Serving the campus of the University of Alabama since 1894

The Crimson White


Serving the campus of the University of Alabama since 1894

The Crimson White

Serving the campus of the University of Alabama since 1894

The Crimson White

Bama ranked 34th best school for guys

Guyism.com, a website designed to bring daily news and entertainment to men, recently compiled a list of the 50 best schools for guys, with the University of Alabama coming in at number 34.

“The rankings were based off of five categories: Sports, Academics, Social Scene, Traditions, and Weather/Location. Each school was given points between zero to 50 in all of those categories and then slotted accordingly,” said Chris Spags, the founding editor of Guyism.

External researchers developed a formula based on various rankings compiled by sources such as Princeton Review, US News and World Report and even Playboy’s Party School rankings. Weather patterns were looked at, and researchers scoured many newspaper clippings and student discussions on websites such as College Prowler, Spags said.

The article describes Alabama as having a big social scene with a great greek community and an excellent football program, but lacking in the academic department.

According to the report, “Lackluster academics keep Alabama from being a strong recommendation, but you probably haven’t lived until you’ve attended a Crimson Tide game amongst over 90,000 screaming fans.”

Despite the claim that UA lacks a strong academic standing, many students are drawn to the school because of its collegiate programs.

“I am a transfer student from a small private school,” said Patrick Peake, a senior majoring in history and religious studies. “The programs for my major were ideal.”

Waylon Brusch, a freshman pre-medical student, chose to attend Alabama for the academics as well.

“The pre-med program had a lot to offer. The atmosphere is great and it feels like home. The football helps too,” he said.

While academics are a large factor for many young men, the Capstone has many other appealing qualities.

“Besides a spectacular greek system and outstanding academic options, the University provided me with a winning football team, superb tradition, and great parties,” said Griffith Waller, a senior majoring in Public Relations. “ Plus, I love the South, and this state ranks way above Mississippi.”

For some students, location is another reason to come to UA.

“I chose Alabama because of the location. I am from Florence, so it is far away, but I can still go home while getting the big college experience,” said Chris Lier, a freshman majoring in aerospace engineering.

While academics, location, football, parties and tradition are all reasons many students decide to attend the University, Templin Frame, a senior majoring in American studies, has heard otherwise.

Frame came down her senior year for a football game and fell in love with the campus, she said. She said she also heard many male students say they decided to attend the University because of the amount of pretty girls.

The report will be annual, Spags said, but this is the first one he has done. Spags said he felt as though there was a hole in the marketplace for rankings that actually account for the things students are actually interested in.

Spags said his researchers looked at factors that created the quintessential college experience, and he hopes the ranking can serve as a launch pad for young men beginning to look for a school that fits them.

“Next year we’re hoping to get things even more granular (which schools have a greek system but crack down heavily on parties, for example) and also account for changes in the schools each year,” he said.

As for other SEC schools, Louisiana State University ranked 41 in the report, the University of South Carolina ranked 28, the University of Georgia ranked 11, Vanderbilt ranked 10, and the University of Florida was named the best college for men to attend.

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