Okay so I’ve been accepted to both of these schools and I intend on studying marine biology. I’ve been accepted to the Honors college at CofC but not at USC. Which one of these would be a better fit for me given the following:
-I want good profs and advisors
-I’m serious about academics
-I don’t care about sports, partying, or drinking. I just want to hunt and fish in my spare time!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
South Carolina is typically considered a little better of a school, but considering you’re studying marine biology and you got honors at CofC, it’s probably pretty close.
CofC is smaller so would probably get better advising there.
Both schools have a pretty big party scene, but CofC is less in to sports. You may find USC to have more people in to hunting and fishing as CofC is often known as more of a liberal arts school.
I’d choose CofC over USC based on your choice of major, preferred activities, and Honors admission at CofC. The Honors admission will net you better advising at CofC. Sports are big at USC and water activities are not readily accessible. With its location near miles of beaches and marshlands, CofC is a better choice for a Marine Biology major and fishing enthusiast. Although both schools have somewhat of a party school reputation, you will find serious and talented students in the Honors College.
The two schools offer very different experiences/environments. I’d boil the decision down to 1) what is affordable and 2) your personal preference.
Are you planning to visit Charleston this weekend for their accepted student’s weekend? You should have received an invitation. Have you visited either school, or are you planning to? The honors college at Charleston may offer some advantages and I encourage you to explore this further. It could be a differentiator.
The schools have very different personalities, but both are very good academically. How do costs compare and which school did you feel was a better fit?
My daughter is interested in marine science as well, and is considering Charleston. She and her mother will be visiting this weekend. Charleston is certainly strong in this area. But as has been noted in other posts, marine biology/marine science typically requires a graduate degree. There is nothing wrong with pursuing a biology degree as an undergraduate, and both schools would prepare you well.
THe Marine Sciences Department at USC is excellent. Department faculty earned their doctorates at such highly regarded marine science schools as U of Washington and MIT-Woods Hole.
Both schools are very different , but personally I would choose CofC Honors over USC. You will have more opportunities for additional mentoring , be closer to the beach, smaller classes. I also agree with @themclos that a visit to both schools may make your decision easier. I disagree that U of SC is better academically when you’re comparing CofC Honors to U of SC. You will be able to hunt or fish at either school, but CofC has quite a few organizations for water sports and activities, as well as opportunities with the aquarium right next door and the barrier islands in close proximity to the school.
I’d choose CoC Honors over USC considering your criteria: excellent marine biology, location for you major and fishing, less emphasis on sports, the caliber of the average Honors student at CoC is higher than the average USC student, there’s more of an undergrad emphasis so better teaching and advising as well as smaller classes if you want to know your classmates and professors better.
Are they both affordable?
I’d choose Cofc Honors over USC. Cofc Honors will give you special academic advising plus first hand knowledge of research projects especially at MUSC.