[luciusFlorio]

I currently study at a College in NJ; It's ok but I don't really like cold winters plus I am looking for a drastic change.

I have always been somewhat enamored with the Southern US; I view it as a more laid back easy-going friendly place.

I remember reading Film director Elia Kazan's impressions of the south:




The film [Baby Doll] expressed a great deal of affection for the South [the Southeastern United States]. They're very hospitable to you... I abominate what their tradition is with blacks. We had seveal episodes of protecting blacks from the police there... But I found them in other ways the most lovable, generous poeple... The USA is supposed to be a pleasure-loving country, but there's no pleasure in the big cities at all. Nobody gets any pleasure except by drinking beer and watching television. But these people [in the South] are full of pleasure. I used to go on weekends with them... I just loved them. They liked Baby Doll. As I remember, they wrote it up well. They didn't say: 'That darn Jew from New York is patronising us.'

Kazan on Kazan, pages 75-76

The fact that I love country music probably doesn't hurt either. So basically I am looking for a university in the South that may meet my afrorementioned expectations. Note The area where the school is located is also important.

[Keeper]

Depending on what area you are in will depend on how cold it gets here. South AL has a winter but very seldom do they get snow or ice, but then they have hurricanes. North AL winters are more severe with temps in the 30s and 40s during the day, even snow every couple of years. My suggestion would be to check out the school and they check out their avg temps during the winter. That should give you an idea of the weather.

The 2 biggest universities in AL are University of AL and Auburn who are also rivals in sports. Not to offend anyone here in this forum, they are both very good schools.

You won't find country music as big in S. AL but in Huntsville area country music is really big, mainly because it is so close to Nashville.

[harry chickpea]

Kazan was always controversial, with his own agenda, and his impressions from the 1940s are no more indicitive of today's south than the bit in Steinbeck's Travel's With Charlie" on New Orleans.

Don't expect southern colleges and universities to be "easier" or more "laid-back" either. The ferocity of competition in football is only part of the competetive attitude in the south. While you are being charmed, you may have your class position relegated to "bless his l'il heart, he just can't keep up."

[steveklein]

curious... what are you studying in school?

i think Auburn University is a *FANTASTIC* place. smaller town, but enough stuff to do. lots of southern charm, and very mild winters. in the last 4 years, i think the lowest temperature i've seen is about 22, and most nights, even during the winter, it doesn't drop below freezing.

[Twostep]

Maybe you are saddling that horse backwards?

Which school offers the academic program you want to base your future on? Which school might accept you? Then the small print - tuition, cost of living ... There are numberous academic institutions with great track records.

What do you bring to the table, what do you want to walk away from it with?

Please -when quoting, even Kazan, no typos :>)

[SsgKen]

The fact that I love country music

The http://www.BJCC.org had some great singers last year. The nearby Version Music Center in Pelham. AL hosted Grechen Wilson among others.

First tell us your major. You can't go wrong wtih aforementioned Auburn, but a little on the small side to attract big name CMT types.
Ken

[Twostep]

Originally Posted by SsgKen

The http://www.BJCC.org had some great singers last year. The nearby Version Music Center in Pelham. AL hosted Grechen Wilson among others.

First tell us your major. You can't go wrong wtih aforementioned Auburn, but a little on the small side to attract big name CMT types.
Ken

For those who like country - Atlanta is just up I20.

I prefer Alyss Stephens.

[IDVague]

Well, it isn't Alabama, but it is close. The University of the South in Sewanee, TN has been called The Princeton of the South in it's storied past, and it is a fine private school. Not cheap, though, as everything is the South is not.

[teachcal]

Like Steve, I think Auburn is great. I moved there immediately after living in Wisconsin. My mom had gone there 50 yrs. before and had a lot of fond memories.

Everyone is very welcoming, even the Greeks, and football weekends are fantastic. If you attend them, you'll never get it out of your system... you'll be a fan forever.

Has some top-notch programs, esp. in business, engineering, architecture and pharmacy. However, if you love liberal arts colleges, I would not recommend Auburn as most students have a practical outlook on life.

However, it is one of the friendliest, funnest, deep south universities you will find. It is rural, with Bham and Atlanta each being 1 1/2 hrs. away.

Theresa

[aupz23]

I went to school at Auburn University and my sister graduated from University of Alabama...both are good schools...it really depends on your major on which school you should go to: if you want to go into business, engineering, vet medicine, or pharmacy then Auburn is the it!!!

If you want to go into medicine, theatre, or law, then University of Alabama is it!!!

Of course, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and University of South Alabama in Mobile (USA) are excellent schoos for medical professions, especially for medicine and nursing

SAmford University in Birmingham has excellent programs in pharmacy, business, law, and nursing.