University of Mississippi Top Questions

What is your overall opinion of this school?

Madison

Because of the small campus, I find the relationships with professors and staff easy to maintain. The ladies at the front desk are very genuine, especially Lisa. The library is shared with the community college and stays open until 9. 6 Ole Miss computers are available, but the printer is always broken.

Ryann

It's a good school, safe with lots of open areas that promote learning and fun games of Frisbee. The classes and teachers are (generally) good, but the best ones are in the Honors college, so aim for that.

Taylor

Hands down the overall best thing about Ole Miss is the school spirit and support. We have been through quite a few trying times in the past couple years, but we still have one of the greatest support systems in the students as well as the alumni. The campus is perfect, size wise and aesthetically. However, the one thing I miss (coming from a big city) is the big city feeling. Oxford, Mississippi is definitely a community oriented place, with the good ol' small town feel. One of the most amazing places on campus is The Grove during game day. You don't know what tailgating is until you come here during a football game weekend. Speaking of football, the 2011 season has not been kind to us. But you wouldn't know that by looking at the attendance in the Grove or football stadium during game weekends. The pride taken in this school is unbelievable! You will never see anything that comes close to it, I promise you that.

Jacob

The best thing about the University of Mississippi is that to me, I feel like I am at home here. I grew up in Huntsville, Al, but while that is my 'home,' Ole Miss is where I am most comfortable. Everything, including the town of Oxford, is within walking distance. The beauty of the landscape, and the people, even in the worst of weather, are always comforting. If there is anything that I would change, it is the negative stereotype that resides in Mississippi that we are racist, that Blacks and Whites do not hang out, etc. That is simply not true. I'm not going to get into 'I have black friends' but the amount of diversity on this campus simply blows the mind of any and every outsider who has a chance to visit. The campus just small enough to accommodate it's growing population, yet also maintain that small town Mississippi feel. The longest walk you can take on Campus is from the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity house to Nutt Auditorium. 15 minute walk.

Emily

I love Ole Miss, and that is not an easy statement to make considering our recent controversies: the mascot and football. SEC football is a world of it's own, in which people value winning games over anything else. As such, our school has been in the media eye for racism because of our former mascot, Colonel Reb, and our new mascot Rebel the Black Bear. This issue was brought up so we could have a mascot on the field, but a specific group of students (which was not the majority) wanted Colonel Reb back, which has racist insinuations. Needless to say, one thing I would change if I could would be that one, small, loud group who draws to much attention to the past and "southern traditions." As for the actual football team, well, we aren't that good and just recently fired out coach. That being said, I love this university. The academic programs are amazing, and the professors and staff are all experienced in their field and willing to help any student in need. Because of our esteemed alumni, Ole Miss students have opportunities to meet, network, and make contacts with several important people. Despite the controversial issues Ole Miss is constantly being watched for, there is so much more to this school than meets the eye (media eye that is).

Emily

I love Ole Miss, and that is not an easy statement to make considering our recent controversies: the mascot and football. SEC football is a world of it's own, in which people value winning games over anything else. As such, our school has been in the media eye for racism because of our former mascot, Colonel Reb, and our new mascot Rebel the Black Bear. This issue was brought up so we could have a mascot on the field, but a specific group of students (which was not the majority) wanted Colonel Reb back, which has racist insinuations. Needless to say, one thing I would change if I could would be that one, small, loud group who draws to much attention to the past and "southern traditions." As for the actual football team, well, we aren't that good and just recently fired out coach. That being said, I love this university. The academic programs are amazing, and the professors and staff are all experienced in their field and willing to help any student in need. Because of our esteemed alumni, Ole Miss students have opportunities to meet, network, and make contacts with several important people. Despite the controversial issues Ole Miss is constantly being watched for, there is so much more to this school than meets the eye (media eye that is).

Jesse

The thing I would change about Ole Miss is the Chancellor, athletic director, and their political correctness agenda. Ole Miss traditions should be preserved. For instance 94{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the student body wants to keep Colonel Reb as the mascot, but because the mascot is a white man, instead of a generic rainbow bear, they want stand up for this great southern mascot. If you don't like southern charm, stay away from Ole Miss.

ali

ole miss is a huge football school, whether or not our team is good (usually not). we have our undefeated years, and some seasons are building years, but the fans flock to their grove tents in their cocktail dresses and seersucker suits just the same. there's no place like the grove on a fall saturday afternoon while the "pride of the south" band plays dixie. aside from football season, the grove is a great place to meet with a study group in the spring, or to throw the frisbee around. most of the buildings on campus are older, some even dating back to the civil war, but the campus is not spread out. it's easy to get from one side of campus to the other in ten minutes. oxford is a small town, like the campus. but it does have plenty to do. there are boutiques to shop in, tons of restaurants (which are always packed, especially on gamedays/weekends), and many bars.

Shelly

I think most people when they think of Ole Miss think of all of our gameday traditions in the Grove. It's what Ole Miss is best known for. Our tailgating is like no other school. It's an amazing thing to be part of. Not only that, but our campus is absolutely beautiful. Ole Miss and the city of Oxford as a whole fits that stereotype of the perfect little southern college town.

