<p>Looking for comments from students and/or parents for both Furman and Wofford on their experience at these schools in terms of academics rigor; social scene; access to professors; condition of dorms; food; weekend activities and what the town is like where these schools are located. </p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>deezee- look back into the archives on Furman. Woody2013 has posted wonderful and detailed info on Furman. He has many posts on quite a few threads.</p>
<p>Thanks for the kind words. I’ll offer a few more thoughts on Furman vs. Wofford, specifically. I can’t remember if I’ve directly contrasted the schools before, but it is a choice that I often hear people making.</p>
<p>The first difference is size. Wofford has about half as many students as Furman, and that gap will grow as Furman increases its enrollment gradually over the next few years.</p>
<p>The second difference comes in academics. Furman is widely seen as the best school in South Carolina. Our specialties are in pre-law, pre-med, and music. Our undergraduate research programs are some of the best of any school our size. We focus greatly on “engaged” learning, and students are very involved on campus.</p>
<p>The third comes with the location. Spartanburg, God bless it, is not a thriving and fun place to be. I spend a decent amount of time there, primarily to go to The Beacon restaurant, and Cookout. Furman’s campus is self-contained, and is several miles from downtown Greenville, and a few from Traveler’s Rest. Wofford is located in the city of Spartanburg, itself. I find myself incredibly thankful that Furman has the wonderful, and vibrant, Greenville downtown to go to, and I go there about three-four times a week for food, church, and nightlife. </p>
<p>Fourth is social life. Wofford has a more active Greek community than Furman, with housing on campus, and a greater percentage of the student body involved. Furman is working hard to build a stronger Greek presence on campus, by putting all fraternity and sorority sophomore housing in Lakeside, by advancing plans for Greek meeting spaces in Lakeside, and by issuing very rough plans for a future Greek village (which, if passed, would be built years from now). That said, I spend a lot of my time in the apartments with smaller groups of friends, or downtown at the bars and clubs. For those who are under-21, it can get a bit repetitive going to the same apartments all of the time. Fraternities host open parties at venues downtown, and occasionally, at their off-campus houses. These are not the kind of raucous events I grew up with going to when I visited friends at big state schools, but are a great change of pace from the usual on-campus social life. I love the school, and have a great time here, but I would say that social life/Greek life is probably the most oft-complained about thing at Furman. </p>
<p>I don’t think I’ve talked too much about the dorms or food here, so I’ll address those two here.</p>
<p>The dorms are fairly comparable to what I’ve seen at other schools. They aren’t palatial, but I have no problem with their size, the beds, or other furniture. The biggest problem with the dorms is that the wiring, AC/heat, and other aspects of the buildings are old and in need of replacement (also in the master plan). I like my room, and I like the fact that there are both suite-style and hall-bathrooms as options. Next year, all freshmen (with the exception of Engaged Living) will be in South Housing. I like the concept of having everyone on one side of the campus, a lot. It will do a lot towards creating a more cohesive class identity, and connecting students. </p>
<p>As for food, I’m not really a great person to comment. I, personally, do not like the dining hall. I’m on a 90 meals/semester plan, and I only go there about four/five times a week. My favorite meals are breakfast, and late lunch. Omelets are great, and late lunch has chicken sandwiches, cheesesteaks, and other good stuff. Dinner is usually not good, and lunch is marginally better. I’m not really sure what happened; I liked the DH a lot last year. Most people don’t find the food awful, and I can’t pinpoint a specific thing I don’t like about it. For the most part, I find they oversalt everything, poorly cook meats and other things, and just offer mediocre selections. I come from a family where food is always exceptional, and the DH really doesn’t cut it for me. They’ve been working incredibly hard to improve it, and I’m optimistic it will get better, but as of now, it’s not great. </p>
<p>Now, as for off-campus eating options. Greenville is heaven. The restaurant options fit every possible wallet, pallet, and style. I eat about probably 10-15 times a week, and tend to frequent ethnic food options like Pita House, Pho Number One, Las Meras Tortas, Compadres, and brewpubs like Blue Ridge Brewery. There are an obscene number of fast food options close to campus, and Publix is about a half-mile off campus. I also like to cook a decent amount of food; there are kitchens available, but not on every hall in SoHo. </p>
<p>I hope that offers a bit more as to what I’ve previously written. Please look back at what I’ve posted before, and let me know if you have any other questions.</p>
<p>Thanks for the very good information about Furman. Hope someone will contribute similar info about Wofford. I know it also has an excellent academic reputation.</p>
<p>Sorry…been speaking to DS about these two wonderful schools. He just returned with his HS baseball team from their spring training and this is my first opportunity to read the responses. While he is still on spring break next week, we have decided to take the drive to visit both schools, again.</p>
<p>DS is getting too caught up with the reputation of the schools and doesn’t want to make the wrong choice. My advise to him is that the school has to be a good fit for him in terms of academics rigors, opportunities for research, sports and etc…</p>
<p>Leaving tomorrow for the LONG drive (NJ to SC), will let you know.</p>
<p>Any thoughts/comments on Wofford, would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>If your son or daughter is interested in graduate school in law, music, sciences, psychology -which is taught at Furman as a clinical subject with lab science foundations, premed, pre dental, pre business Masters programs, you should be inquiring about things like average MCAT or LSAT or GRE scores and admissions to graduate programs, numbers of students winning research opportunities and you should be looking at the awarding of research dollars in national competitions to Furman students. Go to Department pages online to see what Alum are accomplishing.
