<p>“For the first 70 years of her life - my mother hated football…now she’s a die-hard Saints and LSU fan! It’s quite frightening…”</p>
<p>Love it! Who Dat?! I’m not a die hard Saints fan, but I have enjoyed watching them play this year. I just think it’s time something good happens for nola.</p>
<p>From what I know about the current student ticket policies at some of the SEC schools, the fraternities and sororities, along with any other official school organization, can order blocks of tickets so that members of the organization can sit together. It doesn’t mean you have to; you can also use the same ticket to sit anywhere in the student section you choose.</p>
<p>I live in Memphis because I moved here to attend a private uni on a scholarship. </p>
<p>Memphis is pretty close to Mississippi and all, you know? </p>
<p>A big thing going on right now in the local media in Memphis is this unfortunate situation with the “South Will Rise Again” chant at the football games over at 'Ole Miss. </p>
<p>I am going to be very blunt to the OP…</p>
<p>I would seriously consider some of the other schools which offer that neat Chinese Language Program if I were you. I really would. </p>
<p>Please think of the current political climate over in 'Ole Miss country, before you send your child there. Please.</p>
<p>Hanna,
Your post # 134 really caught my eye,</p>
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</p>
<p>I wouldn’t limit that to the SEC. It has been my experience that most colleges with active football scenes love having the big crowds. It’s a party. For sure, the game being played is the entertainment, but for much of the crowd, it’s a social experience and everybody is welcomed in. Sure, many care a lot who wins and loses and will closely follow every intricacy of the contest. But for just as many others, the fun is in the stands or on the field with the band or wherever the tailgates are taking place or wherever the after-party is going to happen. It’s a day(s)-long spectacle. And the more folks who want to join in, the merrier. </p>
<p>Maybe it is different in the SEC as many followers of elite colleges just don’t seem to get it. They think it’s the same as going to a pro game. Uhhh…no. Maybe it’s different strokes for different folks but IMO anyone comparing the scene at The Grove at Ole Miss to what goes on at Giants Stadium or some other pro stadium just doesn’t get college football. It’s a very different crowd with a palpably different feel and a tangibly different experience. </p>
<p>And if this great college football scene and atmosphere interests you as something you might find fun as part of your undergraduate (and alumni) years, please be aware that it is not available at all schools. But it is at Ole Miss.</p>
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<p>I don’t think that’s how it works at Bama. </p>
<p>From I’ve seen, the students aren’t assigned seats. They are just given a “student seat” and the best seats are “first come, first serve” in the student section. The gates open hours before the game starts, kids line up to get the best seats. Unlike the rest of us, their tickets don’t specify a seat number. Since I’ve seen Greeks lining up early like everyone else, I would think that that would mean that they don’t expect to have a “reserved” spot.</p>
<p>This actually makes sense because from “week to week” kids don’t always know exactly who they will going with to any particular game. Therefore, they wouldn’t want an “assigned” seat that might sit them away from their friend(s).</p>
<p>'anyone comparing the scene at The Grove at Ole Miss to what goes on at Giants Stadium"</p>
<p>I don’t know that the Grove at Ole Miss can be compared to anything else, period. Maybe the Kentucky Derby.</p>
<p>There was some controversy over the block seating policies this year at UGA, too:</p>
<p>[Student</a> groups unaware of block seating option - News](<a href=“http://media.www.redandblack.com/media/storage/paper871/news/2009/09/16/News/Student.Groups.Unaware.Of.Block.Seating.Option-3772513.shtml]Student”>http://media.www.redandblack.com/media/storage/paper871/news/2009/09/16/News/Student.Groups.Unaware.Of.Block.Seating.Option-3772513.shtml)</p>
<p>Hola, Mildred. Sorry to hear about the hub-bub at Ole Miss. Sorry its upsetting to you. I really enjoyed my 2 visits there and I know my daughter (also a scholarship kid at Rhodes BTW) did , too.</p>
<p>Just some somewhat random thoughts that I was going to send in a P.M. but I was afraid you might consider me a stalker :</p>
<p>Racism is alive . In cities and towns. In the North and in the South. But it is not “well”. Your generation will be the bell-cow on the road to change. Not mine. Society will follow y’all. Not us. My gen is fast becoming irrelevant in matters of race, sexual preference, religion. And that’s not a bad thing. For whatever reason, we (as a generation) are far more hide-bound. Old ways of thinking die hard. Even for those of us who consider ourselves “socially liberal”.</p>
