<p>Hey everyone. I'm graduating this May, so if you have any questions about my experiences at USC, I'll try to answer any I can.</p>
<p>Some things about me to serve as a reference point: in-state, Carolina Scholar, Honors College, pre-med, a science major my first two years and a humanities major tmy last two years, heavily involved in student organizations (service, political, cultural), studied abroad for a summer.</p>
<p>You’ve already been a big help, but I have a bunch more:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>What co-ed dorms would you recommend for a male who is not Capstone or Honors eligible?</p></li>
<li><p>Would you recommend rushing or is it an unnecessary distraction? Is rushing in the Spring an option?</p></li>
<li><p>Is the transition more difficult for an OOS student that doesn’t know anyone?</p></li>
<li><p>Do you recommend University 101?</p></li>
<li><p>What is the best way to find a roomate - UCHOOSE or Facebook?</p></li>
<li><p>Any other recommendations for a freshman?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>:) Hey there, I’m an out of stater from Massachusetts, and USC is one of my top choices! Financial aid aside, USC and UMass are my favorite schools; however, I’m still waiting to see how the financial side of everything plays out for all of the schools that I have applied to. I applied to the honors college, but since I only had a 1310 on my SAT’s (+800 writing, but that’s not considered, right?) I think I am more likely to be invited to be a capstone scholar (fingers crossed!) If everything goes as I hope it will, USC and UMass will remain my top 2…but I still have some questions!</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I know you’re from SC, but from your observations, how is it for a northerner at USC?</p></li>
<li><p>How dominant is Greek life on campus and how is the social life if you don’t decide to join a fraternity/sorority? Also, would you say there’s a frat/sorority for all kinds of people?</p></li>
<li><p>Andddd overall - what’s your favorite part about USC? :D</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks for your help!! :)</p>
<p>@ Riggo</p>
<p>1) Columbia Hall is very similar to Capstone (where I lived).
2) If you think you’d be interested in rushing, then give it a shot. People are either into the Greek scene or they’re not, and some need to go through the process to figure out where they stand. You can rush in the spring.
3) I suppose it’s more difficult if you don’t know anyone, but I have a few close friends who were like that and they adapted just fine. So I guess the answer is yes, the transition is ‘more difficult’, but it’s still not difficult. Does that make sense?
4) I didn’t take UNIV 101, but I hear it’s handy to make sure your first semester isn’t too much. How lenient it is will vary a lot depending on the instructor.
5) I didn’t use either, but FB probably gives you a better idea of what people are like.
6) College is a blast, you’ll make a ton of friends, it’s just on you to put yourself out there. Be active, and you’ll have a great time.</p>
<p>@ kaylala</p>
<p>1) I have a lot of friends from the Northeast. They liked it a lot. The warmer weather is a big plus for them, although at times living in the South carries a bit of culture shock, haha. They’ve all loved it though.
2) I’d say there’s a pretty significant percentage of people in the Greek system, and a lot of their social activities stay within that community. But there’s definitely a lot going on if you’re not Greek, friends throw parties all the time. Most people end up downtown in 5 Points anyway, haha. I’d say the social frats/sororities fit a certain type of person, but honestly, my friends who are Greek have personalities across the spectrum, so it’s hard to say. If you’re a girl and don’t feel the social sororities are for you, several friends love being in service sororities.
3) I’ve really liked my classes, living on the Horseshoe, the opportunities I’ve had to pursue my interests. But what I’ll never forget about college is beating Kentucky in a top 10 Thursday night game, scoring at the buzzer to beat Florida, celebrating with students I had never met before as the seconds ticked away against Clemson this year. People are quick to dismiss sports as being trivial, but the school spirit they carry is at times magical. I love it.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for the feedback, Steeler! My main concerns were just that I wouldn’t fit in, since I am not from the South and never really intended to go Greek and all. But your responses have made me feel more comfortable about all that! Also coming from a school with absolutely no school spirit, the school spirit there sounds like a TON of fun 
I’m super excited about all this… Maybe I’ll be at USC next fall!! Thanks again :)</p>
<p>I recommend U101. If anything it’s a way to get a nice A on the transcript.</p>
<p>Kaylala- I know a ton of people from the Northeast, and I don’t think anyone has really felt like they don’t fit in. Don’t get me wrong, it’s going to be a culture shock (I experienced it too since I’m from the Southwest), but there are tons of other people in the same boat. Off the top of my head, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts are pretty heavily represented, but I also know people from New York and Connecticut. Most of us out of staters actually find ourselves not only getting used to Southern culture but adapting some of it. For the first few months (ok, maybe years- there are still things about the south that confuse me), it will be somewhat of an adjustment, but I don’t think you’ll really feel out of place.</p>
<p>Many posts refer to “culture shock” for out-of-staters. Could someone please define? We are from Ohio and hubby is worried about our daughter fitting in. I visited with her, and she and I aren’t concerned, but would like to hear your specific experiences. Thanks!</p>
<p>Don’t think of culture shock as anything drastic, Southerners just have a different way of doing things. One of my favorite examples: a friend of mine had an internship in New York. One of the boys who had the same internship (who attended a different South Carolina school) often wore pastel colored shirts, dress shoes, dressed really well, accessorized wisely. Everyone else who worked at the place assumed he was gay, but to quote my friend, “he’s not gay, he’s just Southern!” </p>
