How long should I fool with these people?

[Hiroshi2]

I sent my application to Alabama A&M the last week of Februrary. I know I paid to have my official transcript sent off on the 23rd of that month. I also, on March 1, sent an application to UAB and got my acceptance letter in the mail from them on the 11th of that month. Fast, quick, easy, know what I"m saying? Well I sit and wait for maybe six or seven weeks for a letter or something from A&M, and then this week it finally comes. Except it's not an acceptance letter, nor is it a rejection letter. It's a "we-haven't-received-your-transcript-or-your-ACT-scores-letter". What the hell? I immediately sent another one off (didn't pay for it this time though) and am now preparing to write a response to the admissions director.



The thing about it is, A&M is where I really want to go. I don't want to go to UAB simply because it's in Birmingham, which means I'll probably have to stay at my parent's house, whereas if I go to school in Huntsville, I'd pretty much have no choice but to move out. Also, I actually wanted to attend an HBCU anyway...........................



A&M has a reputation of losing people's shit. However I know it's a good school - I know quite a few intelligent people who go there now as well as alumni, and they all have nothing but good things to say about it. I know people up there too - so I mean, basically it's where I want to go, plus it's cheap (~$3,000/year tuition).



Should I just forget about these people, go to UAB for a year or so, and then try to apply to another university, or should I stick it out and wait for A&M to do something?

[Faithless]

Congrats on being accepted to the other school.

What's the possibility of you interacing with the A&M people directly -- if not over the phone, then by making a personal visit?

Sounds like you're going to have to find-out from people directly what your status is.

[Filiprish]

Should I just forget about these people, go to UAB for a year or so, and then try to apply to another university, or should I stick it out and wait for A&M to do something?
Personally, I'd go with UAB, it has a better rep than A&M. But, you have the right idea by sending a letter to the admissions director. Email and write her, though. I ran into a situation like this when I was applying to college. My transcripts got lost, so I went and personally handed them a copy and watched them open it. A week later I got a call from an admissions counselor.

[golden_buns]

Should I just forget about these people, go to UAB for a year or so, and then try to apply to another university, or should I stick it out and wait for A&M to do something?
Go to a community college, it's cheaper and easier than regular colleges, and once you have enough credits to transfer send your applications to other universities far away.

just make sure you study hard and get good grades cuz in that way you have a chance to get into really good schools.

I started off at Austin Community College and then tranfered into UT at Austin.

[Chester]

Should I just forget about these people, go to UAB for a year or so, and then try to apply to another university, or should I stick it out and wait for A&M to do something?
If you really consider it such a pain in the ass to follow up on some clerical mistakes, then I guess it might not be a bad idea to give up. But it's not like you're facing any real adversity here. You had to re-send test scores and will then need to check back in to make sure they were received. You're going to have to hurdle a lot more bureaucratic hurdles when you get to college and throughout the course of your normal life. Might as well man the fuck up and get used to it right now.

[Hiroshi2]

Personally, I'd go with UAB, it has a better rep than A&M. But, you have the right idea by sending a letter to the admissions director. Email and write her, though. I ran into a situation like this when I was applying to college. My transcripts got lost, so I went and personally handed them a copy and watched them open it. A week later I got a call from an admissions counselor.





I don't care about the reputation - all historically black schools have less-than-ideal reputations (except for the absoulutely most prestigious ones, like Howard, Hampton, and Dillard) just because they're run by blacks. Even black people feel this way, as a matter of fact it seems like blacks are the ones who say it the most, that HBCUs are bad schools. So the reputation means nothing to me.


I mean, UAB is a real good school and all - one of the best in the state IMO, but it's in Birmingham, which means I don't want to go there.


ANYWAY.................


I don't have the luxury of doing this thing about handing it in personally, because Huntsville is an hour and a half away from Birmingham (well, I suppose I could do it on a Saturday, provided I have the gas money needed to go there, etc). But still - the point is, it's not convenient to do anything as far as personally taking stuff up there, because of the distance. A&M is in a different city.


