Ole Miss Law Forum

[lawhawk]

my only problem is that I have absolutely no idea what legal market I want to work in. I'm from Rhode Island and my father is an attorney here with very good connections so I am thinking that if worse comes to worse that I could always just end up back here. Im just nervous if I chose a school like Ole Miss and ended up not liking Mississippi. Would I be stuck?

Yes, you would very likely be stuck in either Mississippi or wherever your dad can finagle you a job.

Also keep in mind that while Ole Miss is an amazing place it is very very different than Rhode Island.

[lawhawk]

Ole Miss? Here's some info: hottest girls in the country...

...according to many.

this is consensus for everyone who doesn't like slutty Arizona State girls.

[waverider]

I'm considering Ole Miss too.

Employment stats don't seem all that bad

http://www.law.olemiss.edu/pdfs/2008%20 ... vised3.pdf

I know you always have to take these stats with a grain of salt.

I'm from Florida, and would like to stay in the south (I hate cold weather). UT and Georgia are both clearly the best state schools in the south but both are out of my league. Gaining residency at Ole Miss seems pretty straight forward. New facilities, cheap tuition, great weather... I don't think its that bad of an option.

[General Tso]

I'm considering Ole Miss too.

Employment stats don't seem all that bad

http://www.law.olemiss.edu/pdfs/2008%20 ... vised3.pdf

I know you always have to take these stats with a grain of salt.

I'm from Florida, and would like to stay in the south (I hate cold weather). UT and Georgia are both clearly the best state schools in the south but both are out of my league. Gaining residency at Ole Miss seems pretty straight forward. New facilities, cheap tuition, great weather... I don't think its that bad of an option.

Dude those stats are COMPLETELY bogus. Do you see the # of students responding to the survey? Do you see the # of students reporting salary?

I promise you -- my brother went to Ole Miss -- unless you are top 10 or 20% you are not coming close to an 80k salary out of Ole Miss. The only people he knows making that kind of money were top 10% and got jobs in Birmingham, Dallas, Memphis, etc. There are very few law firms in Mississippi paying that kind of money. All of my brother's friends that finished around median are doing solo practice (making around 20k at that) or some small firm/govt work (around 40k). And the locations are far from the glamor of Atlanta, B-ham, etc. We are talking Water Valley, Natchez, Starkville, and other tiny towns in boring locations. Even Jackson is a terrible place to live.

I urge you to reconsider.

[waverider]

Thanks for the info

I was skeptical about the employment stats. You're right there aren't very good legal markets in MS

[General Tso]

Thanks for the info

I was skeptical about the employment stats. You're right there aren't very good legal markets in MS

I know Ole Miss seems like a bargain, and maybe it is in some ways. But ultimately it's one of those things where you get what you pay for. It still depends on your other options of course. I would think Ole Miss would still be better than expensive T4s like Stetson, Florida Coastal, etc.

[waverider]

I'm still playing the waiting game.

3.5/161

Hope that gets me into UF, tulane, or Houston- if not ole miss is a safety

[General Tso]

I'm still playing the waiting game.

3.5/161

Hope that gets me into UF, tulane, or Houston- if not ole miss is a safety

You should get into at least one of those 3. You might get into them all.

[jeeptiger09]

The thing about Ole Miss is that Jackson's market is small, you're screwed in Dallas (SMU, Texas, T14), screwed in Houston (UH, Tulane, T14), screwed in Birmingham (Bama), screwed in Atlanta (Emory, UGA, Ga. State, Vandy), screwed in Nashville (Tennessee, Vandy). Memphis is a small market and Ole Miss is probably third best there too (UT, Memphis).

Those statistics look good but not when you consider only 91% of the class was employed within 9 months, most other schools are 94%+. Here's some data per ABA guide (a year or two old):

Employment Rate:
Georgia 221/228 = 99.6% (1 unknown)
Kentucky 120/124 = 96.8%
Tennessee 143/148 = 96.6% (3 unknown)
Alabama 142/150 = 94.7%
LSU 169/179 = 94.4% (1 unknown)
Arkansas 119/139 = 85.6%
Ole Miss 125/147 = 85% (6 unknown)

Comparative T3 statistics:
Texas Tech 214/219 = 97.7
Louisville 124/131 = 94.7
Mercer 117/125 = 93.6
Samford 144/155 = 92.9
WVU 153/165 = 92.7
UALR 116/127 = 91.3
Loyola LA 197/222 = 88.7
Memphis 95/109 = 87.2
Ole Miss 125/147 = 85

You should never pick a school based on employment statistics alone, and you should always approach with caution when you're looking at them. Admissions departments have found ways to word and phrase them to make them look more favorable.

