@MYOS1634 CofC is not test optional. They require the SAT or ACT, but do not require SAT II tests .
http://admissions.cofc.edu/applyingtothecollege/freshmen/partsoftheapplication.php
@Deeanna_c CofC does not have a nursing program but many students do two years of prerequisites and then teenager to MUSC. That said, your ACT score is on the low end for admission. Just an aside . It would benefit you to learn test taking strategies now because to practice as a nurse , you will need to take a certification exam .
@carolinamom2boys Yes I know I could do prereqs there but I just don’t think that’s a good idea for me. I feel I’d be better off staying in one college all four years so I’ve decided to study and do my best on the act to try and get into USC or Clemson, but I am also going to apply to USC Aiken and USC upstate where my scores are already good enough. I had completely forgotten about those two colleges until someone on here suggested them. I’ve also been told lander is a good nursing program but a lot of people I know don’t have good things to say about that University. Also, I found out that the girl from my school got accepted with a 21 Act last year but she dropped out after a month from their nursing program to come to Newberry College because she said that they had a really unorganized nursing program that was not good at all. So now I’m kinda wondering if I should even apply there.
Some OOS colleges can be roughly the same cost as instate if you get a scholarship. I agree merit aid isn’t likely if the school isn’t test optional, but if it is test optional, you have a shot. No matter what, run the NPC, even on instate colleges, and talk with your parents to see if costs are affordable. Look into Mercer, Samford, and Berry, run the NPC there , check if they are test optional. All have very reputable programs. Lander is another option indeed; its profile is similar to that of USC Aiken, and better than USC Upstate (where the average admitted GPA is 2.53 and the average act 20). USC Upstate would definitely be a safety for you.
@Deeanna_c I have worked with and know several nurses who have graduated from USC , as well as some nursing students who attend. It is a good program IME. Remember when applying to nursing programs, that they tend to be competitive so test scores and GPA may be higher to get into those programs than what is listed for general acceptance . I would contact the nursing departments at the schools you are interested in to get a better idea. Also, I would take your friend’s experience with a grain of salt. It is very difficult to assess the strength of a program in a month.
^ I agree, a student can’t possibly assess a whole program in just a month.
@carolinamom2boys and @MYOS1634 yes I know that she might not have stayed long enough to see a lot of the program but the parts she did see she said were extremely unorganized and when she changed over to Newberry she was doing a lot better. She is now graduating this year from Newberry and she really is glad she didn’t stay at USC. I am still going to try and apply there I think. But I am also applying to Charleston Southern University which has the highest pass rate in South Carolina. I found that out when I was looking at the pass rates for USC Aiken and USC Upstate.
Well it sounds like you have all the info you need. Good luck to you .
Good luck! Update your thread with news! 
^^ I also want to pitch in and say although it is good/ can be helpful to get the advice of your friends. Just because something didn’t work out for them doesn’t mean it can’t work out for you. I don’t think you should drop a school because one person you know didn’t like the program. At the end of the day the reason why they told you they quit and the reason why they actually quit could be different. I’m not saying anyone is more right/wrong or that your friend is lying or anything, but sometimes people don’t like sharing why they switched schools (whether is was for personal reasons, she didn’t like the program, couldn’t afford it etc) and they make up something to tell people just to get them to stop asking questions. Bottom line you should see if the program is what you want before you decide to ride it off and not even apply
@MYOS1634 Thank you and I will update when I have more news.
@itsintheprocess Yes I know that that could be the case but I didn’t ask about it my teacher told me about it when I was looking for colleges. But the college she switched to is even more expensive so I dont think that would be a reason. But I am still going to apply I think, but after finding out about the test scores at Charleston Southern I think it might be a better program anyway.
Thank you everybody for trying to help me out. I am going to try and update this when I have any news.
@maybearobot and @MYOS1634 I actually chose lander university. I got accepted at Newberry college, college of Charleston, charleston southern, Winthrop, and Lander. I decided to go with lander but I am a pre-med major. Thanks for all the comments on this discussion. After talking to some more people who didn’t do as good on the test I feel like I probably am just not good with test. I’m hoping to do well at lander and then apply to USC med school and musc. I prefer Usc but musc is also an option.
How did your first year go? Are you happy with your choice? Would you recommend Lander to other students in your situation?
I did very poorly on the SAT but very well on the ACT. Maybe the SAT is your test, you should try it out!
@MYOS1634 I haven’t went yet I just graduated from high school. @lovepufflesxo I won’t be able to take it again because the next time they have the test I’ll be in college so it doesn’t really matter anymore but thank you though.