<p>The South definitely has a distinct culture: certain foods eaten, the “Southern” style of dress, football is king, certain phrases and linguistic patterns, a lot of church involvement, things like that. For someone who is not used to it, the first time you see a bowl of grits you think “what in the world is that,” and someone who doesn’t know what “bless her heart” means could be missing out on a vital part of a story. For me, part of the culture shock was “THIS is what they consider Mexican food???” It has been nothing traumatic and nothing that made me feel out of place, it’s just a reminder that the South has it’s own culture. Part of this culture also involves very friendly, hospitable people. Maybe that makes it easier to adjust to, but either way, it doesn’t take too long to start saying y’all.</p>
<p>I’m a NY City suburban parent with a S at USC.When we first visited, everyone was so friendly, I was suspicious that it was phony, not a real friendliness. But that’s the Southern way…also they are very hospitable. Things might move at a slower pace than what a Northeastern city dweller may be used to. There’s more day to day church involvement in every day life. Men definitely dress differently…you wont see men in pink shirts,plaid shorts,boat shoes and sunglasses on “croakies” (straps around the neck with sunglasses hanging down) up here in the Northeast…except maybe on a golf course…certainly not in a restaurant or at the airport… clothing trends are different…I didnt know what a Vera Bradley bag was before we went down to SC and girls wear pearls…with everything,not just for a dressy occasion.The political vibe is definitely more conservative overall in the state…and somewhat on the campus if you are used to a liberal Northeastern campus vibe.
But all this… is regional differences…kids are kids wherever they are…college students are college students…S loves it there and gets along with everyone.Us parents had a harder time with the vibe/adjustment than he did…his best friends are SC residents.</p>
<p>How is the atmosphere of Columbia? In the other thread, you said you liked the feel of the small college town (Chapel Hill), which is one reason that I’m attracted to UNC. Is Columbia similar at all? What are some pros / cons to living in Columbia?</p>
<p>Hey,
1)How is the nightlife at USC? Is everything Greek orientated when it comes to a night life?
2)How competitive do you believe USC is on a national level?
3)How are the intramural sports at USC?</p>
<p>Can’t wait to visit!!!</p>
<p>Chapel Hill, Athens (UGA), and Charlottesville (UVa) are all towns dominated by the presence of the university. The permanent residential population is pretty small, so everything’s catered to the college kids. The towns are built around the campuses.</p>
<p>Columbia isn’t like that though. It’s an actual city, much bigger in terms of size and population. However, it’s not on the level of places like Charlotte or Atlanta. The area around campus is also designed to accommodate the university (downtown areas right by campus, football stadium and basketball arena not too far away). So Columbia ends up in the middle-ground between a college town and a big city. In terms of finding jobs, especially ones you’d want after graduation, I’d think Columbia would have way more opportunities than those other towns. Some people want to be apart of something bigger (although other cities are better) than what a college town offers. A cool thing about Columbia is its proximity to Charlotte and Charleston, which will really suit any needs Columbia can’t meet.</p>
<p>Personally, I find the really close-knit feel of college towns really appealing - be able to walk to anything you’d remotely want to do, all the night life being in one area, everything accommodating to college kids. I love Athens and might be in Charlottesville next year.</p>
<p><em>bump</em></p>
<p>I’ll also be helping out with the Carolina Scholar weekend.</p>
<p>I just found out I did not get the McNair Scholarship, but I am a NMF and will most likely be offered the Cooper Scholarship in addition to the Lieber Scholarship. </p>
<p>What do you know about the Lieber Scholarship other than the amount? Any perks? (Free laptop? parking?)</p>
<p>I think you get parking. There was a $2,000 summer study abroad scholarship that came with it, but I don’t know if they’re still offering that (due to the budget cuts last year). I’m pretty sure Carolina and McNair Scholars for this freshman year ('13) no longer had this.</p>
<p>the parking privelege isn’t free…it’s just a chance for priority in one of the garages.</p>
<p>Hi Steeler,</p>
<p>We are trying to determine the strengths of the undergraduate history department at South Carolina. Do you have any knowledge of the program there and/or do you know if it is a good one? </p>
<p>From what can be seen online, it looks as if the graduate public history program is very good, but we haven’t been able to determine anything other than from what we read about that area. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much for offering to share your insights about your school!!</p>
<p>Correct, parking isn’t free. You are only guaranteed parking if you want to pay. From what I understand, some of the garages are pretty competitive so a lot of people can’t get spaces and have to park farther away.</p>
<p>Regarding the history program, I honestly can’t really comment on its strength. I’m not really sure how to measure that. I can say that the only history class I have taken was Intro to African History, and the professor was a double Fulbright scholar (two North African countries, can’t remember which ones) and his experiences were truly amazing. The anecdotes he provided to supplement lecture topics helped me understand the material better, and I learned a lot.</p>
<p>How is the food there? Is it a good variety or easy to get sick of? Do the kids in the honors/scholors program (idk what Im talking about but its something like captstone…) get better food? Ill probably ask more questions later too the more seriously I consider usc</p>