[heyguys]

I also went to Ole Miss for undergrad. I was not an insider and had never even visited the deep south before I went down there for school. I can see where some people would say that it's difficult on outsiders, but I think the real key is to find your niche. I struggled at first, but once I found a group of friends and places to hang out, Oxford was actually pretty nice.

I applied and I've been accepted, but it's really not at the top of my list. The campus is beautiful and those who say there's nothing to do in Oxford just aren't looking, but there are very few other places like it in Mississippi once you graduate.

On a side note, for anyone who's going there for a visit, be sure to visit Graceland Too, the Universe's Number One Elvis attraction, up in Holly Springs. Even if you don't end up in Oxford, it'll make the trip worth it.

If you went to Ole Miss, then I ask you--where's your Faulkner-related handle???? Unless Krones is a reference that I'm missing.

[Grizz]

The thing about Ole Miss is that Jackson's market is small, you're screwed in Dallas (SMU, Texas, T14), screwed in Houston (UH, Tulane, T14), screwed in Birmingham (Bama), screwed in Atlanta (Emory, UGA, Ga. State, Vandy), screwed in Nashville (Tennessee, Vandy). Memphis is a small market and Ole Miss is probably third best there too (UT, Memphis).

Thanks for telling it like it is. If you want to stay in MS and you're ok with not making a ton of cash right away or possibly ever, and perhaps working at a job you hate for a while Ole Miss may be ok for you.

[PDaddy]

Ole Miss? Here's some info: hottest girls in the country...

...according to many.

Collins Tuohy...SSSSMMMMMOOOOKKKKIIIINNN HOT!

http://www.aceshowbiz.com/events/Blind% ... 14807.html

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=col ... Caward.jpg

Sorry, I couldn't have been Michael Oher. I would have had to...u know LOL.

[encore]

When people say that Ole Miss Law has very little scholarship money, what exactly are we talking about? I have a 169/3.52 and was seriously hoping for a full ride. Possible? I saw that they only give out maybe three of their top awards each year. Anybody know someone who actually got money from Ole Miss?

[General Tso]

When people say that Ole Miss Law has very little scholarship money, what exactly are we talking about? I have a 169/3.52 and was seriously hoping for a full ride. Possible? I saw that they only give out maybe three of their top awards each year. Anybody know someone who actually got money from Ole Miss?

I can speak of past results (3 years back). I know of one 170+ that got full ride and also one ~161 (but did everything at UM undergrad...Hall of Fame, etc.) that got full ride.

I think your odds are good, but I would think you could attend somewhere much better than Ole Miss for nearly free as well.

[OleMissLaw]

Ole Miss 3L here, approximately top 30 % and on Moot Court....two job offers with some nice firms in Jackson (not the ideal place to work) but the firms are nice.......first offer from one firm was for $85,000 and another offer for $90,000......if anyone is interested, the firms that hire in Mississippi are Butler Snow, Phelps Dunbar, Burr Forman, brunini Law Firm, Watkins and Eager, Bradley Arant, McGlinchey Stafford, and they pretty much hire a lot from Ole Miss....check out the attorney profiles if you dont believe me . Also, a couple of my friends have accepted jobs in Memphis, Birmingham, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Biloxi, and Oxford (of course) with other firms.

Some of my classmates in lower 30 % of course are having to start their own practice. Best 3 years of my life with little debt and low cost of living in Jackson. Dont let other sway you away from Ole Miss, there are jobs and they are hiring. Only way you wont get a job is if you have a horrible personality or lower 50 %.

Hope this helps, and wanted to put my .02 in.

[OleMissLaw]

FYI, also, my 1L year and 2L year I had about 20 or so OCIs

[encore]

When people say that Ole Miss Law has very little scholarship money, what exactly are we talking about? I have a 169/3.52 and was seriously hoping for a full ride. Possible? I saw that they only give out maybe three of their top awards each year. Anybody know someone who actually got money from Ole Miss?

