Sunday, April 19, 2015

SACAC 2015: Day 1 College Visits UAB

SACAC 2015 in Birmingham, Alabama has already been worth the trip!

     Visiting the campus of UAB (University of Alabama-Birmingham) was impressive, even on a rainy Saturday morning.  We were unable to get a great tour of the facilities as a result of the weather, but the information sessions were packed with insight about this institution!
     UAB is tucked in Downtown Birmingham and is a diverse, urban, mid-sized university (18,568 students) that is growing.  Offering over 120 majors of study, including 9 pre-professional programs, UAB has a ranging academic program.  Many of the popular majors were:

  • Cancer Biology- a major that they are developing
  • Forensic Science- Cyber Crime
  • Neuroscience
  • Medical Industrial Distribution- a major that focuses on the business side of healthcare (GE Healthcare only recruits from 9 campuses including UAB and Princeton).
  • Musical Theatre
  • Stem Teachers (UAB teach) - earn a STEM degree and earn your teaching certificate with minimal add on time and cost.


STEM courses, however, seem to be their area of strength.  Having access to FIVE hospitals within their campus, makes it a premier institution for producing and promoting medical/nursing students.  Research also seemed to be a focal point for the school.  They are a mid-sized university with tier 1 research opportunities.  Students are provided with 529,169 square feet of research lab space and hands on experience that many other institutions are not able to provide until upper level courses or graduate school.  An example of how attractive this school is for science minded students was evident in our tours.  Our tour guide was accepted into Princeton and other highly selective colleges, yet he chose UAB for the research opportunities as a freshman.  He also enjoyed touting that no professor was "too busy" or "too important" to help him.  Professors were always willing to listen to his ideas and encouraged his research.   They inspire students to create their own paths and follow their ideas.
     In speaking with many of the students, a theme about UAB emerged.  They want students on their campus that want to DO something.  Whether it be research, student council, etc, students are placed in charge of almost every student based event or program on campus.  The professors and advisors are there to provide guidance, but the students take control of the programs.  The Dean of Honors as well as Admissions focused on the fact that students at UAB need to be mature, focused, and active.
      UAB could be a great option for many of our students!  If you have a student that is science minded or interested in the arts, UAB could be a great option.  If you are interested in learning more, I recommend coming to campus and checking it out.  The admissions requirements and scholarship information is easily found on their website and the trip was around 3 1/2 hours!