The University of Alabama ranks first among U.S. public universities in National Merit Scholars enrollment and fourth among all universities, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corp.’s recently released annual report.
The University’s recruitment of 241 scholars in the 2012 freshman class falls short only to the University of Chicago, Harvard University and the University of Southern California, but the news of Alabama’s achievements comes just a week after University officials confirmed cuts to future National Merit Scholarship packages.
The University will only pay for one year of on-campus housing for future Scholars, a break from the four-year housing scholarships previously given.
Though incoming Scholars will still receive four years of tuition, a four-year stipend of $1,000 per year, a one-time $2,000 travel abroad or summer research stipend and an iPad, some current UA National Merit Scholars are afraid the reduction in housing scholarship could affect future recruitment.
Some Scholars, particularly those from out-of-state, say they were initially attracted to the University by the generous scholarship package.
“The scholarship package is not the only reason that I came to UA, but it is definitely the only reason I visited campus,” Natalie Goodwin, a junior from Fort Worth, Texas, said. “Being out-of-state, I never would have considered UA without visiting campus, and I only visited campus because of the amount of recruiting materials I received and the scholarship package. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much when I visited but figured I had to at least see the campus if they were offering me a full tuition and housing scholarship.”
Goodwin said her visit to the University ultimately swayed her decision because she felt she could have a great college experience in Tuscaloosa, but she never would have visited without the draw of the full scholarship package.
A.J. Collins, a senior from Warrington, Va., majoring in political science and economics, said the University cultivating a reputation from attracting high caliber students is a plus to National Merit Scholar recruitment, and the scholarship helped to put the University on his radar when searching for a school.
“I chose Alabama because of the scholarship offered to me, as well as the Honors College and residence halls. The atmosphere felt like home,” Collins said. “The NMS package certainly provides an awesome incentive, alongside our other great facilities and programs, to select Alabama when we are compared to other peer institutions. The concept of an iPad – laptop when I was recruited to UA – and potential for study abroad and/or research funding shows the great lengths to which UA not only goes to entice students, but also to ensure their success once here. I am dismayed that the housing scholarship has been discontinued though.”
With Alabama’s scholarship changes, Auburn University is set to seriously rival the University in National Merit Scholars recruitment.
According to Auburn’s Undergraduate Scholarships website, Auburn University students receive four-year tuition for Alabama residents or $60,000 over four years for non-residents, a $1,000 technology stipend, a $2,500 enrichment stipend, on-campus housing for four years and between $4,000 to $8,000 annually depending upon eligibility determined by National Merit Scholarship Corporation and the FAFSA.
Goodwin believes the steady recruitment of National Merit Scholars or other high-achieving students is integral to helping the University develop and grow.
“Whether National Merit or other academically strong students, students who seek academic rigor cause the University create more programs and challenging courses to meet these needs,” Goodwin said.
Daniel Burton, a sophomore from Alaska majoring in mechanical engineering, also said the scholarship was the sole reason the University made his list of potential schools. Though he said other aspects of the University ultimately helped make his decision, he thinks the reduction in benefits will definitely cut into the University’s out-of-state recruitment.
“The real question is whether this decision has a negative or positive effect on the University,” Burton said. “Is the University trying to become a top-tier institution – resulting in exclusivity – or just provide quality education and opportunity to the people of Alabama?”
Leading in today’s Crimson White:
[Opinion] Cuts to student aid are far more damaging than alternatives
[Letter to the Editor] Cutting scholarship funds for National Merit Scholar housing a mistake for UA
