I am a college student that wants to buy a new rifle...preferably a semi. I really cant afford an AR so I was thinkin would a mini 30 be acceptable?
What do you want the rifle for (i.e., what sort of shooting do you anticipate doing with it)? A stated purpose is necessary for any intelligent discussion of whether or not your proposed choice is "acceptable".
(1) If you want a gun for casual plinking, the Mini-30 is an excellent choice, as is the Mini-14. However, I should point out that Ruger's 10/22 can do the same job for a lot less money (gun and ammo).
(2) If you want a tough, compact gun for routine packing to handle predators (foxes, coyotes, bobcats, etc.), the Mini-30 is a good choice, and the Mini-14 is an excellent choice.
(3) If you want a gun for short-range deer-hunting, the Mini-30 is a decent choice.
(4) If you want a gun for serious target competition, the Mini-30 is a poor choice.
(5) Finally, if you want to look 'cool' and impress non-shooters with the fact that you own a 'machine gun', the Mini-30 is a poor choice. An AR-15 would definitely fit that bill much better, and can be assembled from parts for not much more than the purchase cost of a new Mini-30.