All of my seven housemates (females) obtained graduate degrees in law, medicine (Harvard Med), social work, education, business, music. Three have had careers in teaching at the university level, one teaches in public schools. My closest male friend was just named Provost of a highly regarded college after a career in teaching Chemistry (University of Chicago, Stanford studies post Furman.) I can think of three other male friends teaching at the university level.
If you commit to your major and department at Furman, a student is likely to get the rigor in instruction and support necessary for admittance to graduate school.<br>
Furman can be used to get a lot of momentum in life if used by highly motivated students well, and the faculty is full of truly caring individuals who will make a difference in your readiness for the next chapter in your life.
Greenville is a delightful city that has the best of the New South to offer downtown.</p>
<p>I live near Wofford and not all that far from Furman and have been on campus at both schools numerous times, although I never attended either school.</p>
<p>Both schools have very beautiful campuses, both very traditional, and both have students that are just a little above average. Wofford used to be sandwiched between some really bad neighborhoods, but most all thoughs houses have been torn down by either the city or Wofford or the hospital. Wofford expanded it’s campus housing into one of those areas, I assume that they may be frat houses, but they are amazing. Although they are only a few years old, they look like classic Charleston style houses. As for beauty and layout, both Furman and Wofford are excellent and probably about even.</p>
<p>Spartanburg is very much a college town, with Spartanburg Community College, Spartanburg Methodist College (which I attended decades ago), USC-Upstate (which I graduated from), Sherman Chiropractic College, and Converse College. During my college career, I spend more than a few nights sleeping on the floor or on a couch in a Wofford dorm room, I met a lot of friends who went to different colleges in Spartanburg.</p>
<p>Wofford is on the edge of downtown Spartanburg and may actually be a little more convienent for students who don’t have a car than Furman. There are not a lot of bars downtown Spartanburg, but they are within walking distance of Wofford. Wild Wings is two or three blocks away and is a popular college hangout. Wofford is also across the street from a rather large Krispy Kream and is adjacent to the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium. Wofford is also on the bus route, and is almost next door to the nicest hotel in Spartanburg (Mariott that has convention facilities). </p>
<p>The “George”, which is USC-Upstate’s new college of business building is fairly close to Wofford, as is the counties new arts complex. The nearest grocery store is about two miles away. Sonnies Brick Oven Pizza is about a half mile away and is also a popular college hangout - they have a small stage and open mike days for wanna-be performers.</p>
<p>Someone mentioned the great night life in Greenville, and yes, that is true. Much more to do there, but if a student cant find enough to do in “the 'burg” (aka “Hub City” or “Sparkle City”), Greenville is less than a half hour away. Ashville and Clt, and Columbia (USC and 5-points) are also popular weekend getaways for Spartanburg college students.</p>
<p>A great time to visit Wofford, and Spartanburg in general would be the first weekend in April when the “Spring Fling” is going on. You may want to double check the date, but there is a lot to do and see during the “fling” (free outdoor band concerts, arts and craft fair, kiddy rides, etc).</p>
<p>If someone was a big sports fan, the Carolina Panthers have their spring training on campus at Wofford and practices are free to watch. The football field at Wofford is astroturf and is very nice, although they do share it with a local high school on Fri nights. They have fairly decent basketball and football programs, but I don’t know anything else about athletics at Wofford, it’s possible that football and basketball is all they have.</p>
<p>My son selected Furman over Wofford, but only because he want’s to be a music major and they do not have a music department at Wofford. One of my son’s riends (a top student at his high school) stopped by my shop (which is near Wofford) last week and told me that he is going to Wofford as a history major with plans to attend law school afterwords. I think that is pretty typical of Wofford students - plans to attend grad school that is. I don’t know a lot about academics at wofford, but I believe that it has a very good reputation for chemistry, although most students at Wofford do not tend to major in technical areas, more liberal arts type fields - pretty much like Furman. </p>
