ole miss college admission essay

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A chance to explore new opportunities, establish lifelong friendships and meaningful connections, discover transformative experiences, and gain the skills and knowledge to launch your career. You want to help make a better world, and the University of Mississippi will nurture your potential and support you. We can't wait to join you on this journey. Your legacy awaits! 

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University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

University of mississippi (ole miss) 2024-25 application essay question explanations.

The Requirements: 2 essays of 500-700 words each for Honors College applicants only

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Oddball

The following prompts are for Honors College applicants only:

Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve – anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. Your essay must be between 500 and 700 words. It will be evaluated on a combination of style, grammar, imagination, and substance. 

This is your opportunity to not only show admissions that you’re paying attention to the world around you, but also demonstrate your passion, creativity, and vision. Your answer to this prompt should be three-fold: first, describe a problem that troubles you; second, describe why you feel strongly about it; and third, describe how you have solved or might solve this problem. Start by brainstorming a few problems or challenges—big and small—that bother you or impact your life in some capacity. Maybe you’ve worked to combat body shaming in your local ballet school and have successfully changed the teachers’ approach through sustained campaigning and education. Perhaps you’re passionate about combating the rampant wildfires in your state through modernized forestry and logging methods as well as sustainable park management. If you’re feeling stuck, ask yourself: What kind of mark would you like to leave on the world? How do you think you can positively contribute to a cause that is important to you? Be sure to describe why the issue you’ve chosen resonates with you so deeply. Perhaps you’re wheelchair-bound, and grappling with accessibility (or lack thereof) is part of your daily life. Maybe your family is from Ukraine and the ongoing war there continues to trouble you. Be as descriptive as possible about the problem and your connection to it, showing how imaginative you can be with your solutions. 

If you could invent a new word, phrase, or device, what would it be? How/when would you use it? Your essay must be between 500 and 700 words. It will be evaluated on a combination of style, grammar, imagination, and substance. Do not use the same essay you submitted for the Shared Information portion of the application.

This open-ended prompt gives you a chance to show off your creativity in whatever realm suits you best. If nothing springs to mind immediately, think about ideas you wish English had a word for or handy gadgets that would make your daily life easier. Has there been a time you were frustrated by your inability to accomplish something easily? How could a new invention solve this for you? Maybe you’d invent glasses that can zoom in with just a blink to help you read road signs while you’re driving your younger sister to her soccer games. Perhaps you would invent teleportation so you could travel easily to visit your dad across the country any time. Maybe you wish English had a word like the German sturmfrei to describe the feeling of having the whole house to yourself while your parents are away. Try to think of something that reveals a new aspect of your personality, activities, or interests that admissions won’t see elsewhere in your application. With 500-700 words to play with, you have plenty of space to wax poetic about your creation and how you would use it! 

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Build your legacy at Ole Miss.

Are you ready to become a Rebel?

Founded in 1848, Ole Miss is Mississippi's flagship public research university. We offer nearly 200 degree programs, sponsor groundbreaking research, and nurture creativity. To support our mission, we seek students who are eager to succeed and expand their horizons.

Want to join us? It starts with applying to Ole Miss.

We've designed our application process to be convenient for all. We'll work with you to make sure you have everything you need. Below, you will find information about our undergraduate admissions requirements. Questions? Connect with our admissions office, who will be happy to assist.

Let's get started.

Freshman Admission Requirements

For entering freshmen, admission is based on:

• the submission of an application (the university’s application or the Common Application ); and
• completion of the required units of the Mississippi College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) ; and
• high school cumulative unweighted grade point average (GPA); and
• either an ACT or SAT test score*.

Standardized test results (ACT or SAT) should be sent directly from the testing agency. Our ACT code is 2250 and our SAT/College Board code is 1840.

The university will accept super scores (highest subject tests from ACT/SAT when scores from multiple test dates are submitted) for admission. Subject test scores must be from the same exam type (ACT or SAT) to create a super score. The university will calculate superscores if one isn’t provided. 

*Although we are not requiring a standardized test score for admission for the 2025-2026 academic year, ACT/SAT scores are still very important for scholarships, some aid programs, and for academic placement.

