Considering Univ. of Georgia, Auburn Uni, UNC Chapel Hill (Atlanta: 2013, houses)

[loveorangecounty]

We are starting the college search for my daughter who is a rising senior. We toured all over the south this summer and her top choices are Univ. of GA, Auburn Uni, and UNC Chapel Hill (one of her reach schools). We are not from the south and would appreciate any opinions on these universities. She is a high B, low A student that would like a big college experience. She would like to live in a sorority house. We noticed the transfer out rate at Auburn is higher than UGA or UNC. Can anyone comment on that? Also we would love to hear from Environmental Science students, what do you think of the program?

[atltechdude]

UNC is clearly the best of those 3 but is definitely VERY competitive especially without perfect grades.

UGA has been improving their standards quite a bit over the last few years as well. I don't know enough about Auburn to comment that much on it.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by loveorangecounty

We are starting the college search for my daughter who is a rising senior. We toured all over the south this summer and her top choices are Univ. of GA, Auburn Uni, and UNC Chapel Hill (one of her reach schools). We are not from the south and would appreciate any opinions on these universities. She is a high B, low A student that would like a big college experience. She would like to live in a sorority house. We noticed the transfer out rate at Auburn is higher than UGA or UNC. Can anyone comment on that? Also we would love to hear from Environmental Science students, what do you think of the program?

With a high B, low A average, Auburn seems like a good choice and attainable. But with this type of GPA (even though it is a good one!), UGA will be a reach for your daughter as well.


Everyone I know that has attended Auburn loved it. Great school, good quality of life, and very convenient to Atlanta--and only like 2.5 hours (maybe 3) from the Florida Panhandle beaches!


Also--Auburn has large out-of-state population (though most of the out-of-state pop is Georgia/Southeastern U.S. centered)...which will help your daughter feel less out of place.

Have y'all also looked into Clemson University? Or the University of Tennessee? These schools are excellent options that could be appealing to your daughter as well.

[Newsboy]

Agree with the others; academically both UGA and UNC are likely going to be out of her reach. For a "Southern" college experience, and the degree major she's interested in, Auburn is a good choice. Also, Auburn has a very strong "family" tradition, i.e. the university community acts as a safe "home away from home" for students. That's not to say kids don't party there or get into trouble, but the the AU tradition is very much about protecting its own and giving parents peace of mind.

[cwkimbro]

The average GPA of an entering freshman is 3.83. 5% of entering freshmen were the salutatorian of valedictorian of their HS class. 54% were in the top 10% of their class.

I'd still apply and try. There is still a chance depending on many other factors: strength of classes taken, leadership/extracurricular, county/school of the student, luck, etc...

I'd also apply to Auburn and find one or two back up options that are sure things, but places she'd be happy if it wasn't any of those 3 schools.

I agree UNC will be a bit harder to get into. Auburn will be a bit easier.

Comparatively, UNC's entering freshman class avg GPA: 4.5, 20% were 1st or 2nd in their class, and 79% were in the top 10% of their class.

Auburn's avg GPA is 3.7; 39% were in the top 10% of their class

[atlantamoi]

There are no sorority houses on Auburn's campus if that is a big deal to you. They are all in dorms. It's weird to me since there are fraternity houses (I went to Auburn in the 80's). I'd be happy with my children going to any of those three schools. I think I heard recently that Georgia is more competitive due to the Hope Scholarship opportunities. Auburn has actually gotten harder to get into as well and I'd shiver thinking about paying that out of state tuition rate. I loved going to Auburn, though! From a parental perspective I'd know my child is about as safe as you can get on a large public campus. They have made some pretty sweet building upgrades this year (new student union and new rec center).

Rec center: Auburn Student Rec Center | al.com

Really, though, you probably can't go wrong with any of those schools.

[lorilove]

Note that sorority rush at the big southern universities is very competitive. Definitely do your homework and be prepared, getting recommendations is very important. You can start your research at greekchat.com but keep your focus to the threads that give specific advise to going through Rush.

[deacongirl]

Honestly, UNC is difficult to get into from out-of-state for children of alumni with near perfect grades, test scores, etc. and with significant connections in the state. I think that is likely to be a stretch.

RE: sorority rush, I would strongly agree with lorilove here.

[Iconographer]

I think that your initial choices are very sound. If you want a southern university with a strong sorority system, I'll add Tulane and Southern Methodist to the list.

[Tarzanman]

Environmental science? Suggest Georgia Tech to her.

While the campus is not as pretty or as large in area as a UGA, it definitely offers a 'big college' experience.