<p>Wish we could attend, but we are flying to NYC on Sat for DD to compete in the Youth America Grand Prix ballet competition finals! Can’t wait to hear all about it!</p>
<p>Thanks, scmom12! I’ll tell my son too. And luvmiballerina, WOW!! Congratulations and Merde to your dd!! I have 3 ballet dancers, including my son who is looking at USC. He will probably take classes for fun, but at this point not commit to a minor.</p>
<p>Well my dd came home last night and we put the deposit down today…she is officially going to South Carolina! Thought the weekend went really well and was very impressed with the honors college dean - how about everyone else?</p>
<p>NJMOM3 - Nursing update from Scholar’s Weekend:
My son brought home an info sheet that essentially has the same information as on the School of Nursing website for the BSN program ([Bachelor</a> of Science in Nursing - College of Nursing | University of South Carolina](<a href=“http://www.sc.edu/nursing/academic_programs/bs_nursing/]Bachelor”>Bachelor of Science in Nursing - College of Nursing | University of South Carolina))
It includes Overview, Adm, Reqs., Progression Reqs., and Curriculum. There were about 40 kids in this session and my son was the only male! He was fine with that of course!!</p>
<p>My husband actually took notes:
- Advice from presenters:
- Communicate, Organize, Get a Planner, Sign up for University 101 (more on this below), Join SNA (Student Nursing Association).
- They accept approx 400 into the lower division (freshman) - disclaimer: my husband said this part was a little vague but that’s what he got from it.
- Of those initially accepted, they generally take the top 200, but refer to the Progression Requirements for other requirements (i.e. 45 hrs total to incl. 8 hrs science and 9 hrs of the lower div nursing courses)
- As I think you already learned, the lowest GPA from this year’s acceptances was 3.4- they confirmed the same, but obviously varies from year to year.
- Of the lower division nursing reqs, NURS 210 (Intro to Human Genetics…) is all online so this may be their first online course. NURS 216 (Biophysical Pathology) is a difficult class. Since these must be taken in progression, I suspect this one would be taken your sophomore year-in the spring - after you already applied. You still need to do well, just saying. </p>
<p>That’s all I have from my husband’s notes but I also wanted to mention my son also attended the session on the University 101 class and is very interested in that class. Look it up on the website- [University</a> 101 Programs - Welcome](<a href=“University 101 Programs - University 101 Programs | University of South Carolina”>University 101 Programs - University 101 Programs | University of South Carolina) There’s a lot of information. At first I wondered how much value that had (before he attended the session on it) but apparently the assignments incorporate your homework you have from your other classes so it’s totally geared to help you succeed. </p>
<p>Also, I’m not sure which direct entry programs your daughter is considering- my son was also accepted to Florida State Univ, which also has a direct entry nursing program. I was encouraging FSU for that reason (direct entry); but he gave some very compelling reasons for USC. Son’s reasons may not be the same as your daughters has but I’ve found writing out the pros and cons of each of the schools really helps. My husband calls that the “Ben Franklin” method of decision-making! … </p>
<p>A few of son’s reasons for USC were:
- More places and variety of places to eat (he’s a 6’1" boy on the swim team- big appetite)
- The Greek Housing appears to be all together in a ‘neighborhood’ which makes it seem a bit safer than other schools we’ve toured. It is very nice.
- The campus itself appears less spread out than other campuses and is very easy to navigate and get from A to B in a reasonable time. Also, it’s not as integrated with the city as some other campuses, hopefully making it more safe.
- The diversity of students… with USC’s Honors, Capstone and generous OoS scholarship programs, there is a wide variety of students from all over the country. Our state (NC), can only accept 18% OoS to each state school, so it’s mostly NC students.
