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eugenides
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« on: January 20, 2009, 06:54:33 PM » |
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Dear All,
Do you have any experience with or insight of
# Mississippi State University?
(# Mississippi State, MS 39762)
Thank you.
(in humanities)
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undisciplined
Shoes Always Matter to a
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 2,168
Okay then.
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« Reply #1 on: January 20, 2009, 07:08:15 PM » |
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Yes. What is it that you want to know?
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I recommend bourbon and bonbons for that.
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eugenides
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« Reply #2 on: January 20, 2009, 10:10:53 PM » |
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Thanks for your response.
I am especially interested in knowing
(1) students' motivation and performance in learning, and
(2) faculty members' performance in research.
I guess many students might be local and/or first generation college students. But I also like such students.
I am in humanities.
Thank you.
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john_proctor
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« Reply #3 on: January 22, 2009, 10:37:58 AM » |
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I assume you're asking for the "what's not in the catalogs" things:
Most students (around 2/3 or so, as I recall) are local to local-ish (from nearby Arkansas and Tennessee). There were about 10,000 students. More internationals than you might think, but far fewer than most other mid-size public comprehensive universities.
The faculty is a mix (like many of the students). There are some real gems. In some areas (and you might be surprised which; for example, they've got a more than decent Classics program), the lions of the department are comparable to any other national program. In others, though, eh. Not so much. There are more than a few clunkers (departments and individuals).
The library is lovely. Good music program (at least when I was there). Nice local scene. Oxford is just wonderful. Some nice restaurants. There were (15 years ago) some nice used book stores. Campus has a few nice galleries and art openings every year.
Very southern, very genteel.
Center to right in many ways, politically, though there are (were) strong (though outnumbered) and active progressive and alternative communities right around the University proper.
Can be a bit "Greek" at times/places. Very football.
Lots of blonde hair-ed, hair-sprayed belles. More than a few muscled up, crew cutted beaus.
Not too far from Memphis (which has a surprisingly good museum of art, decent opera/orchestra, some really good shopping, respectable food, great nightlife).
The institution, as a whole, has a strong regional reputation and a medium to "eh" reputation nationally. Individual programs, though, as I've said, have some well-respected faculty who are present on in their fields on national and international levels.
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"Look upon me! I'll show you the 'life of the mind.'"
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rural_dweller
New member
Posts: 1
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« Reply #4 on: January 22, 2009, 02:44:16 PM » |
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The above poster has MS State confused with the U of Mississippi. Starkville ain't Oxford, but I don't think it's all bad either.
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gennimom
Somewhat Southern (Have I really posted that much?)
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 16,764
Let's get summer over with! Me want snow!
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« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2009, 05:45:02 PM » |
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Yep. Starkville isn't QUITE as genteel as Oxford.
Mississippi State has nearly 18,000 students now. Ole Miss is around 17 to 17,500.
Very football. Also basketball and baseball. They love their sports. Students attend from all over the state plus surrounding states. They have students from nearly every state in the Union, plus many from other countries. It is the land grant institution so research is part of the mandate. You will get some snowflakes but most are okay. There is a strong academic honesty policy in place.
I can't really help you with humanities, but there is quality faculty at MSU. Many have won awards. The campus is growing (it was just over 16,000 four years ago) and many new buildings are on campus with others being extensively renovated. MSU again topped the state in research dollars awarded to universities this past year. There is a very large library, with an extensive collection.
Be prepared to see sorority ladies and frat guys mixed in with cowboys/girls and farmers. The student body is very diverse. Many students are on financial aid, but you'll also see students driving Hummers and Mercedes.
The town is mostly friendly and there are several activities that get university folks and town folks together. There are several chain restuarants, but also a lot of local places that are very good. Shopping isn't much to scream about, but there are some nice local shops on Main Street. Columbus is 30 miles east and has a mall, plus there is a Belk's over there. There may be some new places to shop in Starkville in the next year or so. The town is growing with the university. Property prices haven't fallen quite as much as in other parts of the country. There is constant construction of houses and apartments going on.
If you want more specific info, PM me.
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...only after reading gm's post, my new mantra is "always listen to gennimom".
Monday reeks! - Garfield The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a person (or something like that). |
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phydeaux
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« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2009, 07:58:14 PM » |
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My SO did a phone interview with MSU about 2 weeks ago. The statement that stuck with her the most is "We pay very well, but our insurance package sucks" (yes, I think "sucks" is the actual word the interviewer used). According to the AAUP/CHE salary survey, the average assistant prof salary is almost 62K, which is several K more than I make as a full prof in a religious school a few states west. That may be an apples-and-oranges comparison, but there it is.
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gennimom
Somewhat Southern (Have I really posted that much?)
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 16,764
Let's get summer over with! Me want snow!
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« Reply #7 on: January 22, 2009, 08:10:05 PM » |
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I guess compared to some states it may suck, but the insurance package isn't all bad. The only problem I have with it is the fact that while BC/BS of MS administers it, we don't get quite the same service. You have to make sure that who you want to see is in the plan. In state, not such a problem. Out of state, can be a big problem. If you are willing to argue, you can also get them to pay just about anything.