<p>Both schools pretty much have a “Ivy League” feel to them, and take acedemics very seriously, except for the fact that they dont truely have many Ivy League level students. They are sorta like “wanna-be Ivey”.</p>
<p>The charleston style housing on Wofford’s campus is senior apartments (award-winning design) not greek houses. Both schools are good about having housing for all 4 years of college.</p>
<p>Let me admit from the outset that I’m a little biased as I have a Furman connection. </p>
<p>But here is my assessment: Yes Wofford’s campus is nice, but it is nowhere near as nice as Furman’s. </p>
<p>Spartanburg is not a “college town”. Neither is Greenville. (A college town is something like Athens, Georgia, or Chapel Hill, NC.) However, Greenville has a very cool downtown and Spartanburg doesn’t. If I had a job in Spartanburg, I’d live in Greenville and commute. </p>
<p>Wofford is in Furman’s league when it comes to academics, but Furman is clearly better. Look at some stats like incoming SAT’s or something like percentage of students who go on to get Ph.D’s.</p>
<p>For sports, it’s probably a wash. </p>
<p>Overall, Furman is better – although I admit that Wofford is good if it seems like the right fit for you.</p>
<p>After reading through the forum, I thought I would give my opinion as a current sophomore at Wofford. </p>
<p>Let me start off by saying that I have spent a significant amount of time on Furman’s campus because my girlfriend is a current sophomore at Furman. </p>
<p>I will try to follow some organization to my response to give you a good feel for what I have noticed. </p>
<p>Size. Wofford is a college, Furman is a university. So in many senses you are comparing apples to oranges in terms of how the schools approach academics. Wofford is a small liberal arts college. So we are only undergraduate. This liberal arts approach gives us the ability to get a well-rounded education. We also have better access to our professors because they are focused on their smaller classes. I feel like I know my professors far better than my girlfriend does at Furman, just from what she has said. At the same time, we currently have around 1,400 students, but our Board has approved a push to 1,600. So that’s where Wofford is headed in terms of size over the next few years. One thing that makes Wofford a great choice from a student’s perspective is the 11:1 student-faculty ratio, we are really able to tell a difference in our ability to interact with professors. Some more numbers about size: we are 52% men and 48% women, from 11 countries, 34 states, and 25 ethnicities and cultures. </p>
<p>It is really debatable as to who is the “best school in SC.” These rankings work much like athletic teams… depends on who ya’ ask. But a survey that has been taking a very in-depth approach to “ranking” is NSSE (The National Survey of Student Engagement). NSSE looks at Academic Challenge, Supportive Campus, Interaction, Collaborative Learning, and Enriching Experiences. So it’s pretty impressive. Wofford meets or exceeds the top 10% of all schools in the survey. We have also had a Phi Beta Kappa Charter since the 1940’s. The percentage of students that get into grad school on first application is more than 90% (the national average sits somewhere around 60%). So as a Wofford student, I feel very prepared and VERY supported. </p>
<p>Next I guess is location. Spartanburg is not Greenville. I feel like itÂ’s that easy. They are two different cities with different pros and cons. Both Furman and Greenville are VERY beautiful. I feel like if Spartanburg had a river running through its downtown and Wofford had a lake, we might get the same impression (haha Just a little joke). I love being in Greenville and itÂ’s not far from Wofford at all, and I enjoy the time I spend on FurmanÂ’s campus. Wofford isnÂ’t shabby either. We are an arboretum, so we have lots of trees and they are beautiful. The campus is small than Furman, Wofford sits at around 147 acres and Furman comes in at 750 acres. I like to joke that if Furman is an estate then Wofford is a country club. Prospective students ask Wofford students what is there to do on the weekend? Spartanburg is a great place to eat, and experience the arts, or just hang out. I went to high school in Spartanburg and was very hesitant to stay before I saw Spartanburg through a college studentÂ’s perspective. Spartanburg has a West Side, an East Side, a Down Town and lots of little communities around these three. Our West Side has a mall, lots of good restaurants (Olive Garden, Fuji, and Long Horns being a few personal favorites). Our East Side has a lot of local restaurants (check out Boston Pizzeria, Taco Dog, Four Seasons, and Hickory Tavern). Both have movie theaters, shopping, and coffee. Then if you like to walk around, check out Down Town. We have a local Coffee shop which has a bookstore, and a bakery, lots of great restaurants (Monsoon Noodle House, Lime Leaf, The Beacon, Wades, GrouchoÂ’s Deli, Converse Deli, IkeÂ’s, Sugar and SpiceÂ…. I could really go on and on). We can also get to Tryon, Asheville, Charlotte, Greenville, Hendersonville, Saluda, Gaffney (Prime Outlets), etc. if you are in the mood for a different feel. And the cool thing about Wofford is, we are a family, so even if you donÂ’t have a car or donÂ’t know your way around the Upstate, there is always someone who is willing to go with you. I really enjoy how our campus is smaller; to me it seems really manageable. You have time between classes to not only get there, but to really enjoy the people in-between. </p>
