Just got into the Capstone Program at South Carolina and was wondering what the dorms are like? I’ve heard they are old and some students choose to live elsewhere? Will it take away from the program/experience if I choose to live in another dorm? Also, how much community service, etc. are you expected to do in the program?
My daughter is a freshman capstone scholars this year. She is not at the capstone or columbia hall (both of those dorms are capstone scholars). The dorms are old, there is a dining hall in the first floor so that’s about the only plus. Activities were done in the parking lot between the two dorms too, so there’s a lot of social events among capstone scholars in that area. It’s less than a 5 min walk to horseshoe, and there are multiple dining units close by. Starbucks is about a block away, Einstein bagels is across the street. As for the dorms themselves, they are old. Beats Bates dorms though. If you’ve visited the school, the newer dorms are actually quite a walk to the center of the campus though, so there’s that too.
My freshman daughter lives in Capstone this year and as I’ve responded in other posts, she can’t recommend it highly enough for overall “experience”. Yes, the building is older, but the rooms are the most spacious of all the dorm rooms, and having Gibbes dining in the building may not sound like the biggest thing, but on days where you’re very tired, or it’s cold and/or rainy, having food right downstairs is huge! It’s a very social dorm and she is so glad she chose to live there. All of her best friends are in her dorm. As far as programming, it doesn’t seem like there’s all that much she’s had to do but she will definitely applying to be a Capstone Fellow which requires a few extra things. You’re also able to take your University 101 class (required for Capstone program) right there in the building, which is nice. You’re a bit further off of the main campus but the first year, a lot of your gen ed classes will be on that end and you can pick and choose where you take a lot of classes, anyway. Closest dorm to Five Points, too, which is fun.
I’m assuming both Capstone and Columbia hall have air conditioning right?
On the question of Capstone dorms, I’m wondering if all Capstone Scholars get to live in the Capstone dorm(s) automatically or is it first-come/first served? I’m asking because my son is not sure if he is attending SC yet and won’t be able to make decision until early April.
I believe that housing assignments are made based on the date of application.
Yes, Capstone and Columbia dorms both have central a/c and heat. I can’t speak about housing this year, but last year my daughter applied to the “Women in Science” living and learning community closer to May 1st and she was still able to be included in the “Women in Science” dorm. During the application, each student will be required to pick 4 living and learning community that best match their major and/or their life style. The housing department then attempts to place the student in one of those 4 communities (I guess if one was popular and full then maybe it would help to apply earlier). I forgot the other 3 communities my daughter chose, but her fist choice was “Women in Science” and she was put in that dorm even though I believe she turned in her housing application very late. The link to Univ of SC’s living communities is below:
https://www.sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/housing/living-learning-communities/
I guess I should also mention that she is also a Capstone scholar. We was a late admit to capstone because she qualified for the Palmetto Fellows scholarship (we are in-state) at a late stage. I guess as it looks, she’s part of 2 living and learning communities, although from what I’ve seen and heard, the Capstone scholar community have more social events.
@jiimmym, from what I understand, if you’re in the Capstone program and choose the Capstone dorm as your #1 choice, you have a VERY good chance of getting that dorm. Since it’s older and gets a bad rap for that reason alone, it’s not “desirable” to some students but it’s a large dorm so if your student wants to live there, it’s almost a sure thing. My daughter and her roommate (that she found through the USC roommate matching system–through Facebook I believe), both wanted to live in Capstone so it was easy for them to both get that dorm and get assigned to each other.
Thanks @g8rmomk8ans - that’s what I was hoping. I also called admissions office and they told me all Capstone students get to live in Capstone or Columbia. I can’t believe we have been doing this college applications stuff since September and still can’t make a decision - waiting on 3 more schools - URGH.
We are waiting on 3 more schools as well but my son was accepted and we JUST did a tour this past Monday. Was very impressed with the school. Was not able to see the Capstone or Columbia dorms, but our tour guide lived there freshman year and had really nice things to say about the dorms.