As far as ju-co/community college.........................no. I want to get out there and have the full college experience, even if I have to pay out the ass to do it. Yeah, college is about me getting the grade and all that, but I just want the experience of going too, you know what I mean? I feel like I'll be shortchanging myself by spending two years stuck at a damn community college right around the corner from me. I want to get out there and do stuff.....................no offense, but community college sounds lame as hell to me. And I WILL come up with the money, one way or another. I'm a hustla, in a good kind of way :wink:



Speaking of money............................I'm sure financial aid doesn't last forever, a lot of it's on a first-come, first-serve basis.............it seems like I should know where I'm going to college, how much it'll cost (exactly, not just general idea of how much), etc. when I do apply for aid.

[Filiprish]

If you really consider it such a pain in the ass to follow up on some clerical mistakes, then I guess it might not be a bad idea to give up. But it's not like you're facing any real adversity here. You had to re-send test scores and will then need to check back in to make sure they were received. You're going to have to hurdle a lot more bureaucratic hurdles when you get to college and throughout the course of your normal life. Might as well man the fuck up and get used to it right now.
My thoughts exactly. College is a redtape simulation for life and the professional world. Get used to it ASAP.

I mean, UAB is a real good school and all - one of the best in the state IMO, but it's in Birmingham, which means I don't want to go there.
That's cool. I understand.

I don't have the luxury of doing this thing about handing it in personally, because Huntsville is an hour and a half away from Birmingham (well, I suppose I could do it on a Saturday, provided I have the gas money needed to go there, etc). But still - the point is, it's not convenient to do anything as far as personally taking stuff up there, because of the distance. A&M is in a different city.
The more to go to UAB. :wink:

[Hiroshi2]

The more to go to UAB. :wink:





Hey, it ain't nothing but an hour and a half, plus I know a back way (gotta go through the mountains/back highways, as opposed to the freeway) where you can get there from my house in like an hour or so (well, maybe not an hour, but less time than it would take to go on the interstate).


Point is.............................it's far away, but not too far away to make me want to go to UAB, lol. That is so lame, going to college in my own hometown, when I can do better.

[lethal]

If you really want to go to A&M, do what it takes to get your stuff in and get admitted.

Since the school has a reputation for losing stuff, just send it again and make sure you follow up. Maybe send it with proof of delivery or something. I think that costs like 55 cents. Call and follow up.

Most financial aid is in the form of loans anyway. You can get your financial aid info in before you're actually accepted. You have to fill out your FAFSA. You can do it online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Don't worry about driving up to Huntsville, they're probably not open on Saturday anyway.

Isn't going to the school you want to go to worth the extra money and hassle? In the end, its little cost to pay for happiness.

[golden_buns]

Also, keep on calling them to see if they have checked your application and see what's application status, it helps to bug the admisions office, and don't forget to remind them that you're doing this because they lost your first application, and that you need to know soon because other schools are waiting for your reply

[John0101]

plus it's cheap (~$3,000/year tuition).


:eek:
holy smokes that cheap!!!!

I wish my state university was that cheap :frown:

No unversity or liberal arts college is worth 30k+/year unless its in the top 25 IMO.

Well first of all congrats on getting into UAB! But if you really want to get into A&M ill harass the admissions office to get everything straighten out because being lazy is no excuse to not follow your dreams.

Good luck man.

[Filiprish]

I know what it's like to go through what you look down on, I went to CC college for my first two years and transfered. I worked and lived with my 'rents. I went out of town every now and then to visit friends already at university. Even though I was ready to leave when I did, when I look back, it was a great learning experience. I worked full-time, attended school full-time and had an active social life. In university you can't have all these, you may think you can, one or more will be compromised. I didn't have to worry about rent or food ('rents were generous) for two years and saved up a shitload of $$$, enough in my last two years I didn't have to work. Not to mention, in the end, not only did I graduate in four years (unlike most people), I graduated with a higher GPA than most my friends who went straight to university and with only $15k in student loan debt. Sounds good, huh? You just have to look at the big picture. Well, I partied so hard in HS I didn't care much for college parties. Different strokes for different folks I guess. You seem like you're ready to party! :tongue:

So, if $$$ is a prob, don't be skurd to live with your 'rents for a year or two while attending UAB to save up some $$$ to transfer to school in Huntsville. I know how your 'rents are but you won't be home very often anyways. :wink:

[Hiroshi2]

:eek:
holy smokes that cheap!!!!

I wish my state university was that cheap :frown:

No unversity or liberal arts college is worth 30k+/year unless its in the top 25 IMO.

