Alabama Rush and First Cuts: Predetermined?

[amIblue?]

I've often thought that the increase in OOS students at Alabama is directly correlated with the return to a successful football program with Saban and the increased national media exposure. There's no better advertising. Schools typically see an increase in applicants following a national championship, and y'all have had two in the last three years.

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by amIblue?

I've often thought that the increase in OOS students at Alabama is directly correlated with the return to a successful football program with Saban and the increased national media exposure. There's no better advertising. Schools typically see an increase in applicants following a national championship, and y'all have had two in the last three years.

That helps, but the fact that Georgia, Florida and other states offer their students free tuition is one of the big reasons.
It's great that they get free tuition (paid for by lotteries), but that means the in-state schools now have their choice of students...thus they can be pickier about the GPAs they'll accept.
Which means they fill up their freshman classes with higher-achieving students...leaving those with lower grades (and sometimes only slightly lower) out in the cold, and forced to attend an out-of-state school unless they want to go the private school route.
At the same time, UA has been offering free full rides to National Merit finalists, and other generous scholarships to high-achieving students. The newer dorms appeal to freshmen...nice recreation centers...honors college...and so on.
Add to all that - a sluggish economy means fewer jobs, so more people staying in school longer.
In the long run, I doubt the growth will continue. Things will slow down eventually.

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

That helps, but the fact that Georgia, Florida and other states offer their students free tuition is one of the big reasons.
It's great that they get free tuition (paid for by lotteries), but that means the in-state schools now have their choice of students...thus they can be pickier about the GPAs they'll accept.
Which means they fill up their freshman classes with higher-achieving students...leaving those with lower grades (and sometimes only slightly lower) out in the cold, and forced to attend an out-of-state school unless they want to go the private school route.
At the same time, UA has been offering free full rides to National Merit finalists, and other generous scholarships to high-achieving students. The newer dorms appeal to freshmen...nice recreation centers...honors college...and so on.
Add to all that - a sluggish economy means fewer jobs, so more people staying in school longer.
In the long run, I doubt the growth will continue. Things will slow down eventually.

From my time as an SAT prep tutor in Atlanta, I can testify about the impact the hope scholarship has had on how difficult it has become to get into UGA. Many of my students listed Auburn and Alabama as their target schools. Similar cultures to UGA, etc.

[magnoliacurious]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

That helps, but the fact that Georgia, Florida and other states offer their students free tuition is one of the big reasons.
It's great that they get free tuition (paid for by lotteries), but that means the in-state schools now have their choice of students...thus they can be pickier about the GPAs they'll accept.
Which means they fill up their freshman classes with higher-achieving students...leaving those with lower grades (and sometimes only slightly lower) out in the cold, and forced to attend an out-of-state school unless they want to go the private school route.
At the same time, UA has been offering free full rides to National Merit finalists, and other generous scholarships to high-achieving students. The newer dorms appeal to freshmen...nice recreation centers...honors college...and so on.
Add to all that - a sluggish economy means fewer jobs, so more people staying in school longer.
In the long run, I doubt the growth will continue. Things will slow down eventually.

Yep, and in Texas they've had the ten, now I think eight percent law about everybody in that top percent of their high school graduating class being guaranteed admission to the Texas state-supported school of their choice. That's a similar factor as well. Do you remember that column in the Crimson White last year from a Texas girl at the Capstone entitled "Sweet Home Ala-Texas?!"

[Zillini]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

That helps, but the fact that Georgia, Florida and other states offer their students free tuition is one of the big reasons.
It's great that they get free tuition (paid for by lotteries), but that means the in-state schools now have their choice of students...thus they can be pickier about the GPAs they'll accept.
Which means they fill up their freshman classes with higher-achieving students...leaving those with lower grades (and sometimes only slightly lower) out in the cold, and forced to attend an out-of-state school unless they want to go the private school route...

There is a problem at Bama in regards to the Greek system with these various states offering free tuition. As stated many students who couldn't get accepted to their home state school due to GPA will attend Bama. Then they work really hard, make excellent grades, and transfer back to a home state school for free or cheaper tuition than UA.

Is it huge numbers? No. However it affects sorority membership. It can be hard on a chapter if 5+ key members transfer in a year. (I've seen it happen.) This is also one of the reasons I have heard why many chapters is places like GA do not allow transfer members to affiliate. There are simply too many of them.

[magnoliacurious]

Originally Posted by amIblue?

I've often thought that the increase in OOS students at Alabama is directly correlated with the return to a successful football program with Saban and the increased national media exposure. There's no better advertising. Schools typically see an increase in applicants following a national championship, and y'all have had two in the last three years.

Well that certainly doesn't hurt, but I remember that Bama' was getting a big increase in out-of-state students during the mediocre Mike Shula years too (2003-06). In fact, this year's increase in sorority recruitment signups was just two more than the previous (I assume) record numerical increase in 2006 - I've read the Bama' Greek Affairs Sorority Recruitment statistics online from time-to-time. I think the main thing was that Dr. Robert Witt really did a good job as President of the University recruiting, including out-of-state students. As I said earlier, he really was the Alabama greek system's best friend!!

[Hartofsec]

Originally Posted by magnoliacurious

Well that certainly doesn't hurt, but I remember that Bama' was getting a big increase in out-of-state students during the mediocre Mike Shula years too (2003-06). In fact, this year's increase in sorority recruitment signups was just two more than the previous (I assume) record numerical increase in 2006 - I've read the Bama' Greek Affairs Sorority Recruitment statistics online from time-to-time. I think the main thing was that Dr. Robert Witt really did a good job as President of the University recruiting, including out-of-state students. As I said earlier, he really was the Alabama greek system's best friend!!

That's interesting -- I think the OOS trend has been occuring for some time -- I didn't check any stats but noticed on a 2007 thread that someone posted:

Actually, a higher percentage of out of state recieved bids than in-state women. It's less than 1/2 a percent difference but still. [...]

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