Hello! I was accepted into the Honors college on Dec 23rd, and I got a letter a little after saying I was going to recieve a scholarship worth at least $73,000. I know that last year the McNair/Horseshoe scholar weekend invites were sent out around this time last year - has anyone heard back? When do you expect to? I live in Texas, so I will be hearing a little later than some, probably.
I was just now looking for that same information. I assume that somebody would have said something if they had recieved an invitation. My guess would be some time this week (Friday?) but it is only a guess.
We called and they said the week of Feb 16th. That seems weird, though, since the McNair weekend is just two weeks later.
That seems very late if you need to book airfare. All previous years from what I’ve found the invites arrived by February 1.
Yeah, I know. That’s just what the admissions lady told us when we called.
From what I have seen on this board, admissions gives quite a later date to accommodate for potential drop-outs and sending off to people on the waiting list. I received mine (in 2012) the weekend of February 1 on a Friday. Expect the first round to go out at the end of the week.
Everything is planned on this end, as I just signed up to volunteer at one of the events that weekend. There was no mention of when they would send the letters in the documents, though.
BEST OF LUCK! I think the McNair Scholarship is one of the best packages you can get as an undergraduate. They are really amping up the program. However, do not be discouraged if you don’t end up with it. You’ve already made quite the accomplishment of being accepted to SCHC, which continues to rank as a top program nationally. It also will come with in-state tuition, a sizeable award, a great residence hall, and many other perks. I don’t think I would get awarded the McNair in recent years with the markedly increased statistics of the winners. The SCHC students I encounter daily are incredibly impressive, and by using the resources offered by the Honors College, I have personally witnessed many of them succeed to a much higher degree than fellow McNairs.
Let me know if you have any questions. Enjoy your week and don’t stress too much. It’s but one potential route of many for your future.
CNT…great info. The reality of were my S stands is setting in with concerns to McNair. But with the price now being the same as our in-state option ( NC-State…Duke in the mix but that is like getting the McNair) I think my S favors USC. Primarily because of the rave reviews about the honors.
CNT - thanks for the encouraging words.
Can you comment on the experience of SCHC pre-med students while in school at SC, and then into applying (and getting into!) Med School? Do those kids typically stay in-state for med school, or scatter to the four corners and get in where they can?
Talk to HC if you want to get real numbers. Anecdotally I think it is a mix. Of course with large cost, lots of med students head for in-state programs. Debt is no fun. The two pre-med friends of D2 that are seniors this year were both accepted to in-state schools before Christmas. Looking at Top scholars publication which tells about McNair/Carolina group that graduated last year, there’s a handful that are staying in SC (and are from here). There are also students accepted at Vanderbilt, UConn (double MD/PHD), Northwestern, Baylor/Rice, and a few deferring application for a year doing something else.
Following up the above USCHC pre-med question, would any current student currently enrolled in the honors college know if the USC’s Office of Pre-Professional Advising maintains data on actual acceptance rates for pre med students in honors college?
Also, presuming that USC’s Medical School in Columbia and upstate are top locations for these pre-med honors students. However for those honors students originating out of state, we would be really interested in learning success of med school entry in home state should it be in Northeast, Midwest, etc…
In contrast to schools like UNC or Duke, one of the concerns on this end is that USC’s pre med program, its honors distinction, and its recommendations for med school entry, may not carry as much influence outside of the State of South Carolina or the Southeast.
Anyone out there have some information on this?.
Sorry scmom12 didn’t realized you had already answered question! Good to know about wide diversity in locations of med schools and successful admissions, even if only anecdotally.
That’s okay. I didn’t really answer the main question but I would again refer to you the pre-med advisor in the HC. After I wrote the above answer I actually looked at tuition page for USC med school…then called my senior and thanked her for not wanting to go the med school at all, least of all OOS. 
My DD received one of the “late” invites to McNair two years ago. USC arranges airfare/lodging for the student and an adult so don’t worry about that. You must attend the weekend to be interviewed. It was an incredible experience with an equally incredible group of students. There are a number of elite scholarship weekends during this time period and some potential candidates are double-booked and can’t be two places at once which is why some invites are issued late as others regret. I echo CNT that while the McNair/Horseshoe program is fantastic – the Honors College gives opportunity and attention to all its students.
@gcbmib around what date did they receive their invite?
My daughter received her invite today by FedEx.
@CloverMom Congratulations to your D. It is a great opportunity.
@clovermom what state do you live in?
Sorry I apologize it was not McNair but Carolina Scholar weekend.
I received my McNair invitation this afternoon via FedEx. I’m beyond excited! We are just outside of Philadelphia, to provide some context. Best of luck, kawledge101!!
My DD received her invite mid-February before the weekend which was the first one in March. We asked to arrive a day early before the Saturday afternoon start of events. The actual interviews for the students were on Monday morning so the students had to miss a day of school. I think there were a couple of parents who left early for work and let their kids fly/drive home by themselves late Monday afternoon. Each student talks with a panel of 3-4 professors. In her interview at least two of the professors referenced her essays. The professors did their best to make it more of a discussion about the students’ thoughts and to find out a little bit about her beyond her resume.