<p>Son just finished his first semester and just LOVES SC! Being from FL, he didn't know a sole and has made tons of good friends. The only downside is his Dad is a Gator and the kid loves those Gamecocks, so I've even become a fan.</p>
<p>Anyway, we've learned a great deal and would be happy to answer ANY questions from a parents perspective.</p>
<p>StoneMagic: I live in San Diego and I am very interested in attending the University of South Carolina. I have posted this before but another perspective would be appreciated. One of my major concerns about attending USC is the apparent lack of diversity and it being in the South. I am Jewish and come from a very racial diverse high school so I am a little concerned about a Southern California Jewish Liberal fitting in. This post is not intended to offend anyone…just looking for some more information</p>
<p>^^Hope you get some student responses. If not, check Hillel at USC facebook page and maybe contact someone in that group. I think there is a pretty strong and active Jewish presence in town…I happen to live near both synagogues…conservative and reformed so my Ds went to school with lots of the kids. While the city, being in the south, would probably be considered generally conservative, I think the actual campus has a group for everyone. Check out Student association page to see what kind of organizations are active at school.</p>
<p>Thanks scmom12…I am visiting next week and plan on stopping by the Hillel on campus.</p>
<p>Hi Yankees3311,</p>
<p>I’m not a student but a Mom and I was a little concerned about my NJ Jewish kid fitting in as well especially since the Jewish population at USC is smaller than at other Southern Universities such as UNC, Georgia, Emory, Tulane, etc. My son’s best friend’s sister (a Jewish girl from NJ) is at USC (3rd year) and loves it! She has no problems whatsoever with fitting in. As far as the liberal/conservative thing, while USC is no Berkeley, it is likely not as conservative as you might think. The most important thing is whether or not they are tolerant of others and from everything I have heard, USC is very tolerant.</p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Thanks Sn0flake…I have no problem going to a school with a small Jewish population but the tolerance thing is very important to me.</p>
<p>StoneMagic, thank you for starting this thread! Have you learned anything about summer storage for out of staters? Are there places convenient to campus for students to safely store things over the summer or do most students try to ship dorm items back and forth each year?</p>
<p>USC recently won an award for being one of the most diverse schools in the nation. (I think it was like top fifty or something.) It was the only school in SC to make this distinction.</p>
<p>The campus is also not really very conservative. There’s such a large out-of-student population, that you end up being about 50/50. Although, with that being said, I’ve been in classes before where literally I was the only conservative student, so it can sometimes feel really liberal (which probably feel moderate to someone from a liberal area.) I know our newspaper is considered to be really liberal. They even acknowledged being called that in yesterday’s issue. The Daily Gamecock supported Obama for reelection this last term.</p>
<p>USC is also in a city and not a small rural area. Racial issues aren’t extremely prevalent in most southern cities, not anymore than they would be up north, anyways. SC has the only black senator. Our governor is an Indian American woman. You’d be surprised with how you find people get along down here.</p>
<p>In regard to the Jewish population --</p>
<p>Like AUGirl said, we are a very diverse school! I don’t think there should be any concern about that here.</p>
<p>One area that hasn’t been adressed is Greek Life. AEPi is a Jewish social fraternity on campus. Although that seems like it wouldn’t be huge, it is actually a quite prominent fraternity. I really like the guys I have met in it - they seem like a cool group. This is definitely a great way to associate yourself with a group of Jewish students, while still mingling with all the other social fraternities and sororities.</p>
<p>South Carolina was the first state to grant Jews voting rights, and by 1800 there were about 2,000 Jews in South Carolina – more than in any other state. </p>
<p>However, there are still a number of people in South Carolina still fighting the Civil War. A lot of simple minded good ole boy Tea Party types are found throughout. The state government is full of them. However, USC and much of Columbia is different. USC students are very open-minded, forward thinking individuals. The campus is very diverse regarding race, religion, sexual orientation, etc.</p>
<p>My son’s roommate is from Boston and she is Jewish. My son is agnostic, despite that two two seem to get along fine (maybe too good).</p>
<p>@Yankees, excellent question! Not only are we from Florida, we just happen to be Jewish. I had some concerns about this as well, as UF and other Florida schools have a strong Jewish student alumni and population base.</p>
<p>SC has surprised us in a good way. While we are Reform and not the most religious people you’ll meet, my son made friends quickly and let it be known he was Jewish - hasn’t impacted a thing, and this Spring semester he surprised us further by announcing his desire to pledge AEPi, the Jewish fraternity chapter at SC. He got his bid this week and is loving it thus far!</p>
<p>Others mentioned there is a Hillel as well, though we haven’t been. So all in all, while it isn’t Brandeis or UF Jewish-wise, the social and religious aspects are certainly available and active.</p>
<p>Hope that helps!</p>
<p>I also wanted to echo most of the other responses on here - while S Carolina has its share of bible-belt fanatics and good 'ole boys, so does Florida…and with the school situated in the state Capitol, it’s a more diverse population. Remember, Hootie and the Blowfish were formed at SC, and their lead singer was black and is now a country singer.</p>
<p>My son has yet to experience any prejudice, though I’m sure it does exist in pockets.</p>
<p>StoneMagic: it is nice to hear from a Jewish family. I have been in contact with the AEPi fraternity and that seems like a very good option for me. Thank you for all your input/advice</p>
<p>Yankees: if your son wants to talk to an OOS freshman now pledging AEPi about the SC experience, feel free to send me a PM and I would be happy to pass along his email address.</p>
<p>Thank you…</p>
<p>What’s the Greek Life life? And how is life down here different from life up north?</p>
<p>Sorry I meant “what is the greek life *like”</p>
<p>I’m echoing parent15’s question regarding summer storage for OOS students. Any information would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Haven’t hit that one myself yet considering he has no furniture up there and can drive home…but interested to hear any suggestions.</p>
<p>And my son is about to call me regarding his “off campus” housing next year so this is good timing…</p>