<p>My generation is prone to write news stories like this “A black man is wanted for questioning in the burglary of a …”. Your generation is more likely just to say “A man is …”. It extends to physical differences/disabilities, too. I still marvel at the fact that my D was , on several occasions, complimentary about her host at a Rhodes visit. When I finally met the host , she was in a motorized wheelchair. I’m not at all proud to say it, but that would have been mentioned somewhere in my first conversation. I would have felt it was significant enough for at least an “Oh, BTW”. My kid? Apparently not on her radar. The same thing has happened with race, religion, etc… It makes me feel …like what I am. A less evolved being. As I understand it, that’s how this human thing works.</p>
<p>But, and here’s my point, I don’t know if an indictment of a entire university that is trying to make progress against its intransigent elements is the way to reward their very public effort.</p>
<p>Do many uni’s (and LAC’s , too) have strides to make? I’d say , most all of them do. Is the climate at all schools a comfortable one for everybody? Not by a long shot. But don’t give up on the south. We are counting on your bunch. Hey, y’all will find your own things to screw up when we are gone.</p>
<p>OP, Check it out, most certainly visit as it looks like a humdinger of an opp, and don’t let pre-conceived notions (and certainly not the pre-conceived notions of others) make the decision for you.</p>
<p>I’m so glad this has turned into a thoughtful discussion with opinions and viewpoints on all sides! It’s more than I hoped for, considering that I could find practically no information about Ole Miss on CC prior to starting this thread. It actually makes me more likely to suggest a campus visit to my son—who submitted his application three days ago, by the way—just to see how the pictures painted here compare to the reality there.</p>
<p>One way or another, it won’t be his first choice, but if it does end up being a viable backup, we’ve got a lot to think about. Thank you all for your insights.</p>
<p>I can honestly say that the most racist things I’ve ever heard come out of people’s mouths have been from whites in the Midwest, not in the south.</p>
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</p>
<p>Whoa, wait a minute! Don’t you have to normalize for the SIZE of the conference to have figures that provide meaningful comparisons?</p>
<p>SEC 263 players / 12 schools = 21.91 players/school average
Big Ten 234 players / 11 schools = 21.27
ACC 238 players / 12 schools = 19.83
Pac-10 183 players / 10 schools = 18.3
Big 12 176 players / 12 schools = 14.67
Big East 84 players / 8 schools = 10.5</p>
<p>The SEC still gets the nod but that’s pretty gosh darn even with the Big Ten.</p>
<p>Also, in selectively quoting from “History of First Round NFL Draft Picks by College Football Conference,” you omitted their lead paragraph:</p>
<p>
</code></pre>
<p>I agree completely with curmudgeon; I have great hope for the next generation because I’ve seen the same tendencies with my daughter and her friends.</p>
<p>I also think that part of any success with becoming comfortable with a group of people is the attitude with which you approach them. There are always going to be those with obnoxious views on any campus or within any organization but there are always going to be those who don’t share that mindset. I applaud the OP for keeping an open mind.</p>
<p>By Grcxx3 </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Now that the conversation seems to be dying down, are you willing to share your story?</p>
<p>And, Peyton went to Tennesse.</p>
<p><<i can=“” honestly=“” say=“” that=“” the=“” most=“” racist=“” things=“” i’ve=“” ever=“” heard=“” come=“” out=“” of=“” people’s=“” mouths=“” have=“” been=“” from=“” whites=“” in=“” midwest,=“” not=“” south.=“”>></i></p><i can=“” honestly=“” say=“” that=“” the=“” most=“” racist=“” things=“” i’ve=“” ever=“” heard=“” come=“” out=“” of=“” people’s=“” mouths=“” have=“” been=“” from=“” whites=“” in=“” midwest,=“” not=“” south.=“”>
<p>I was discussing this with my mother last night and she said the most racist/bigotted people she has EVER met in her life (and she has lived all over the US) were in Buffalo.</p>
</i>
<p>bclintonk - nice math. SEC is still in 1st place.</p>
<p>As for the # players selected in the first round of the NFL draft. In between your quote and mine is the following…“However, it should be noted that the SEC is catching up – fast.” The site clearly states that the SEC has been in the lead in recent years.</p>
<p><<now that=“” the=“” conversation=“” seems=“” to=“” be=“” dying=“” down,=“” are=“” you=“” willing=“” share=“” your=“” story?=“”>></now></p>
<p>Maybe tonight after I’ve had a glass or two of wine! :)</p>
<p>I think the OP may have gotten all the answers she needed, but I just wanted to put in my two cents as a current undergrad student at Ole Miss. I hope I can provide a different perspective. Ole Miss wasn’t my first choice, but because of money issues I ended up here and I adore it. Sorry if this is too long </p>
