University of South Carolina--OOS

Hi! USC is my top choice for college, but it is far from my hometown. I live in Missouri, so it’s about a 12 hours drive, and I just wanted to hear some insight from other current students or parents of those students on what it’s like being so far from home. I’ve always wanted to go OOS, so that’s not a problem for me, I just wanted to hear from others on what it’s really like. Also, if you have any other tips or firsthand information about USC, please share!! Thanks!

My daughter went from VA to IN for college and really had no homesickness issues. She was excited to spend some time in the Midwest, has since graduated, and now lives in Chicago. Have you visited the campus yet?

I have visited and I really liked the campus and the whole visit really made me want to go there. I’m fine with going OOS, but no one else in my family has, so I don’t really have many people to talk about it with and what to expect.

We are also from VA and I have a freshman at USC. Almost all of her friends are also from OOS, lots of different places, so that helps a lot as you would not be the only one from far away from home. It’s not like everyone is local and running home on weekends and leaving the OOS kids there. I went to school 2 hours away from home and honestly, being away is being away–doesn’t really matter if it’s 2 or 12 hours. The only issue is when it comes time to go home for holidays, etc., you either have a long drive or you have to fly, but again, so many other kids are in the same boat. This was actually a big factor in her deciding on USC–other schools, like University of Florida for example, were over 90% in-state kids which is definitely a different dynamic.