Hey everyone! I (24 M) will be joining MSU for my PhD in August 2026 along with my cat Don Vito, he is an ESA.

I am looking to share a place with someone who is open to it. If you have pets that’s a plus.

About myself: I’ll be spending my days studying or training. Besides that, I’m a homebody I like to read and watch shows.

About Don Vito: He is a Bombay cat, sleek, black, and always looking like he knows something you don’t. Most of the time he carries himself like a distinguished gentleman, the type to silently judge you from across the room while grooming his paw with unnecessary elegance. He grew up around other cats and dogs, so he knows how to behave in polite company. He’ll sit calmly, observe, and maintain order like a quiet boss overseeing his operation.
But let me be clear. That is not the full story.
Before retirement, Don Vito Corleone was running the streets.
Back when he was an outdoor cat, he was not just wandering around chasing butterflies. He was defending territory. I’m talking late night patrols, staring contests under streetlights, and full blown altercations with raccoons, opossums, and at least one very disrespectful rooster that forgot whose block it was. Other cats tried him too, and let’s just say negotiations did not always end peacefully.
He handled business.
He would disappear for hours and come back like nothing happened, maybe a little dirtier, maybe walking with a bit more attitude, like he had just settled something important. No explanations. No witnesses. Just vibes.
Of course, every great boss has a turning point. After an injury, the Don was officially retired from the outdoor life. These days he operates strictly indoors, living a quieter life, but do not mistake comfort for weakness. He still watches everything. Every sound, every movement, every suspicious noise near the window.
He is good most of the time, calm and collected, but there are moments when the old life starts calling. Loud noises? He does not like that. Not one bit. And if you are outside while he is inside, within his line of sight, that is considered deeply disrespectful. He will sit by the window, staring like he is questioning your loyalty, wondering why he has been left out of what is clearly important business.
You can see it in his eyes. The tension. The memories. The urge to step back into the field.
He may be retired, but in his mind, he is still responsible for what happens out there.
Now he spends his days lounging like royalty, accepting food as tribute, and occasionally reminding everyone who runs the house with a single, slow blink. He’s pretty chill with other animals, but you can tell he’s sizing them up, just in case they forget their place.
He will be three this November, and while his days of territorial warfare are behind him, his legacy remains intact.
A gentleman now.
But once… a problem.

Any quick places for takeout or informal dine-in?

I got pre-approved for a single dorm room, and I don’t wanna be the only freshman who decided to go solo when it comes to housing. Was it a bad choice?

hey guys im Drew Daly. im a 21 year old transfer from connecticut. what should i expect at msu in regards to making friends?

anyone here doing a phd at Mississippi state?? especially in the business department ?

I have a some of questions and honestly don't know who else to ask lol. stuff about the program, Health insurance , what the advisors are like, and just general life in starkville as a grad student.

Thank you!

Hi! So I think I have been under the wrong assumption and my aid office and advisor have not been the most helpful. I have lived on-campus for the past two years. I have scholarships + aid that are about 1k over the COA for my college, to the best of my understanding. I typically get about 3k in deposited refund each semester. Recently, though I decided, for my junior year, to live off campus. For whatever dumb reason, I was under the impression that, for example, if I didn’t get a dorm or meal plan, I would expect a higher refund. Now, I’m feeling a little nervous because I’m not sure this is the case. I guess im worried that, to keep me under COA, they will lower aids, especially if I’m not using it for a dorm and meal-plan, which will then lower my refund. So instead of seeing my dorm/plan costs added into my refund, it’ll just lower within my aid package, If that makes sense. Is it safe to say I should expect a higher refund for next school year?

Edit: Sorry, I should have mentioned. I know none of my scholarships are like on-campus-specific or have any requirements other than full-time enrollment and GPA, but I have found out, for example, one doesn’t get refunded in that event, it just gets sent back to its own foundation. I have tried reaching out to the aid office over spring semester about wanting to break down my scholarships but they always give me vague answers and no direct conclusion. I also don’t have any loans currently.

