<p>I am considering going to Furman, but I don't know very much about the school. What is life like at Furman University? What are winters like? Does the "dry campus" rule cut down on drinking/good parties? If there are no greek houses, where do fraternities meet? What is the stereotypical student like? Also, what are winters like at Furman? Is it uncomfortably hot in the spring and summer?
Thanks</p>
<p>What a question- What is life like at Furman? I think you need to visit to get a feel for that. As far as winters, it is the south, but we are in mountain territory. We usually get some snow and ice, nothing too heavy. And no, it is not uncomfortably hot at other times of the year. Students from all over the world assimilate well with our weather; I am sure you will do just fine. </p>
<p>As far as the dry campus rule, our president likes to call Furman a damp campus. Yes, no alcohol is allowed on campus. So, if you don't want to drink, you won't. But if you do, you will. And no one will pressure you either way. Correction: there are fraternity houses, just not sorority houses. But, only one or two people live in the houses (typically senior officers). The houses are only used for parties and a few other events. As far as meetings and activities go, those are all held on campus or other places. </p>
<p>A stereotypical Furman student comes from the top of their high school class, is typically middle to upper-middle class, is super competitive and goal-driven, is very outgoing, personable, and thoughtful. Furman students are also, according to several college guides, likely the happiest and most satisfied college students out of America's selective institutions.</p>
<p>Take this for what you will. Come and visit if you haven't already. Get a feel for this place! Best wishes.</p>
<p>Hi. I haven't figured out quite how posts work, so forgive me if I post a reply as a question.</p>
<p>I'm interested in hearing from a student at Furman.
My daughter has been accepted there in Music. We are seriously considering Furman...it looks like it would be a wonderful place to study.</p>
<p>However, I have a couple of concerns/questions. I'd be grateful for some thoughts from a student.</p>
<ul>
<li>My daughter is the "arty" type. Very unconventional (likes to wear black-- not a goth, tho), draws, is a musician, rides the unicycle. </li>
<li>She also is extremely well traveled, and (as an only kid), has spent a lot of time around adults, particularly academic types.</li>
<li>Has conservative social values, but progressive political values.</li>
<li>Is definitely not the sorority/fraternity socializing type. (But maybe could be...dunno.)</li>
</ul>
<p>Basically, we aren't sure of the fit, except for the wonderful music opportunity.</p>
<p>What can you tell me about the student body at Furman that will help me evaluate whether she would fit in and find friends, or would be too much of an outsider.</p>
<p>Thanks a million.</p>
<p>You could be describing my d, with a few exceptions: She doesn't wear black. And she owns a unicycle, but hasn't learned to ride it yet. And she is the youngest of 3, but certainly well travelled, since we spent the past 3 years living abroad. She enjoys art, too. Politically/socially she sounds similar to your D.</p>
<p>She is also strongly considering Furman - as a double major with music (violin) and languages. We have visited twice, and she really loves the place. It seems to be a nurturing place with happy students.</p>
<p>Where do you live? We are in Atlanta, so we know a fair number of kids who have attended Furman. I know one boy who transferred after the first year because he hated it. But he was desperate for a big school with a big party scene.</p>
<p>Hi. We live in Chapel Hill NC. My daughter plays the harp.
She would also do a double major. Probably theatre, or French.
She's not interested at all in a party scene...just wants to have friends.
She's a bit of an "odd duck" in some ways...very pretty, intelligent, and socially apt...but much her own person.