<p>First off, Ole Miss gets a lot of flack for its academics and, honestly, it’s true to an extent. A good percentage of the student body is here for shallow reasons (partying, easy degree, marriage, etc.); I think the acceptance requirements reflect this. Some of the freshman courses are easy to accommodate the low standards, but this isnt true all around. This may sound awful, but many of those freshmen that came here because it was easy and a party school will drop out because there is a point when their classes stop cooperating with their lifestyle. In that sense, I wouldnt take the stats of admissions as completely accurate, because some of the students bringing down the scores wont be around by their would-be-senior-year. I just wouldnt take others putting down Ole Miss academics at face value. </p>
<p>However, all my friends are in the Honors College and find it to be a rewarding experience. I believe I read somewhere that it was the second best HC in the nation (someone correct me if Im wrong). Not only is it rigorous, the HC kids get many more privileges than regular students. They got first dibs on free tickets to the debate last year and get more networking opportunities. Like someone else said, Ive heard that the dean of the HC is a great man. I dont know a ton about the Chinese program, but I briefly took some Japanese courses and had some contact with people involved in the program; those that were able to keep up love it. </p>
<p>Also, someone else said something about there not being many Asian students here simply because Ole Miss is in the South. Actually, Ole Miss has a dual degree program with a university in South Korea; there are MANY Korean students here taking advantage of that. </p>
<p>Socially, it is VERY southern here. I lived in Ohio until I was 15 and I then moved to northern Mississippi, so I suppose you could say I had some adjusting time, but some of the culture still irks me a little. Its just differences in social expectations, like when you pass a worksheet to the person next to you and they always say Thank you yet a girl can be downright mean if you arent a boy set to make some major cash five years from now. This is more of a sorority/frat thing, but its a big draw back when 40% of the students rush. And football is a big deal, yes. But I wouldnt say that if you dont enjoy football that you shouldnt consider Ole Miss, its just an easier way to make friends and tons of fun if you get into it (and were winning, but thats a different story lol). Its a huge deal here, yes, but those who dont participate arent condemned to having no social life. There are plenty of opportunities to make friends outside of football and frats, especially if your child goes with the Honors College. The HC kids Ive meet are a very friendly group and involved in many campus activities. If you look beyond that, there are just as many clubs and intramural as other schools of Ole Miss size, therefore just as many chances to find your niche. </p>
<p>There are a million more things I could think of to say, but I think Ill close up here lol. Overall, I wouldnt make Ole Miss a first choice school for your child, simply because of academics and national perception. But its certainly worth a visit, and I recommend coming here if the first choice just wont work out. </p>
<p>One more thing, if you seriously consider Ole Miss take a look at the Residential College. Its not even a year old and god send for students. In-dorm bathrooms, cafeteria just a stairwell away, computer lab, classrooms, and many other amenities are just some of the advantages. It was the deal maker for me.</p>
<p>mailuve, excellent post. Balanced and thoughtful, with useful information for a student trying to make a decision on this school.</p>
<p>I’m late to the party…as usual. During my DDs college search, we found information from people who had visited/attended a school extremely valuable. Perhaps this is our turn to return the favor. </p>
<p>My daughters are currently attending Ole Miss, thanks in large part to Curmudgeon’s wonderful advice throughout the college search process. Perhaps the most important thing Curmudgeon taught us was “not to judge a book by it’s cover”…drill down…get to know the university…get to know your family’s goals…get to know yourself. Thank goodness we did. </p>
<p>Please, don’t be so quick to wite Ole Miss off as a party school with questionable academics. Sure it exists there…heck, it exists on every campus. Racism…absolutely…but name a university where it doesn’t exist. Diversity…absolutely…in so many ways. </p>
<p>The opportunities that DDs are already experiencing are amazing. And the academic opportunities are NOT for the faint of heart. I would be happy to give my two cents about Ole Miss, The Honors College, The Croft Institute and The Chinese Language Flagship. (If anyone is still interested)</p>
<p>The OP’s S has been accepted to Ole Miss, so I’m sure any information you could contribute would be appreciated.</p>
<p>seekingknowledge- Thanks for the post. I’m always interested in positive reports about the SEC schools. I am a big SEC school fan.</p>