The University of Alabama Top Questions

The classes are amazing here at UA. The class sizes vary depending on if it introductory level or not. When the class is introductory, it is very large, but if it upper level or specific to a major it holds about 15 people. The professors will know your name is you make them know your name. They are willing to help you and to get to know how they can help you specifically. I am a journalism major, which is a smaller department and there are several teachers that know my name. They also have opened a lot of opportunities for me as a senior about to graduate.

Within my classes, they arent all about who makes the best grade. It all depends on the teacher. Some of my teachers have been hardcore and fierce about getting your work done and done incredibly well. Others have been less rough, they've wanted you to enjoy your curriculum and understand that some students are taking more hours than others. GPA's are competative and if your considering a grad school its best to take your classes seriously as the grades are competative with this many students graduating each year.

Academics are the top priority at the University of Alabama. Most of the professors are passionate about what they teach and are eager for you to succeed. They help you each step of the way through your time at the university. A wide variety of majors is offered here, ranging from business to nursing and even fashion. The University of Alabama's School of Law is ranked 35th in the nation and the Public Relations department is the top in the nation. Whatever road you're going down, the University of Alabama can help guide you to success.

Many classes at The University of Alabama are massive, sometimes consisting of more than 300 students. However, the classes that really require intensive focus and study are often smaller, consisting of 20 students or less. Professors will get to know you if you take the time to get to know them. I have a very close relationship with my English Composition professor from my freshman year. I can talk to her about anything, and we get dinner occasionally. She's a great reference for anything on campus, and of course I get to put her down as a reference on my resume! Classes at the Capstone will vary depending on your major. Interior design majors won't study nearly as often as engineering majors. It just depends on what you're into.

Some of the teachers at Alabama may not be the best but as long as you read your book and stay on top of it, you should be able to handle it. I have had classes with 25 people, as well as a a class with 450 people. The smaller classes are the classes where the teachers know your name, but i'm willing to say that the class with 450 people, that my teacher probably doesn't even know what I look like. My favorite class is definitely Human Anatomy but it is VERY hard. I am definitely a nerd and still have a hard time with it. Its just a lot of information to retain but it is very interesting. I probably spend at least 20 hours a week studying. I would say that not all students study that much however.

Academics are some of the best I've seen anywhere. UA takes a lot of time and considerations when selecting faculty memebers and their selectivness reflects a great educational environment.

One thing a lot of people ask about is class size. Like most universities, UA does have some large classes. Personally my largest has been 160. But size is what you make it. Professors have office hours for a reason, and all of my professors have begged for students to come visit and ask questions. Most classes, especially when you get into your major, are no larger than 60 students with the majority being smaller. In the history department, most of my professors know my name, or at least know my face. You are not a nameless number here. You can always find people debating some issue or another on campus. We get free copies of USA Today, so most history classes at least sit around before class talking about the day's issues. People are very passionate about their beliefs here, and we are very diverse in those beliefs, so it can get interesting. An education at the University of Alabama is very competitive with the rest of the country. In fact, several of my professors are graduates of Ivy League schools and are very respected in their fields. If you are interested in history, you should take Dr. Lawrence Kohl's Civil War class. He is the ultimate storyteller, and while it is a tough class, it is well worth the effort. We have one of the top business schools in the nation and our law school is consistently ranked in the top forty. If a student leaves the university unprepared for life in the real world then it is their own fault because there are resources galore here to help you if you are willing to help yourself.

Academics are really good here at the Capstone. My favorite classes were my English 101 and Art History 253. I had a really great teacher. She made it fun to write all the papers. My least favorite classes would have to be History 101 and Psychology 101. These are big lecture classes with about 150 to 200 students. In all the classes that only had about 30 students, the teacher knew my name. Only in a few of my big lecture classes did the professors know my name. Don't be fooled there are some hard professors here at Bama, but they will help you when you ask them for help. Never be afraid to ask your professor questions. It is their job to make sure you understand and they want you to achieve. With all the different classes you will find out want you like to study and what type of major you can get with it. Never be afraid to change your major. At the beginning of my first semester, I was a Social Science Education major otherwise known as a history teacher. After my first history class I knew I wasn't going to enjoy learning all the history, but I did love writing papers that dealt with describing or telling about a certain subject. I change my major mid-way through my first semester. My major is advertising. I start my advertising classes next semester. I declared my graphic design minor right before spring break of my second semester. I am looking forward to the classes.

All my professors know exactly who I am, and I'll often have discussions with them after class that have nothing to do with class. For example, I had a really long discussion with one of my French professors yesterday about the politics and crime rates of larger Southern cities. Honestly, I love all my classes, so I don't have a favorite really. The most unique class I've taken thus far is my French Literature class. We read the works, have multiple discussions that occasionally involve what we read, and then we write a long paper about something we've read/discussed. I am a French major and Biology minor following a Pre-Med track. It's a lot of science and language. However, the stark contrast in subject provides a good balance in my workload. UA's academic requirements are daunting, but easier to plan out than most people think. My education is ultimately focused on getting me to medical school, but I love what I'm learning along the way.

As far as academics, I really recommend getting involved in the honors program. I have had my most enjoyable classes in the Honors College, and the classes are small enough so all the professors know you by name. They also know that you are a student who cares, so they treat you with respect. Class participation is much more common in the Honors classes. I took one class called Witches and Bitches in Popular Culture, and I was completely enthralled the entire time.