I can speak of past results (3 years back). I know of one 170+ that got full ride and also one ~161 (but did everything at UM undergrad...Hall of Fame, etc.) that got full ride.

I think your odds are good, but I would think you could attend somewhere much better than Ole Miss for nearly free as well.

Ole Miss is actually perfect for me. I went through undergrad there and want to go into private practice in one of the smaller towns in Mississippi. Plus, we made the mistake of buying a house and then I decided to go to law school. I would have wanted to go there anyway because of my post-grad plans, but now it's kind of do or die.

[soullogical]

I know three people that have graduated from Ole Miss, two are working in Atlanta and the other in B'ham. From what they have told me, you really do need to network and know the right people. Ole Miss seems to be a good school at a good value and I have applied there as well.

[deadpanic]

I know three people that have graduated from Ole Miss, two are working in Atlanta and the other in B'ham. From what they have told me, you really do need to network and know the right people. Ole Miss seems to be a good school at a good value and I have applied there as well.

Yep.

Keep in mind that Oxford is a great college town, but is better for undergrads. A lot of people fall in love with it in law school, but there aren't many legal jobs around here unless you have family connections. Everyone wants to be in Oxford, it is the best town in MS, so there are already hundreds of lawyers here in a tiny market. If you come to Ole Miss for law school, just be prepared to possibly end up in Jackson or Memphis, becuase that is where it mainly places. People that end up in Atlanta, Birmingham, or Nashville got there through family connections or graduating really high in their class.

[mstiger]

I graduated with approximately a 3.6 GPA and 165 LSAT. I applied last year and was classified as a resident. Judging from the incoming class profile and past class profiles, I assumed I would get a full scholarship. I was offered a $5,000 per year. Like others have mentioned, Ole Miss does not have a large scholarship endowment.

Granted, you scored 4 points higher on the LSAT, so your credentials are obviously better than mine, but even considering that, I wouldn't automatically assume that you'll get a full scholarship.

I'm not certain about post-graduate employment opportunities, but being from Mississippi, I would imagine most of the posters who've replied to this thread are correct in claiming that employment opportunities are largely based on who you know in this area. Memphis is probably a good bet, but living in Memphis is akin to a death sentence; by far the worst metro area in the south and arguably the country.

Also, another thing to consider, graduating near the top of your class at Ole Miss will not be as difficult as other more reputable schools in the South. The competition is not as stiff.

[General Tso]

I graduated with a 3.5 GPA and 165 LSAT. I applied last year and was classified as a resident. Judging from the incoming class profile and past class profiles, I assumed I would get a full scholarship. I was offered a $5,000 per year. Like others have mentioned, Ole Miss does not have a large scholarship endowment.

Granted, you scored 4 points higher on the LSAT, so your credentials are obviously better than mine, but even considering that, I wouldn't automatically assume that you'll get a full scholarship.

I'm not certain about post-graduate employment opportunities, but being from Mississippi, I would imagine most of the posters who've replied to this thread are correct in claiming that employment opportunities are largely based on who you know in this area. Memphis is probably a good bet, but living in Memphis is akin to a death sentence; by far the worst metro area in the south and arguably the country.

Also, another thing to consider, graduating near the top of your class at Ole Miss will not be as difficult as other more reputable schools in the South. The competition is not as stiff.

I would imagine they are reserving more of their funds for the new building and less for scholarships. That's too bad really...for me affordability is way higher on the list of priorities than a comfortable building.

Memphis is bad, for sure, but to me it is better than anything in Mississippi except maybe the coast. Memphis has nice restaurants, Beale St., and shopping in Germantown. Jackson, MS barely has a functioning mall. A few small towns in MS like Tupelo and Hattiesburg are nice but boring.

[MPMP]

I graduated with a 3.5 GPA and 165 LSAT. I applied last year and was classified as a resident. Judging from the incoming class profile and past class profiles, I assumed I would get a full scholarship. I was offered a $5,000 per year. Like others have mentioned, Ole Miss does not have a large scholarship endowment.

Granted, you scored 4 points higher on the LSAT, so your credentials are obviously better than mine, but even considering that, I wouldn't automatically assume that you'll get a full scholarship.