Mississippi residents are admitted based on meeting one of the following criteria:

• Completing high school graduation requirements and the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) or completing equivalent requirements as determined by the University of Mississippi; and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 grading scale as reported by the high school or as calculated by the University of Mississippi using an IHL-approved unweighted cumulative GPA calculator; OR
• Completing high school graduation requirements and the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) or completing equivalent requirements as determined by the University of Mississippi; and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 as reported by the high school or as calculated by the University of Mississippi using an IHL-approved unweighted cumulative GPA calculator or a class rank in the top 50%; and have an ACT composite score of 16 or higher (or SAT equivalent); OR
• Completing high school graduation requirements and the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) or completing equivalent requirements as determined by the University of Mississippi; and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 as reported by the high school or as calculated by the University of Mississippi using an IHL-approved unweighted cumulative GPA calculator; and have an ACT composite score of 18 or higher (or SAT equivalent). 

Any student who does not meet the above requirements may be granted full admission by satisfying the NCAA Division I standards for student athletes who are "full qualifiers" or "academic redshirts". 

Non-resident applicants are evaluated for admission based on the following:

• Completing the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC); and
• Cumulative unweighted grade point average (GPA); and
• Optional for students with 3.2 unweighted cumulative GPA or higher
• Strongly recommended for students with less than a 3.2 unweighted cumulative GPA; and
• rigor of high school curriculum; and 
• availability of seats in the incoming class.

Non-resident students are encouraged to apply early, as admission is granted on a competitive, rolling basis until the university reaches capacity. It is suggested that students apply and submit required documents no later than February 1 of their senior year, for priority consideration.

Reading and English:  Students whose ACT subtest score in reading and/or English is less than 17 (or less than 470 on the SAT) are required to enroll in an appropriate developmental course during the first year of enrollment and to remain in the course until receiving a passing grade.

Mathematics: Students whose ACT subtest score in mathematics is less than 19 (or less than 510 on the SAT) are required to enroll in an appropriate developmental course during the first year of enrollment and to remain in the course until receiving a passing grade. Students may also choose to take the ALEKS placement exam in order to enroll in non-developmental math classes.

Other Test Scores:  Students with ACT subtest scores of 17, 18, or 19 are encouraged to enroll in developmental courses. Those students who enroll in two or more developmental courses also are required to complete one semester of Edhe 105 . Enrollment in developmental courses is limited to students with subtest scores below 20 except with permission of the department. 

Developmental courses completed at other postsecondary institutions before enrolling at the University of Mississippi may be considered to meet developmental requirements.

Non-Accredited High Schools

Applicants who have completed high school from a school that does not hold regional accreditation must submit the following:

• Transcripts reflecting academic performance or a secondary school leaving form; and
• ACT or SAT scores and GPA based on Mississippi admission requirements.

Home-schooled students:

• Home-school transcripts or portfolio summarizing home school education; and
• ACT or SAT scores and GPA based on Mississippi admission requirement; and
• Final official notarized transcript.

Not completed high school:

• Passing scores on a state approved high school equivalency examination; and
• an ACT score of 18 or higher or SAT score of at least 960.

Applicants who have completed a non-domestic high school or attended a non-domestic institution of higher learning (including those not accredited by or in candidate status with an accreditation body recognized by an appropriate U.S. Federal Agency) may be admitted in another admissions category or on the basis of the following:

• Transcripts reflecting academic performance or a secondary school leaving form; or
• ACT or SAT scores.

Other Admission Criteria

Residents of Mississippi who apply and do not meet the admission requirements stated above may enter the comprehensive screening process (counseling and testing) held on campus and at other designated locations prior to the beginning of the first summer session.

The comprehensive screening process will consider student interests, special skills, experiences, and other non-cognitive factors. After counseling, students will take a computer-based examination (Accuplacer) to assist the University in their admission decision.

Students who pass the Accuplacer test will be admitted for the fall term and will be encouraged to participate in Edhe 105 during the first semester of enrollment.

Undergraduate Special Students

A student who is at least 21 years of age, has been out of school for at least three years, and cannot present an acceptable high school record may be admitted to the university for such courses as he or she may be prepared to enter.

