Billy Fisher: Peachtree City, Georgia
I have worked as an Undergraduate Admissions Advisor at Auburn since 2016. However, I’m originally from Peachtree City, GA and first fell in love with Auburn when I came on a campus tour back in 2010. The next thing I knew I was here as a freshman in the Fall of 2011 majoring in Supply Chain Management, and four short years later I was sad about the idea of leaving Auburn upon graduation in 2015. I’m so grateful that I get to work for the university I love so much and live in the town I love so much. My wife and I started dating in college, and our hobbies and activities surround everything Auburn – going to ALL sporting events, enjoying great food and just a great college town. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, golfing, working out and watching all sports. I am a very passionate Braves fan, and am so glad I got to experience a World Series last fall!
My Top 3 Pieces of Advice for an Out-of-State Student
- Be Extremely Intentional About Getting Involved Right off the Bat
Auburn will provide you with every opportunity to get plugged in as soon as you step foot on campus. We have over 550 different clubs and organizations, and one of the best ways to get plugged in is to start before you get on campus. Check out our AU Involve campus organization database and find out a little more about what may be a good fit for you so that you can jump right in! If you don’t do that before coming to campus, no worries – Auburn will provide every opportunity right off the bat. This may be through Welcome Week actives during your first week at Auburn, sporting events, on campus housing events and so much more. There’s no need to overload yourself, but just be intentional. There’s a spot for everyone at Auburn. In addition to getting plugged in, it’s a great way to get a lot of delicious and FREE food!!
2. Consider Greek Life if You’re Interested, but Don’t Feel Like It’s the “End-All-Be-All”
I often hear so many prospective out-of-state students expressing concern about feeling like they have to get involved in Greek Life at Auburn in order to fit in. Greek Life is great if it’s something you’re interested in, but one of my favorite things about Auburn is that there is absolutely no separation between Greek and non-Greek students, and there is every opportunity to get involved regardless of if a student joins a Greek organization or not. Bottom line – it’s great if you want to do it – but not a must at all. Follow what you want to do and not what you think you should do.
3. Have a Blast, but Remember That Grades Matter
The price of out-of-state tuition is real, and I know so many out-of-state students choose to attend Auburn because of merit scholarships that lessen the cost. Just remember that students must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA at the end of each year in order to maintain that scholarship. So – have a blast, make friends, get involved, but just make sure that the classroom is the priority it needs to be.
Mary Davis Kennedy: Chattanooga, Tennessee
War Eagle! My name is Mary Davis Kennedy, and I graduated from Auburn in 2016 with a communication degree and again in 2021 with my master’s degree in education. I’m originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, but both of my parents are from Alabama and both graduated from Auburn. I grew up attending football games and visiting family in the area, so my Auburn roots run deep, and I always knew I wanted to continue my family’s legacy at Auburn.
I only knew a handful of students when I moved to Auburn, so I was incredibly overwhelmed and very homesick. Not because I didn’t love Auburn (because I did and still do!), but because college is a huge transition. Because of this, I utilized the free counselling sessions offered through our Student Counseling and Psychological Services Office at the Auburn University Medical Clinic. They offer individual and group counseling options, along with other services. More information can be found on their website. So, my advice to any student who experiences any kind of struggle (big or small), utilize the resources available to you so you can be the healthiest version of yourself!
On a lighter note, my next piece of advice is to get involved (but not too much). Getting involved is a great way to get connected, network, and meet new friends, especially as an out-of-state student. I was involved in Greek Life and really enjoyed my time serving my social sorority. If anyone is thinking about getting involved with the Greek system, I encourage you to do it. But, if you don’t want anything to do with it, that’s okay too! Only about 30% of Auburn students are involved in the Greek system. Auburn offers over 500 involvement opportunities including SGA, club and intramural sports, and religious groups, so there’s plenty of options to pick from. To learn more about Auburn’s involvement opportunities, visit our AU Involve website.
My last piece of advice is to live on campus because, similar to what I said about getting involved, it’s an easy way to meet new people and to have an instant community on campus. At Auburn, freshmen are not required to live on campus, but again, it’s something I always highly recommend. You also don’t need to have a car because everything you need is either on campus or within walking distance! Soon there will be a Publix in downtown Auburn, which will be perfect for our on-campus students. You’ll be able to walk to the grocery store! Plus, there’s always someone around to go grab a bite to eat with or to go to the library to study with. To learn more about living on campus at Auburn, visit our housing website.
Heather Rodgers: Fort Worth, Texas
War Eagle from Texas! I started as a Regional Admissions Advisor in November of 2018 but graduated from Auburn back in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. My first visit to Auburn was the summer before my senior year of high school in 2004, and I knew instantly that it was the right place for me. I had not even heard of Auburn until right before I visited campus, so I learned everything I could about it during senior year before moving across the country to a new state. Auburn became my home away from home, and a few things helped make that happen.
Go potluck!
You may already know someone you want to room with, and that’s okay. But if you don’t (or even if you do), consider going potluck. The other person chose to room with someone they don’t know yet too, and there is a chance you will become best friends.
Make at least one friend in every class.
It may not happen on the first day, but all you have to do is smile and say hello to one person. Having a friendly face in class helped me get through the tough courses and made it easier to ask for a study partner when exams rolled around.
Say “Yes!”
Dinner at Taco Mama with your roommate and their friend? “Yes!”
Auburn gymnastics meet with a new friend in your residence hall? “Yes!”
Coffee with the person you just met in class? “Yes!”
If you say no and just go back to your room, you are missing out on fun opportunities to meet people and to experience Auburn. Auburn has so much to offer, and you will miss it if you don’t say yes!
Bonus Advice…
Communicate with your friends and family back home! Send a letter, email, text, voice message…whatever it is that helps you remain connected to the ones you love who aren’t in Auburn with you. There are so many ways to stay in touch now, and it will keep you from feeling far away on those days you wish you could hug your people back home.