And the winner is....

OLE MISS!!!! Or the University of Mississippi as it is officially known. I am really excited. I was leaning that way, but was still considering Memphis because it was cheaper, and I knew my dad really wanted me to go Memphis as well. So last Tuesday my mom and I went to Memphis, so that she would have something to compare Ole Miss too, and my dad had already seen it. So Friday, my dad, mom, and I drove down to Oxofrd, MS for admitted students day, which was basically an open house for students who had been admitted to Ole Miss. It was really important to me for my parents to see Ole Miss, and see what it was that I can't describe, which is the atmosphere.

As we were driving home, I told my parents what I still liked about it, and asked their opinions. My mom told me that she really liked it, and could see why I did. And then I asked my dad, and he asked me if I really wanted to hear what he had to say, and I told him yes. He asked what i thought he was going to say, and so I said that he probably thought it was a nice school but still the money spent wouldn't be worth it. However, he completely surprised me and did a complete 180. He said, the resources and benefits of going to a school like Ole Miss would be worth the $12,000 extra the first year, as long as I est. residency by the next year.

I was so happy that I had their approval of my decision. I decided to take one more night to sleep on it and make sure it was what I wanted, but when I woke up on Saturday I knew that was my decision. So now, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel, and now I just have to get all the other stuff in order so I can head South in the fall. :)

Ole Miss vs. Memphis

Ok, so I am having a huge problem deciding which law school to go to. I have narrowed it down to two schools (a feat I thought would make life easier, but has turned out to make it difficult). I have made my pro/con lists, I have visited both schools (twice after this Friday), I have done the math about how much I will have to borrow, AND how much I will have to pay a month after I graduate to pay each loan off in 10 years. I told myself I would make a decision by Easter, but now Easter has come and gone and I am still no closer to a decision. As I start to lean one way, something will be said, or I'll remember something, etc... and then all of a sudden I'm leaning the other way. I will have to reach a decision this weekend. My seat deposits are due one week from today. I'm sure I would be happy at either place, and so in theory, I could just flip a coin, and go with that. Somehow, I don't think that's the best way to pick a law school though. So here I am in an endless debate with myself on where to go, with the decision date looming ever so close. In the mean time here are some of the pros and cons I am considering for each school.

Pros for Memphis include: close to home, I know people and the area, it's cheaper by about $10,000, good bar passage/employment rate, brand new campus, and lots of study space.
Pros for Ole Miss include: better cost of living, close to home, but not home, big school amenities, lots of practical experience to choose from, they will have a new building come Christmas, they also have a good bar passage/employment rate.
Cons for Memphis include: It's close to home, live downtown, fewer options for classes, and the curriculum is more structured than most other law schools.
Cons for Ole Miss include: it's a big campus, it's expensive if i don't establish residency, and I'd have to start over again.