This category is reserved for those who have had delays or interruption of the traditional sequence of educational pursuits. A person admitted as a special student is admitted with the same retention standards as degree-seeking students.

Special students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA on 12 hours of coursework to become degree-seeking students. After meeting this requirement, the special student may become a regularly enrolled student, and the work completed while in the special status may be applied toward a degree. Failure to meet the stated requirements will result in academic suspension.

While in special student status, a student may not register for more than 12 hours in a semester or summer session and will not qualify for financial aid programs.

Unclassified Students

Applicants who have already received a baccalaureate degree may enroll in the university if they desire to take courses for personal or professional improvement at the 400 level or below or are pursuing a second undergraduate degree.

Generally, students pursuing a second undergraduate degree will not be permitted to take graduate courses, but under certain circumstances, with the approval of the appropriate academic dean, they may enroll as unclassified students in 500-level courses.

Visiting Students

A student who regularly attends another recognized institution and who plans to return to that institution may be admitted to the university as a visiting student. 

The applicant must comply with the general requirements for admission and, in lieu of transcripts of credits, may submit a letter or certificate of good standing from an official of the institution that the student regularly attends. A student admitted to the summer session as a visiting student may elect to enroll in the university’s next regular session. The student can qualify by submitting transcripts of credits from the other institutions attended and by meeting the requirements applicable to transfer students. If the student has attended the University of Mississippi previously, he or she must be re-admissible.

Summer College for High School Students  is a four-week academic program for high-achieving high school students who want to experience university life.

Participants in Summer College have the opportunity to gain dual credit (high school and college) for classes taken during the summer. This program is offered in both residential and virtual formats.

Students must meet the following criteria to qualify:

• Be a minimum of 15 years old by first day of the program; and
• Be in good academic and conduct standing in high school (includes public, private, parochial, or home-educated); and
• Have secured permission from high school principal to attend; and 
• OPTION 1:  14 CPC (College Preparatory Curriculum) high school credits by the end of the current school year  AND  minimum 3.0 GPA
• OPTION 2:  Minimum cumulative score of 30 on the ACT (or SAT equivalent)  AND  minimum 3.0 GPA

For more information about Summer College and other dual credit programs, visit the  Office of Pre-College Programs .

Financial Aid and Scholarships

College preparatory curriculum (cpc).

High-School Course Requirements for new freshmen students.

The CPC is aligned with current Mississippi high school graduation requirements and course offerings. The CPC course list ensures uniformity of courses being accepted in each category of the CPC across Mississippi's eight public institutions.

College Preparatory Curriculum

Meet our Admissions Specialists

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Will Turner

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Admission to the University

If you prefer, you may view the admission section on one page .

Freshman Admission

Standard test results.

Please note that standard test results (ACT or SAT) should be sent directly from the testing service to the admissions office.

College Preparatory Curriculum

Admission of entering freshmen is based on the completion of the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) specified below with either a specific minimum grade-point average (GPA) or both a specific GPA and minimum standard test score. Students must submit a high school transcript reflecting satisfactory completion of the following high school course requirements as well as an official graduation date. (Provisional admission may be granted after six semesters of high school provided the transcript indicates that courses to complete the CPC are underway; final admission will require a complete transcript.)

• Pre-High School units: Courses taken prior to high school will be accepted for admission provided the course earns Carnegie credit and the content is the same as the high school course.
• Substitutions: Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses can be substituted for each requirement in the College Preparatory Curriculum.
• Course Acceptance: A course may not be used to satisfy more than one requirement.
• The Required and Recommended College Preparatory Curricula (CPC) are approved by the IHL Board of Trustees, and the IHL Office of Academic and Student Affairs maintains a complete list of courses that can be used to satisfy the CPC requirements. See www.mississippi.edu/admissions/. The Mississippi Department of Education also maintains an online course catalog with CPC classifications for each course avaliable at http://www.rcu.msstate.edu/Curriculum/MDECourseCode.aspx.aspx

Admission of Mississippi Residents

Regular admission will be granted to the following:

