Applying to Ole Miss Law School - questions about Oxford (Jackson: renting, student loans)

[pinkjacket]

I'm trying to visit the first weekend in November because Ole Miss is having law day that Friday, but can't decide whether to drive (it's 940 miles) or fly. Airfare to Memphis is a little pricey and to make matters worse I can't find a hotel in Oxford. It seems that Ole Miss is playing on Saturday and everything is sol dout. I'm finding hotels in Batesville, but am not sure I want to drive 25 miles to/from, especially at night. This is really putting a crink in my plans.So if Oxford resists change does that mean there isn't a Starbucks?

[poptones]

LOL. See? At least you know there's something to do on football weeks. Ole Miss and Bulldog football is pretty big here in Mississippi. And I don't think we rival Texas yet in High School football, but given the resources of the state proportional to the level we maintain, I think Mississippi might even exceed Texas in that regard. Not a huge amount of money in the state but many schools have very elaborate play fields.

I didn't mean to imply these folks resist ALL change. What I mean is, for example, when it comes up to vote on whether or not to change existing liquor sales laws, or zoning laws, one of the primary considerations always mentioned is how it would impact the young people living in the town away from home who are supposed to be learning. I can respect that, though it's easy for me to do since I also choose to NOT live in one of those towns.

If you can find a place in Batesville then I'd say go for it. I don't know how much you are ok with driving but you might even find you like living closer to Batesville. It's not the biggest town around but it's not Oxford, either. Batesville puts you like 30 minutes from Memphis and it's actually kind of a cool town in its own right.

[pinkjacket]

Thumbs up for Batesville...yeah. Usually I don't mind driving at night and, in fact, really enjoy driving. However, given that I don't know the area and I want to check out the nightlife in Oxford I wasn't sure what the roads are like between Oxford and Batesville. I imagine with Ole Miss playing that weekend the town is going to be crazy busy.

You do bring up a good point about Batesville and since I am planning to stay the weekend I do want to check out areas around Oxford. So what makes Batesville a cool town? The idea of being closer to Memphis is kinda cool...closer to the airport and more activities.

What I like about Oxford is that it does seem to want to keep it's southern charm and small-town status. But I can see how that could make change low and also be a bit boring. Then again I'll be going to law school so my free time will be pretty limited during the first year.

Any idea what the roads are like between Batesville and Oxford? Well lit? Backroads? Highway?

[poptones]

It's a "Mississippi highway" which means a variety of two lane and four lane. It's not too bad as it's between Oxford and Batesville which is right on I-55. Since that road is basically Oxford's access to the interstate it's a pretty good road.

I dunno what it is about Batesville that makes it so interesting. If I were an optimistic fellow I'd actualyl say it's one of those up and coming places. Because it's not TOO close to Memphis and all that it's sort of taken on a life of its own. For example there's a sign shop there that is WAY bigger than you would expect a sign shop to be in Bateville MS. But because of their location and the fact its a well run business they pick up all sorts of jobs from all over. Because bying a sign isn't like buying groceries it's not too big a deal for someone from Memphis to work with them, but they can provide a very good price because it's Batesville.

Batesville has quite a lot going for it, really. I dunno what the ngihtlife is like around there, but there's lots of major businesses there and the main drag has lots of local businesses. It's a great mix of commerce packed into a fairly compact area. It's not a welathy place but it is a healthy place from all I've seen.

[pinkjacket]

PT - ok, you've got me sold on staying in Batesville and since it's along the main drag from Oxford I guess I can check out all the places in between. You've definitely made B'ville sound a lot more exciting that Oxford.

I'm still working on flights though. Who knew that it'd be so expensive to fly to Memphis...plus I have to change planes in Atlanta. What a pain.

[pinkjacket]

Made my hotel reservation in Batesville. I was only going to hold it, but stupid me didn't read the big WARNING notice and there's a 30 day cancellation policy and it can't be canceled at this point. That's what I get for rushing. Soooooo, I guess I'm going to MS the first weekend in November. I'll have plenty of time to check out the university, the towns, nightlife, etc.

Now I just have to decide whether to drive from South Florida (15+ hours) or fly and rent a car. It's cheaper to drive, but it's a long trip.