I'm not certain about post-graduate employment opportunities, but being from Mississippi, I would imagine most of the posters who've replied to this thread are correct in claiming that employment opportunities are largely based on who you know in this area. Memphis is probably a good bet, but living in Memphis is akin to a death sentence; by far the worst metro area in the south and arguably the country.

Also, another thing to consider, graduating near the top of your class at Ole Miss will not be as difficult as other more reputable schools in the South. The competition is not as stiff.

I would imagine they are reserving more of their funds for the new building and less for scholarships. That's too bad really...for me affordability is way higher on the list of priorities than a comfortable building.

Memphis is bad, for sure, but to me it is better than anything in Mississippi except maybe the coast. Memphis has nice restaurants, Beale St., and shopping in Germantown. Jackson, MS barely has a functioning mall. A few small towns in MS like Tupelo and Hattiesburg are nice but boring.

I've never spent longer than a few days there, but you may be giving Hattiesburg a bit too much credit. Ocean Springs and Bay St. Louis area are probably the nicest places to live on the coast, but anywhere around there and in between would probably be better than H-Burg (with the exception of Pascagoula?). The casinos bring in a lot of cool stuff, and you can't beat living on the water.

[Aberzombie1892]

I graduated with a 3.5 GPA and 165 LSAT. I applied last year and was classified as a resident. Judging from the incoming class profile and past class profiles, I assumed I would get a full scholarship. I was offered a $5,000 per year. Like others have mentioned, Ole Miss does not have a large scholarship endowment.

Granted, you scored 4 points higher on the LSAT, so your credentials are obviously better than mine, but even considering that, I wouldn't automatically assume that you'll get a full scholarship.

I'm not certain about post-graduate employment opportunities, but being from Mississippi, I would imagine most of the posters who've replied to this thread are correct in claiming that employment opportunities are largely based on who you know in this area. Memphis is probably a good bet, but living in Memphis is akin to a death sentence; by far the worst metro area in the south and arguably the country.

Also, another thing to consider, graduating near the top of your class at Ole Miss will not be as difficult as other more reputable schools in the South. The competition is not as stiff.

I would imagine they are reserving more of their funds for the new building and less for scholarships. That's too bad really...for me affordability is way higher on the list of priorities than a comfortable building.

Memphis is bad, for sure, but to me it is better than anything in Mississippi except maybe the coast. Memphis has nice restaurants, Beale St., and shopping in Germantown. Jackson, MS barely has a functioning mall. A few small towns in MS like Tupelo and Hattiesburg are nice but boring.

I've never spent longer than a few days there, but you may be giving Hattiesburg a bit too much credit. Ocean Springs and Bay St. Louis area are probably the nicest places to live on the coast, but anywhere around there and in between would probably be better than H-Burg (with the exception of Pascagoula?). The casinos bring in a lot of cool stuff, and you can't beat living on the water.

Well Madison, MS is the best place to live in state and has pretty much everything (although the cost of living in Madison, MS is higher than New Orleans, LA - on a side note, Tulane is opening a campus in Madison).

It's about 10 miles north of Jackson.

Ridgeland, MS, between Madison and Jackson, is where the people shop/eat that used to do those things in Jackson (at the Renaissance [upscale outdoor mall] and Northpark [indoor mall].

Flowood, MS, about 5 miles east of jackson (I'm not sure if it is east or west), has a massive outdoor mall and plenty of stores/restaurants.

Jackson is simply a place for people to work (it is getting nicer though - albeit slowly).

Ole Miss and Mississippi College dominate the firms in Jackson, MS.

Currently, the schools are pretty much interchangeable in Jackson (although it hasn't been that way for long).

And I wouldn't recommend MC over Ole Miss because MC is 3x as expensive as Ole Miss for instate students.

However if someone received a non-contingent scholarship that made MC=Ole Miss, I would suggest the former (Last cycle, MC offered me a full ride contingent on top 20% and I declined).

The firms in Jackson/Ridgeland are: Forman Perry, brunini, Butler Snow (they just finished a nice building at the aforementioned Renaissance), Bradley Arant, Baker Donelson, Phelps Dunbar, Balch and Bingham, Adams and Reese, Watkins and Eager, and McGlinchey Stafford.

