The University of Mississippi

Date: Aug 09 2008
Major: Accounting (This Major's Salary over time)
I am researching colleges for my 9th grade daughter and I can surmise from reading comments about Ole Miss that not much has changed since I was there. The Greek system still dominates the entire way of life and I would highly recommend to anyone not pledging greek to go somewhere else. Beware: you will even be labeled "independent" which connotates that something must be wrong with you if you aren't part of the Greek system. I was in a sorority but found it to be so full of false pretenses, "group think" and drinking that I grew bored and left after two years. I have never been a part of a group of people who were so concerned with the question "So, what does your daddy do for a living?" and "what do you think so-so's family is worth?" The Ole Miss climate is a glass bubble with most students living a very lavish lifestyle. Kids who are on a tight budget from home or have to work to make money for school will find this group of students a bit difficult to keep up with. One college friend had her dorm room professionally decorated by her parents interior designer. He flew down to deliver the goods. I was from an upper middle class family but with many restrictions and a budget and I felt like had entered the twilight zone of lavish lifestyle. I am sure that it is even more so now, given our ever indulgent society we live in these days! Not many 'struggling college students" were on this campus!

The football games are fun and many friends can be made but I found the university unchallenging academically and I grew bored of the whole group think mentality. For most Ole Miss students back in the 1990's it was all about "where is the party?" and "how much money does your dad have?". Now that I am married, have a master's degree, career and kids I look back and realize how much nonsense there is at Ole Miss! Making my own money and building a life is a whole lot more rewarding than riding on the heels of my father's success!

Good luck to those who can navigate through it all and still maintain your spirit and drive for success!