The University of Alabama - Birmingham

The Good: ABET accredited engineering programs, adequate facilities, competitive classroom experiences (30 graduating class out of 160 freshman), accessible professors, many local engineering company co-ops, employable if you keep your grades up above 3.0

The Bad: Sometimes end up with annoying/aloof professor, grading sometimes random (though I suspect this occurs at most schools)Why Should You Go? I loved the location and proximity to home. If you live in Birmingham and need to get away, go somewhere else.

3rd Year Male -- Class 2006

Education Quality: A-, Extracurricular Activities: B-

UAB was an excellent experience for me. Though certainly not the most demanding school around, I'd say it's on par with other state schools in the area. UAB provides the opportunity to get an excellent education, though it's probably possible to get through without having done so. I say this having spent 2 years at Auburn University where I rarely studied and frequently skipped class. With the same level of effort, I probably would have lasted, perhaps, an extra quarter at UAB.

Another major difference between my experience at UAB and Auburn was that I received much more personal attention at UAB. I met frequently with my advisor (the Assistant Dean of my school) and our meetings were quite casual and unhurried and she seemed genuinely interested in my academic progress and how I was getting on in general. At Auburn, "my" advisor was of much lower rank, the meetings only involved approval of my course schedule (with a couple of dozen students waiting in line behind me) and I don't recall seeing the same advisor twice.One of the things that really sets UAB apart from Auburn and Alabama is that the students are, on the whole, older and more committed to graduating. For some this means viewing the school merely as means to career advancment, rather than as a place to obtain an education. Nonetheless, they are at least serious about why they are there. (One side benefit of this is that students who are looking for an education and who show a serious interest in the subject will be given a level of attention from his/her professors that is unavailable at more prestigious schools.)

5th Year Male -- Class 1994

Faculty Accessibility: A+, Campus Aesthetics: D

This school is certainly at the same level as many others, is possibly more damaged by the name of the location, I think not many people are aware that a scientific ground breaking facility is in Alabama. In medical science it is close to the level of the Mayo clinic and other better known identities. It is important to know that when you come here you might get to know a different culture and social behavior than other countries or states within the us but at the end most of us are interested in what we are doing and motivated, thus making adaptation easier. Is a small enough school that you get to feel comfortable with your faculty and classmates, but also large enought as to meet very diverse personalities and groups. Won't get bored here.

3rd Year Female -- Class 2006

Extracurricular Activities: A+, Scholastic Success: C