APPLYING TO OLE MISS // Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does it take to reach an admission decision?
- What if I do not have all of the required college prep curriculum (CPC) in high school?
- Do you consider weighted GPAs?
- Are there any exceptions for admission?
- Can I earn credit by examination?
- What if I have been home-schooled?
- What if I am undecided about a major?
- Tell me about the Honors College.
- What about study abroad?
- What are the costs?
- How can I get out-of-state tuition and fees waived?
- How large is the university? Where do the students come from?
- What is the town of Oxford like?
- Can I have a car?
- What about crime on campus?
- What about Orientation? When is it? How do I register?
- What about student housing?
- Do I need to bring a computer?
- What about fraternities and sororities?
1. How long does it take to reach an admission decision?
The university admits students on a "rolling" basis as files become complete. After the Office of Admissions receives your application, an official transcript (sent directly from your school to the Office of Admissions), and an official ACT or SAT score sent directly from the testing agency, a decision is mailed to you in most cases in about three weeks. Processing may be noticeably slower from mid-December through late January when university offices are closed for two weeks and the files of applicants for the spring semester receive first priority.
2. What if I do not have all of the required college prep curriculum (CPC) in high school?
Mississippi residents may seek admission by coming to campus and taking the Mississippi College Placement Examination (MCPE) on selected days from March through May. You must call Admissions (toll-free in-state at 1-800-OLEMISS) in advance to make a testing appointment.
3. Do you consider weighted GPAs?
Your official record at UM as an applicant may include two GPAs. For admission, we use an unweighted GPA based solely on the 15 ½ units in the Mississippi CPC (or on your home state's college prep curriculum). For general scholarship evaluation, all work from high school grades 9 through 12 is considered and any weight your school calculates into your GPA is allowed. Your school must post the weighted GPA for it to be used in scholarship evaluations.
4. Are there any exceptions for admission?
A mature student who has been out of school for at least three years and cannot present an acceptable high-school record may apply for admission as a special student. "Special" students will be admitted under full status after successfully completing at least 12 semester hours at UM with at least a 2.0 GPA. Important Note: Special students are not eligible to receive financial aid while they are classified as such.
5. Can I earn credit by examination?
The University of Mississippi accepts many types of credit by examination,
including Advanced Placement, CLEP and International Baccalaureate programs.
Please click the applicable link for more information:
CLEP Credit at the University of Mississippi
AP Credit at the University of Mississippi
IB Credit at the University of Mississippi
6. What if I have been home-schooled?
Home-schooled students and others who cannot present standard credentials from regionally accredited high schools may be considered for admission by submitting ACT or SAT results and a portfolio summarizing their high-school experience. The portfolio might include items such as transcripts, the student's own summary of his or her educational experience, and recommendations from people who have insight into the student’s academic capabilities. In some cases, Mississippians may be asked to take the MCPE (see #2) to complete the applicant file.
7. What if I am undecided about a major?
Many students are either undecided about a major or change their minds after enrollment. In either case, the Academic Support Center will assist you in planning a schedule that will keep options open for as long as possible. Many majors have a large number of interchangeable requirements, so a decision about a major can be delayed well beyond the first semester. Students who pursue the most frequently awarded UM degree, the Bachelor of Arts (BA), normally may wait two full years without declaring a major or losing time toward earning the degree. The BA is awarded in 29 areas ranging from art to biochemistry to journalism to psychology.
8. Tell me about the Honors College.
The Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College provides academically versatile students a unique community within The University of Mississippi to stimulate their varied interests and support their collegiate experience. The typical honors student has an ACT score of 31, a high-school GPA of 3.85, and a consistent record of involvement in school and community activities. For more information on the Honors College, its programs and its application procedures, visit the Honors College Web site.
The University of Mississippi offers a wide variety of study abroad opportunities for its students. Please contact the Study Abroad Office at abroad@olemiss.edu or visit the Study Abroad Web site for more information.
Cost of attendance information is available from the Office of Financial Aid.
11. How can I get out-of-state tuition and fees waived?
The University does not waive the out-of-state fee, however, students can receive scholarships to cover a part or all of the out-of-state fee. Partial scholarships are available for admitted students who receive some Academic Excellence Scholarships; service scholarships from the chorus and orchestra; and for students who receive departmental scholarships to major in art, music and theatre. Children of Ole Miss graduates who are living out of state receive up to $3,000 a year toward out-of-state tuition. There are no waivers based on geography, i.e., awarded to students because they live in a particular place. For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid at (800) 891-4596 or finaid@olemiss.edu.
12. How large is the university?
Please visit our QuickFact page.
13. What is the town of Oxford like?
Oxford is a great community, one of USA Today's top six college towns. The city blends small town safety and friendliness with the best of a large metropolitan area: cultural events, major conference athletics, a lively arts and writing community, and a classic but updated town square that caters to the needs of students. For more information on the city of Oxford, visit the city's Web site.
Students may have cars a long as they are appropriately registered with the University Police Department and are parked in designated parking areas.
15. What about crime on campus?
The Oxford/University college town setting offers a friendly and easygoing environment that is safer than most college campuses, and the university's police force reinforces the situation by sponsoring a complete campus safety education and awareness program. For more information about campus crime, visit the University Police Department's Web site.
When is it? How do I register? Admitted undergraduates register for Orientation beginning in March. For more information, visit the Office of Orientation Web site.
17. What about student housing?
Once you have been admitted to school as an undergraduate, the Office of Housing and Residence Life will send you information about your on-campus housing options. Not only is living on campus convenient and economical, but students who live on campus tend to be more successful in the classroom than those who live elsewhere. If you will be a freshman, you should be making plans to live on campus because almost all freshmen are required to do so.
18. Do I need to bring a computer?
Although there are a number of computer labs open to students across campus, students are increasingly bringing their own computers. All residence hall rooms and faculty offices have easy (and free!) access to e-mail and the Internet. Many professors are integrating e-mail into their teaching communications. This past fall, approximately 85% of the university's new freshmen brought their own computers, though accessible labs make it possible for all students to use e-mail and gain access to the Internet.
19. What about fraternities and sororities?
About 35% of undergraduate women and 25% of undergraduate men are active in the Greek system as members of social fraternities and sororities. There are a number of other Greek-letter organizations that are honorary or service organizations.
"Rush," the formal process by which people join social fraternities and sororities, takes place for most groups about six weeks into the school year and allows students to visit with members of each participating organization. Other groups defer rush until second semester after students have already completed at least one term in good standing. For more information, visit the Office of Greek Life Web site.