Hello World!
February 18, 2009
Hi, I’m Haley – your resident Ole Miss senior. In May I will end my career as a student and walk down the graduation aisle, ready to hit the real world.
So far, I’ve been lucky as a student at Ole Miss. I knew from the moment I came to college that I wanted to be a journalist. I didn’t realize until I got here and started taking some classes though that I had a real passion for English as well. When I graduate, I will have degrees in both.
Before coming to Ole Miss, I was excited and yes, a little scared. Even though I had older siblings who attended the university before me, I had this fear that I wouldn’t make any friends and be forced to spend my weekends eating potato chips in my dorm room alone. Lame.
It only took me one week to get over that fear.
Even with 15,000 students on campus, you will be surprised at how small it feels after a week or so. I started getting involved with campus organizations, like the university band and the S. Gale Denley Student Media Center – home of the Daily Mississippian, Rebel Radio, The Ole Miss (yearbook) and Newswatch (the student-run live news cast). Joining the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College not only helped me scholastically, it helped me meet a lot of friends, too.
There are tons of other student groups on campus, too – like the Associated Student Body, the Greek system, Ole Miss Ambassadors, and even the anime club. No, that’s not a typo. At Ole Miss, there is something for everyone.
If you are reading this blog, you are more than likely a prospective student and have many questions about Ole Miss. Lucky for you, I have a lot answers. From how to get financial aid to dorm life, I have been through it all.
That’s why starting now I am going to be making videos and updating this blog to show you what it is like to be a student at Ole Miss. I will answer your questions about the university, and teach you some basics to surviving as a student on campus.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me directly at hacrum@olemiss.edu, or leave a comment on this blog post. You can ask me questions about anything – don’t be afraid! I’m here so that you can ask real questions and get real answers from someone who knows Ole Miss best – a student.
Hello Haley,
I just want to find out how can I get financial aid from Ole Miss. Please keep in mind that I am an international student from Zambia. I have a 3.7 GPA and I am in the Top Ten of my class, but my ACT score is not that good.Thank you in advance!
Sandi
Hey Sandi,
I’m glad you asked this question because I get it a lot! Here is a video that I recently made on steps to applying for financial aid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp8Z37cQUJs. To see more videos (and blogs) like this go to: http://www.olemiss.edu/admissions/videoblogs.html.
Here is a link that will give you the minimum academic requirements to get into Ole Miss…including ACT scores: http://www.olemiss.edu/admissions/fap.html.
I hope this helped!
Haley
hi haley,
i will be attending ole miss next year as a freshman and i knew just like you that i wanted to be a journalist. Although, i wanted to write not so much as news stories but inspirational ones, ones that meant something to people. I also started writing a book a few months ago and i really enjoy it. Do i need to change my major to something else other than journalism? im sure i want a minor in photography but i have no idea how to put my passions together.
thanks,
jerra
Hey Jerra! The journalism program is great at Ole Miss. I’m a jouranlism major and the department got me a one year job working with MTV News on their youth election coverage and an internship with Smithsonian Magazine. I’ve also been getting a lot of freelance opportunities thanks to the great connections the program has.
A degree in journalism could definitely help you out, but it sounds like you might do good in the English program as well. I would suggest taking some creative writing courses through the English department. You cannot get a minor in photography, but Ole Miss does have some good photography classes through the journalism program. Have you thought about maybe being an English major with a journalism minor? If you would like to talk to me about your interests in a little more detail, email me at hacrum@olemiss.edu. I’d be glad to help you out.
Haley