Need some help

[BamaPokerplayer]

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I wasn't really sure where I should post this but I guess this is as good as place as any. Forgive me if this is the wrong place. I was hoping some of you guys could help me make a decision. I'm currently at a community college and will get my associates this spring. I want to attend Alabama but they seem to be really stingy on Jr college transfers. I have a really good GPA and its eating at my heart that everyone in the south has offered me some type of scholarship except for Alabama. I had an offer for a full ride from Auburn that I said thanks but no thanks to. I caught a ton of heat from my family for this but any true bama man knows one cannot attend Auburn and fell right at the end of the day. Basically I have two options left got to Columbus State U a little college in Columbus Ga or go in huge debt to go to Alabama. I mean I would have no car, no money, and no job, no anything but still just attending one class at Alabama would be a dream come true. I was wondering what would some of you guys do in my spot any help would be greatly appreciated.

[blackumbrella]

look out for the long run first. think about what you're trying to accomplish and see which school has the best program for your major. for example, bama's strong in business, while auburn's strong in bovine studies. if it's six of one half dozen of the other, take out some loans and go with the dream. then again i owe my soul to the company store. so take it or leave it.

[bamabake]

Mybe do you undergrad work somewhere elase..first

[Queasy1]

Would you be eligible for any kind of grants or other financial aid that doesn't involve loans?

[Bamalaw92]

What do you want to do? Despite all the ribbing we give TSDTR, it does have excellent engineering schools and an outstanding school of architecture (of course they also have the forestry/ag curriculum). I have several friends who are as big of Alabama fans as anyone else, but attended the barn. They proudly wore Alabama colors to school and even cheered against the barn at sporting events. It can be done. If Auburn has a quality school in your chosen area (and yes they do have quality schools) then don't let fan pride cut off your nose to spite your face. If the barn will let you have a free ride on them - take it! - all the way to the bank.

[CrimsonNan]

Please read my private message to you.

[SavannahDare]

I was all prepared to attend UA on a full ride Presidential scholarship, then freaked out at the prospect of going to such a big school (I had JUST turned 17) and switched to a very small private two-year college (also on a full ride).

When it came time to transfer, UA was none too happy with me and would not again offer me the Presidential scholarship (despite a 4.0 GPA my first two years of college). I eventually squeezed a partial scholarship out of them, qualified for grants, took out loans, and worked part-time jobs to pay the rest of my OUT OF STATE TUITION. My parents were divorced, I was on the outs with my dad and my mom was disabled...I got ZERO money from them.

My point is this: everyone can afford to go to college, even if at first the numbers don't appear to add up. If your heart is set on UA, and you don't get accepted this year, work for a year and apply again next year. If you get accepted and have a hard time finding the money, trust me when I say IT'S OUT THERE. You have to be aggressive and go find it. Any you can't find in the form of schollies, grants, or loans you will have to WORK for. There were a couple of semesters after I started at UA where I worked 3 part-time jobs (one on M/W/F evenings, one on T/Th evenings, and one on weekend mornings) and carried a full course load. One of those semesters I carried 22 hours and thought I was going to DIE, but I got through it.

You can make this happen. If it's your dream, don't give up on it. Most importantly, NEVER give up on yourself. I grew up dirt poor. I'm now a naval officer and a doctor, soon to be a civilian in private practice (only another 196 days!). None of it could've happened if I had ever given up on myself.

You can do it!

[jthomas666]

	Quote:	SavannahDare
	There were a couple of semesters after I started at UA where I worked 3 part-time jobs (one on M/W/F evenings, one on T/Th evenings, and one on weekend mornings) and carried a full course load. One of those semesters I carried 22 hours and thought I was going to DIE, but I got through it.

Holy cr@p! One semester I took 18 hours with a 20 hr/week part time job, so you have my respect there! (Incidentally, I almost DID die that semester, but that's another story.)

BPP--As others have mentioned, there are a lot of supplemental scholarships out there. Once you're admitted, check w/ the college or department--they often have scholarships for upperclassmen.

You might also check w/ the VP for Academic Affairs (is that the right title? It's the job Mack Portera held for years). The summer after my freshman year, my dad was disabled. My mom and I trekked down to T-town, and spoke to some people in Academic Affairs, including Portera. They got me a couple of supplemental scholarships that I was able to keep until I graduated.

[SavannahDare]

	Quote:	jthomas666
	Holy cr@p! One semester I took 18 hours with a 20 hr/week part time job, so you have my respect there! (Incidentally, I almost DID die that semester, but that's another story.)

Funny the things people in their early twenties are able to do to get by. I'm almost 37 now and I'd NEVER be able to keep up with that schedule now. The only thing that's come close since that semester from hell was my intern year. I averaged 120 hours a week in the hospital and slept very little. Many a day I felt like I WAS dead.

Kudos to you for being a hard worker. I'm sure you've found, as I have, that it has served you well in the long run.