<p>I know this has been done before with the "Ask a Freshman" thread, but I thought I would open it up again. I've been answering a lot of questions on the Capstone section but I'm sure there are future students who won't be looking in that section.</p>
<p>I'm fairly knowledgable about the University; When I was applying I spent a great deal of time becoming well-informed, and I managed to learn a lot along the way. If I don't know an answer, I can certainly direct you to a place that has it; or, hopefully there will be other current students who can answer for me.</p>
<p>So feel free to ask away! And trust me, there are no embarrassing questions. When I was applying I worried about EVERYTHING!</p>
<p>Funny story. I only applied to two colleges, USC and CofC. CofC was my first choice, and really my only choice; I applied to USC as a back-up. But it turned out that I didn’t get enough financial aid to go to CofC and so I was “stuck” with USC. It took most of the summer for me to be okay with it, and I did a lot of research to make myself feel better. The first time I stepped foot on campus was at Orientation in June. </p>
<p>It took me all of 2 hours to fall in love. All the things I thought I liked about CofC seemed so trivial; I’m so fortunate that I got “stuck” with USC. I love going there, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. </p>
<p>As far as the campus, it can be a bit spread out, but it’s important to remember that it’s a large state university. There is a shuttle system for those who don’t want to walk, and I’ve heard it’s very convenient. Sometimes it takes a little trial and error to find the best route between classes; I managed to cut a 25minute walk down to 13 just by taking a different route. It’s definitely manageable.</p>
<p>Thats good to hear…that why they say everything happens for a reason… I visited in 2011 and felt the same way… I wish I were young again I would go there is a heartbeat. Are there any tips for new students for example I hear you have to register for classes early… any tips are appreciated…</p>
<p>I would change the way housing works for non-freshmen. It’s really hard to get on-campus housing after your first year if you aren’t in a living/learning community. Most of my friends had to rush to find off-campus housing because there was no space left on-campus. I understand that this is all to guarantee freshman a bed in a dorm, but it’s very stressful for upperclassmen.</p>
<p>Tips For New Students: (here’s some general ones that I’ve picked up)</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Pick an early Orientation date!! I can’t stress how important this is. The earlier your orientation date, the sooner you register for classes. If you have an August orientation, there aren’t going to be very many classes left, as freshmen get the worst picks anyways.</p></li>
<li><p>Get involved but not too involved! There are so many organizations on campus, and it’s a great way to meet people who have similar interests to you. But don’t join so many clubs that you over-exert yourself. It’s surprisingly easy to do too much and forget about academics.</p></li>
<li><p>The first 2 weeks of school is the time when everyone is going to make their friends, so go out and meet people! This is really important.</p></li>
<li><p>Don’t buy your books from the campus bookstore. Just don’t. If you can, wait until the first day of class and ask the professor if the book is even necessary. Half of the time, it isn’t.</p></li>
<li><p>Go to a USC football game! Or at least try and get a ticket. Being in the student section is crazy and wonderful all at the same time, and tailgating is a big part of SEC culture.</p></li>
<li><p>If you’re from the North, take the time to learn about Southern culture. Don’t come here and talk about how slow and backwards we are. YOU decided to come here. FYI, Southerners are known for their hospitality and politeness, and fantastic food!!</p></li>
<li><p>Be careful what you eat at Russell House. The upstairs fast food place is really great, but if you eat Burger King every day it’s going to show. </p></li>
<li><p>Meter Maids will get you. Every. Single. Time. Don’t think you can get away with not paying for a meter. That’s how they make all of their money.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>I feel kind of weird answering this question, but here’s my best answer:
Usually, girls can any Greek parties regardless of affiliation. Guys, however, have a tougher time unless they are friends with someone in a fraternity. Nobody can go to the Greek mixers, obviously, unless they’re Greek. It all depends on who you’re friends with, who you know, etc. I know non-Greeks who have parties, yes; but it’s still the same that you usually need to know someone there. Or know someone who knows someone. Usually for non-Greek parties it’s about $5 for guys.</p>
<p>I’m not a business major, so I don’t know anything about the business fraternities. I hear they’re great for making connections which is vital in the business world. Here’s the website for the student organizations at the business school:</p>