• Students completing the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) with a minimum 3.20 high school GPA on the CPC.
• Students completing the CPC with a minimum 2.50 high school GPA on the CPC and a minimum score of 16 on the composite ACT (or 880 on the SAT).
• Students completing the CPC with a class rank in the top 50 percent and a minimum score of 16 on the composite ACT (or 880 on the SAT).
• Students completing the CPC with a minimum 2.00 high school GPA on the CPC and a minimum composite score of 18 on the ACT (or 960 on the SAT).
• Students who meet full-qualifier certification requirements for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Nonresident Admissions

IHL Board policy regarding the admission of nonresident students was changed effective for students applying for summer or Fall of 2022 or a subsequent term. The following policy was approved at the March 2011 board meeting:

Any student identified as a nonresident will be qualified for admission to a Mississippi institution of higher learning based on equivalent preparation as determined by the admitting institution.

If, however, an admitting institution determines that anticipated enrollment will exceed the institution’s capacity to adequately serve all prospective students who are otherwise qualified for admission, then the institution may make appropriate admissions decisions from among the pool of otherwise qualified nonresident applicants in light of institutional capacity and consistent with constitutional and other legal requirements, as well as in light of the IHL and the admitting institution’s values, mission, and goals.

Specific admissions criteria for nonresident students can be found at the following website: www.olemiss.edu/admissions or by contacting the Office of Admissions.

Admission Requirements for the Professional Program in Pharmacy and Early Entry Nursing

Freshman admission requirements for the professional program in pharmacy and early entry nursing differ from general admission requirements. Please see the pharmacy and health professions sections of the catalog for details.

Minimum Test Scores

Students whose ACT subtest score in reading and/or English is less than 17 (or SAT verbal score is 480 or less) are required to enroll in an appropriate developmental course during the first semester of enrollment and to remain in the course until receiving a passing grade or until passing the placement exam administered by the Department of Developmental Studies. Additionally, students whose ACT subtest score in mathematics is less than 19 (or SAT mathematics score is 510 or less) are required to enroll in an appropriate developmental course during the first semester of enrollment and to remain in the course until receiving a passing grade or until passing the placement exam administered by the Department of Developmental Studies. Students with ACT subtest scores of 17, 18, or 19 are encouraged to enroll in developmental courses. Those students who enroll in two or more developmental courses also are required to complete two semesters of Developmental Support Lab (see below). Enrollment in developmental courses is limited to students with subtest scores below 20 except with permission of the department. Developmental courses completed at other postsecondary institutions before enrolling at The University of Mississippi may be considered to meet developmental requirements.

Test Score Minimums as Course Prerequisites

Some courses may require a minimum standard test score as a prerequisite. For example, students enrolling in Biology 160/161 must have a 24 subscore on the mathematics portion of the ACT (SAT math score of 580) or have completed College Algebra with a grade of B or higher. Students enrolling in Chemistry 105/106 must have one of the following: a 24 subscore on the mathematics portion of the ACT (SAT score of 580); completed Chemistry 101 with a grade of C or higher; completed Math 125 (Basic Mathematics for Science and Engineering) with a grade of B or higher.

Other Admission Criteria

Residents of Mississippi who apply and do not meet the admission requirements stated above may enter the Comprehensive Academic Screening Program (counseling and testing) held on campus and at other designated locations prior to the beginning of the first summer session. Such counseling will consider student interests, special skills, experiences, and other noncognitive factors. After counseling, students will take a computer- based examination, Accuplacer, to assist the university in the admission decision. Students who pass the Accuplacer will be admitted for the fall term and will be encouraged to participate in the Developmental Support Lab during the first two semesters of enrollment.

Summer Developmental Program

Mississippi residents who are not successful on the Accuplacer examination may be admitted to the Summer Developmental Program. This intensive program concentrates on those high school subject areas (writing, reading, mathematics) that are crucial to success in first-year college courses. Students who successfully exit the summer program may continue in the fall term with the requirement of participation in the Developmental Support Lab during the fall and spring semesters. Students who do not pass the Summer Developmental Program are counseled to explore other postsecondary options, including those offered by two-year colleges that prepare students for transfer into bachelor’s degree programs.

The Developmental Support Lab is designed to assist students with first-year college studies. The goal of this lab is to provide individualized support in intermediate and regular academic courses for marginally prepared students.

