<p>I’m actually surprised that your son found NC State to feel safer than USC, but that might just be a matter of opinion. I’ve visited friends at State on numerous occasions and I actually felt terrified a few times going out at night. I’m not trying to offend you or your son, but I think danger is everywhere. Maybe he caught Columbia on a bad day, and Raleigh on a good one. I certainly hope he doesn’t run into anything at State, but I’m also really disappointed that that was the reason he didn’t choose USC. </p>
<p>As a current student, I can avow that Columbia is a safe city with a handful of dangerous suspects that live in it. The important thing to remember with any big city is to not go walking alone at night, especially on the outside edges of campus (which, I’d like to point out, is where all of the robberies have happened). Also, I come from a very small town where people don’t even bother to lock their doors at night, so I can assure everyone that it doesn’t take living in a dangerous city to figure out how to be smart.</p>
<p>Gamecockgirl, you didn’t offend me, and I do appreciate your take on this. I largely agree with you. I found SC to be fine, and truth be told, son wasn’t overwhelmed with fear or anything - he just felt more at home (and yes, safer, for whatever reason) at State. I was just thrilled he formed an opinion! Up to that point, he was pretty much going along for the ride. He never “felt it” for SC - who knows why - but he did “feel it” for State. So there we are. I think he would have been just fine at SC, and he will be just fine at State. He isn’t the “staying out late, walking alone” type, other than to walk back to his dorm after studying or the like. </p>
<p>Your words were in no way offensive. StoneMagic found it necessary to lob a personal attack against those of us who had questions, or who had concerns. Wholly unnecessary and rude.</p>
<p>USC is in the middle of a city, so there will be crime. Most of us aren’t really worried about it. There are 30,000 students at USC and only a handful of crimes. Yes, I know people personally who have been robbed, but it’s just going to happen.</p>
<p>I’m from a top 10 dangerous city in the US and the most dangerous city in SC and there are something like eight colleges here. It doesn’t stop people from coming to school here.</p>
<p>I hope that anyone considering USC will read this thread and see that you should be street smart (IE, don’t walk alone at night, make note of where blue boxes are, be aware of your surroundings), but for most of us, it will never be an issue.</p>
<p>AU, I forgot about our city being ranked in the top 10 for crime. I did see that ranking a while back. I guess that explains why I am so puzzled that people percieve Columbia as being dangerous.</p>
<p>Don’t need help deciding anymore we have chosen U of SC. Decided to go with my daughter’s gut and she just believes SC is a good fit for her to shine academically, socially, etc… Cross our fingers. Good to know that someone landed a good job in McLean as we are from DC area. Hard to let go of the other schools I know to be solid schools but none of them had the all around comfort level as U of SC for her. Hopefully, crime is a non-issue for her.</p>
<p>Helpdeciding, Congratulations to your daughter!</p>
<p>I hope she loves it as much as my daughter! I honestly can’t say enough good things about it because she was so happy. The academics were wonderful, her sorority life was great, the sports atmosphere, the weather. Everything. My daughter is very level headed so going out with groups and staying aware of what was around was just common sense to her. She never had any problems except a couple parking tickets. </p>
<p>Now, after graduation, she was well prepared to get a fabulous job with great potential and there’s an active Carolina Alumni Club in the area. She got into seven other schools and I now cannot imagine her doing better at to any of them. </p>
<p>Best of luck to your daugher!
Go Gamecocks!</p>