Ole Miss

Parents Forum
181

<p>ABR, I appreciate that you are very clear that your post is simply your perception of Ole Miss, but I have browsed through this thread and have found that most negative (even scathing) commentary has been provided by users who have not attended, nor visited the University. </p>

<p>From what I can tell, the classic stereotype of “upper class, VERY conservative, and like to party, and for the most part, not too bright” Ole Miss students may have been applicable during our parent’s generation, and even as early as fifteen, twenty years ago. But from discussions with professors and faculty, as well as my own impressions on campus, Ole Miss has experienced a sort of renaissance in the past two decades. Old stereotypes simply aren’t completely accurate anymore.</p>

<p>The introduction of a top-ranked Honors College, the Croft Institute for International Studies, and other impressive programs in the past decade has attracted competitive students from in and out of state. The Accountancy and Pharmacy programs are getting national recognition. And the University “has produced 25 Rhodes Scholars and has also produced one Fulbright, one Marshall, six Truman, and seven Goldwater Scholars since 1998”. </p>

<p>Though many students are upper class, I’d venture to guess that vast majority are middle. Especially in more challenging academic programs, the conservative presence is easily evened out by the large liberal student body that many outside viewers easily overlook. I will acknowledge that the party scene on campus is prominent, but it is comparable to any other large, state university. Oxford is a large enough town to find something else to do. Yes, people dress up for football games, but I find it a unique experience even though other users have characterized it as… oppressive? Old fashioned?</p>

<p>To clarify, I am a white female undergraduate student from the Midwest. I was raised in a middle class family and consider myself politically liberal. My parents did not attend Ole Miss, and I did not consider attending until my senior year of high school after months of research and a visit. And, surprisesurprise, I love my University.</p>

<p>I apologize for my rather lengthy post, but I wished to offer my own two cents as a student. I challenge all users tempted to disparage Ole Miss to resist falling victim of this “outside looking in” syndrome before they truly experience what the University of Mississippi is to so many (often unsung) students.</p>

182

<p>Hey Curmudgeon…sounds like YOU talked to baimao (post #181) about the SBHC at Ole Miss! So very refreshing to hear from a current student.</p>

183

<p>My son was just accepted to Ole Miss and the only real concern we have is whether being from Connecticut will affect the way he is treated by ‘in-state’ students. Do we have anything to worry about or prepare for? (His grandfather is from Louisiana so we are aware there are some differences)</p>

184

<p>Depends on whether he can learn how to be Southern! :slight_smile: Seriously, it’s all about embracing the different culture and not constantly talking about missing the northeast.</p>

185

<p>lacrosse, we are from CT, my son spent a month at Ole Miss over the summer in their summer program for rising seniors. He had a great time, there was a good mix of in-state, out of state and internationals. I would imagine the mix is a little different during the school year. As long as your son isn’t an arrogant nutmegger (we have a lot of them) and wants to be there, he should do fine. They did a nice job of matching up my S with a roommate from MS who he had a ton in common with. They have you fill out quite a lengthy questionnaire. If you haven’t visited campus, Ole Miss is beautiful.
I am curious about your screen name - do they have Lacrosse, I have no idea?
I’m not sure if my s is going to apply but the issues are more around the size and high stats needed to stay in the Honors college and the smallness of Oxford. I don’t know if he would have thought that though if he hadn’t been to Alabama first and Tuscaloosa.</p>

<p>I am a UCONN grad and if the choice was between UCONN and Ole Miss, OM would win every time.</p>

186

<p>I wish my younger son would consider Ole Miss…but I just seem to get it on his radar!!!</p>

187

<p>We are from OOS and Ds have a year under their belts at Ole Miss. Approximately 1/3 of the student body is from OOS or international. However, the diversity doesn’t end there. The economic and religious pedulum swings widely. They have developed a diverse network of friends from all over Mississippi, the US and the globe. Of course you will have the “tight high school groups”…you have that everywhere. But that hasn’t seems to deter them in the least. My personal opinion…if your son WANTS to go, he will have a wonderful experience. Every region in the country has some type of cultural difference. I think my daughters find the variety of people at Ole Miss stimulating.</p>

188

<p>My son is a freshman at Ole Miss. He grew up in Chicago and never thought he’d be happy at a Southern school. After attending this summer and now about a month into his first full semester, he has friends, is finding plenty to do even though he’s not into sports, and finds his classes in the Honors College interesting and just challenging enough but not too hard. The cultural differences are easy to overcome for a thoughtful kid who understands that not everyone acts or thinks the same way. A closed-minded kid is going to have adjustment problems anywhere outside their native region, not just in the South.</p>

189

<p>^^ I’m glad your son is having a good experience. It isn’t just “closed-minded kids”…adults as well. The company for which I work relocated from the Pacific Northwest to the wonderful southeastern city where I live about 5 years ago. A few of the spouses never even unpacked and bailed (some with, some without the employee-spouse!) and others STILL fuss about all the things they miss about the Pacific Northwest. When I relocated from Dallas, I could not BELIEVE how awesome the city was. The complaining (“all the food is fried”, “there’s no downtown retail”, “everyone is fat”, “everyone is a conservative right wing idiot”, “they can’t drive right”) gets old…</p>

190

<p>It’s always amusing to speak with first-time visitors to the South. I recently had the pleasure of talking to some Penn State fans and some San Jose (Calif) fans who came to Bama for football. </p>