Ann

Ole Miss is a cultural place, rich in heritage and proud of its background. Buildings and a cemetary date back to the Civil War, which is just one example of the lasting significance of the University. Many people here have parents and/or grandparents who came here. The Grove is probably the claim to fame here, as the greatest tailgating experience in the country. The small town of Oxford is cozy and warm, yet filled with things to do. To get the best experience out of Oxford, do as the locals do. There is always plenty of live music to be heard and restaurants to be patronized. The Square is another well known part of Oxford. There are always many students studying at Uptown Coffee on the Square. Students here have a bond that may not exist at other schools. The Southern pride of being a Rebel is an intense and emotional feeling that is rooted deep at the hearts of the students here.

Elizabeth

The best thing about Ole Miss is its great traditions. I think the size of Ole Miss is just right, it isn't too big and it itsn't too small. I spend most of my time on campus in my sorority house. Oxford is the perfect college town, complete with a "downtown" square full of shopping, good eating, and great bars and atmosphere.

Mary

The grove is the best thing about Ole Miss. OUr school is just the right size and is great because it is a walking campus. There is ALOT of school pride. Parking is a big issue and the dorms aren't very nice for what we pay.

Jordan

The best thing about Ole Miss is tradition. Most call the Southern tradition hateful and arrogant. The University of Mississippi stands for nothing but pride. Oxford is the most charming college town I've ever been in. I have seen almost every school in the SEC, and nothing compares to the antebellum charm one stumbles upon in Oxford. I honestly don't think I would change a thing about Ole Miss. It's just fine in my opinion, and it doesn't need criticism. Ole Miss is always described as the "perfect size." It truly is the ideal college town. Every year enrollment increases, and it's only noticeable when one cannot find a parking spot. I love meeting people and telling them I go to Ole Miss. I am an "out-of-stater" and seeing friends from home they automatically assume I'm this dainty belle now just because everyone knows Ole Miss is as Southern as it gets. I spend most of my time in the Sorority House. Ignore the stereotypes that one could find on a movie such as "Animal House." Sororities strongly encourage strong academics, surprisingly. You cannot participate in the priviledges offered if you do not meet grade requirements. It's something to work for. At the Sorority House, there are rooms to go to socialize, and rooms to study. It's a house, it's a home away from home. Administration: Obviously I think they're doing a good job Most frequent complaints: Lack of ample parking for commuters living off campus Best Experience: The Grove. Every Saturday in the Fall. Nothing, absolutely nothing compares to the tradition of tailgating in the Grove. The pretty Ole Miss girls and the handsome Ole Miss boys make a day long appearance wearing their best, prepared to take on an eventful Saturday of College Football. All while stationed at family and friends tents that are showered with chandeliers, caterors, and flower arrangements.

Jordan

Ole Miss is a smaler public University! Which is great because you get to know your educators and peers more. Students are very active in extra activities at Ole Miss. Many students are in a Sorority or Frat. The campus comes together between these large greek groups in times of need and/or to just to have a good time. It seems like Ole Miss student body is very close.

Katie

The best thing about Ole Miss is that the people here are very friendly and welcoming. The campus is beautiful and the football season is so much fun. The size of the school is just right...not too big or too small. There is a lot of school pride especially at sporting events! The most frequent complaint on the Ole Miss campus is the parking problem.

Ashley

The best thing about Ole Miss is the close net community that it offers its students. Coming to Ole Miss from a small town was a slight bit intimidating but as soon as I realized how many opportunities were available and how many people were willing to put themselves out there I was as comfortable as I would have been in my own hometown. Another great thing about Ole Miss is the traditions that the campus still honors. Tailgating in the grove is one of the most talked about and loved old time traditions that the campus still portrays every year and is just an amazing way to allow people for all over to come and enjoy our beautiful campus and have a great family oriented weekend. I also truly respect how the University of Mississippi honors our many accomplishments. Ole Miss is a great university for any college student wanting to start new in their college community.

Christy

I love the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College at Ole Miss. I love the grove. I love the town. I LOVE the people. It is exactly the right size for me.

Morgan

The best thing about Ole Miss is the feeling you have when you get in town or on campus. It feels like home. Like the way you imagine a Southern college town should look and feel. It's large enough to offer a wide variety of activties and people, but small enough that you recognize tons of people around town and on campus. It seems if you don't know somebody, you probably at least have a mutual friend. The thing I'd like to see change is the Good Ole Boy network that has such a prescence on campus. Many adminstrative jobs at Ole Miss are awarded by connection rather than merit, and this hurts the university. This attitude often filters down to the students and creates an attitude that as long as you have connections, you won't need to work hard.

