<p>I am still trying to decide between schools, so I want to get some input on the USC honors college. I am leaning towards going to SC honors college and majoring in political science with a focus in international studies. Does anyone have advice on either of these programs? </p>
<p>I am deciding between USC and University of Florida, most likely with the same major. However, I am not completely convinced that it will be the right career choice for me. Would you recommend most programs at South Carolina, and is the faculty helpful in determining the correct major choice?</p>
<p>Last question: as of right now I am pretty convinced that I will want to go to grad school. Would you say that graduate school opportunities are good for SC honors college grads?</p>
<p>If you want to focus on International Studies, then why not make that your major? A couple of people were discussing the differences between Political Science and International Studies in my French class the other day. One girl said she much preferred the International Studies Department over the Political Science department.</p>
<p>I’m not really sure how great the faculty is at helping you choose the right major, but it’s not really an issue changing your major. I think something like 60% of USC freshmen change their major. The school also has cross-campus advising for those considering a switch.</p>
<p>I think your grad school opportunities are good, but it probably depends on the program that you want to go into and how you do in school. I know for law school, they don’t care about your college. All they really care about is LSAT and GPA, so if your scores are high enough, they don’t care if you went to Podunk Community College with a degree in tiddley winks. Truth is, a lot of Harvard undergrad students aren’t even good enough to get into Harvard’s law school, but there is at least one student from USC at HLS right now.</p>
<p>As for other types of grad programs, I really don’t have much of a clue. But if you want to stay in South Carolina or in the South, I would think you would have a lot of opportunities. USC also has a lot of opportunities for research, which would be a great resume builder and there isn’t a question that you’d get an outstanding education in the HC.</p>
<p>If it helps with choosing your major, I had a friend go from International Business, to Physics, to Political Science. I also had a friend who went from Pre-Pharmacy to Biology (pre-med track) with a double major in French.</p>
<p>Those are the two who come straight to mind who changed their majors. Both changed into CAS from other colleges with little issue.</p>
<p>I had to choose between USC and UF for next year. I looked at all my options and chose SC. I visited Columbia and liked it so much more than Gainseville. I have been heavily recruited to USC. I’ve had personal phone calls, emails from advisors, an amazing scholars day experience, and invited into Capstone. At UF, I would be “just another number”. I wanted to do finance with an international focus, and at USC I can double major in IB and Finance with a german minor. At uf finance would be my only major. Also capstone is nicer than every dorm at UF (besides Hume). While UF overall is ranked and regarded as a better school, USC is the better school for me. </p>
<p>I guess what I’m getting at is look at what’s best for you, but no matter what school you go to, you’re going to get a wonderful education filled with rewarding experiences. </p>
<p>I don’t know particulars on political science, but I do know that in Honors you get an honors advisor as well as departmental advisor. The honors advisor my daughter has is great and knows a lot about a lot of the programs since they each advise in multiple majors. She has been more helpful that the department advisor simply because she spends more time talking about different possibilities. It’s definitely very personal attention.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your advice! AUGirl, it definitely makes sense to focus on international studies. It would be nice to explore both areas. Thank you for pointing that out. </p>
<p>Nc7777, I’m struggling with the same thing…I’m worried about going to UF and being one of many. I think I would like the small school feel of the honors college while in a larger school environment. It seems to make sense for you to go there because they have a great International Business program. Do you think its still worth it for other programs as well?</p>
<p>Something to consider is that the International Studies major shares many of the same resources with the International Business major, which is exceptionally well funded. Students in both majors will use foreign language classes, study abroad programs, CIBER (Center for International Business Research), programs to interact with international students, and the Walker Institute of International Studies. Since IB is USC’s most well known and probably well funded program, the quality of international-related programs at the school is improved by association.</p>
<p>I think the whole idea of a “small school in a large university” is wonderful and I do not think it is limited to just the Honors College.</p>
<p>There are about 80 Theatre majors and probably a smaller number of French majors than that at USC. Because of this, I’ve really gotten to know some people in my classes. There are several people who I have had four or five classes with in just this first year, just because both departments are fairly small. The quality has not been diminished in the least, but you definitely get a more one-on-one feeling. On top of that, most of my classes are fairly small. I think my only class with more than 20 is band.</p>
<p>Just thought I’d point that out for anyone interested in understanding the size of USC and I thought it’d be helpful for IR, because you’d be taking a good bit of language classes. (I’m assuming)</p>