<p>I have a son at UNC and a D at USC as I have told you before. While my D loves USC and is having a great experience she does have the ability to be objective and there are some things she really dislikes. USC isn't UNC and Columbia REALLY isn't Chapel Hill. </p>
<p>One question I had for you based on winning the Pogue: Are you a URM? If so, there should be NO question for you. UNC is far more liberal minded and racially tolerant than USC. My D has been appalled at the overt racism that still exists at USC from the Old South Balls where men dress in Confederate garb and only hire black wait staff for the event, to the battle raging over whether a black fraternity will be ALLOWED to build a house in Greek Town.</p>
<p>The State of South Carolina has had far less influx of northerners than North Carolina and UNC and Chapel Hill have always been the blue island in the red sea. South Carolina is VERY proud of its Confederate heritage...the flag still flies on the State House lawn and actually flew over it until just a few years ago.</p>
<p>While self segregation among all races occurs at many places (even UNC to an extent) the segregation at USC feels very different.</p>
<p>I'll tell you what I told my D in a similar situation... "hey whatever decision you make is a good one. Your pooping gold right now. Figure out what you want and go, no regrets. " </p>
<p>Congrats and please try not to sound like you're bragging, just a bit.</p>
<p>ah. im sorry if i came off like im bragging. that isnt my intention at all. im honestly baffled by this! i dont know what they all see in me. :-</p>
<p>One other factor that may help you decide can be transportation. I think a lot of people do not do enough research into the ease of getting to and from campus from your area, costs, etc. If you are homesick or just decide that you want to go home more than planned, how feasible would it be?
I know from where I live it is much easier to fly to RDU than Columbia, but it may be different depending on your airport etc.
Just one more factor that was on "our spreadsheet" when d couldn't decide.</p>
<p>UNC...Chapel Hill is a MUCH better place to be than Columbia (speaking as someone who used to live an hour from Columbia). My bet is that UNC-CH has more geographic diversity -- despite the OOS limit -- than USC, in the sense that USC draws OOS students from the region vs. nationally. UNC is hot these days.</p>
<p>You got the free ride. A laptop is a grand (within your EFC and a summer job), you will get PLENTY of love and Honors advising as a Pogue, and it's a fabulous school.</p>
<p>haha thanks mallomar and jegan...i really wasnt trying to brag. in fact, i hardly tell anyone about this...i dont wanna seem snobby.</p>
<p>guys, i think ive finally realized how dumb ive been...give up a full to UNC? NOOO WAY. thanks for all your advice...its obviously the way to go. </p>
<p>now, im gonna start gaming for the robertson!!</p>
<p>Mallomar,
I should clarify. UNC attracts more "national" interest than USC, though USC is far more well regarded now than when I was at a nearby major state U. The other factor is that NC has experienced a huge boom in population with folks moving from other parts of the country to be there. (I had a couple of corporate clients who moved from the greater NYC area to NC about 15 years ago.) (There are those who might argue that NC isn't so "southern" any more, but I'm not going to engage in that one! :)) This economic expansion has happened to some extent in SC, but more recently than in NC, and a lot of that development in SC is closer to Charlotte.</p>
<p>GOB - Much as I'd love to have another Gamecock on CC, I don't know many people that would walk away from a free-ride at UNC CH ! Good luck where ever you end up!</p>
<p>GOB, I think you have been given an opportunity most students only dream about. Part of growing up is making adult decisions. Make a choice and move forward. We never know about the road not taken. Good luck!</p>
<p>After reading these posts, especially about the whole racist thing, I have a question. My D went to visit University of South Carolina a few weeks ago. She loved it! However, I am a little concerned because it is a big school, she wants to major in biology with plans for dental school, and she is Jewish. Do you think she will run into alot of prejudice there? Also, what specifically does your daughter like about USC. Do you worry about her safety there? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>According to the Hillel site, USC has 300 Jewish undergraduate students, with 20,000 total undergrads. On the other hand, UNC has 850 Jewish students for their 16,000 students.</p>
<p>YOu might want to contact the Hillel at both schools and talk to them. They can give you a better idea about other Jewish students. I can not imagine that your daughter would be subjected to prejudice, but she might find that many students at either school really did not know anyone Jewish before coming to college.</p>
<p>UNC. it definitely has a better reputation up north, and a much stronger business program (I've never even heard of "international business" as a subcategory--it sounds kind of like something that's mostly made up, just like law school "specialty" rankings) overall</p>
<p>For cece1955.
This isn't to detract at all from UNC as an option, but if your child was looking at USC, she might consider UGA instead or as well. I'm not Jewish, and went there ages ago, but by pure dorm chance got exposed to many Southern Jewish people, from New Orleans and Savannah and Atlanta. Compared to people I know who attended UNC, I had much more exposure to Jewish culture. That was many years ago, but worth looking at to see whether that tradition and support continue. Athens and Chapel Hill are very similar in town feel, and the schools fight about who was the first state land-grant university.
But for basketball? UGA can't compete. Go Heels.</p>