Ask a Freshman

<p>How should I list my online courses on the application if I took all online courses in 11th grade and 12th grade? Also what should I list if I was homeschooled 9th and 10th grade? Thanks.</p>

<p>I’d list whatever courses you took.</p>

<p>It’s been a really long time since I filled out the application. I’d just call the Admissions Office and ask.</p>

<p>Sorry I couldn’t me more helpful.</p>

<p>Hello: Does anyone have experience flying to the northeast (Phila, Newark) from Columbia or Charlotte? How easy is it to get back and forth to the airport from campus? Thank you.</p>

<p>There is a shuttle company that makes the trip from Columbia to Charlotte. It’s called ColumbiaCharlotteShuttle.com</p>

<p>The two times I’ve flown to Columbia have been out of PHL. If you don’t want your flight to be really expensive, you’ll have to connect somewhere (Atlanta is usually the best option, though I’ve done D.C. too and that’s not bad). And you definitely need someone to pick you up at the airport or get a taxi.</p>

<p>Is USC known to be good academic school?</p>

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<p>That is one of the nice things about some departments at USC. They do offer those “in between” classes. I have noticed that they have those also for math, music, and several foreign languages. </p>

<p>Like they have some “intensive” classes that might be an extra credit hour or two for people who have a basic understanding of a subject, but not quite enough understanding to jump into the next level. So instead of having to start out as a beginner taking the 101 level class and then the 102 level class for three credit hours each, they may be offered an opportunity to take an alternative 4 hour class which may replace both the 101 and 102 class.</p>

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<p>Depends on who you ask, what specific program you are asking about, and a lot of other factors. The answer could range from “it’s a top academic school” to “it’s not very good” just depending.</p>

<p>I probably shouldn’t even been answering, but your post has been ignored for a couple of days so I figured I would jump in.</p>

<p>It would be nice if some of the freshmen would be willing to share in detail their first semester experiances. Describing their typical day, living condition/situation, and how they feel about the quality of their teachers and if the level of academics is meeting their expectations and needs.</p>

<p>I do know that my son feels that the academic level of the classes he is taken is just about right for his capabilities, and that is satisfied with of his current teachers. He did drop one class though, due to the fact that the professor had such a strong accent that he had a hard time following the lectures.</p>

<p>I agree with imagep that it depends. If you’re talking overall, then as with many large schools, quality varies with department. For instance the international business is top rated (as is the grad Program). Now if you are a top academic student and are competitive for Honors college, I would say it’s very academic and gives the students the benefits of some smaller colleges, like the best professors, small classes and extra advising and support. Definitely check out the Honors College page and contact them if you feel it would be a fit. I don’t think there’s a specific tour for honors, but I’m sure someone would meet with you to answer your questions.</p>

<p>Academics at USC vary fairly widely.</p>

<p>For example, University 101 is supposed to be an “easy A” class, but there are something like 300 sections of it, so there’s a lot of variety. I just happened to end up in a class where the teacher takes it very seriously and it’s one of my most stressful classes. But most of my friends have an easy class.</p>

<p>I took AP Statistics in high school, did well in the class, but I didn’t do well on the AP exam. So I’m in Stat 110 right now and it is mind-numbingly easy for me, but for a lot of the students, it’s really hard. One of my friends actually failed one of the exams.</p>

<p>I think that it is a fairly good school academically, but it very much depends on the classes you take and the professors you get.</p>

<p>For me, coming from a demanding private school, I find college to be a lot easier so far, but some of my friends are always, always studying so it might just be the classes I’m taking this semester.</p>

<p>I think if you want the challenge, it’s there, but you can definitely skate by as well.</p>

<p>Since you actually go to the school im sure you could also answer this question</p>

<p>I’m a northerner applying to USC and its one of my top choices. I loved the feel of the campus and everything about it, it was a totally great place. Everyone seemed to be extremely nice too when i visted.</p>

