Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College: A School Within A School

College is not for everybody. Some people are not made for the atmosphere of classrooms with two hundred students, professors that are not able to name all of their students and limited study areas. There are those among us who belong in an institution of higher caliber. Luckily, that very institution can be found at the University of Mississippi- in the form of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. Established in 1997, it was born of alumni Jim and Sally Barksdale, who wanted to contribute to and make a difference on the Ole Miss campus. With its small class sizes (15-20 students), close contact with dedicated and experienced professors, and 24-hour access to study rooms, the Honors College attracts many a student. However, the path is intensive. Students are required to maintain a 3.5 GPA, take 29 hours in honors classes, and take part in community service projects. The question is what do students ultimately gain from this program?
Jake McGraw, a senior Public Policy Leadership/Economics major and a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship, says that he has had a lot to gain in his time as a member of the Honors College, including what he calls an education just as good as any in the country. He especially loves the intimate class size. “Few schools can guarantee that your classes will be small and taught by top faculty,” says McGraw. He also says that he has benefited from the out-of-classroom experiences. “[Honors College] offered extracurricular opportunities to travel and interact with people like Tom Friedman and Colin Powell.” McGraw has made friends and memories that will last him a lifetime and that “would not have been possible without the Honors College.” Younger students completing their first semester also have the same positive opinions about the HC. Freshman English Education major Cody Rentz says he thrives from the hurdles that come with the opportunities. “I had already decided on Ole Miss, and then I started to look at the Honors College in particular. I realized I would enjoy the challenge and it would keep me motivated.” It also gives him more initiative to do what he loves, helping others. “I enjoy doing community service, and even though I probably wouldn’t do as much if I wasn’t required, I’m still glad it’s assigned to us,” Rentz said. Not everybody with the academic potential is made for the Honors College. Admissions counselor Ryan Upshaw says that the program has a retention rate of about 60%. “Of the 40% that we lose, most of them transfer into the regular population of the school,” Upshaw says. “They either can’t maintain the required GPA, struggle with the senior thesis, or realize they’re just not up to the work. Honors College isn’t for everyone.” Rentz agrees. “It’s definitely a challenge,” he says. “If you just want to go through college and get your degree, HC might not be the right choice. But if you like a challenge, it’s worth the shot, even if you don’t make it through.” For more information on the Honors College, visit http://www.honors.olemiss.edu/.