- A few of his swim team peers go to USC and love it. That’s what convinced him first. </p>
<p>Finally (one more thing) - My son brought home info on an ‘extended orientation’ program for incoming freshman: Pillars for Carolina - [Pillars</a> | Student Government](<a href=“http://www.sa.sc.edu/sg/pillars/]Pillars”>http://www.sa.sc.edu/sg/pillars/) that is in the summer for 5 days that I signed him up for. It sounds like fun and fairly inexpensive ($350 for 5 day residential program) considering 6-day camps I’ve signed them up for in the past were nearly $1000. </p>
<p>Hope this info helps you decide! :)</p>
<p>Wow! Coleman4…Thanks so much for all of that information!!! Please thank your husband for me also…he took wonderful and very thorough notes!! I really appreciate that and also appreciate you posting that so quickly. Yes, I did know about the 3.4 GPA this yr, but have been given vague information about the number of incoming freshman as well, but that is pretty much what I expected, that they take the top 50% or so. It is hard for my anxiety level(LOL) because my d was admitted to 9 direct nursing programs and USC, a few were safeties of course, and then she eliminated a couple due to cost,size (too small) or geographic location. She has been down to three schools for the past few weeks.(two direct and USC). One of the three has an excellent direct-entry program but is in the Northeast and is cold and is much more urban then USC. I think she really wishes that Nursing program was on USC’s campus(I think she prefers USC’s campus better) since she’s guaranteed the spot and they have already weeded a ton of people out initially. Her other choice is also a great program , but the campus is not as big and I"m not sure she’d have as much to get involved in outside of nursing. She loves USC’s campus, loves the southern atmosphere, hospitality, and the warm weather…the ONLY negative is the nondirect and the risk involved…that is it!..she has a friend who is a freshman in Capstone(not for Nursing) who absolutely loves it there!! I do feel that even with the risk she might be a little more relaxed there…even though it is a hard major…she may be happier in the overall atmosphere and perform better. I think she’d also get involved in a lot of activities there as well…she 's enjoying her sr trip right now, so hopefully her mind will be clear when she returns and she’ll be ready to make a decision soon!! I do think that if she really wants the nursing that she will work hard to get it. It does sound like USC offers a lot to support them through the process. That freshman 101 class does sound worthwhile. Did it make you anxious at all when your son chose to turn down the direct program? I guess bottom line is that they have to be happy where they are for 4 yrs and they know deep down where they fit in best!! Thanks so much again! Very helpful information and I truly appreciate it! I will relay it all to her!</p>
<p>I know the feeling of the auto admit. My dd is pre pharmacy and they have 600 applicants for 180 spots! She was admitted into an auto admit (6 year PharmD) but is choosing to go to USC. Interesting my dd and dh said that there was only about 30 kids in the pharmacy break out session - so maybe those in honors and capstone (that were there this weekend) have a better chance? She met one on one with an advisor and she gave my dd some great advice. </p>
<p>Coleman - my dd is also a swimmer - will your ds swim? My dd decided she didn’t want to officially swim in college but will try out the club swim team. She has been swimming competitively year round since she was 7 - won’t know what to do without it!</p>
<p>/\ ahsmuoh - I believe there was another session before this Scholars weekend strictly for “Honors College” students, so I suspect, while being a “Scholar” could give our kids an advantage, don’t forget there are the “Honors” students who have an even better academic advantage who were not present for “Scholars” weekend. - So those numbers at the Pharm and Nursing breakout sessions could be greater taking that in consideration. </p>
<p>Re: swimming, my s didn’t go out for the varsity level. He doesn’t want the rigorous practice schedule that goes with it- especially when he’s new at ‘college life’ but he did say he might consider trying out for the club level or participating in intramural.</p>
<p>ahsmuoh…I guess our odds don’t look so bad!! My daughter keeps saying that even if she chooses Direct it’s not like she can go in and just slack off…either way they are going to have to work hard! I keep thinking that I guess if they did well enough to get into honors/capstone, if they continue to work as hard as they did in high school, the odds are hopefully in their favor! Good luck to your daughter!</p>
<p>I meant compared to Pharmacy, the nursing odds aren’t as bad!</p>
<p>The U101 class is really very hit or miss, BTW. I took it as a freshman and it was my hardest class first semester. My teacher took it extremely seriously and I had to write lots of papers, do lots of service, do a research paper, and other things. The only thing I gained out of the class was a couple of friends. I’m still really close to two of the girls in my class. Otherwise, it pointlessly was stressful for me and didn’t really help. I know others who were in the same situation as me. I also know students who absolutely loved their U101 class and it really improved their experience.</p>
<p>For Pre-pharmacy, a big thing is Biology 101. My roommate is pre-pharmacy and that class pretty much killed about half the students in it. They really like to treat the first semester science courses as weed-out courses, so the odds may sound absolutely terrible when you first apply, but if you can make it through the first semester, then you’ll generally be fine. Same with nursing. I have several friends who are nursing majors and I don’t know a single one who didn’t make it into upper division.</p>
