Is a rat right for me?

I have read up on rats and though about getting one. I know they are a higher management rodents and need a lot of attention but I'm the type of person that loves coming home from school and taking out your pet the rest of the day. If I did happen to get one I would go for 2 males, so they have company, and males since I read that they are cuddlier and I don't mind there smell. My only problem is their life span, only about 3-5 years tops. I don't want to get so attached and then they die, is there a way to make them live as long a possible? My mom grew up in New York and is against getting one since she thinks rats are going to eat her or something. I am going to show her a few videos of pets rats that I picked out and show her an article on them. I am hoping to get a book on rats to have max knowledge of them when I need it. Is there a way to convince her? Based on what you have read about me, are rats the right pet for me? Ps, I hven't had a pet rodent before, but I do have 2 parakeets. In 2nd grade I cared for the class pet, a guinea pig. So I do have experience with pets.