Earning College Credit in High School

In the summer before the senior year in high school, students may earn university credit by attending enrichment programs such as Croft Summer Scholars, and the Summer Institutes in Art, Journalism, and in Music.

Students must have completed a minimum of 14 high school units with a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, or better on all high school courses, as documented by an official high school transcript; home-schooled students must submit a transcript prepared by a parent, guardian, or custodian with a signed, sworn affidavit to meet the requirement. Students must have an unconditional written recommendation from their high school principal and/or guidance counselor. A home-schooled student must submit a parent, legal guardian or custodian’s written recommendation to meet the requirement. Students may be considered for the dual enrollment program who have not completed the minimum 14 core high school units if they have a minimum ACT composite score of thirty (30) or the equivalent SAT score, and have the required grade-point average and recommendations outlined above.

Summer enrichment programs are administered by the Office of Summer School.

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Ole Miss Requirements for Admission

What are Ole Miss's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into Ole Miss and build a strong application.

School location: University, MS

This school is also known as: University of Mississippi

Admissions Rate: 97.4%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at Ole Miss is 97.4% . For every 100 applicants, 97 are admitted.

This means the school is a nearly open admissions school. They accept nearly all students, so for the most part, you just need to submit an application to get in. But if you don't meet all their application requirements, you'll be one of the very few people who gets rejected.

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Ole Miss GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.6

The average GPA at Ole Miss is 3.6 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.6, Ole Miss requires you to be above average in your high school class. You'll need at least a mix of A's and B's, with more A's than B's. You can compensate for a lower GPA with harder classes, like AP or IB classes. This will show that you're able to handle more difficult academics than the average high school student.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

Ole Miss hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to Ole Miss will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

Ole Miss SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1134

The average SAT score composite at Ole Miss is a 1134 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes Ole Miss Competitive for SAT test scores.

Ole Miss SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1040, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1220. In other words, a 1040 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1220 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

Ole Miss ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, Ole Miss likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 25

The average ACT score at Ole Miss is 25. This score makes Ole Miss Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 22, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 29.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 22 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to Ole Miss, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 22.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

Ole Miss considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

This school offers nearly open admissions, which means they give almost every student an offer of admission. To be safe, you should aim for a 1040 SAT or a 22 ACT or higher . If you can achieve this, you're pretty much guaranteed a spot in the incoming class.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

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Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of Ole Miss here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Not accepted
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $65
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office September 9

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language
• Social Studies 3
• Electives 1

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes Rolling Rolling

Admissions Office Information

• Address: P.O. Box 1848 University, MS 38655
• Phone: (662) 915-7211 x7211
• Fax: (662) 915-5869
• Email: [email protected]

Our Expert's Notes

We did more detailed research into this school's admissions process and found the following information:

For Mississippi residents, admission is automatic if you complete the college preparatory curriculum (CPC) with a GPA of at least 3.2, or complete the CPC with at least a 2.50 and get a minimum 16 ACT composite score or 760 SAT score (Critical Reading and Math), or complete the CPC with a 2.00 and get a minimum 18 ACT or 860 SAT, or complete the CPC and are in the top half of your class with minimum 16 ACT or 760 SAT, or meet certification requirements for the NCAA. Non-resident applicants with a 2.50 GPA (2.75 for the high school Class of 2016 and later) or higher on the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) or equivalent CPC of the applicant’s state of residence and a composite ACT score of 21 or higher (or 980 or higher on the SAT Critical Reading/Mathematics only) will be automatically granted admission. Residents of Mississippi who apply and do not meet the admission requirements stated above may enter the comprehensive screening process (counseling and testing) held on campus and at other designated locations before the beginning of the first summer session. After counseling, students will take a computer-based examination. Students who pass the exam will be admitted for the fall term and will be encouraged to participate in a Developmental Support Lab during the first two semesters of enrollment.

For consideration for the Honors College and other scholarships, there is a separate application which can only be filled out once you turn in the general application. Turn in this application by January 5th to be considered for the Honors College, and by February 15th for scholarships. (This means you should plan ahead and submit your general application early.) Learn more here.