<p>On top of that, a 3.4 isn’t really that high. At most schools, a B+ is a 3.3. At USC, it’s a 3.5. So, students who have a 3.4 likely have a good mixture of A’s, B’s, and maybe even C’s.</p>
<p>A 3.4 is essentially two A’s, two B+'s, and a C. That leaves you with a little bit of wiggle room.</p>
<p>Thanks AUGirl- Very helpful info! I’ll get my son to read your comments so he can know what he’s potentially getting into. I’m sure he doesn’t want a stressful Univ101 class!!</p>
<p>Thanks AUgirl for pointing out that the chances are better then it appears…my husband thinks I’m crazy to be so worried. My d, like so many others here has always done well with only one B+ on her transcript ever. Logically, I should not even be worried about her! You are right…there does appear to be some wriggle-room there. I’m sure that many students who may not be as serious or may be heavy into the party scene may be done after the first semester anyway(saw that happen a lot during my older daughter’s first semester at college). Thanks for the encouragement and the info on the 101 class.</p>
<p>Thanks AUGirl - I have a question about U101 - were you in the Honors section? I wonder if that makes a difference one way or the other. My dd was thinking she would take it but your comments make me a bit nervous for her - of course it is her decision in the long run.</p>
<p>They have only recently really encouraged 101 for honors. In beginning, it was a college skills class aimed at being sure students had knowledge of how to use college resources and to help retention…honors students (and other top students) usually are pro-active enough to not need this. However, they are now finding that many students exempt Eng 101/102 based on AP and now they use this as an extra chance to be sure everyone’s writing is on level for college work. So now there are specific honors and I think capstone sections. I think there are also some sections geared toward specific interest. I know there is one for pre-med. Looking at schedule , there are three sections 180, 181, and 182 reserved for nursing which would be maybe more helpful with specific stradegies for nursing.</p>
<p>Overall, I think teaching may be a little hit and miss with 101 since they have teachers from all over campus, but I think major specific might be better. My D (honors) did not do it. I would say figure out your schedule and then see if it fits. It would not be a class I would work around too much. There are some exceptions, but overall I would say the class in not a killer and is one that is designed for students to be successful in.</p>
<p>Also, good advice for all students is to not assume if you are straight A in HS it will be same in college. If there is a course like AUgirl mentioned that is known to be a weed out class, be pro-active…take advantage of free tutoring, go to SI (supplemental instruction sessions led by student who has taken class and is going thru it again to help explain stuff), go see professor. D even called her HS science teacher to explain something one time! You think the competition is stiff, but you will be suprised by number of students in important classes who don’t bother to come to class. If you stay on top of it you’ll do great! Good luck to all new Gamecocks.</p>
<p>/\ scmom12 - Thanks for identifying those few sections of Univ 101 that are specifically for nurses. How were you able to filter those out without having to click each individual section? I saw where they said reserved for Nursing but not until after I clicked on each one, which could be very painful if you want to search for more options. :-)</p>
<p>^^I just looked at list of 101 and it had restrictions under title, however this is just me as a parent looking at course list. When I’ve seen course list on my D’s computer when she signed in through my sc with id it looked different. And she could sort stuff better. Don’t know the new system that well.</p>
<p>I’m not in the Honors college. It really depends on the teacher. I don’t know anything about the special sections. I had heard rumors that the Capstone sections were harder, but then I ended up with a really difficult teacher. I think it’s kind of a luck of the draw thing.</p>
<p>I remember when I was preparing for USC one of the regular posters on here told me to be wary of U101. (It was Knights09, I think.) I ended up with a really serious teacher. Three people failed my University 101 class if that says anything. The grand majority aren’t like that. I’d just tell your kids to be cautious and if they don’t like their U101 class the first week, see about switching into another one or just dropping it completely.</p>
<p>As for the specific U101 classes… My freshman year, they gave us a document telling us all about U101 and encouraging us to take it at Orientation. On the document, it had a list of every special section of U101. (Honors, Capstone, OSP, special major sections, etc.)</p>
<p>No idea how to figure it out under the new system. I’m studying abroad in the fall, so I have yet to use my.sc.edu for classes.</p>
<p>I toured the Honors dorms and was told that we can pick/request which room we want/room layout. Is this true and when can we?</p>
<p>Not sure if its possible as freshman. D was assigned room but did pick get roommate and suite mates she wanted. Definitely can the next year since you get a time to choose and go online to pick from what’s available. But maybe they’ve changed something…call honors and ask.</p>
<p>Sent from my XT907 using CC</p>