<p>In relation to the Business Fraternities, we have several in the Business School. Delta Sigma Pi (DSP) and Alpha Kappa Psi (AKPsi) are two big ones. Also, the accounting fraternity is Beta Alpha Psi. They are all great and would be great opportunities</p>
<p>Can you talk more about finding off-campus housing? </p>
<p>When should a student start to look? Do students typically wait until they know for sure they can’t get on-campus housing before looking? Can you usually get an off-campus place within walking distance or will you need a car? Can you be on a meal plan if you are off-campus?</p>
<p>I know there is a off-campus housing page that students can sign up for with resources for finding off campus housing (I think under student affairs or housing). Many of the complexes off campus run shuttles but don’t know how reliable they really are. I’m hoping my kid can get lucky one more year and stay on campus. Yes, you definitely can get meal plan if live off campus.</p>
<p>My son paid his deposit on off campus housing last March or April, but had several roommates cancel on him, ended up finding a roommate on the message board on the site you refered to a couple of weeks before school started. Someone responded within two hours of him posting on it, and I think he got the perfect fit roommate.</p>
<p>It depends. Some people know from the get-go that they want to go off-campus. Others are hoping for on-campus for whatever reason and get stuck in the situation that they don’t get on-campus. Most of the time, if you want on-campus, you’ll get it. It might be Bates, but it’s an option on-campus nonetheless. Last year, the waiting list was initially 900 students, and once they told people they should look elsewhere because they were on the waiting list, they were able to reduce the number of students who kept their applications in to a number that they were able to put on-campus, so essentially everyone who wanted on-campus got it.</p>
<p>As for places within walking distance, there are many, many houses and apartment buildings. I know students who live off-campus who don’t have cars. I personally don’t have a car, which was a main reason for wanting to stay on-campus, but I do have several friends who also don’t have cars, but are able to live off-campus.</p>
<p>You can be on a meal plan off-campus. Several of my friends are.</p>
<p>As to combine all of these things: I have a group of friends who found out they didn’t have on-campus housing, began looking for apartments/houses around campus after that, settled in an apartment complex off-campus that is within walking distance, and still have meal plans. They walk everywhere they go, so a car is not an issue. They live in one of the apartment complexes that is basic on-campus.</p>
<p>Hi!
I have been selected to apply for the Honors College and I am strongly considering doing so, but if I am denied acceptance from the Honors College does that mean my chances of going to USC are over? Or do I get placed (or accepted) into the regular college. Thank You!</p>
I don’t really understand this, because anyone can apply to the Honors College, you don’t need to be selected in any way.</p>
<p>If your stats and grades are in the ballpark for the Honors College, your chances of acceptance to the “regular” college are close to 100% if you don’t get into the Honors College.</p>
<p>What OP means is that if you fill out regular app for USC and your scores/grades are in certain range it gives you access to the honors college application and invites you to apply. But if you know you want to apply when you start you can go straight to Honors App. Just a way of letting people know they qualify who might not have known about honors college. OP there’s no downside to applying for honors which is a supplement to reg USC form. Usually you will hear about general acceptance to USC first, then later from honors. Lots of strong applicants get into USC but not honors…again, no downside other than length of honors supplement However if it works out, the honors college is a great opportunity.</p>
<p>If you have the stats to be asked to apply to honors, then there is also the possibility that (if you don’t get in HC) that you are selected to participate in Capstone Program which is also for higher achieving students but no separate application required for that, at least not up front.</p>
<p>I would agree with notrichenough that if your scores put you in the honors application pool, then regular admittance highly likely.</p>
<p>Additionally, if you decide to do the honors app, note that the deadline is Nov 15. The honors app also serves as application to top university scholarships. Admissions site says that for applications received by Nov 15, you will receive admission decision to USC by Dec 19…you may hear about Honors at same time, if not all honors decisions made by Feb.</p>
However if it works out, the honors college is a great opportunity.</p>