First of all, you should choose Alabama. I don't know your name, your major or what other schools you've been accepted to, but I do know a lot about how great the University of Alabama is. A perfect college experience doesn't exist, but I am confident that Alabama can offer you something pretty close to it. Even though I have to admit that I'm extremely biased, I think I can offer you some top-notch advice.
I know all about the stereotype that we're just a football school down here in the good old south that doesn't have much more to offer than that. We have over 80 fields of undergraduate study and 40 percent of our freshman class made a 30 or higher on the ACT. If that many people with those scores decided to come to Alabama, I think it's pretty clear that we are not "just a football school."
While we are more than football, we do have a lot of exciting things to offer if you love sports. Gymnastics meets, softball games, a new baseball stadium, men's and women's basketball, the equestrian team, tennis and swimming are just a few. For students, most of these events are free or almost free. It really doesn't get any better than that. Did I mention Bryant-Denny Stadium on a fall Saturday afternoon? There's no better place in the world.
If you come to Alabama, you will be a little fish in a big pond. I'll never forget that my high school counselor suggested I look at smaller schools because she knew how shy I was. I was terrified to come to Alabama. But here's the thing, if you're shy, it's the way to go. I walked on to this campus not knowing a single soul and within two months I knew fifty people. I am not the most popular girl on campus, but as a shy person, I don't want to be. I can eat or study alone because everyone else is doing it and I have the satisfaction of knowing that not a single eye is on me. Also, despite what others may think, attending a school that 37,000 others go to does not mean you won't see every single person you know in a day. I can testify. Another important thing you should know is that I'm not shy anymore. I'm still an introvert, sure, but I feel comfortable walking into a room full of people I don't know and making conversation. I'm immensely thankful that I chose a place that has given me that skill.
I can't talk about how great The University of Alabama is without talking about how great Tuscaloosa is. There is an abundance of shops and restaurants to choose from and I promise that you'll never be bored. The population of Tuscaloosa is about 100,000, which isn't small (I am from a town of 16,000 people so I know what small actually is), but it feels small anyway. There is no shortage of southern hospitality and graciousness.
If I told you all the reasons I love the University of Alabama this article would go on forever, so I'll try to sum it all up to this: Alabama has made me a better person. I am stronger in my faith, more confident, happier, smarter and more courageous. I wake up every day and thank God that I attend the University of Alabama. The day I chose Alabama was the first of the best ones of my life and I hope that you can share the same experience. Roll Tide!
