<p>Columbia has some very nice areas. I gave it that. But it’s poverty rate, unemployment rate, and crime rates are all above the national averages on the sits I visited. Yes, it’s a city. However, not all cities are not well off. Columbia, I assume, gets a lot of tourists and was especially hit by the economic collapse because less people are taking vacations. That’s understandable. </p>
<p>I’m not sugar coating my replies because I’m being completely honest trying to find the right fit. If you lie about what you see and what you want, you end up at a school you don’t like. Being 100% honest, this is what I observed. I thought people could appreciate my honesty without feeling attacked.</p>
<p>Some people love a certain city. Others don’t. It’s up to the individual. Just because I wasn’t impressed with Columbia doesn’t mean someone else might love it. I came here not to attack the city but to see if those with more experience in it could offer insight I don’t have.</p>
<p>For the record, I certainly could’ve reworded the initial post. It was late. I am extremely stressed about choosing where to transfer and the way I worded those statements was not appropriate. I’m sorry if I offended anyone. I don’t think Columbia is trashy, economically down, maybe, but not trashy. It was a classy city and the people were very friendly.</p>
<p>“I don’t think Columbia is trashy, economically down, maybe, but not trashy. It was a classy city and the people were very friendly.”</p>
<p>More bees with honey…very nice!</p>
<p>Your young and one can cleary see from your last post that you do indeed care. I am confident that you will get positive feedback from anybody that has read or replied to this. We all have failures in our lives that become our greatest accomplishments. The OP was as you know a bit brash, your success is understanding that failure and moving fwd. I’m sure your a good kid. </p>
<p>Once again, I wish you the best in your journey. Dig into the history of the USC, the city and the culture I think you will find it more exciting than what you assume to see it for. Keep growing kid, you will be fine!</p>
<p>I don’t really know how to respond to your post. It really hurts that you bring color/race into this. Please ask constructive questions and don’t say “I’m not racist, but there are too many black people.” Why does color indicate “crime and lack of education.” I am a white male in the honors college and I have never once described my university as undereducated due to the demographics of the students. Jesus, please get with the century before you bring racist comments into this discussion. </p>
<p>@coleman4 I wonder where the difference in data comes from, as they’re both cited from USC. As a student, I would honestly doubt that only 10% of the students are black. That may be true, but from my own time at USC, I just can’t see the numbers being that low.</p>
<p>IMO, the city that a college is in isn’t necessarily all that important. There are schools like Yale and Wake Forest, which I have been told by friends who go to those schools, are really, really incredibly sketchy areas… but the schools themselves are nice and the students like it there.</p>
<p>Columbia, as a city, has some issues. Some of those issues spill over onto campus, but for the most part, USC is USC and Columbia is Columbia. When you’re on USC’s campus, you feel like you’re on a college campus. When you’re in the Vista, you feel like you’re in Columbia.</p>
<p>But what information are you exactly looking for? You say you’re not trying to make racist statements, which is fine, but I still don’t know exactly what information you’re looking for. Obviously, if you post in the USC forum, students at USC have chosen to come here, so we’re going to say how great it is and parents will be defensive of the choices their kids made. Ask specific questions, and we can maybe help you out better.</p>
<p>I looked through other threads you started on the site. l’ll say, your thoughts do seem all over the place. Perhaps think more before posting, or edit more closely. Good luck finding a good fit somewhere as you transfer from your current school. It’s a big world, so some introspection would seem worthwhile. Unless you like the drama. </p>
<p>@CurlSnout Not accurate. I’ve looked at Clemson, South Carolina, Arkansas, Michigan State, Purdue, and Florida State. I’d hardly call that all over the board as most of them are southern big sports colleges. I think it’s best to examine all your options. </p>
<p>It’s South Carolina. Labor intensive cotton, rice and indigo were the economic mainstays in its formative years. One branch of my family tree moved to SC from the Barbados with their slaves. We’ve all been located here the same amount of time and are equal Americans. Can me move forward now? Transfer9512 you are correct in that actual racial makeup of the city of Columbia is just over 50% white – thus there are “a lot of blacks” and, as with most cities, there are pockets of poverty. However do not confuse the city in general with the campus atmosphere of USC. From my time on campus, I’ve seen only typical college kids walking to and from class, dorms, rec center etc. and adults out & about with a sense of purpose. No homeless hanging on the library steps or seedy types checking out the coeds. Columbia is a city and USC students benefit from the diversity of activities and population any city offers. But they also benefit from a beautiful campus that can feel removed from that hustle & bustle.</p>