The ACM has allowed me to continue my education at Mississippi State and become a Broadcast Meteorologist. The meteorology world is a small circle of individuals, and after hearing many stories from various schools, I couldn't imagine myself at any other place than MSU. The Broadcast Meteorology Program is targeted to prepare students for life in the media world and I fully believe I'll be ready when graduation day arrives.

—Elisabeth D'Amore
Tennessee

The Academic Common Market was a major reason why I ended up choosing Mississippi State as my collegiate choice. The Broadcast Meteorology Program is highly specialized and there is not a comparable program in my home state of Tennessee. I could have chosen to stay home and pay in-state tuition but I would not have been able to pursue my dream of being a broadcast meteorologist. The ACM provides an affordable opportunity to attend a fantastic program and I am very grateful I chose Mississippi State.

—Katherine Burch
Tennessee

The Academic Common Market (ACM) is enabling many talented out-of-state students to enjoy the benefit of an excellent education at Mississippi State University, while easing the financial burden on their families. Almost every week we receive phone calls from, or welcome in person, high-school students and their parents who are visiting from Arkansas, Kentucky, or Louisiana. Those states do not offer programs in Aerospace Engineering. The significant financial incentive provided by ACM allows many of these prospective students to enroll at MSU instead of choosing a different career path or foregoing college altogether. During a four-year period at MSU, a full-time student taking advantage of the ACM can save in excess of $35,000 in tuition charges.

—Pasquale "PC" Cinnella, Department Head

My name is Eric Robertson, and I am currently in my fourth year at Mississippi State. I am 22 years old and was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. I truly believe the Academic Common Market has provided me with one of the few paths available to me to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering. Since this major was not offered anywhere in-state, my out-of-state options were often expensive and generally provided me with few scholarship options. Receiving ACM meant that I was able to attend a good engineering institution away from home without creating relatively heavy financial debt in the way of loans. Since I've been at MSU, I've spent time as a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and two aircraft design teams-one of which I am currently a part and participate in yearly at a nationwide competition in Maryland.

—Eric Robertson
Louisiana

My name is Joseph St. Columbia, and I am from Helena, Arkansas. The Academic Common Market, by waiving my out-of-state tuition, made it possible for me to attend Mississippi State. There is no possible way that I would be able to afford the additional expenses of out-of-state tuition - so the ACM is making my dream of being an Aerospace Engineer become a reality. I am a member of Mississippi State's Rocket Team and the Space Cowboys, and I have recently completed my NAR Level-1 Certification for high-powered rockets.

—Joseph St. Columbia
Arkansas

I am very appreciative of the opportunity to be part of the West Virginia Contract Program at Mississippi State University. This has allowed me to pursue a valuable veterinary degree from an outstanding veterinary college. Without the West Virginia Contract Program I would have had to look at other veterinary schools because of financial constraints, and I can honestly say that I could not imagine finding a veterinary program that fits me any better than the one here at Mississippi State. I am very proud of the education that I am getting here at MSU-CVM and I am excited that more West Virginia students will have the same opportunity with the help of the contract program. Thank you for such a great opportunity!

—Angie Clark
West Virginia

When considering universities and majors, I visited several colleges which included Auburn, Alabama A&M, University of Georgia and MSU. MSU was actually the first college I visited and that was during my junior year in high school. At that time, I knew that I wanted to attend MSU and be a bulldog; however, my parents wanted me to visit other universities to compare to MSU and just make sure. After the visits, I knew MSU was where I wanted to be. Upon finding out about the ACM and that the majors I was interested in were approved for ACM confirmed MSU for me.

I was approved for the Academic Common Market my first semester at MSU which was Fall of 2010 and have been on the ACM each semester since that time. To date, the ACM has saved my family approximately $17,000. The ACM has made it possible for me to attend MSU without borrowing money via student loans, etc. Hopefully, having saved this much money thus far will make it possible for me to continue on after attaining a Bachelor's degree and work toward a Master's degree.

—Shane Howington
Alabama

Through the Academic Common Market, I have received the opportunity to fulfill my dreams of becoming a Veterinarian through the poultry science department. I have always dreamed of attending Mississippi State University and becoming a Veterinarian since a young age. Attending Mississippi State University would not have been possible financial if it was not for the Academic Common Market. Through this program, my dreams and aspirations have the opportunity to become my future.

—Taylor Ellis
Tennessee

Being a student in the Academic Common Market helps me with my academic and financial needs in many ways. It allows me to come to Mississippi State University for less money and it lets me study Veterinary medicine in the Poultry Science Department. I am grateful that I get to be a part of this program and that it lets me study what I want to.

—Kendall Newsom
Tennessee

The Academic Common Market allowed me to be a part of a PGA Golf Program that was not offered in my state of Tennessee. Being a golf professional has always been a dream career and because of the Academic Common Market I am living it.

—Blair Dowdle
Tennessee

The Academic Common Market out-of-state tuition waiver has given me a great opportunity to become a golf professional. Attending the PGA Golf Management Program at Mississippi State would not have been possible without this financial assistance.

—Charles "Drew" McAlister
Tennessee

As a Georgia resident I am privileged to have been able to receive the acceptance from the Academic Common Market. It has helped me continue my education at Mississippi State University in PGA Golf Management.

—Ryan A. Rodecker
Georgia

Receiving the Academic Common Market waiver has made it possible to attend the PGA Golf Management Program at Mississippi State. This degree will help me reach my goal to earn a wonderful education and become a golf professional.

—Harrison White
Georgia