Auburn University (AU)

As one of the South's largest universities, Alabama's Auburn University provides its 25,000 more than 150 majors across 12 schools and colleges, what undergraduates declare to be an "excellent diversity in courses/majors." The R1 research university also offers numerous opportunities for student research, as well as "many internship/co-op opportunities advertised and available." The school is also a Carnegie-recognized Community Engaged Institution, and its focus on outreach and engagement has led to numerous partnerships with schools, businesses, and communities, including the AuburnServes Network and Campus Kitchens Project. The school's longstanding reputation is rooted in an institutional support system that "provides you plenty of resources and opportunities to get a top-notch education," and students find that "nurturing education, extracurricular involvement opportunities, and professional skill development."

Auburn's history, traditions, and "challenging, captivating, unique and yet still timeless" environment extends to the classroom, where "approachable" professors "bring material to life." The plethora of learning pathways available through the sheer number of courses (which include some "very challenging engineering programs") may be daunting, "but the work pays off." Professors are proud instructors (and often researchers) who students say "make it clear that they are here to teach [us]" and "go out of their way to help you learn if you ask them." For those classes requiring additional support, "graduate student assistants are helpful in assisting professors in understanding how to make material more exciting to learn." Whatever the course of study, students feel that those in charge are "always very intelligent on the subjects at hand," and one simply says "I have received a wonderful education."

T wo things are typical of the average Auburn student: they're the sort "who would say 'hello' walking along the concourse to class," and they're also filled with "so much school spirit" that some might consider them to be "highly obsessed with football." Many students hail from Alabama and are described as both "friendly" and loyal: "Alabama students love Alabama football; Auburn students love Auburn." This devotion lays a strong foundation in which even the meekest voice "can cause tangible change" knowing that "the Auburn Family has your back." The certainty of support makes Auburn a "welcoming place" where any student "would lend a hand in a time of need."

Student input is "very respected" at Auburn, so the "Old South small town feeling" of campus life has an easy flow. The facilities themselves, like the recreation center, are "amazing" and there's a "good food atmosphere in the community." There's also a nearby state park that provides a fun respite from university life (as do the nearby cities of Birmingham and Atlanta), and the city of Auburn "has a safe downtown area where students can go to bars" on weekends as well. Extracurricular activities abound with more than 300 student organizations, and Greek life is popular as well, though students say that "it's definitely possible to fit in without being a part of Greek life." Moreover, attendees have direct input in the abundant campus offerings, as the Student Government Association "is very strong at Auburn" and "student involvement is high." And so far as participation goes, everybody loves Aubie the Tiger-"Football Saturdays at Auburn are second to none"-which means that the university's legendary athletics "drive a ton of campus life and help unite the student body."

The University Career Center offers numerous resources to help students explore career paths, land internships, and secure placements. These services include mock interviews, workshops, job fairs, and career assessments, and the center even has a Campus Career Closet to loan professional attire to students. The school’s “size, location, and overall culture are all strengths,” and it prides itself on flipped classrooms, in which learning takes place outside of the classroom and student activities take place within. That means “lecture videos are watched as homework, and homework is done in class with support of teacher and peers.” The “access to external opportunities” such as study abroad, internships, co-ops, and extracurricular activities provide a foundational experience for students to flesh out their résumé, so “if you want good academics and good chances, Auburn is a great school.”