So, we worry a little about the sorority mentality...maybe being more pervasive than in the sororities. Hard to articulate exactly what I mean...sorry.</p>
<p>So, what is your take on Furman, for your daughter?</p>
<p>We also have an acceptance from Guilford College, which is wonderful, but the music education at Furman is better. </p>
<p>Thanks, binx. My name is Anne, btw.</p>
<p>My son is a Furman freshman - he's a conservative (morally, socially and politically) and enjoys his studies. He's not a drinker, is from the northeast (but feels comfortable being in the minority), and isn't into fraternities. He likes the diversity of views on campus (both with students and professors) and is very happy with his college choice. He has traveled extensively (Mexico, China, Israel) and he has a number of friends on campus from other countries. </p>
<p>The campus is absolutely beautiful - I wish I was able to be a college student there!</p>
<p>Thanks for chiming in, Bethel - Your S sounds wonderful. Wouldn't it be fun if our kids could all meet up at Furman someday?</p>
<p>Anne, our first tour guide was from the Northeast, and wasn't at all what I viewed the typical Furman student to be - she was a senior, seemed more the sorority type, and seemed lukewarm in her praise of Furman. Told us about the housing -- she praised the housing at the far end of the campus (furthest from music buildings) and I remember thinking that we would avoid that side since it sounded like the party area. She chose Furman because her parents are college teachers in the northeast, and Furman was one of the schools that offered reciprocity on tuition wavers. I actually considered it a good thing that she wasn't "in love" with Furman, as she seemed rather different from my D. She pointed out the chapel in passing, but stressed how religion didn't really matter anymore, which we didn't necessarily consider good news. (We're glad - even eager - for diversity; but not interested in making religion a bad word. However, it was clear religion was not our guide's interest, and therefore, she would downplay it.) As I said elsewhere, D wasn't thrilled with Furman on the first visit, and it may be because of the guide. Funny how that works.</p>
<p>My concerns after the first visit were that it felt high-schoolish to me. People jostling for position in the cafeteria, sitting in little groups, everyone pretty much ignored us. I was uncomfortable. Also, my D doesn't drive and won't have a car, and I was concerned she'd be left out of a lot. So I didn't push my D to like it better. I did encourage her to apply anyway, because the violin teacher really liked her and felt she would be a good fit. I liked that she could double major, and that the school was strong in music and languages, her top interests.</p>
<p>After the second visit, which was the audition and a "self-tour", my D liked Furman a lot better. We found the food court, which seemed more collegiate. Students were much friendlier and enthusiastic. We found various study abroad posters and other tidbits that interested my D. Furman moved up several places on her list at that point.</p>
<p>If D goes there, her second major will be self-designed linguistics. The website says linguistics is so popular as a self-designed major that they are considering making it a "real" major. </p>
<p>D got a $10,000 music scholarship. A bit lower than we were hoping, but she plays violin which is not usually the top money getter. Because our FAFSA is screwed up (due to our living overseas) it doesn't represent us accurately. Our EFC should be about $17k, (we'll have two in college next year) and it comes up $65k. Furman called my H to talk about it, but we haven't received any final tally, so I don't know if we can afford it or not.</p>
<p>We are still waiting on final offers from several schools. D would be happy at any of them - she ranks them quite closely. In rough order, if money were equal, it would probably be: St. Olaf, Furman, Miami-Ohio, Denison. A low-ball offer could swing the vote. (I'm guessing Miami will come in lowest; just don't know if it will be low enough to swing the vote.)</p>
<p>I'll chime in. Our S is a freshman at Furman. It has been a great fit for him and he seems to be very, very happy there. Furman is considered the most academically challenging college in SC. No grade inflation at Furman.
Furman is well known in the South and not so well known outside the South. They draw studdents mostly from SC, NC, GA, TN, FL, etc., though I have met several students and parents from the NE as well. Typically Furman is compared to Davidson, Centre, Rhodes and Wofford. The student body seems to be fairly conservative socially and politically, while the academia seems to be fairly liberal. A nice mix I think. The campus is drop dead gorgeous and consistently ranks in the top 10 on the "Most Beautiful" schools lists. It is a bit remote, but a car is not a necessity. Frats and sororities exist, but I don't get the feel that they dominate the scene. The campus is "dry", but as at most colleges, there is some drinking going on. I get the impression however, that there isn't nearly as much drinking at Furman as at other colleges. The frat and sorority houses are off campus and only 1 or 2 students are allowed to live in the houses more as caretakers than anything else. The rest of the students are required to live on campus all four years.<br>
While walking on campus, the kids looked happy and fit. A nice looking group overall, conservative clothing, very few tatoos and piercings. Not very diverse though. Mostly white and more women than men (65/35).