<p>Life on campus is made even better by our on campus housing. Our senior housing “The Wofford Village” is AMAZING! It is beautiful and adds a different feel to the community. The Village is undoubtedly the nicest housing I have seen. It was a 2008 “Dorm of Distinction” as chosen by University Business magazine and it won things like Builder’s Choice Design and Planning Award. Our fifth phase of the Village will be complete in Fall of 2011, so it will bring loft style apartments and more student life space. What is really cool about housing on campus is a) it’s all the same price, so you don’t have to pay more as you go up each year and b) it is coupled at each level. Marsh, Greene and Carlisle, Shipp and DuPre, Wightman and Lesesne, and then the Village. My experience on Furman’s campus is that the housing is split between South Housing and Lake Side. I think the nice dorms and the sense of community is really why 96% of Wofford students live on campus all four years. </p>
<p>But what is really the best thing to do is to get on campus. Spend time each place. Wofford isnÂ’t a perfect fit for everyone, nor is Furman. You have to decide where you want to be for four years. Unfortunately this isnÂ’t a decision parents can make. If a student doesnÂ’t feel 100% comfortable on campus they arenÂ’t going to engage everything the college has to offer. If you want to be challenged, if you want to be part of a supportive family environment, and if you feel like you could change the world, Wofford College is an awesome place to be and I love every bit of it.</p>
<p>First let me say our son and daughter are juniors at Furman, were named Wofford Scholars the summer before their senior year in high school and were admitted to a number of Tier 1 schools. Faline is right on-if your son is looking into professional schools, then the major questions are grad school placement percentage, number of stujdents who are accepted into their first choice, etc. Furman’s acceptance rate ( >50%) is deceiving, since most students will “self-select” and not apply to Furman if they do not believe they can handle the work load. So- would take issue with poster who believes students there are a shade above average. Both schools do a great job at student/faculty relationships, IMO. Both of our kids have become accustomed to spending 30minute to an hour with a professor debating an issue or refining a paper if they would like the opportunity. From friends we know at Wofford, I believe the same sitation holds true. Our kids chose Furman because of it’s slightly larger size, campus lay-out and what the believe is an edge in academic strength. Both kids have found Furman to be academically challenging ( kids with 7+ AP’s, >4.0 gpa’s in high school). </p>
<p>I think a big issue for a student considering both schools is how small is too small-Wofford is similar to Davidson in size, but it appears much more of the social scene is tied to Greek life. That said, there is a far higher level of Greek affiliation at Furman than we initially understood-so, regardless of which school son chooses, I would advocate he is comfortable with Greek life and what it entails. If he is at all interested in sports managment and business, Wofford has a unique alliance with the NFL team from Charlotte and offers some great opportunities to students.</p>
<p>Furman’s science program and the Townes Science Center are amazing-graduates do well in placing with first choice of medical schools and undergraduate research b students in impressive. The Political Science department at Furman excels in placement of students for internships and law school admissions. Furman has one of the best Mock Trial programs in the country-their teams regularly defeat both Ivies as well as schools with law schools on campus such as W and M, Emory and Washington and Lee. Furman’s new president, Rod Smolla, is the former Dean of the Washington and Lee law school, and a Yale and Duke grad. He has a stellar reputation as a First Amendment litigator before the Supreme Court-he has some amazing plans for Furman, so there I would s ay Furman gets the nod. </p>