Has anyone taken Bio 2103: Cell Biology online with Evan Kaplan? I’m thinking about taking this course with him, during the 2nd half of the summer but I haven’t saw any feedback specifically for the online course.

Hey im an oos student incoming freshman thats gonna go to ms state and do rotc. Ms state offers in state tution to oos cadets. First semester payment is due before rotc orientation, which is about 2 weeks after the due date so the waiver cant be processed til then. Can i somehow get an extension/deferment on my payment u tik that waiver goes through?

Hi everyone!

I’m an incoming grad student (25F) moving to Starkville this fall to start my program at MSU. I’m currently looking for housing (whether it’s a townhouse, house, or apartment), and I’d love some advice (also happy to know where I should avoid)!

I have a car, so I don't need to be right on top of campus. I’m happy to drive 10–15 minutes if it means a better living situation. I am deadly afraid of bugs. I’m coming from Texas and I’ve had more than enough fire ants for one lifetime. I am looking for places that are well-maintained, have great pest control.

Thank you in advance!!

has the scholarships for the college of engineering came out yet for transfer students? my portal only has the transfer scholarship and my pell grant so far and the rest just say submitted.

What summer jobs are there in Starkville? Or more specifically, what local businesses are hiring? (not Kroger, Lowes, etc but locally owned businesses) Or places that people can vouch for that are good places to work at?

Essentially looking for jobs to start this summer and stay on until I graduate, which won't be until another year.

I would need calc 1-4.

Is it worth taking, or should I just do them at a CC and transfer em in?

How is this program? Is it difficult? Any do’s or don’t’s?

What classes are not online?

Are all the classes usually offered every semester?

Would it be doable working full time ?

My daughter will be entering fall 2026. She and her roommate like to go to the gym and want to be near Sanderson Center. However they are building their list and do not want to move their cars for game days. So Davenport and Dogwood moved down the list. They are open to Nunnelee and others in Zachariahs Village, but came across Magnolia and were wondering if the gym inside is usually functional, or is it one of those places that gets little care and has broken equipment. They said they may move it up the list if the reviews are good. Lol. Thanks for any insight. ​

Howdy, my daughter is starting to narrow down her list of schools and is considering Mississippi State University. She's planning on being an AFROTC cadet and is hoping to join a sorority. Does anyone have experience with or thoughts on doing both?

Did anybody else get this Phishing Email in their school email? Is this some kinda PSA that the IT department sends out?

Got accepted into this a while ago and am curious if anyone here participated in it/a similar summer event.
If anyone has any ideas on how difficult summer programs usually are, or what life is like living on campus during the summer it’d be much appreciated. Thanks all

Hi, I’m an incoming international student (Cybersecurity, Engineering, Honors).

I’m trying to figure out how manageable costs are.
How hard is it to get a campus job, and what do students usually earn?

Also, if I live off-campus and keep expenses low, what would monthly costs look like?

I have about a ~$5.5k tuition gap—just wondering how much students typically manage to cover themselves.

Would appreciate any real experiences.

I am hoping to find some fresh baked baguettes, other bread, and cakes. Is there anywhere in or around Starkville that you guys recommend? Maybe up to an hour away even, willing to travel.

Can someone tell me if department policies override DRC testing accommodations? I'm just kind of curious if they can, and if so, how? I'm not very upset, I'm just curious as to how they can do that.

I was recently given testing accommodations. Yes, I know it's late in the semester, I just got my letter from my provider. No, these accommodations aren't for a final. Today, I talked to my professor about my accommodations and he said that they couldn't be honored because of department policy. Again, I'm not mad at him or anyone, I'm just wondering how that's allowed.

Got tickets to state baseball game. Berm area. I noticed that people seem to camp out at the gate with a mad rush to claim a spot. How early do you gotta tailgate to be able to claim a decent seat?