Love the school, hate the city

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of South Carolina
1

<p>I visited South Carolina and loved the school itself, however, I feel like Columbia is really ghetto and somewhat poor and trashy. I know there are nice parts but when we drove around it just felt extremely depressed. I'm also not racist at all, honestly am not, but I didn't like that there were almost as many blacks as whites. Typically that indicates high crime and lack of education (just stating facts, not prejudice). I know South Carolina in general has a lot of blacks, but not nearly as many are in Charleston or Clemson. </p>

<p>I want to go to USC but can't get over this roadblock image in my mind of Columbia being an unattractive city (i know there are nice parts, but more not nice parts than nice ones). </p>

2

<p>Just don’t even know what to say to you. Please go to Clemson.</p>

3

<p>Rarely can USC & Clemson fans come together on anything, but it’s safe to say we don’t need your mindset at Clemson either. </p>

4

<p>lol at your “facts” about race in SC. Charleston, for example is 41% black. Columbia is 42% black… a negligible difference.</p>

<p>Anyways, I will have to echo what the others have said. Please look elsewhere for your education.</p>

5

<p>Not that OP’s comment is worth a constructive response but for what it’s worth, the common data set for USC undergraduate population indicates only 10% are African American whereas 77% are white. I’ve been to both campuses (USC and Clemson) and both surrounding areas have their pros / cons, urban versus rural, etc. it really comes down to what you’re wanting; but clearly with that mindset, you need to look at other options. My daughter turned down UNC-Chapel Hill for USC because (in her words), she loved the area and felt comfortable there. :slight_smile: </p>

6

<p>Not sure why you guys are getting so pissed. I’m giving my honest opinion of the city. I’m sorry that I don’t rant and rave about it’s beauty? </p>

7

<p>Because it’s a cool city. You’re missing that or don’t see that. No sweat, but when you start talking about race being an issue for you you’re going to hear about it.</p>

8

<p>Honey. It’s not that you don’t like a particular city. It’s just that you sound truly clueless when it comes to understanding people and cultures and the larger world…and life outside your high school bubble…</p>

9

<p>I’m in college actually. I’m transferring. </p>

10

<p>The reaction to your comments is because you brought in race and equated (in your mind) the number of blacks to depressed areas. Leaving race aside, many cities have depressed areas. Five years ago when we first visited Wake we came in the back entrance and is was an unappealing strip mall/industrial area (may have changed by now) but if you went out front is was a nice area. If you come into Columbia down Two Notch Road it looks very depressed. If you come in Garners Ferry/Devine you are in a million dollar residential area, if you come in Shop Road ( where lots of student complexes are) it looks very industrial. You need to judge the school first and then consider the city environment. </p>

<p>Doesn’t sound like USC is place for you.</p>

11

<p>MicahB… Some things to think about.</p>

<p>1st. Your in college now…If this is the case than you should know that the racial diversity should not be an issue at all. </p>

<ol>
<li><p>Ghetto??? Clearly & respectfully, you need to do some more research on the city. There is a lot of civil war & slavery history. In fact there are many monuments at the state house that might help you better understand where we were and how far we have come. Walk accross the street to the church and into the cemetery and take a look around. Yes there are some areas that are in need or some repair; however, the economy has been bad for some time now so I am confident and major projects went on hold a long time ago.</p></li>
<li><p>I am from NY & live close to Boston and Providence… 3 big cities all with issues much like Columbia. As a former Navy guy I have been to countless cities, countries and areas that are far worse.</p></li>
<li><p>Being a street kid from the big apple your judgment on Columbia and its population is poor at best. I spent 3 days down there with my son, had our 3 meals a day and different places, sopke with the students & actual residents and took the time to walk around the city to soak in the history.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>It is a city, if your not a city person there is nothing wrong with that but please do not make a judgment on race numbers. This should not ever matter anymore! Much like Coleman4 my son also had some really nice schools that he could have attended but USC was his choice. He loved the city and all the people. He is also a big history buff so he found the true value of not only the USC, he found the value of Columbia.</p>

<p>In the end please remember this one very important thing. We all bleed red and we all have family and friends that we care deeply for!!</p>

<p>In the end if you can’t get passed your thoughts one would have to agree with scmom12. This doesn’t sound like a place for you.</p>

<p>Good luck with your final thoughts.</p>

12

<p>I find it ironic that you guys are attacked me for making observations when from the student reviews I’ve read, USC is one of the most racist state universities in the nation with segregated greek life and student interactions. Read some student reviews sometime. I’m not just making blind observations. </p>

13

<p>I don’t understand why you even bother starting threads. You seem to argue with everyone that replies. I visited USC the same time as you (I remember your name being called) and aside from the weather, found the city to be fine.</p>

<p>You started this thread in particular to essentially complain about the city’s black population. Of course people are going to take offense. You aren’t even asking anything in the original post-- you’re only complaining about the city. Why even start this thread? What kind of response were you hoping to elicit?</p>

14

<p>Not true. USC actually has a long history with diversity and has recently won awards for its diversity. <a href=“http://www.sc.edu/news/newsarticle.php?nid=5272”>http://www.sc.edu/news/newsarticle.php?nid=5272&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>And I don’t know where the “segregated student interactions” comes from. I, a white student, have plenty of friends of other races… as do almost every other student I know at USC. We’re a big “melting pot”.</p>

