Greeks don't really care about Greek/non-Greek, but there are a few organizations on campus that just totally hate us. Sororities are a bit on the expensive side, however, every house has a kitchen staff and we get three good meals a day included in that. You always have a place to go 24/7 to study, hang out with friends, or just go to get away for a while. Sororities and Fraternities have members that live in the houses, but there are no Greek dorms or anything. Definitely get involved with it!

Knowing Where to Go

Tuscaloosa is most definitely a college town. Yet, it has its local attractions and culture that differentiate it from only being a "party" town. We have Moundville right down the road if you would like to check out the old Indian heritage, as well as the historical aspects of the town and its affiliations with the University throughout its history. Also being near to many outdoor activites such as hiking, climbing, canoeing, camping, and of course Lake Tuscaloosa for an amazing summer break. It's a nice atmosphere if you know how to enjoy it.

Girls, Girls, Girls

I think that we have some of the best looking girls in the country at The University of Alabama. We do have the largest sorority system and Greek Life on campus constitutes roughly 1/4 of the student population. The girls dress very well and look amazing in their formal dresses on game day!

Housing

off campus housing can be expensive depending on how close you are to campus. if thats where you are looking to live start looking by the middle of october the LATEST!!! they go fast. i have a two bedroom house on paul bryant and i have to pay 695 a month. but other than that its great! i suggest living as close as possible because parking is rediculous, they ticket you for everything

Southern hospitality lives

Tuscaloosa is a college town on a massive scale with school pride that stretches across the state unlike anything I'd seen around my New England home.

Beyond the overall friendliness and excitement from students, faculty, alumni and citizens, the compassion shown by all after the devastating April tornado is overwhelming.

Wherever you're from, it's easy to find your home in Tuscaloosa.

Variety of classes and strong professors

Every class I've been involved in has been both interesting and challenging, (but not unfair.)

If you work hard and communicate with your professors you'll have no problem in any class. There's a good variety of honors classes and fine arts/humanities courses outside what's expected.

Housing Is Average.

It is required to live on campus your first year at Alabama. I live in a rather old dorm. Considering how old it is, it does seem to be adequate enough to live in. It definitely has some wear to it but nothing that is unbearable.

My Major Is Great

Being in the major of marine sciences has been great so far. The workload does appear like it will be challenging in the future but as for right now I'm doing just fine. Everyone is very accommodating and very helpful.

Academics

Our programs are really good. My university has one of the best Engineering programs in the country. There are lots of public events like free movie screenings and it's really easy to get involved on campus. All of the teachers are really friendly and willing to help and most of the English and Literature classes are fairly small.

Housing

I lived on campus for two years. There are several options for students to choose from. On one side of campus there are the suite style rooms that have 4 people, 2 bathrooms a living room and a kitchen. Those dorms are all coed by floor. On the other side of campus are the more traditional style dorms. There are two all female dorms and one coed. These dorms have community style bathrooms and 2 people per room. On every other floor there is either a kitchen or vending machines. The dorms are relatively cheap. The newer ones generally cost more than the older ones. However, the older dorms are a lot closer to the heart of campus.

Good but not great

I recently graduated from the school, and I will say that you will an assortment of good, decent, and bad professors. I will not name any names, but you can get a feel for them. I was in Electrical Engineering and don't know a lot of the professors outside of the program because I transferred in, but from what I can tell, you won't find many superb professors. In EE, I know of only 4 professors that really stick out for how much the students actually learn from them. Then you have some others that are liked, but you don't feel like you're really covering any ground. Then there are those that you just don't think make the cut. They're not good at communicating with the students and are not good at presenting material in a way that helps people learn it effectively.

Outside of EE, I haven't been in a class with professors that wow me, but it didn't much either way because I whizzed by those with B's or higher with little work and effort. I feel like the university is more into meeting quotas rather than actually trying to be a first class academic institution. I say this not because I was a slightly above average student, or that I wanted to be given grades. I say this because it's true. It's worse in the more technical degree programs as it's very detailed but it's harder to learn and understand if the professor's aren't up to snuff. I couldn't teach it, but I didn't learn from at least half of them.

There quite a few professors who do make themselves available to you outside of class, though. If you do take the time, they will talk to you on a more personal level, and even just talk casually about things that aren't related to academia at all. There are a good bit of caring professors, but you do have those stick in the mud types.

Life on the Town

Tuscaloosa is built around the campus. There is no doubt about the fact that this is a place geared toward college life. However, there are many different things to do than the usual bar scene. There are eatiers all over, art festivals, live music, theaters, and sporting events any given night of the week.

Academics in the Front Seat

When considering the University of Alabama, many people think only about the athletics and night life. We are seen as a party school simply because not much is known about any other aspect of the university. It is actually quite different when you are one of the students, however. Although it is true that sports takes up a good chunk of student life, the academics and professors who teach them are amazing. There are so many different opportunities. It would be simple for anyone to come here and find their passion.

Come Prepared to Learn

The registration was a pain but the professors are excellent! They are willing, ready, and available to answer any questions you have. Also there are students who excel in English to help you edit your papers before you hand them in or even help you get an idea of what to write.

Honors, Southern Charm, and SEC Football

I chose the University of Alabama because of the Computer-Based Honors Program, and the Honors College in general. UA is known for being very generous with its scholarships, which also helped. I love the college town atmosphere, especially on football game days. I can't imagine myself anywhere else. Roll tide!

Specific Areas to Park, Overly Give Out Tickets

Permits are pretty pricey, but they give you parking access to areas close to your dorm. Totally worth it. Bama is such a big campus, it would suck not to have a car. If you park out of your zone, tickets are about $50. Which may not seem like much, but it adds up. Its a pain to find a close parking spot early in the day and late at night.