<p>Final thought is Furman is attracting a number of students from the NE and California, so the school is losing more of it’s southern feel-while I think Wofford probably maintains that aura. For some kids,the “Southern vs.non-Southern” atmosphere is the area where they make their decision. Good luck to you and your child-both schools offer an excellent liberal arts education.</p>
<p>A reply to the JSmith1224, who said that Wofford is a college, and Furman is a university …</p>
<p>Furman is TECHNICALLY a university, but that is only because we have a master’s program for education. I have not met, and probably will not ever meet, any of the graduate students here, because I believe there is about 10 of them.</p>
<p>So despite the “University” part of its name, Furman really is a small, liberal arts college, and you get all of the great stuff that comes along with that - small classes, rigorous academics, interaction with professors.</p>
<p>As for whether Wofford is better than Furman academically, that I am not so sure about, since I am a Furman student and have never experienced Wofford. Furman is certainly ranked higher than Wofford, but I wouldn’t put too much stock in rankings. However I will say that Furman kids do very well when applying to grad school! (Although this may also be the case at Wofford … just trying to be fair). I would look at statistics (such as percentage going on to grad school, if your son is interested in that) to get the real story.</p>
<p>And yes, Greenville > Spartanburg. It’s just a fact.</p>
<p>Thanks to all who have contributed such great information about Wofford and Furman. My son is scheduled to revisit both schools in about a week. The information contributed by all will help him with his final decision. Ultimately, I think both schools are fantastic, and it will probably come down to which school feels “right” to him.
Hoping for more great posts.</p>
<p>Thanks to all who have provided such valuable insight for each school. </p>
<p>Here’s a funny story that happened with our recent visit to Furman and Wofford, which pretty much sums up the difficult decision facing our son.</p>
<p>After receiving the acceptance notices, we took our son to visit both schools again ealier this week. Timing of the info/tour session brought us to Furman first thing in the morning. It was a beautiful day to be walking the campus at Furman. Then off to Wofford for their afternoon info/tour session. </p>
<p>As we walked in to the admission office, we were greeted by a student working the desk registering prospective students. The young man was courteous and polite; starting talking to our son. Found out our son was accepted to both schools and discuss the positive points of each schools. </p>
<p>At the end of their conversation, his parting remark to our son was “…hate to be you…” only response our son has was “…yup…” </p>
<p>We know both schools will offer a quality education, it all comes down to the effort an individual is willing to put in; and it is also a matter of fit. Which of these two school is a good “fit” for him. </p>
<p>Thank you, again for all the excellent responses. </p>
<p>SZCOLLEGE: Congratulations to your son!</p>
<p>DEEZEE1980: I have sent you a private message szcollege</p>
<p>Deezee and szcollege- hope you will update us all and let us know where your students decide to attend! Sending you best wishes for a clear decision.</p>
<p>MOMMAMOCHA: Thanks for your interest! Do you have direct experience at either school?</p>
<p>My d will be attending Furman in the fall. We are headed back there next week. Looking forward to seeing the campus again for admitted students day. After a couple of days on campus last fall, Furman became the “one” for her. Our visit was remarkable and I hope everything we saw, heard and experienced along with all that folks have kindly shared here are her reality. Furman was put on our radar by coincidence and all the info we found here made it a school to see. Furman was all that it was said to be, and more.</p>
<p>I really like to hear what others decide, after reading posts and wishing them well you are left wondering, are they happy, did it work out? All the best to you and your family. :)</p>
<p>No decision yet from our son. I can’t tell which school he is leaning towards. We are waiting for the financial aid notifications from both school. Hoping to get some kind of aid. </p>
<p>Anyone have experience with either schools when it comes down to financial aid? I don’t think we will quality for anything but hoping that having two in college, it might help.</p>
<p>Mammamocha, will certainly let you know when a decision is made.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Tough choice between elon, wake and furman but furman just feels right. Right mix of academics and fun. Love Greenville too. Looked at Wofford but just felt too small and campus is not nearly as nice (though village is great). Furman is beautiful. Anyone else from new england in class of 2015?</p>