Well first of all congrats on getting into UAB! But if you really want to get into A&M ill harass the admissions office to get everything straighten out because being lazy is no excuse to not follow your dreams.

Good luck man.




I looked it up (their website didn't have any real information, so I looked it up on U.S. News And World Report on Colleges & Universities website) -



Tuition and fees (in-state) 2004-2005 - $3875
Room & Board - $4500
Total - $8375


I guess "and fees" refers to books?


Anyway, everybody knows AAMU is a cheap school, so $8375 for the total cost sounds about right. I suppose I could live in an off-campus apartment (HSV apartments go for like $250-300/month), less regulation, etc. but at the same time, I want to feel like I"m part of the college, know what I"m saying? Especially since it's a small college (5300 students).

I know what it's like to go through what you look down on, I went to CC college for my first two years and transfered. I worked and lived with my 'rents. I went out of town every now and then to visit friends already at university. Even though I was ready to leave when I did, when I look back, it was a great learning experience. I worked full-time, attended school full-time and had an active social life. In university you can't have all these, you may think you can, one or more will be compromised. I didn't have to worry about rent or food ('rents were generous) for two years and saved up a shitload of $$$, enough in my last two years I didn't have to work. Not to mention, in the end, not only did I graduate in four years (unlike most people), I graduated with a higher GPA than most my friends who went straight to university and with only $15k in student loan debt. Sounds good, huh? You just have to look at the big picture. Well, I partied so hard in HS I didn't care much for college parties. Different strokes for different folks I guess. You seem like you're ready to party! :tongue:

So, if $$$ is a prob, don't be skurd to live with your 'rents for a year or two while attending UAB to save up some $$$ to transfer to school in Huntsville. I know how your 'rents are but you won't be home very often anyways. :wink:





Nah..................well I guess I'll think about it. It depends on whether or not A&M accepts me or not. But I will say this - if I spend a year or two years or whatever at community college here in Birmingham, I'll be looking to transfer to college in Atlanta, not Huntsville (CAU was where I really wanted to go, Morehouse is too preppy and Georgia Tech is not the best place for a political science major, since it's oriented towards math/science students).



Anyway, y'all on the forum already know I got my foot on the gas pedal, waiting to throw it in drive as far as getting out my parents house..............................that's my priority right now.



It's all about money and independence. My own money, that is. I know college students are broke usually, but........................if I can get somebody else to pay for my education, room and board, meal plan, etc. then what else would I spend my money on?


Besides that...........................I'm from the west side of Birmingham. I know how to make money if worst comes to worse :wink:

[Craig]

Tuition and fees (in-state) 2004-2005 - $3875
Room & Board - $4500
Total - $8375


I guess "and fees" refers to books?
Fees do not refer to books.

[Hiroshi2]

^ What does it refer to?

[Craig]

^ What does it refer to?
Depends on where. At my old school they used to have lots of fees and oftentimes they added fees to get past the state-mandated maximum annual tuition increases. We had fees to use the computer labs, to use the athletic facilities, to use the bus system, for counseling services, health care center related fees, etc; They was even a fee for a MLK statue on campus. Yes, we had to pay these fees even if we didn't use the services. Some places roll these items together under "tuition", other places don't.

[lethal]

I pay about 800 bucks in fees each semester.

College fee, Computer fee, Student Resource Fee.

Its just higher tuition without having to call it a tuition increase.

[Filiprish]

Nah..................well I guess I'll think about it. It depends on whether or not A&M accepts me or not. But I will say this - if I spend a year or two years or whatever at community college here in Birmingham, I'll be looking to transfer to college in Atlanta, not Huntsville (CAU was where I really wanted to go, Morehouse is too preppy and Georgia Tech is not the best place for a political science major, since it's oriented towards math/science students).
Interesting. Atlanta would be cool.

Poli Sci, what exactly do you want to do? Go to law school? IMO, Poli Sci should only be a second major b/c opportunities are limited for recent grads. You might want to study something broad like Public Policy or Urban Studies or even pure Economics. Did you know GA State's Andrew Young School of Policy Studies (http://aysps.gsu.edu/academics/degrees/index.html) is really good? GA State, you'll be in downtown and you can jump on MARTA and hit up the CAU/Morehouse/Spelman area or Buckhead! Werd.

[Hiroshi2]

Interesting. Atlanta would be cool.