Janna

For me, the best thing about Ole Miss is that it's small enough that I know people, but large enough that I'm not in every class with the same people. If I could change anything about Ole Miss, it would be the parking situation. That's what most students complain about. Yes, you can usually find a spot, but if you're running late, it doesn't help if that spot is ten minutes' walking distance from class. That's happened to me before-in the middle of a sleet storm, no less. I spend my time on campus in either Farley Hall (the journalism building) or J.D. Williams Library, where I work. There are enormous amounts of school pride on campus. Just wait until football season! Even with a losing team, droves of fans dressed in their best going-out clothes will turn out to tailgate in the Grove and scream "Hotty Toddy!" from the stands. If that's not school spirit, I don't know what is.

Susan

The best thing about Ole Miss in my experience is the Honors College program. It is nationally ranked and has wonderful funding, so the students are able to go on free trips around the country. One thing I'd like more about Ole Miss is if it was more diverse. Students tend to intentionally segregate themselves. The size of the school is perfect, and the size of Oxford is perfect. The Oxford square is absolutely amazing. Groving before football games is a must and is tons of fun. Overall, Ole Miss is the perfect mixture of learning and fun, seriously.

Rebekka

The best thing about Ole Miss is the Honors College. I would change recent attempts to fade out our unique school identity. I think the school size is just right, especially if you are like me and have no car. When I tell people I go to Ole Miss, I generally get either an "oh, that's nice" response or a "Why? You're not very Greek/redneck/racist!" I spend most of my time either in the Honors College or wandering around with friends. College town. I very much dislike the administration here. So far, the biggest controversy of any merit was the partial smoking ban. That is completely ineffective. School pride can be found in a lot of places, but not around me. The Ole Miss campus is unusually beautiful. I'll always remember when I got the call that I had been accepted into the Honors College (I was on-campus at the time). Parking, politics, classes.

Lindsay

The best thing about Ole Miss, in my opinion, is the atmosphere. We have so much pride for our campus and the environment it entails. During football season,the strongest sense of school pride pervades through the historic town of Oxford. The Grove is where students, alumnae and fans alike gather to share not only that sense of pride, but the best tailgating in America. The most "unusual" thing about Ole Miss is how we all put on our Sunday's best for tailgating before the big game. My friends that attend other colleges think that we are ridiculous, but everytime I visit their campus on a football weekend they seem to be mimicking our famous tradition. One experience I will take with me forever is participating in rush and joining a sorority. It was incredibly intense and competitive, I do not believe any other school is as cut-throat with rush as Ole Miss. I saw many broken hearts and girls transferring schools after being "denied" their top pick.

Molly

the one thing i truly love about Ole Miss is the values behind this school. When someone asks where i go to school and i say ole miss i always get the same response. "Oh Wow, that school has so much history, a true southern tradition" the social interaction on campus is great, always something to do.

Andy

The school is just all right. People are friendly to international students. got a lot of help when I first arrived. I spent most of my time in my lab. I think it's natural for a graduate student. To my surprise, there are so few American students enrolled in graduate engineering study. Is engineering not important to U.S.? or the financial future is not as bright as other majors? or something else?

meghan

The best thing about Ole Miss is its culture, especially during football season. Nothing beats the Grove on a saturday afternoon in Oxford. What's amazing is that the football team can be the worst in the SEC, as we frequently are, but every game is still sold out and the Grove is still packed. Honestly, I wouldn't change a thing about Ole Miss. It has been the perfect college experience in all aspects. Ole Miss and the Oxford community are the perfect size. It would definitely be considered small if you are from a big city, but thats what college towns and the college experience are all about. Every time I'm out of town, I make a bet with whomever I'm with that every person I tell that I go to Ole Miss will know at least one person at Ole Miss. It has always held true. Ole Miss has a great network all across the country, and the alumni are great especially when recent grads are looking for jobs. Previously most of my time was spent in the sorority house or at the gym, but as of late its been spent in the library and the honors college...typical. Oxford is the perfect college town. Its got great restaurants, great shops, a huge array of bars especially for the size of the town, and a community that is affluent and very embracing of the students. Our administration is great. Chancellor Khayat has been great throughout his administration. He's very personable with the students and makes an effort to be seen around campus. The biggest recent controversy on campus is the alcohol policy on campus. It might possibly be the most confusing document ever written. How is it normal the at we are a "dry" campus yet beer is legal at the baseball stadium and only wine and liquor are legal in the grove??? Ole Miss probably has the most school pride of any school. Enough said. You know you've got pride when you haven't had a winning season since Eli yet every game is still sold out, the band still plays dixie, and the student section still stays til the end of the game. All things unusual about Ole Miss are unusual in a good way. We are a unique school that is considered a gem in the rough. Oxford is in the seemingly middle of nowhere yet is rich with culture, and has many dignified students, teachers, and alumni. My most memorable experience at Ole Miss was bid day. As i have said several times...the greek system is HUGE here. Bid day is a huge event for both girls and guys. Early Sunday morning each girl that went through rush receives her bid, then takes off on the half mile or so sprint to their respective sorority house. Families and fraternity boys set up chairs in the grove to watch the stampede. It was fabulous. Most frequent student complaints are parking. Its terrble. But student senators have been working ferociously with administration to get something done about it.