<p>My D has been accepted to Ole Miss and we just came back from a visit. The campus was beautiful & the folks were very nice (much nicer than in Boston!), but unfortunately it was spring break, so there were not any students to talk to. I was wondering if anyone thinks the culture change would be too great or what tips you might have for someone going to school there who is from far away. This is my third child to go away to school, but my other too went close by. Any and all info would be appreciated! Thank you...worried Dad</p>
<p>Ole Miss is actually experiencing tremendous growth in student population right now, and the majority of it is coming from out of state. In fact, the past two freshman classes have had more out-of-state students than in-state students. I am a sophomore here from Mississippi, but I have several friends who are from all over the US. As you described, the culture in the South and specifically Mississippi is very different, but different in a good way. People here are the nicest, most polite people you will find anywhere (we are even known as the “Hospitality State”). Because people are so welcoming and kind, it makes it very easy for students from all over the world to fit in well here. Let me know if you and your daughter have any specific questions about Ole Miss student life!</p>
<p>Thank you! I’ll pass this along to my daughter!</p>
<p>We are leaving Ohio Sunday for a Monday campus visit. I have checked out the Ole Miss admitted FB page and was pleasantly surprised by all of the out-of-state students.
@ christmasradio…any tips?</p>
<p>My only tip would be to talk to some students. When we visited it was Spring Break and it seemed like everyone had left campus. The folks at the school were very nice, but it would have been nice to talk to current students. Also, check downtown Oxford. Some really good places to eat! By the way, where did you find the Ole Miss admitted FB page?</p>
<p>Christmas radio/worried dad:</p>
<p>Don’t mean to be contrary, but I had a client who I believe taught at University of Mississippi, and hated the place.</p>
<p>Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s not a good place. It’s just one story.</p>
<p>But use that information for what it is worth.</p>
<p>I also saw a recent post on cc by an asian girl who visited University of South Carolina, and she said she hated it as well, and that kids on a school bus actually made anti-asian remarks and gestures as it rolled by. As if she were some sort of alien from outer space.</p>
<p>So there indeed might be culture shock.</p>
<p>I am from the north, and have lived in Atlanta and Houston and Tampa, and did not, in general, like the people or culture. </p>
<p>So I would explore this issue further. Perhaps one final visit, and not just for one day.</p>
<p>With 40 million colleges in the Boston area, I don’t see the need to go to Mississippi, unless she has some specific and important reason she wants to go there.</p>
<p>@christmasradio Once on FB type in “Ole Miss class of 2016”. Thanks for the info! Hopefully students will be back, rested and in force on Monday.</p>
<p>My son grew up in Chicago and is nearing the end of his second year at Ole Miss.</p>
<p>The first year was quite an adjustment, and he seriously considered transferring. Now he’s glad he didn’t. Living in the Residential College, he has formed a core group of friends (as most college kids do eventually), has met plenty of people from out-of-state, and now feels quite comfortable there.</p>
<p>I imagine the culture shock coming from Boston will be a little stronger than from Chicago, but still, wherever your daughter goes, she will have an adjustment period. If all of the other factors are positive, I say go for it at Ole Miss!</p>
<p>The previous post is exactly correct! You have to find your niche wherever you go to college. Ole Miss has students from all over the United States and the world. For instance, we have a student from Singapore in the Honors College who is having a wonderful experience. California, Arizona, South Dakota, Nevada, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New York, New Jersey are just a few of the states outside the South represented here at Ole Miss. So, I am certain that your student will have a positive experience. Getting involved on campus, participating in activities will help make a connection to the campus. The Residential Colleges, Honors College, Croft Institute, Lott Leadership Institute are also great ways for students to connect academically.</p>
<p>It’s true that everyone has a different experience, but come and see with your own eyes.</p>
<p>Your daughter should really come to Ole Miss! She’ll LOVE the Southern gentleman here and the sweet Southern ladies. Of course, it’ll be a HUGE culture shock, but tell your daughter to keep an open mind and an open heart. She’ll definitely be accepted into the university. </p>
<p>I’ll give some tips on how to adjust to the South:
- Be courteous.
Make sure your daughter knows her “Yes ma’ams” and “Yes sirs” before she comes here. - When somebody looks at you, smile!
- Never hold the door for men. I did once, and the man just stood there! It was awkward. Always wait for the man to come over and hope that he has the courtesy to hold the door for a young lady like your daughter.
- Don’t curse openly. I do all the time at home and with friends, but in public, it’s slightly frowned upon.
- Be happy and open to share stories about Boston.
- If somebody jabs at your daughter for being a Yankee, just say that the past is the past, and it’s time to move on. </p>
<p>I hope your daughter finds Ole Miss to be as awesome and Southern sweet as I have. Hotty toddy!</p>
<p>My daughters have had a wonderful experience at Ole Miss. I agree with many of the posts above, there is an adjustment period. So much of it has to do with the students attitude and expectations. </p>
<p>One specific item to add: Greek Life. As a freshman, so many students feel like you have to be greek (and in only certain houses) to have a future at Ole Miss. After watching my daughters and talking to countless parents here on cc about this topic, I think it is something that needs to be discussed openly. Especially for out-of-state students preparing to attend Ole Miss. It seems to be one of the top reasons OOS students have difficulty adjusting.</p>
<p>Please check out this article in today’s “Daily Mississippian” newspaper. It’s written by an Ole Miss freshman from South Dakota who is a part of a fraternity and the Honors College. Hope it helps for those students considering Ole Miss from outside the region. You won’r regret the decision! </p>
<p>[A</a> ?Yankee?s? Perspective: Why I love Ole Miss, Mississippi, and the South | The Daily Mississippian](<a href=“http://www.thedmonline.com/article/‘yankee’s’-perspective-why-i-love-ole-miss-mississippi-and-south]A”>http://www.thedmonline.com/article/‘yankee’s’-perspective-why-i-love-ole-miss-mississippi-and-south)</p>
<p>
That is nice. There is a lot of unpleasantness in the world today. Cussing in public places adds to the unpleasantness. I don’t understand why people swear.</p>
<p>As a fellow Bostonian, I fully understand that some of us can be snappy around here in the city 
and believe me, I love Beantown, but I’m pretty sure that after college I’ll settle for the less-neurotic, sunny atmosphere of LA where I want to live for a little while. </p>
<p>Anyhow, I digress. Ole Miss is definitely VERY friendly, as the Southerners are extremely famous for their kindness. I don’t see the problem in going there from around here – We all need a change of pace once in a while, and there is no “culture shock” – Rather, you just adapt to the mellow way of life in the Southern academia. Most definitely, more OOS are coming in, and it’s becoming increasingly popular. Your daughter won’t have a problem – If she likes it, then she’ll have wonderful opportunities in a new, adaptable environment where she can get a great education. I have a Indian friend from NJ at Ole Miss, and he LOVES it – He doesn’t see no culture shock – Just fantastic opportunities for his biology interests ;). </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I am a Florida Mom from Boston. My son is hell bent on going to Ole Miss. I understand totally what most here are thinking. I was determined to get him to go to UNH with a out of state partial scholarship but, he wants Ole Miss. People there are very nice, campus is very safe. The school has a very high return rate with happy students. I am a bit worried him being from a “Yankee” family and all but, the other day someone saw the license plate of “Ole Miss” on my car from New Jersey. She said her niece goes there and really loves it! She never wants to come home. I think at this point we need to keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best. It is what they make of it. I have not had a bad experience there on my two visits.
I hope this helps.</p>