Poli Sci, what exactly do you want to do? Go to law school? IMO, Poli Sci should only be a second major b/c opportunities are limited for recent grads. You might want to study something broad like Public Policy or Urban Studies or even pure Economics. Did you know GA State's Andrew Young School of Policy Studies (http://aysps.gsu.edu/academics/degrees/index.html) is really good? GA State, you'll be in downtown and you can jump on MARTA and hit up the CAU/Morehouse/Spelman area or Buckhead! Werd.




I guess I could switch to a Criminal Justice major (I also wanted to major in that).....................I've considered Urban Planning and even...........................Social Work!


I know people in the ATL and they say that GSU is like a community college cause they don't have any dorms there for real (like maybe a couple of buildings) and most people live off-campus. Which is fine, but like I said, I wanted that "real college feel", know what I'm saying?


I'm just looking forward to taking classes I can actually stay awake in, like



ENG 404 Black Literature
HIS 304 African-American History
PSC 201 Intro. to Political Science
GEO 214 World Regional Geography
PSC 310 Blacks in Amer. Politics
HIS 202 American History II
PSC 308 International Relations
PSC 401 Western Political Thought




Sure I'll still have to take math/science bullshit, but.......................not as much as high school, hopefully.

Depends on where. At my old school they used to have lots of fees and oftentimes they added fees to get past the state-mandated maximum annual tuition increases. We had fees to use the computer labs, to use the athletic facilities, to use the bus system, for counseling services, health care center related fees, etc; They was even a fee for a MLK statue on campus. Yes, we had to pay these fees even if we didn't use the services. Some places roll these items together under "tuition", other places don't.



I pay about 800 bucks in fees each semester.

College fee, Computer fee, Student Resource Fee.

Its just higher tuition without having to call it a tuition increase.




Well...............................I'll just to have to call with the admissions director (who's always away, mysteriously) directly or something.


Every time I call, the same white lady picks up the phone, sounding like a phone sex line. It's not what she says, she just has that tone and that voice that makes it sound like she's on one of those hotlines, lol.


"Helloooooooooo........................this is the Office of Admissions at Alabama A&M. Please leave a message, blah blah"


That "hello" is a trip, I'm telling ya.

[Filiprish]

I guess I could switch to a Criminal Justice major (I also wanted to major in that).....................I've considered Urban Planning and even...........................Social Work!
Those are good majors. Social Work especially, you won't make a lot of money as a new graduate but you will have plenty of opportunities.
I know people in the ATL and they say that GSU is like a community college cause they don't have any dorms there for real (like maybe a couple of buildings) and most people live off-campus. Which is fine, but like I said, I wanted that "real college feel", know what I'm saying?
That's true. GSU is a commuter school. However, you get a feel for professional life in downtown, especially with all the government buildings within walking distance. Also, GSU has a consortium with other higher ed schools in the Atlanta metro (you can take courses not offered at other schools w/o paying extra, even at Emory).

http://atlantahighered.org/memberservices/crossregistration.asp

I don't blame you for wanting a traditional college experience, though.

[John0101]

I guess I could switch to a Criminal Justice major (I also wanted to major in that).....................I've considered Urban Planning and even...........................Social Work!


urban planning work usually requires a master and undergrad degree in civil engin, architecture, econ or poli sci. I think its a math intense degree and if your not willing to take th math/science courses I think you should reconsider it.

Your just starting college! You don't have to choose what you want to do right away, and most intro courses are complete BS btw.

[Hiroshi2]

I think its a math intense degree and if your not willing to take th math/science courses I think you should reconsider it.






In that case............................fuck it.




But you know, I bet there is one job I could do well with with a poli sci degree - politician.

[John0101]

But you know, I bet there is one job I could do well with with a poli sci degree - politician.

I suggest getting your JD or LLD then. One of my friend from school just got into some law school in the south (forgot which one) and have a decent size scholarship, but he had like a 3.8 cumm GPA. I don't know about his LSAT score thou.

[Hiroshi2]

I got my acceptance letter from A&M in the mail today.



Hey let me ask y'all something since I get conflicting answers on this = do you pay for the total costs of college all at one time? Like remember how I said A&M costs $8,000/year? I always thought you basically gave them an $8,000 check, or somebody else did it for you (through scholarships, financial aid, etc). But a lot of people I talk to say you don't pay it all at the same time. Is that true?

