Jewish - University of South Carolina

Hi there - my daughter has interest in several southern public schools. She’s in at UGA, Honors at Charleston (we know, they have strong Jewish life), but one campus she loves is U of South Carolina.

While I’ve read on the board that academically it’s not Georgia, it’s also a better fit for her - the campus is much smaller size wise. But I find very little about Jewish life there.

Given their OOS population is large and many from the Northeast, I’d assume it’s fairly strong. When we toured, they had a menorah in the admissions center. But Hillel shows a very small Jewish population on its website and their chapter social media is a bit quiet.

Anyone out there no about campus Jewish life. My daughter wants to be involved. She doesn’t need a top Jewish population, but enough of one for an active campus life.

Thank you for any insights.

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Hmmm…good question. I have a friend looking into this same thing at Virginia schools. My daughter has only one Jewish friend there, but like you said, they do pull a lot of students from the NE (seems New Jersey, in particular). I’m wondering if it’s worth a call to the Hillel there and see what they have to say, although the website/quiet social media probably says something. I will say that my daughter feels USC to be much more conservative politically and religiously as compared with some schools. This was a bit of a surprise to her, even though it’s a southern school in a traditionally red state. Unlike some schools, there are no traditionally Jewish sororities–not sure about fraternities. That can be an indicator as well.

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Great ideas. They have a Chabad and Hillel - and a Jewish Studies program so that means something. But if you google search for JS programs, only Charleston comes up in-state. I’ve tasked my daughter with reaching out to Hillel and learning more. I’ll say this - USC isn’t as well known as other top public schools but those who talk about it - from folks I know or on CC - rave about it overall.

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Hi there! We are from New Jersey (and Jewish) and my daughter is very interested in attending USC. We are planning to visit as soon as kids are back from Spring Break. From my understanding, there is a small Jewish population, no Jewish sorority but there is a Jewish fraternity. It is a red state but it is located in a major city (the state capitol). I’m looking forward to visiting!

Talk to the Hillel director - we did a year ago - quite impressive although my daughter ended up at Charleston which has a wonderful Jewish life. U of SC was her #2.

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We were looking at UofSC and Clemson. Clemson does not have a Hillel or any Jewish fraternities. I know of at least a few kids from our area who are at UofSC and are Jewish. I figure with any state school, there will be somewhat of a population. The president of AEPi offered to have my son over to meet some of the brothers. I don’t think he’s going to go over there, but it’s nice to know it’s there…

There is a post on FB on the University of South Carolina, Class of 2026, Parent Only page.

There were several replies, if you can find it. I grabbed the link below from there

Hi,
We’re from NY and Jewish. Our son is considering U of SC. Have you learned anything new since posting this? Any insight, positive or negative, would be amazing.

I go back to my message from February. Talk to the Hillel director - she was wonderful. Ask to speak to a student or two. I believe they have a chabad too.

I just remember, we walked in (Thanksgiving week) and they had a menorah up in the admissions office.

Most schools - whether through a group like Hillel or even admissions (like at College of Charleston which has a fantastic Jewish presence) - will work with you to bring you the contacts that you need.

Turns out - while my daughter got into 17 schools, they were #1 and #2. How U of SC is or would be in the end, I can’t say - but you can definitely do a lot of homework - either there or from afar to get “real world” info via Hillel, admissions. or an alternative way.

It’s a beautiful school (IMHO). After what we learned, I’d have been comfortable sending my daughter there - and she talked to two or three students and the Hillel director. How would it really be - well that I don’t know. It wasn’t my impression it would be insanely active like Charleston but that there would be a life.

Good luck to you.

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Thank you

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Did you have a specific question? My son is a freshman there…

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He applied to UofSC and many others, so we shall see. We aren’t religious, but we want our son to feel comfortable, and in an environment that seems to be mostly non-Jews, we have concerns. Did your son decide to join a fraternity? How is the social scene? I’ve read that fraternities aren’t allowed to host parties. Is he happy so far? Thanks for reaching out!

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