<p>Hi!</p>
<p>I was considering looking into 'Ole Miss University ( aka University of Mississippi) and I was just wondering if their academics are good and if an OOS student (I'm from Minnesoooota!/and the east coast) would feel out of place going to school in the deep south and if they are welcomed...</p>
<p>responses would be highly appreciated...Thanks! :)</p>
<p>There are a few great threads about Ole Miss that were started last year. Here’s one of the lengthier ones but you can search on Ole Miss and the others will show up. There is also a forum for this school. </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/808445-ole-miss.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/808445-ole-miss.html</a></p>
<p>@momofthreeboys: Thank you for the link! but I posted this thread because I felt like my questions werent fully answered in that thread…some of the posters spoke about how their kids/ppl they knew that went there loved it and how they have awesome football games…i didn’t get too much out of that :/</p>
<p>My daughter’s friend goes there from Massachusetts and loves it.</p>
<p>My son is an OOS freshman at Ole Miss. Feel free to PM me with any specific questions or just ask them here. He grew up in Chicago, and his roommate is from Wisconsin. (But please don’t call it Ole Miss University! It’s just Ole Miss. You might get funny looks as if to say, “You must be from Minnesota.” 
)</p>
<p>Lots of Texans are there.</p>
<p>Niece and nephew from GA graduated from Ole Miss in '07 & '09. Niece started as an unpaid intern in DC but has worked her way up to a very nice governmental agency position with upward potential. Her high school friend and fellow Ole Miss grad also has a very good DC job. My nephew has had several jobs since graduation, none with which he’s been particularly pleased. I don’t think his current job has much room for growth. Both N & N are very outgoing and polished, but never realized their potential academically. Niece seems to have put the pieces together better, but both believe Ole Miss gave them a good education and network options.</p>
<p>@mantori suzuki: i pm’ed you
@getalifemom: so would you say that their academics are good enough that it will suffice for me to transfer after 1-2 years to a better, higher ranked school?</p>
<p>Fo some reason going to school in the deep south sounds almost crazy to me! When I think of the south hicks and rednecks come to my mind (haha) but of course it’s the 21st century and that would be reinforcing stereotypes. However, I am not familiar with Mississippi at all so that kind of scares me :/</p>
<p>The first thing to do is to read a bit about the State of Mississippi, historically. A bit of research will provide to you a base from which to start in your consideration of whether or not U of M will appeal to you.</p>
<p>That being said, don’t try to cram 200 years of history into your investigation. LOL. Just know that Ole Miss is steeped in southern tradition. Much of it admirable. On the other hand, the difficult and sad days of racial segregation are obviously past. I’ll take a guess that you may be one of those Somali Minnesotans. If so, I would opine that Ole Miss could be quite an interesting and rewarding educational experience for you and I am confident that you would be welcomed in Oxford because of the uniqueness that you may bring to the university.</p>
<p>Academically, I would estimate that Ole Miss is sort of middle of the road. Not as many assets as UFlorida, UGeorgia or UAlabama-Tuscaloosa. However, like any college Ole Miss undoubtedly has departments that are stronger than others. The English and Literature program has a fine reputation. Investigate the offerings of the Department that interests you.</p>
<p>In summary, culture and society are appreciated in the perspective of the individual. Sort of a “beauty in the eyes of the beholder” thing. Good luck.</p>
<p>I am a Southern girl (lots of relatives who went to Ole Miss) who married a Minnesotan. I will be honest. There is a difference in cultures. I would suggest having an open and inquisitive mind. Don’t assume that just because people speak with a southern accent, that they are “rednecks” or less intelligent. The south, esp Ole Miss, honors traditions and history. Ask questions, participate in the traditions (like football games) and make friends of all types and you will have a great experience.</p>
<p>What is attracting you to Ole’ Miss in the first place?</p>
<p>I don’t know why you would pick a college with the goal going in of transferring in two years. That bothers me.</p>
<p>Regarding diversity, Ole Miss has a higher concentration of African-Americans than the U.S. at large but lower than the state of Mississippi.</p>
<p>Ole Miss: 15%
U.S.: 12%
Mississippi: 37%</p>
<p>Ole Miss is probably not the first school you would look at in the South for Academics. I think there is a reason Ole Miss is not mentioned by the CC overachievers often. Last year, almost half of the graduating class in my school (in Georgia) went to Ole Miss and it seems like they hang out exclusively with each other. Of course, this is all anecdotal evidence, but there is a good chance most out of state students come from only a few schools.</p>
<p>I definitely agree that you need to do research on the state of Mississippi. The state is notorious for being pretty out there on some of their views. I saw a very recent documentary about how some schools in Mississippi still have segregated proms, and of course the movie Ghosts of Mississippi tells you a lot about the states beliefs. Obviously not everyone is like that, but it’s something to consider.</p>
<p>Southerners get a pretty harsh rap for their culture, but there are plenty of negatives in EVERY culture. What I gathered from my S’s college search two years ago is that a person’s culture is supposed to be appreciated for its positive values, as are individuals. Educated persons in this global society should be prepared to interact with others unlike themselves and who hold differing opinions. </p>
<p>I have lived in the South most of my life although I was born in Michigan. There are undesirable traits associated with this region, but I would NEVER point them out or fail to associate with my relatives - it would be completely rude and heartless.</p>