[Filiprish]

I got my acceptance letter from A&M in the mail today.
Good for you!
Hey let me ask y'all something since I get conflicting answers on this = do you pay for the total costs of college all at one time? Like remember how I said A&M costs $8,000/year? I always thought you basically gave them an $8,000 check, or somebody else did it for you (through scholarships, financial aid, etc). But a lot of people I talk to say you don't pay it all at the same time. Is that true?
It depends on the school, you should check the cashier's office's webpage.

[moser]

I got my acceptance letter from A&M in the mail today.

Hey let me ask y'all something since I get conflicting answers on this = do you pay for the total costs of college all at one time? Like remember how I said A&M costs $8,000/year? I always thought you basically gave them an $8,000 check, or somebody else did it for you (through scholarships, financial aid, etc). But a lot of people I talk to say you don't pay it all at the same time. Is that true?

Congrats!

Think some schools bill for the year upfront, though I don't think it's that common. Usually you pay per semester or trimester (depending on how the school's academic calendar is). Some places have a program in which you pay the tuition in monthly increments if you can't pay the semester/trimester's worth at once.

[lethal]

I got my acceptance letter from A&M in the mail today.



Hey let me ask y'all something since I get conflicting answers on this = do you pay for the total costs of college all at one time? Like remember how I said A&M costs $8,000/year? I always thought you basically gave them an $8,000 check, or somebody else did it for you (through scholarships, financial aid, etc). But a lot of people I talk to say you don't pay it all at the same time. Is that true?

Congrats!

Most schools bill per semester or quarter or trimester or whatever system they use. You (or financial aid) would pay that bill for that semester when it gets billed. However, most schools also have a payment plan system where you can may monthly payments toward your bill.

[Hiroshi2]

Well UAB just sent me some stuff in the mail saying I could pay monthly, but I'm not going there. A&M hasn't sent me anything like that yet.


I feel real mad at myself - I found out from my counselor I missed out on an opportunity for a scholarship which pays for EVERYTHING if neither one of your parents went to college (like me).


I'm applying for a scholarship from 100 Black Men of Birmingham and a couple of other organizations, but I don't expect it to add up to much, I'll have to get a lot of financial aid. The problem is I didn't decide until like maybe January or Februrary that I actually wanted to go to college.

[bluemonq]

it says here (http://www.nse.org/scampusdetail.asp?action=print&id=58) that tution can be paid on a payment plan, which is usually monthly or every two months. it also says that your acconut has to be paid in full at least a month before the semester ends. here's the contact info for payment plans and for financial aid (the same guy):

Mr. Carlos R. Clark
Director, Financial Aid Office
Alabama A&M University
P.O. Box 907
Normal, AL 35762
Phone: 256/372-4850
Fax: 256/372-5407
E-mail: Carlos.Clark@email.aamu.edu

[hooligan]

Is Your Ass In College Yet? It Better Be.

[nola]

You drama king! A few months ago you thought you wouldn't finish HS!

[Hiroshi2]

it says here (http://www.nse.org/scampusdetail.asp?action=print&id=58) that tution can be paid on a payment plan, which is usually monthly or every two months. it also says that your acconut has to be paid in full at least a month before the semester ends. here's the contact info for payment plans and for financial aid (the same guy):

Mr. Carlos R. Clark
Director, Financial Aid Office
Alabama A&M University
P.O. Box 907
Normal, AL 35762
Phone: 256/372-4850
Fax: 256/372-5407
E-mail: Carlos.Clark@email.aamu.edu




Damn, why couldn't I find that information? But then again, it doesn't look like you got that info from A&M's website either.



@ nola -


I wasn't. I still might not. I might spend another 10 or 15 minutes online and then I'm hitting the books. I have to get a good grade on this term for pre-cal, and then get a good grade on the semester exam. Basically, I have to have both of those grades, this second term and my semester grade, have to add up to 120, since 60 is the minimum score for passing and 60 times 2 is 120. I made a 59 last time, so I actually might need a little bit more than a 120 (like maybe a 121 or 122) to pass for real. So yeah......................





It's hard trying to prepare for college when you still have to bust your ass just to barely get out of high school.

[bluemonq]

google's your friend =) i just pretty much use that if i ever need to find anything. just be always sure to double-check your info; google's not that good at making sure all of the stuff you find isn't outdated - it picks up *everything*.