Beyond the cities of Madison, Ridgeland, Flowood, and Jackson - everything else is usually a college town somewhat (Oxford/University - where ole miss is, Hattiesburg - where USM is, Starkville - where MSU is, the coast - where Tulane currently has a college of continuing studies and casinos, etc.)

[MPMP]

I graduated with a 3.5 GPA and 165 LSAT. I applied last year and was classified as a resident. Judging from the incoming class profile and past class profiles, I assumed I would get a full scholarship. I was offered a $5,000 per year. Like others have mentioned, Ole Miss does not have a large scholarship endowment.

Granted, you scored 4 points higher on the LSAT, so your credentials are obviously better than mine, but even considering that, I wouldn't automatically assume that you'll get a full scholarship.

I'm not certain about post-graduate employment opportunities, but being from Mississippi, I would imagine most of the posters who've replied to this thread are correct in claiming that employment opportunities are largely based on who you know in this area. Memphis is probably a good bet, but living in Memphis is akin to a death sentence; by far the worst metro area in the south and arguably the country.

Also, another thing to consider, graduating near the top of your class at Ole Miss will not be as difficult as other more reputable schools in the South. The competition is not as stiff.

I would imagine they are reserving more of their funds for the new building and less for scholarships. That's too bad really...for me affordability is way higher on the list of priorities than a comfortable building.

Memphis is bad, for sure, but to me it is better than anything in Mississippi except maybe the coast. Memphis has nice restaurants, Beale St., and shopping in Germantown. Jackson, MS barely has a functioning mall. A few small towns in MS like Tupelo and Hattiesburg are nice but boring.

I've never spent longer than a few days there, but you may be giving Hattiesburg a bit too much credit. Ocean Springs and Bay St. Louis area are probably the nicest places to live on the coast, but anywhere around there and in between would probably be better than H-Burg (with the exception of Pascagoula?). The casinos bring in a lot of cool stuff, and you can't beat living on the water.

Well Madison, MS is the best place to live in state and has pretty much everything (although the cost of living in Madison, MS is higher than New Orleans, LA - on a side note, Tulane is opening a campus in Madison).

It's about 10 miles north of Jackson.

Ridgeland, MS, between Madison and Jackson, is where the people shop/eat that used to do those things in Jackson (at the Renaissance [upscale outdoor mall] and Northpark [indoor mall].

Flowood, MS, about 5 miles east of jackson (I'm not sure if it is east or west), has a massive outdoor mall and plenty of stores/restaurants.

Jackson is simply a place for people to work (it is getting nicer though - albeit slowly).

Ole Miss and Mississippi College dominate the firms in Jackson, MS.

Currently, the schools are pretty much interchangeable in Jackson (although it hasn't been that way for long).

And I wouldn't recommend MC over Ole Miss because MC is 3x as expensive as Ole Miss for instate students.

However if someone received a non-contingent scholarship that made MC=Ole Miss, I would suggest the former (Last cycle, MC offered me a full ride contingent on top 20% and I declined).

The firms in Jackson/Ridgeland are: Forman Perry, Brunini, Butler Snow (they just finished a nice building at the aforementioned Renaissance), Bradley Arant, Baker Donelson, Phelps Dunbar, Balch and Bingham, Adams and Reese, Watkins and Eager, and McGlinchey Stafford.

Beyond the cities of Madison, Ridgeland, Flowood, and Jackson - everything else is usually a college town somewhat (Oxford/University - where ole miss is, Hattiesburg - where USM is, Starkville - where MSU is, the coast - where Tulane currently has a college of continuing studies and casinos, etc.)

All true, except no one would ever call any part of the coast a "college town". I have driven by that new mall and I have seen the new Butler Snow building ... both look very nice.

[Apple Tree]

This is the sense I got from people graduated from Ole Miss/ Miss College:

If your dad/mom is a partner at a law firm: you are guaranteed a job;
If not: then you are screwed.

I'm sure this is an exaggeration, but that's what I'm told. The only markets for OleMiss graduates that I know of are: Miss (mainly Jackson and the coast), Memphis, Atlanta, and some parts of TX. But when you go into Atlanta, you have to compete with Emory students; and of course the same with with UT students in Texas.