<p>Most had never been to the South before and they couldn’t believe how friendly and helpful southerners are to strangers and how nice everything was. I’m sure that many went home without the stereotypical beliefs that they arrived with.</p>

<p>I’m sure that those who visit Ole Miss would find the same.</p>

191

<p>Article in the NY Times today about how they’ve decided to change their mascot from “Colonel Reb” to something else.</p>

192

<p>I was a little disappointed that the article didn’t explain that Admiral Ackbar from Star Wars was leader of the “rebel” alliance. It wasn’t just a random choice from pop culture.</p>

193

<p>I’d love to have Admiral Ackbar because he’d be one of the quirkiest mascots in college football, but I have to admit that he doesn’t quite fit the character of Ole Miss. (I’m not sure which school’s character he would fit, come to think about it.) George Lucas would never allow it, anyway, the greedy ■■■■■■■.</p>

194

<p>We are from Chicago suburbs,My son likes Ole Miss and wants to attend. He would like to be a pre med student and hopefully go to the University of Mississippi Med school in Jackson. I am sure that he can get good grades while he is there but My main concern would be his MCAT score. any input on this? </p>

<p>Also traveling from Chicago to Ole Miss seems a little difficult, how would a student get to oxford from Memphis? </p>

<p>Any students out therewith any advice on these questions?</p>

195

<p>

</p>

<p>The easiest way is to follow I-55 past Memphis down to Batesville, then take Highway 6 east to Oxford. Total time from Memphis to Oxford by that path is about 80 minutes, and it takes you through some pleasant-looking country.</p>

<p>EDIT: Oops, I gave you the directions from Memphis to Oxford, but that’s okay. Just follow my directions, only backward. :)</p>

1 Like
196

<p>OP, you may want to look at the book-<br>
Higher education? : how colleges are wasting our money and failing our kids–and what we can do about it by Hacker, Andrew</p>

<p>It provides a very strong recommendation for the honors college at Ole Miss (last chapter I believe) echoing post # 181. I just checked it out from the library but a very thought provoking book!</p>

1 Like
197

<p>Jumping in here since the Ole Miss forum doesn’t have much going on. D2 will be starting to look at schools soon. Ole Miss is on our radars due to the Honors College, Residential College and what we hear about their writing programs/tradition. I have another D at an SEC school, so we’re comfortable with a lot of the points already debated on the thread.</p>

<p>The reality is that D will be well in the top 25 % at Ole Miss; I’m liking what I hear about the honors college but what is the reality in the classroom for those kids? Especially those in the humanities focused area. </p>

<p>Also, what about scholarships for OOS students? I’ve looked through their website & it seems as if the “full nonresident award” is for $8454/year, while the NMF award is $9236/year including $3800 towards housing plus $1000 stipend. Since tuition is $5436/year plus an additional $8454 for OOS students, it’s looking as if Ole Miss has less generous merit aid for OOS than some other SEC schools. But maybe their website just doesn’t present the entire picture. </p>

<p>We’ll be making a visit in the Spring. The idea that it is smaller than other SEC schools is appealing to D along with the “charm” of Oxford.</p>

198

<p>The scholarship page on the Ole Miss website is quite confusing. The bottom line for NMF scholarships is that they add up to about $1500 less than tuition, fees, and standard room and board. The Residential College adds another $3000 to that, for a total out-of-pocket cost for NMFs of about $4500 per year plus the cost of books.</p>

<p>I believe the extra cost for the Residential College is well worth it because the buildings are brand-new, the rooms are better-furnished (including refrigerators and private bathrooms), and there are amenities such as a gourmet kitchen and exercise room. Also, the dining hall has better food than other dining halls on campus, is open 24 hours a day for sandwiches and snacks, and residents get unlimited meals.</p>

<p>There are two kinds of honors classes. General-ed honors classes (that is, intro-level classes) are usually dedicated honors classes for which only Honors College students are allowed to register. Upper-level classes, on the other hand, often consist of the regular sessions that all students attend, plus an “honors section” that meets an additional one or two times per week and includes only the Honors College students. My son has taken both kinds and liked the latter better, but I’m sure it’s very much a matter of personal preference.</p>

<p>Something to keep in mind about the Honors College: Some majors are quite challenging already, and the Honors College will add to that difficulty. My son is majoring in Chinese and chemistry and is seriously considering leaving the Honors College because he often feels overworked. On the other hand, a young lady graduated last year with a triple major in chemistry, chemical engineering, and Chinese, plus Honors, and did quite well. It’s a matter of motivation, I suppose.</p>

<p>The Honors College offers more than just accelerated classes. Its students volunteer in the community, has access to travel funds, attend exciting guest lectures (Colin Powell comes to mind), and have 24-hour access to computer labs and private study rooms. It really is all it’s cracked up to be, in my opinion.</p>

199

<p>Thanks Mantori! From the general vibe of what I’ve heard on CC about Ole Miss scholarships, I thought the website may not have had the full story so I appreciate that very much. D is only a sophomore so obviously we don’t know her NM status as she hasn’t taken the one that “counts” yet, but it’s good to know. </p>

<p>I understand what you’re saying about the honors college and it being a tipping point if you’re already in a demanding major. And if I recall, they have one of the more stringent gpa requirements to keep the scholarship (3.5 minimum I believe.) </p>

<p>I’m keeping you and seekingknowledge in the back of my mind for when I have more questions :)</p>

200

<p>Sure thing! PM me anytime.</p>