Echoing NCdad comments - really good information and discussion. For what its worth, so many contributors here like scmom with ties to USC all present quality information as it pertains to USCHC. Thanks a million for helping process the specifics of what the university HC offers and the details of distinguishing factors between varying scholarship levels of those enrolled in HC.
@NCdad704 Assuming that the additional cost to attend UNC Honors is not a factor, I would let your S decide based on fit. That being said, my S picked USC and the McNair over UVA (Echols) and GT (President’s Finalist) and has no regrets. USC is generous with AP credits, so my S was able to immediately take upper-level classes, interesting honors classes and will be able to graduate with a triple major and a minor.
I think that my S has benefitted from going to school OOS and having to make new friends immediately. Being a McNair made the transition easier as he met his roommate at the McNair weekend, immediately knew the other McNairs upon arrival and had a Scholar “Buddy” to ask questions over the summer. In addition, the Honors College has a lot of activities the first week of school and the layout of the dorm is designed to get people out of their rooms and meeting people.
I’m biased, but I would choose the McNair for the individual attention that your S will get as well as the awesome honors college experience. At the McNair weekend, one of the admission’s representatives made the comment that USC is “Success-Oriented”. They focus on making sure that students succeed and that focus has been evident in the professors and advisors that my S has encountered.
@SECfan1234 Echoing what others have said, I think that all of the USCHC student’s will have plenty of opportunities if they are motivated. My S is an International Business major and is not focused on research. As a McNair, he has benefitted from having a faculty mentor, a Scholar Buddy to help him navigate his path and knowledge of Fellowships and Scholarships.
That being said, the advisor that he relies on the most is his business school advisor who is available to all IB business majors. In addition, he obtained an internship this summer at a Fortune 500 company by attending an on campus career fair.
The USCHC will offer plenty of opportunities for your S or D.They will just have to seek out the professors directly or introduce themselves to the Office of Fellowships and Scholarships.