<p>The treatment and vocalized views of Southerners is often beyond rude and heartless. Collectively, we absolutely talk slower, but we DO NOT think slower! Our history is richly steeped in examples of overcoming obstacles, many placed before us by those who are quickest to condemn. We often hold tight to traditions that are misunderstood, we are learning to let go of many that are offensive, and we are quick to show respect for those who earn it. I can think of other celebrated similar cultures.</p>
<p>God forbid, I sent my S to school in New Hampshire! I won’t begin to list all the different and sometimes offensive attitudes he and we have encountered. One, though, is the lack of warmth, both physical and emotional. Should he have avoided such a place? Should I have taught him to FEAR that with which we are unfamiliar? Should he shut out the many wonderful people of that area because of this challenging but navigable difference in demeanor and weather? My D is planning to medically serve those most in need in developing nations. I could give numerous examples of native and transplanted Southerners embracing those with differences, reaching out in warmth and caring, keeping a stiff upper lip when offended for that which they cannot control, and contributing to making this world a better place. So, if you believe that Southerners are a close-minded and dangerous lot, you sure wouldn’t want to be associated with our establishments of higher learning. On the other hand, you might want to come here, thaw out on many levels, learn, slow your dialect :), and have some fun. </p>
<p>Call yourselves educated, worldly, open-minded, and compassionate only after you embrace and determine to learn from all cultures!!!</p>
<p>By the way, I very much doubt that you would find the stereotypical “rednecks” and “hicks” at the University of Mississippi. While there are folks there whom may hold conservative views regarding race relations, that it doesn’t automatically follow that they are not intellectuals. Ole Miss has had a reputation of being a place for the children of Mississippi elite families and other southern aristocrats. You might learn some surprising things about the state. For example, I think the surrounding county of Tunica, MS has as many millionaires per capita as Manhattan. And the waterfront property on the Gulf of Mexico isn’t cheap. And Beloxi, MS is as cultural as any place in the U.S. The old homes on River Road are stunning, I’m told.</p>
<p>Now remember, you’ll be in college to get an education, not to be on tour. Nevertheless, my point is that you must discard the stereotypes and discover the facts.</p>
<p>ole miss is located in oxford, ms… a very safe and beautiful town… like all the deep southern states, it is extremely hospitable… the girls are always drop dead gorgeous… Sororities and fraternities are huge… the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College is very good… a 28 on the act is required along with good gpa, honors, AP’s, service work, etc…
Ole Miss has been ranked in the top 10 of the most partying universities in the country… the school is arguably the most social college in the country… people in Mississippi literally plan weddings around Ole Miss and Mississippi state football games…the first thing that a bride checks out is the football schedule if planning a Fall wedding…i am dead serious… ole miss also produces many lawyers and doctors…ole miss med school is in Jackson,ms, maybe 145 miles from Oxford. …approximately 13,000 students are in oxford…there is a large percentage of very serious students who get a very good education… the first ever heart transplant was done at the University of MS Medical Center in 1964…ole miss is a conservative school in a conservative area… ole miss is very tolerant of liberals who are tolerant of conservatives…the slow southern drawl is deceiving to those who equate this to slow thinking…my experience has been that the northern women absolutely love it… 60% of the students are from Mississippi…it rarely snows in the winter and is hot and humid in the summer…sweet tea, mint julips and lemonade are common place… the school has a large Student Christian Fellowship that meets in the Chapel one night a week as well as regular church services on Sunday…a very large number of people go to church on Sunday somewhere in the town of Oxford as well as the rest of the state of ms…the speed limit on campus is 18 mph in honor of Archie Manning (#18 jersey)…yes mam and yes sir are used often to show respect to elders and has nothing to do with race… someone is thought to be rude in some circumstances when yes mam and yes sir are not used… fraternities and sororities are big on etiquette and manners … the dress is preppy…there is plenty of make up sold in Oxford … in down town there is a “square” with the court house in the middle, just like the movies… john Grisham and William Faulkner lived in Oxford… the small town is laid back, artsy and many aspiring writers reside in the corner coffee shops… Oxford is a proud town and Ole Miss is a proud school…traditions are entrenched although some traditions have been dropped that seem offensive to others…for the most part, the citizens of oxford and the students of Ole Miss are very generous, hospitable and tolerant of people from every where…however, the southern students are quite intolerant of northerners who think they have the world figured out and presume to know what is best for the southern culture… you would be wise to stay home if that is your attitude…you will simply be an outcast and ignored, politely of course</p>
<p>Smile - perfect!</p>
<p>smile12157 - As someone who was born in Mississippi, you made my day! Thanks! :)</p>
<p>Smile - couldn’t have said it better myself. Re: the yes mam and yes sir thing - when I left the south in the 80’s to go up north to college, I had a professor who became angry and thought I was mocking her when I said “yes mam.” I called my mama in tears (and I was also shocked when the salespeople at Marshall Field ignored me)!</p>