<p>My only concern is that the school is in the south and i am from the north and some people are telling me i wont fit in there and that i will be treated differently from the student body because im not from the same area as them. I also had some friends tell me that people in southern schools can be a little exclusive towards northerns and im planning on joining a fraternity if i get accepted and was wondering if the fraternities would deny me access for the soul fact that im from the north.</p>

<p>i really hope these are just stupid rumours that hold no truth what so ever. I really am highly considering going here and would hope that someone would be able to tell me if i would be able to share the same experiences as everyone else.</p>

<p>I’m just going to copy and paste what I wrote and what jmarietol wrote on the other thread:

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<p>jmarietol:

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<p>Hi, I’m applying to the Honors College and was just wondering if it is possible to be in the Honors College and in a sorority at the same time? As an upperclassmen do I have to live in the Honors dorms or could I live in a sorority house? </p>

<p>Also, could someone tell me about the psychology program at South Carolina? I know a bit about it but am looking for an inside look at some of the classes, professors, quality of the program, etc. </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>I know quite a few girls in sororities in the Honors College. There’s no rule against it or anything like that, and if you think you can handle the time commitment then you should definitely do it. I’m planning on rushing a service sorority next semester.</p>

<p>You don’t have to live in the Honors dorm if you don’t want to, its not mandatory to be in the Honors College. There are freshmen I know in the college who don’t live in the dorm. I suggest living there freshman year, because its really nice and its pretty convenient to live with the people in your classes. </p>

<p>Sorry, I don’t know anything about the psychology department.</p>

<p>Can you speak to the differences between Capstone and Honors? I realize the live in differernt places but does one program tend to attract a certain major or something? For example are business majors generally in the capstone program and pre med in honors? thanks.</p>

<p>Nope. It has nothing to do with your major. It’s more about your stats as far as admissions. And as far as the actual program, it’s about academics.</p>

<p>Capstone: You can only get in your freshman year. It’s basically offered to the top students who either didn’t apply for Honors or didn’t get in. There are a couple of Capstone-oriented classes, such as University 101, but for the most part, you live in Capstone and no one really thinks anything of you being a Capstone Scholar. You take normal classes. Usually Capstone students have scholarships too.</p>

<p>Honors: All Honors students have scholarships. Honors students take Honors sections of classes and are actually required to. They have to complete something like 45 hour of Honors coursework, I believe and they’re required to complete a Senior Thesis. They usually live in the Honors Dorm, but sometimes don’t.</p>

<p>I think Capstone is more of a service/social type of thing whereas Honors is very academic.</p>

<p>I wouldn’t sweat it if you didn’t get into Capstone. If you don’t get into Honors, you can always apply for it during your freshman and sophomore years.</p>

<p>The thing is… The two programs aren’t alike at all and they aren’t at the same level. You should see it as being a tierred system of accepted students: The best (highest GPA, SATs, best resume) is Honors, The pretty smart but not quite Ivy League is Capstone, and the rest are just general students.</p>

<p>Thanks!!! Very informative.</p>

<p>How is the LGBT community treated at Carolina? Are people friendly? Do a lot of people even care?</p>

<p>It’s the south, so there are definitely people who are against homosexuality. I’ll go right out and say that much.</p>

<p>But the truth is, most people really won’t care at all, and even if they are politically or religiously against it, they’ll still treat you with respect and probably just won’t talk about those types of things with you.</p>

<p>I know that in my dorm, our president is an openly gay member of the Army ROTC program. In U101, they make sure to let you know about being open to new ideas and being respectful of each other. USC is a diverse place and there are a lot of resources available for the LGBT community.</p>

<p>Hey I was just accepted- so excited to start!
Questions- Where can I find a list or some sort of the student organizations? During orientation do they tell you about them? Im specifically looking at the Carolina Finance Club and wondering how I would be able to join in Fall, Im assuming its different with alot of organizations though.</p>

<p>Also, how are the parties freshman year? How often are they and did they start right away in the fall? Do you have to pledge to a fraternity or sorority to go to most of them?</p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>