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...only after reading gm's post, my new mantra is "always listen to gennimom".
Monday reeks! - Garfield The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a person (or something like that). |
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phydeaux
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« Reply #8 on: January 22, 2009, 08:34:52 PM » |
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I guess compared to some states it may suck, but the insurance package isn't all bad.
That's encouraging, gennimom! Where I am, the pay is low and the insurance is lousy, so moving to Starkville would be a step up no matter what! |
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ms_turtle
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« Reply #9 on: January 23, 2009, 09:22:48 AM » |
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Yep. Starkville isn't QUITE as genteel as Oxford.
HA! :) MSU also has a top tier wildlife biology program and vet school. |
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'I get paid to think, and today I prefer to do my thinking lying down.' -- Inspector Morse
"Oh, PLANS, PLANS, PLANS -- how we make plans into the future, as if the future will most certainly be there!" -- John Irving
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dw2007
Junior member
Posts: 75
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« Reply #10 on: January 23, 2009, 09:58:41 AM » |
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I guess compared to some states it may suck, but the insurance package isn't all bad. The only problem I have with it is the fact that while BC/BS of MS administers it, we don't get quite the same service. You have to make sure that who you want to see is in the plan. In state, not such a problem. Out of state, can be a big problem. If you are willing to argue, you can also get them to pay just about anything. I wasn't impressed with the insurance package compared to other states; it was very expensive for family coverage. YMMV. |
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dw2007
Junior member
Posts: 75
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« Reply #11 on: January 23, 2009, 09:59:23 AM » |
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The above poster has MS State confused with the U of Mississippi. Starkville ain't Oxford, but I don't think it's all bad either. Yep. JP has been hittin' the sauce, methinks. |
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dw2007
Junior member
Posts: 75
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« Reply #12 on: January 23, 2009, 10:06:13 AM » |
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Yep. Starkville isn't QUITE as genteel as Oxford.
Mississippi State has nearly 18,000 students now. Ole Miss is around 17 to 17,500.
Very football. Also basketball and baseball. They love their sports. Students attend from all over the state plus surrounding states. They have students from nearly every state in the Union, plus many from other countries. It is the land grant institution so research is part of the mandate. You will get some snowflakes but most are okay. There is a strong academic honesty policy in place.
I can't really help you with humanities, but there is quality faculty at MSU. Many have won awards. The campus is growing (it was just over 16,000 four years ago) and many new buildings are on campus with others being extensively renovated. MSU again topped the state in research dollars awarded to universities this past year. There is a very large library, with an extensive collection.
Be prepared to see sorority ladies and frat guys mixed in with cowboys/girls and farmers. The student body is very diverse. Many students are on financial aid, but you'll also see students driving Hummers and Mercedes.
The town is mostly friendly and there are several activities that get university folks and town folks together. There are several chain restuarants, but also a lot of local places that are very good. Shopping isn't much to scream about, but there are some nice local shops on Main Street. Columbus is 30 miles east and has a mall, plus there is a Belk's over there. There may be some new places to shop in Starkville in the next year or so. The town is growing with the university. Property prices haven't fallen quite as much as in other parts of the country. There is constant construction of houses and apartments going on.
If you want more specific info, PM me. GM nailed it. MSU also has a new president, who is young and has a young family (triplets under the age of four and another girl around 2, I think). |
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john_proctor
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« Reply #13 on: January 23, 2009, 10:58:12 AM » |
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The above poster has MS State confused with the U of Mississippi. Starkville ain't Oxford, but I don't think it's all bad either. Yep. JP has been hittin' the sauce, methinks. Burp. My bad (actually, I was sober. I read far too quickly. I thought it was "Mississippi State. University of Mississippi" and was looking for comparisons). Carry on. |
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« Last Edit: January 23, 2009, 10:59:31 AM by john_proctor »
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"Look upon me! I'll show you the 'life of the mind.'"
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gennimom
Somewhat Southern (Have I really posted that much?)
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 16,764
Let's get summer over with! Me want snow!
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« Reply #14 on: January 23, 2009, 12:46:45 PM » |
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I guess compared to some states it may suck, but the insurance package isn't all bad. The only problem I have with it is the fact that while BC/BS of MS administers it, we don't get quite the same service. You have to make sure that who you want to see is in the plan. In state, not such a problem. Out of state, can be a big problem. If you are willing to argue, you can also get them to pay just about anything. I wasn't impressed with the insurance package compared to other states; it was very expensive for family coverage. YMMV. It is a bit expensive to cover an entire family. If you only have to cover one member though, it isn't bad. However, you can choose your level of deductible, which helps make up for it. GD looked at the health coverage for a u that I've applied to, and they were actually worse. And unlike MSU, faculty can't use the Student Health Center. |
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...only after reading gm's post, my new mantra is "always listen to gennimom".
Monday reeks! - Garfield The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a person (or something like that). |
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