Honors College/Top Scholars Class of 2024

We attended the scholars social for scholarship recipients - and the regular admitted students day (where we signed up for the HC and Capstone presentations) - but since my son has not been accepted to HC at this stage we did not attend a reception for HC admitted students… so unfortunately no insight into that event.

It really is just a casual reception with some fingerfood, deserts, some little speeches and representatives from different colleges are there to speak to.

@Brent1123 Hey! I’m a current freshman in Capstone, and I applied to the HC last year. To answer your questions:

1- I got a physical rejection letter in a small envelope around this time last year. I don’t remember what it said to be honest.

2- I (thankfully) ended up getting into Capstone Feb 22nd, and I got an email about my acceptance and my scholarship award. I am an OOS student and got lucky enough to pay a little less than what In-state pays.

3- You can get in-state tuition as an OOS student without Capstone, but to my understanding, everyone in the program receives in-state and an award. You wouldn’t be a Capstone scholar if your grades weren’t good enough to get in-state as an OOS student

That all being said, I am so glad I’m in Capstone and if you REALLY want it you can transfer to the HC after freshman year, however, I would recommend becoming a Capstone Fellow instead. It’s a great community with amazing resources for years to come.

@uscstu2023 thanks for the reply! Very helpful. Glad you like Capstone so much. Do you mind sharing what you love about it? I think my daughter would probably like it too, if she gets in. Her stats seem to align with what they want. Hoping we’ll know soon! Thanks again. I think she’ll be attending USC either way and she’s super excited.

Thanks for the insight on Capstone, I’ve heard nothing but great things about it! My son is still holding out for Honors as it gets him into the International Business program. Does anyone know if Capstone scholars have any kind of an inside track into IB? It’s what drew him to USC in the first place, and without a guaranteed spot, I doubt he would attend as he’s already direct admitted into business programs elsewhere.

SGSS70 That is a great question. Capstone scholars do not have an inside track to IB per se. However as they are strong students, they have a good chance one of the 40-60 slots available for competitive admission (but based on performance, not Capstone status). Here is the link for more info on the competitive process:

https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/moore/documents/undergrad_programs/2019_ib_competitiveadmissions_ppt.pdf

As the poster above mentioned students can apply to the Honors College after completing their freshman year and there is a check box on the application that asks if you are a current Capstone student - so perhaps there is some preference. Another possibility if your son does not get into Honors, is to apply for admission to one of the IB cohort programs. Even the Honors students have to apply and “earn” their way into these programs. FWIW my son is a Capstone kid who was accepted into a cohort program which was later canceled. He transferred into IB and is doing his junior year semester abroad now. He said his IB courses have been among his favorites so based on his experience, its worth the hoops to get admitted.

Best of luck to you and your son!

MAC001, thanks for your insight. My son definitely thought about the cohort program but was a little hung up on being out of the country during prime job-hunting or grad school application season. Hopefully we’ll hear something this week from the Honors College, one way or the other. He’s direct admitted to Kelley at IU and its honors college, he just really fell in love with USC. If SCHC comes through, it’ll be a tough call for him.

@uscstu2023 Thanks for the information. Did you choose to live in the Capstone dorm?

I guess we’ll see if decisions come out today … waiting on USC and App State (HC and Watauga Residential) and both schools seem to be dragging a bit particularly App compared to prior years … I’m sure my S is not alone that these programs are somewhat influential to his decision … so the wait is getting trying …

Has anyone heard anything? Anyone have a clue as to when they came out last year?

Last year they were mailed - yes on 13th no on 14th… this year is supposed to be electronic so one would think today but haven’t heard a peep here. As I noted earlier, last weekend at admitted students day HC said “next 2-3 weeks” and undergrad admissions said they’d been pressing them to notify by the end of this week as that is what is stated on the website etc… and housing app is live etc… apparently the HC is following their own timeline

Are you thinking Honors College could be today or very soon?

Has anyone heard?

Honors college decisions are posted on portal now. It was a no for my son. Letter said there were 5,100 applications for approx 600 honors spots.

@ncmom2020 it was a no for us too. bummer. OOS

Thanks for the heads up … sadly a no for my son also … he was accepted to both the HC and Watauga Residential College at App State however so he’s very excited to become a Mountaineer.

Congratulations to all who were accepted it is a great program!

Does anyone know if you can receive in-state tuition if you are OOS and get into the honors program?

No for us as well. Sad.

@cheers2020 we are OOS and I was hoping for honors for the sole purpose of maybe getting in-state tuition.

It was a no for D20 too. She got accepted to HC at Clemson and App State yesterday so that eased the rejection a bit. Certainly helps with decision making!!

No for my son as well. We are at a Kelley Direct admit day today and are blown away by the opportunities here. I think he’s found his place in Bloomington, IN. Congrats to those who got into SCHC!