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in Ole Miss, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to Ole Miss.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than Ole Miss. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for Ole Miss, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for Ole Miss, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If Ole Miss is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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Ole Miss - The University of Mississippi

Academic Programs

• Art & Design
• Communication
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Finance/Accounting
• Government/Political Science
• Health Science
• Liberal Arts
• Performing Arts
• Public health
• Social Science
• Visual Arts

Student experience

• Co-op/Internship Opportunities
• Disability Services
• Distance/online learning
• Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI)
• Intramural/Club Sports
• LGBTQIA Services
• Military/Veteran Services
• Night Class Offerings
• On-Campus Housing
• ROTC Program
• Religious Affiliation
• Study Abroad
• Undergraduate Research

Application information

Find out about requirements, fees, and deadlines

You’re about to take a major step—a chance to access new opportunities, establish meaningful connections, discover transformative experiences, and gain the skills and knowledge to launch your career. You see yourself positively impacting the world, and the University of Mississippi is here to nurture your potential and support you through this endeavor. See yourself attending Ole Miss for freshman year? Visit admissions.olemiss.edu/apply/freshman for all first-year undergraduate requirements and learn more about how we evaluate incoming freshmen.

Not every first-year experience works out the way you planned. Maybe you started at another four-year institution and decided it wasn’t a good fit, or you made the decision to begin your journey at a community or junior college to test the waters and complete your general education requirements before making a firm commitment. Wherever you’re coming from and whatever your goals, the University of Mississippi is here to guide you through the transfer process, help you feel welcome on campus, and acclimate you to a new environment. Visit olemiss.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/application-process/transfer-students/  for more information.   

Additional Information

Admissions office

145 Martindale-Cole Student Services Center, P.O. Box 1848 University , MS 38677-1848 , United States of America

[email protected]

Phone number

(662) 915-7226

For first-year students

Admissions website.

olemiss.edu/admissions/

Financial aid website

finaid.olemiss.edu/

View more in this region

Follow Ole Miss - The University of Mississippi

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• High School
• Program Detail

Summer Programs

Writing You

Writing Workshop

Dates:   June 10-14, 2024

Grades:  Rising 10th-12th grades

Cost:  Residential $710/Commuter $400  What’s included in the cost?

Registration Due:  May 1, 2024

Sponsoring Department(s): UM Office of Pre-College Programs and the UM Writing Center

Step 1: Pay + Secure Spot Step 2: Create Account

Registration Closed

• Campus Life
• Registration

Interested in improving your college application portfolio? Thinking about how to represent your personal accomplishments and professional goals in an essay? Wondering what university committee members and administrators look for in effective scholarship application essays? In this week-long summer workshop, you will talk with University of Mississippi faculty, staff, and administrators about personal writing in academic contexts. You will also receive training in how to craft personal essays that may be used in a variety of academic contexts, from scholarship application letters to college application essays.

Throughout the week, you will work with trained consultants to write and workshop a draft of your personal statement. You will review examples of effective personal statements, speak with undergraduates who have written successful application essays, and receive feedback from experts who have evaluated personal writing for academic purposes.

Sponsoring Department UM Office of Pre-College Programs and the UM Writing Center

Financial Aid: McCullough-Greer Fund Scholarships The McCullouch-Greer Fund to Advance Writing as a Civic Responsibility scholarship is available to students registering for the 2023 Writing for the Future workshop.

Financial Aid Application

Scholarship Eligibility:

• Must be participating in 2023 Writing for the Future.
• Must demonstrate financial need.

Seats Available: 24 max

Eligibility

• Be in good academic and conduct standing at the time of admission. The school can be public, private, parochial, or even home educated.
• Complete the online application.

Residential students will live in a residence hall on campus, supervised by live-in counselors. All counselors are undergraduate students trained in the supervision of minors and background-checked. Evening recreational activities may include use of the campus recreational center, board games, and trips to locations on campus or in town.

Dr. Ellen Shelton

Dr. Shelton is the Interim Director of the Writing Center along with a few other duties on campus. She also is the Director of Pre-College Programs and the University of Mississippi Writing Project. She has taught everything writing from middle school, high school, undergrad, and graduate classes for 31 years. Dr. Shelton earned an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Mississippi. She is Nationally Board Certified in Adolescent/ Young Adult Language Arts and a 2003 winner of the Milken National Educator Award. She was named to The University of Mississippi’s School of Education Alumni Hall of Fame in 2018.