<p>Also, I don’t know where the demographics statistic comes from, but USC has definitely more than just 10% of its students being African American. “Through its recruiting and enrollment efforts, USC has amassed the most diverse student population in South Carolina and one of the most diverse in the Southeast. Of its 44,000 students, 17.1 percent are African-American, 3.5 percent are Hispanic and 2.4 percent Asian and/or Pacific islanders.” I’ve had many classes where I’ve been the minority in the room.</p>

<p>Anyways, none of that is really what matters. What matters is that USC is a place where EVERYONE should feel welcomed, regardless of their race or background. Columbia may have a large black population, but that does not mean the city is depressed or any other negative words you want to put out there.</p>

<p>Columbia does have its problems, but so does every city. It would not matter if it were an all-white city or an all-black city. When you put large numbers of people in a relatively small area, you are bound to find problems.</p>

15

<p>^ @AUGirl - I got the statistic from the USC Common Data Set for 2012-2013:
<a href=“Institutional Research, Assessment, and Analytics - Institutional Research, Assessment, and Analytics | University of South Carolina”>Institutional Research, Assessment, and Analytics - Institutional Research, Assessment, and Analytics | University of South Carolina;

<p>For undergraduates, it indicates 2511 African Americans of the total undergraduate population of 23,363 = 10.7%. Likewise, the “White, non-Hispanic” population was 18,079 = 77%. </p>

16

<p>Where have you read USC is a racist university? I’m a black student here and I’m telling you that your assertion is inaccurate. As for your initial post…like previously said please don’t come to my school. We don’t need attitudes like yours here. </p>

17

<p>MicahB…</p>

<p>If you are refering to my reply please take the time to read it over as there is no attack. There is however guidance, insight, and feedback to help in your thought process. </p>

<p>Reading into a response from another only carries the tone of your own perception which as I’m sure you know is your own reality & not what is being conveyed. I have read all the responses and there is no attack on you form anyone of them, just concern, shock, and suggested directions. </p>

<p>As like most kids that attend college your are stepping into a new culture. A change in social construction is something we all have to accept no matter where we are in life. You can’t expect Columbia to revolve around you! </p>

<p>Think about these two questions:
What is the differance between selfless and selfish?
What is the differance between fair and equal?</p>

<p>There is a reason for each question that will tell you a lot about you. Once you are done thinking and answering each question combine them and put yourself in a new social construction.</p>

<p>Again I am a city street kid. You have to remember to allow the city to come to you…don’t try to make the city to come to you. In other words that city was there long before you came it will be there long after you leave.</p>

<p>You had valued you education up through high school and your now looking for the next step. Your right there; however, the key to success in college, the city and in your adult life will be to accept “all”. Social construction will change as you journey.</p>

<p>Southern Hope said it quite well…step out of your bubble. The world is a grand place for all of us when you can achieve that step. </p>

<p>Again, good luck with your final thoughts. I’m confident the other posters wish the same for you. </p>

<p>Please go back to your OP and give it some thought.</p>

<p>Break it down and tey to think about what you posted:

  1. “I feel like Columbia is really ghetto and somewhat poor and trashy.” To most if not all this is a very judgemental and insensitive statement. Not a very nice thing to say at all. Again, there is a lot of history in that city it will serve you well to look into that history.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>“I’m also not racist at all, honestly am not, but I didn’t like that there were almost as many blacks as whites.” This is clearly a racial statement, there is no other way to see it! </p></li>
<li><p>“Typically that indicates high crime and lack of education (just stating facts, not prejudice).” Bigotry comes to mind reading this statement.</p></li>
</ol>

18

<p>MicahB…</p>

<p>I failed to mention one last thought.</p>

<p>I hope that you will find what is truly important and wish you the best in whatever journey to take. Try to find the value and positive in all that you do and accept whatever social construction you find yourself engaging. In the end if you step out of your controlled bubble; I am confident that you will find that USC, the city and “all people” have a value that you will respect and enjoy. </p>

<p>Cheers!</p>

19

<p>MicahB,</p>

<p>Your posting comments are conflicting.</p>

<p>In your OP you made the three comments as noted above which got some attention. The three comments were based on how “YOU” felt.</p>

<p>As the comments fell you once again posted; however, you then commented on how you were…“making observations when from the student reviews”…that you have read. </p>

<p>Further you posted as a connection to reviews that…“USC is one of the most racist state universities in the nation with segregated greek life and student interactions. Read some student reviews sometime. I’m not just making blind observations.”</p>

<p>So tell us is it:
(A) your self inflicted comments from the OP.
Or
(B) Yes, a blind observation you took from reviews. </p>

<p>Clearly you are trying to flip this…it might be too late for that. </p>

<p>Again, as a positive type, good luck in your journey I hope that you find where you will do well.</p>

20

<p>You know what’s really annoying? How people always equate statements on race to be racist. It’s not racist. I don’t know the crime rates in Columbia, but from my experience, blacker communities have more crime. It’s a fact. Not an opinion. I started this thread not to attack the school or the respondents. I started this thread to see if my observations were accurate and everyone started attacking me. </p>