Our S is strong in his faith and involved with a church off campus. He is not a drinker and not in a Frat. Our S just started as a tour guide last week. If you visit again, maybe you will get him.</p>
<p>I would like to respond to the above comment... by my father. The ratio is not that spread out as it may seem, it is actually just outside 55/45. My (freshman) class is about 60/40, which is unusual. </p>
<p>As for social life, I really can't do more than encourage everyone interested to come for an overnight visit. That way you will live amongst current freshman and see what the true experience is like. It's the real deal. I actually host students and have found that they really find it a good experience when picking their schools.</p>
<p>I've been outted! :)</p>
<p>I'll chime in ... my daughter has become increasingly interested in Furman over the past year. She has followed the freshman journals online, visited campus, spoken with an admissions officer & an admissions ambassador (student). I was very worried about fit, since D is a midwestern kid --- not a big commodity at Furman! But she wants something different, and she has done her homework enough to be satisfied that she does, indeed, "fit." We are actually visiting next week. She will meet with students set up by the school, but also with the daughter of a cc'er who will give her additional insight into Furman. </p>
<p>When we took a tour last year, D thought the campus was beautiful. One thing that really struck her was the attempts to mix kids up & really socialize (dorms seem to do quite a bit of that). She liked that a lot. She also liked the fact that kids were playing pickup volleyball outside the dorms, bringing in the cut flowers left by the gardeners (such a neat idea), studying outside, and just generally enjoying their day. In contrast, another excellent school we visited that trip didn't have much going on besides going to class & studying in the library --- it seemed just "cold." D likes the active student body that manages to balance attention to their studies with lots of activities (both formal & informal). If everything works out & she is able to attend Furman, she plans on being a part of our religious denomination's student group. She appreciates the fact that there is more to do than get drunk (not her thing at all). And there is even a football team that students really support --- what a nice, fun plus! Furman just seems like a very good place for her to learn and grow. Just a few observations. Hope they help a bit.</p>
<p>Can you say road trip? Either Legally Blonde or Animal House. It would be worth it skip a day and get your feet on campus during a school day. Will send PM.</p>
<p>Steve</p>
<p>We are going to visit Furman (again) on April 16th. After that, my daughter has to decide. Thanks for the suggestion...tho. Everyone else, thanks very much for your thoughts and your kids' experiences.</p>
<p>xercia, we just returned from a visit to Furman. I can assure you that you don't need to worry about a sorority mentality (not a big part of campus life & not exclusive for those who choose Greek life). I, too, had worried about what the social scene might be like. I am now convinced that there is a "place" for everyone who likes Furman! All I saw/talked to/came in contact with were typical kids ... same as we have here in the midwest ... an assortment of just regular young people. For those of us who wondered if the campus was full of the stereotypical Animal House fraternity/sorority types --- the answer is no! I loved Furman, as did my daughter. In fact, she was disappointed that while she really liked many campuses, she didn't have the feeling so many describe of "knowing" one was "the one." During her visit to Furman, she finally experienced that feeling. When you visit, make sure you talk to students, visit a class, sit in the food court area, etc. Interact, in other words. If it is the right place for your daughter, she will know it.</p>
<p>I graduated from Furman with degrees in political science and women's studies a couple of years ago. In response to a few posts from parents:</p>
<p>Furman is conservative, Southern, and everything that goes along with that. If your son or daughter is 'different' - i.e. rides a unicycle, is goth, marches to a different beat, so to speak, they may not be happy there. Furman students are generally very happy people who love their school. But it could be an unhappy place for students who are not very socially adept. Think of Furman as overflowing with prom kings, homecoming kings, star athletes, model citizens, etc.</p>
<p>About the religion aspect - Furman students, even if they're not <em>religious</em>, generally have values that would say they are. Most come from very stable upper-middle to upper-class backgrounds and they try to be nice to everyone. If you want to get involved in the religious groups on campus, they are there and they are active. But if not, that's your choice. </p>
<p>The music program is outstanding.</p>
<p>Finally, I've seen a lot of posts here about how Furman doesn't have a very big Greek presence. That is simply NOT true. The difference is that Furman has a very healthy Greek system, so the NEGATIVE stereotypes aren't really there. Furman is about 35% Greek - that is a huge Greek system. And the various events hosted by the sororities and fraternities raise serious money for good causes and provide much of the social fabric of the university. Most of the sororities have grade point averages that are above the all-women's GPA at Furman. They require that members be involved in other campus activities besides the sorority, which means that the campus leadership is heavily Greek. Please don't dissuade your son/daughter from going Greek simply because of stereotypes from other universities. At Furman, it is a huge networking advantage.</p>
<p>I'm happy to answer ANY and all questions about life at Furman. Overall, my four years there were the best of my life. I would spend another four years there in a heartbeat.</p>
<p>If you like sports Furman has excellent facilities and fantastics D1 soprts for a LAC. Top notch FB, Tennis, golf, soccer. Rugby has been D3 national champs several times. Basketball is average but rising and baseball is good too. For a comparison of how elite schools do in D1 sports you can go to <a href="http://www.uecsr.com%5B/url%5D">www.uecsr.com</a> for more information</p>
Hello, I am going to be a senior in high school this year and I really want to attend college in the south. I’ve been to South Carolina several times and all over the south and I don’t know where I should go to school. I want to major in Communications which is at just about every college, so all I have to do is find a college in the right area. I’m pretty sure I want a smaller college, but not too small. I also need to make sure whatever college I chose has good merit scholarships. I was wondering if you could tell me about your overall experience at Furman was; the pros and cons, internships, things to do in the area, finding a job after college, etc. also, if there are any other colleges that you would suggest anywhere in the south. Thanks!
Regarding the last part of your request, look at the following: University of Richmond; Samford University; Rollins College; Trinity University. All offer majors in journalism/communications studies, and all offer pretty decent merit aid.
Furman does offer merit aid, but tuition is equivalent to most of the Ivies.