[brickpatio]

You should probably fly into Memphis. Just fyi, what you're going to see in Batesville is Wal-Mart, Lowes, an outlet mall, and numerous gas stations and fast food places. The highway from Batesville to Oxford takes about 20 minutes and is mostly trees and an occasional business here and there. The center of Oxford is the Square and the picturesque residential streets that run off the square. University Avenue runs from just off the Square to the Grove, which is the center of campus. That's a pretty street too. The Square and within a block or two off the Square is full of restaurants, bars, bookstores, and shopping. Oxford does have a nice commercial area off the highway with Home Depot, Wal Mart, etc. Honestly, there is nothing to see in Batesville but it's close and is a perfectly decent place in terms of staying in a motel off the interstate etc.

[poptones]

LOL I didn't mean to imply Batesville was "happening." As I said, I know nothing of the nightlife there I only know about some of the businesses. And yeah there's bit stores like Lowes there but there's more to it than that.

but as you said, you're coming to check out Oxford. That's where the college is. I hope you weren't misled, I meant Batesville can be fun in its own right for a day or two you're staying there. Whether there's enough to live there I don't know, but I do know its well located and is showing signs of prospering from that location so it can't be too bad. Oxford has like, 4 or 5 sushi places and I really doubt Batesville even has one. They do have a good barbq place, though...

PJ, I am totally curious about this decision of yours to take up law at 40. Is this "from scratch" or do you have a background? I am very much into free culture and the legal and political climate surrounding that culture (I write free software, my house has no less than 12 flags flying from the porch columns, and I can never resist an opportunity to deliver a history lesson to young people who inadvertently provide me the opportunity during a conversation). I've wished numerous times I had been wise enough to take up law a decade or two back but the notion of trying to memorize all that stuff now just overwhelms me - not to mention the thought that, by the time I graduated and (hopefully) passed the bar I'd have MAYBE another 15 good years left in me to actually make use of it all. Your story is almost an inspiration to me - so what gives? Dish some details; inspire me.

[pinkjacket]

PT - don't worry I wasn't misled about Batesville and don't think it's going to be a giant metropolis of activity. I was more concerned with is the town safe and did it make sense to stay there when I really want to be in Oxford. As long as it's safe and has some restaurants I'm cool with that. Besides, I will be at the University most of Friday and will be checking out the area on Saturday. As for nightlife, sure I like stuff to do and don't want to be bored, but I'm too old to party until the wee hours of the morning. I'd need to take a nap first.

Ok, now to your question. I know it seems crazy to start law school at 41. In fact, it's even crazier that I'm going to quit a really good paying job at a company I've worked at for 8 years, sell my condo and have to live like a student for 3 years or so. What's scary is that I've never not worked. I started working at 15 and never stopped. However, this is something that I've always wanted to do. In 2004 I started a part-time law program but in the summer of 2005 I had to take a leave of absence for a family illness. I didn't to return to school because I got a promotion at work and...well, you know how it goes. Life got in the way. Also having done the part-time school/work full-time thing I would never recommend that to someone going to law school. Law school is way too hard and requires too much time. Working full-time made studying time in short supply so I figured if I'm going to do this I'm going to take the big plunge and go full-time.

Recently I took a good look at my life and realized that I didn't really like my job, wasn't too happy with life in general and I still had the desire to become a lawyer. Yeah, sure, I'll be 45 when I finish but I rather be 45 doing something I want than 45 doing something that's just a job to pay the bills. It seems like now is the perfect time to make such a drastic change. Like I said, it probably sounds crazy to do this at 41 and sometimes I think it is. I get a panicky feeling thinking "what the hell am I doing?" "am I freakin' crazy". Sometimes I answer "yes."

Anyway, that's why I've been asking so many questions about the community and living in/near Oxford. At my age I may end up settling in that community for the duration. Granted I may not be accepted to Ole Miss and who knows if I'll bomb out of school....after all the brain isn't as quick as it used to be. But bottom line is I felt I needed to try to achieve this goal. It's never too late to make changes. I feel like this is act 3 in my life..another new beginning. And, really, are you ever too old?

Ok, so that's the long answer to a short question. Did I inspire?

[poptones]

You ARE working. That's one lesson an "old person" can take to school that is lost on younger folks. If you are attending law school then that's a pretty hardcore "job" for someone over 40. You're fortunate to have the resources you can focus on school for a while now and not have to worry about finances. Don't let Sally Mae get her hands around your throat!

Can you really "finish" law school in four years? I thought it was one of those things where you take classes four years but then have to pass the bar and essentially "intern" for someone more established before you're every really "done?"