<p>Got your email last night, just haven't had a chance to write back. I'll send you a message later today (tomorrow, at the latest). Glad things have worked out for your son:)</p>
<p>Can anybody comment upon the sciences at Furman....I have a son who may be interested in Chem and possibly med school...hear that chem is strong there.</p>
<p>I can check with a student I know who is a chemistry major and ask if he might answer any questions for your son (and see if he has an IM, if you'd like). He is a sophomore and has just received a national Goldwater Scholarship to conduct research in chemistry at Furman. I know he really, really, likes his department and is exploring his own research project. I also know a double math/physics major who could answer any questions about those areas that you may have.</p>
<p>Both students seem very satisfied with their programs and are certainly hard-working and succcessful students. I know the math/physics major just had a big physics test that he prepared for extensively (he's on a partial academic scholarship for math). The chem major is on a full tuition academic scholarship; so both are serious students who could let you know how satisfied they are.</p>
<p>Don't put yourself out but any info will be appreciated. Thanks.</p>
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<p>I know, don't listen to student's reviews!</p>
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<p>The Princeton Review assessments of student life and campus "feel" are quite reliable. TOTALLY different from studentsreview.com and from the other P.R. rankings. If a school is ranked in the top or bottom twenty on a Princeton Review cultural descriptor like "Lots of hard liquor" or "Lots of left-wing vegetarians," it's a very safe bet that that's a big part of the campus scene.</p>
<p>I was visiting Furman with my D last month and came away immensely impressed. They do many things very, very well there. Oldman, their video in the visitors' center features a high energy, female faculty member who is the pre-med advisor and proudly reports that their students' average scores on the MCATs are above the national average at a figure that will likely get a student into med school. When asked why their students do well on the MCATs, she snaps back with a grin "BECAUSE I KICK THEIR BUTTS!!!" I thought that was one of the coolest things I'd ever seen on a promotional video.</p>
<p>Now bear in mind, I live in Georgia and I graduated from Wake Forest twice, so I'm pretty comfortable with the Southern feel and sensibilities. But I've never thought of myself as Southern. Regardless, I'd gladly consider Furman if I were a student again. The culture is incredibly friendly and supportive, and the faculty-student relationships I saw there were what you'd fantasize about for your student. The sense of tradition, the amazing campus, the high-touch, high-involvement ethic are visible everywhere. At 2700 the size is great - bigger than most LACs but still very interpersonal, and Division I athletics. And Greenville's downtown renewal is wonderful. There are quirky things - three academic quarters of 11, then 8, then 11 weeks during which you take 3, then 2, then 3 courses. But merit aid is outstanding and tuition is comparatively cheap, even without the aid. You can apply ED and they'll still allow you out of your commitment up until sometime like March or April. Applications are up and the average entering SATs this year should hit 1300 (old scale). If you have > 1300 and good grades, you can get your GC to send in your name as a "Furman Scholar" and they'll guarantee you a minimum $4000 merit scholarship and waive the application fee.</p>
<p>In short, if the cultural norms turn you off, you'll likely be turned off at a number of other Southern private colleges as well.</p>
<p>Furman's Chemistry Department is wonderful. It is one of the strongest departments on campus, small, personal and great facilities. Furman does offer good undergrad research in Chem.
Gadad is correct that downtown Greenville's renewal has added to quality of life at Furman. When I was there it was sort of "Norma Rae"..mill town on the skids with the NC mountains just up the road a half hour.
It is very lively downtown on the weekends. There are two European car companies making cars in Greenville and many bilingual people around now. Another aspect of Furman that people seldom grasp is that it is in Upland SC which is very close to NC and the incredible Pisgah Forest...30 minutes from Asheville, NC, and several artsy little towns where people from Florida often keep summer homes...Saluda, Brevard etc. If you want a personal education that will prep you for grad school, Furman is a great choice. Professors are extremely accessible. Golfers by the way are big on Furman. I am going to venture to far as to say that if you are like I was...not really "of the South" but you go with a great attitude, you will find the faculty thrilled to have you there and eager to teach students who opt to come who are different from the old status quo.</p>
<p>Purely anecdotal, but I can add that a good friend of my son's is now a sophomore at Furman and he loves it. He's a smart, easy going kid, kind of a gentle giant. He's involved in a lot of diverse activies: campus government, rugby, theater. Finds a nice balance of the social and academic.</p>
<p>Momrath, he sounds like a very nice young man. Aside from her boyfriend (who is also her best friend), my daughter has found a quite few male friends that sound very much like the young man you describe. Genuinely nice young adults.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your feedback! I never expected so much! gadad, your wonderful with words! We will look at Furman!</p>