<p>S is applying to the honors college. I assume the benefits are smaller honors classes in a large iniversity setting as well as housing benefits. Do honors kids have first choice at all classes (including non honors)? Can you give me a little info about your or your kid's experience in the honors college?</p>
<p>S is a soph in the Honors College and a McNair Finalist Scholarship and Lieber Scholarship recipient attending from out of state (NY resident)
Hes a Sports Management major which is how he found USC in the first place.Hes had a combo of class sizes,with the Honors sections being quite small,even one under 10.This semester though, he has one class (Intro to Marketing) which is huge. But I think that experience is normal anywhere.
He lives in Honors housing,his frshman year he was in Maxcy and this year hes in an honors apt dorm called Woodrow, in a 3 bedroom,1 bath apt (tiny kitchen/living area) with an outside landing/balcony they've outfitted with chairs and table.
Hes having a great time there and feels academically challenged when need be, but able to fit in extracurriculars and fun times.He wanted a larger, urban oriented campus with big time sports and lots of campus pride.He was set on another program at a private U until he was called to the interview weekend for the McNair and fell in love with USC and the people/faculty there.Hes had some professors hes loved so much, hes taking them again (in Geology and Philosophy)
The Honors kids register twice, they do their Honors advisement/registration first and then get advised in their depts and do their additional registrations according to the regular campus schedule. S's had good registration times due to coming into USC with lots of AP and summer program credits,so he has 2nd semester junior standing.He hasnt had any issue with being closed out of classes, only issues due to time conflicts..again. a problem kids have at any school.
If you havent visited, I encourage you to go and make a special request to visit the Honors dorm (Maxcy) and meet with an official of the Honors College.
Good luck to your S! How did he like filling out that Honors app??</p>
<p>Cathymee: Thank you very much for the information. It was very helpful. It sounds like USC is a great place. We will definitely visit if S is admitted to the honors college. He is a two sport athlete and I know he would enjoy the big time SEC sports atmosphere as well as playing on the club lacrosse team which is very good. He said the Honors Application was the most difficult that he completed including a couple of ivy league schools. Congrats on your son's achievements.</p>
<p>laxdad
you're welcome and if you need any further info,PM me.
Make sure S pays attention to the deadline of Nov 15th for ALL docs to be submitted.He may get into Honors submitting after that date, but if he wants to be considered for any merit $,he needs to meet that date.</p>
<p>Cathy (or anyone else)-Do you feel USC would offer as good an experience for an OOS kid who would not be in the Honors College? We have loved everything we have heard about USC, but it has mostly been from the perspective of Honors students.</p>
<p>there are some parents here who have kids in the Capstone program which attracts many OOS'ers ,perhaps they will speak up and answer you,since my perspective is skewed from the Honors angle!</p>
<p>3sons,
We live in SC, but my son is in the Capstone program and loves it! Capstone is a "community within the college." There are minimum SAT scores, etc that you must have to be admitted to Capstone. Many students there (like my son) simply chose not to apply to Honors because they preferred Capstone. About 50% of Capstone students are OOS, I believe. S is an engineering major, and his whole floor is composed of engineering students. One great thing about Capstone is that floors are assigned by major: S knows everyone on his floor and has made lots of friends because he sees these students in his classes and has many common interests with them. It also makes for good study groups. Capstone is a suite-style dorm and only Capstone students live there, along with a few floors of Honors overflow students. The rooms are spacious and the dorm is well-kept. Capstone Scholars have certain sections of classes reserved for them (ex: There is a Capstone section of Eng 101 and 102) and they are all required to take sections of University 101: these are set up either by major or there are designated Capstone sections. There are also 3 or 4 required "Capstone conversations" (speakers on a wide variety of topics) and a couple of required "Capstone cinemas." Also, the Capstone Univ. 101 groups are required to do community service, so the students get to know each other through that outlet also.
S loved USC from the start, but Capstone made the difference for him. He doesn't even really know who is OOS or In-state --- they just all are friends.
Capstone also offers some good opporunities for research and study abroad. When you come to USC, you might want to request a meeting with the administrators of the Capstone program, and they can also arrange for you to see one of the dorm rooms. My son has been very happy there, and plans to room with some of his friends next year in the quad- Capstone has an optional 2nd year program than many of the students participate in. We have all been extremely pleased with his experience at USC and Capstone.</p>
<p>Thanks so much. My s is also interested in an engineering major and I will definitely have him look into Capstone. We are trying to work in a visit shortly.</p>
<p>Definitely make sure that you visit if you can. I was pretty much set on coming down here (I'm from Pennsylvania), but once I came down for a visit and a tour I was absolutely positive that this was the place for me. I'malso in Capstone, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask!</p>
<p>Wow - PA is getting some representation at USC !
Another happy family of a USC student ( not honors college). She has a great advisor and has had some wonderful opportunities in her major and around campus. She is happy with her choice to go to USC!</p>