She is also working on a second doctorate at Memphis, so she’s back to being a student, again. Weird things happen during a pandemic and over age 50. She’s a Dallas Cowboys fan who is married to a Packers fan. She’s all about the cats, the Lego, and the coffee.

Regular Registration Deadline:

• June Programs = May 1st
• July Programs = June 1st

Late Registration Deadline:

An additional $40 late registration fee will be charged per week registered.

• June Programs = May 20th
• July Programs = June 20th

Registration Instructions

Program registration is a 3-step process that should be completed in order:

• Step 1:  Pay and secure your spot.
• Step 2:   Create an account. 
• Step 3:  Complete registration and checklist items.

Please only complete one (1) student registration per transaction. If registering multiple students, complete one student's registration, then start the process over for the next student. This system does not allow entry of multiple students' information within the same registration.

Step 1. Pay and secure your spot

Pay using the payment portal linked above to secure your student's spot.

Step 2: Create an account

Please use a personal email account, not a school affiliated email address, as most servers block external emails.

Within 3 business days, you will receive an email from [email protected] with steps to create your Admissions Portal through our Blackbaud MySchoolApp system.

Create account

Step 3. Complete your registration and checklist items before the deadline.

Once in the Admissions Portal, you will instantly see your program’s registration checklist that our admissions team has assigned you. Please complete the registration checklist before the program deadline and within 14 days of creating an account.

Registration includes standard questions (e.g., contact information, academic history, etc.) as well as instructions for submitting rules and guidelines agreements and medical information and forms.

Before the program begins:

Prior to the start of summer, you will receive a detailed pre-summer logistics email along with a pre-arrival checklist shown on your MySchoolApp account.

Incomplete or Late Registrations

After you have paid and secured a seat in the program, make sure to finish the remaining steps within two (2) weeks. If your registration is incomplete or an application is inactive for three (3) weeks, a $20 late fee will incur, unless an extension is requested.

Refund Policy

You must cancel your registration at least two weeks before the chosen session to receive an 80% refund. Refunds are not available to cancellations made less than two weeks prior to the chosen session. Full refunds will be issued if the camp is cancelled due to low enrollment.

For additional information, please contact:

• Address: Outreach and Continuing Education, Office of Pre-College Programs, The University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677-1848
• Phone: (662) 915-7621
• Fax: (662) 915-1535
• Email: [email protected]

The Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College is open to students in all undergraduate majors, as long as they enjoy intellectual novelty and courses that focus on critical thinking through reading, writing, and discussion. Our college emphasizes public service in addition to academic achievement, and we require involvement in community action each semester. For more information about the SMBHC and the opportunities we provide, explore our website. If you would like a copy of our Viewbook, please e-mail us at [email protected] or call 662-915-7294.

Join the SMBHC Family

Read answers to our most asked questions, and find out about the scholarships offered to a chosen group of incoming honors freshmen. And if you missed your chance at joining the SMBHC as a freshman, then check out our Honors Scholars program!

Scholarships

The University of Mississippi is pleased to offer a wide variety of scholarships to our students. We have both merit-based and need-based awards available. All students must be admitted to The University of Mississippi to be considered. Please note that some departmental and professional school awards are not included in this listing, so interested students should explore options with their chosen academic department, as well. Scholarship eligibility, criteria, and amounts may change without prior notice. The current listing of scholarships are for the 2024-2025 aid year.

Most of our awards are for Incoming Freshmen or Community College Transfer students.  To help make your search for scholarships easier, please begin by selecting whether you are a Mississippi Resident, a Non-Resident, or an International Student below.

University of Mississippi | Ole Miss

• Cost & scholarships
• Essay prompt

Acceptance Rate

Average SAT

SAT 25th-75th

Students Submitting SAT

Average (25th - 75th)

Reading and Writing

Average ACT

ACT 25th-75th

Students Submitting ACT

Wondering your admission chance to this school? Calculate your chance now

Applications, how to apply, tests typically submitted, similar schools.