I am looking at the University of Georgia and University of South Carolina, and the Honor Colleges at both. Could someone please let me know about their experiences at either and/or a comparison of the two? The weather, atmosphere of the school, honors college, non-honors classes, campus, and surrounding area. Also, I am very liberal and not religious, would that play a role in which school I would feel more comfortable?
@shortie17 What state do you currently live in and what will your major be?
FYI - Due to the Hope Scholarship in Georgia, over 90% of the students are from Georgia. The SCHC will have a lot more OOS students.
I am undecided for my major, and I live in NC, but with merit scholarships money shouldn’t be an issue. I’m not making a decision right now, just trying to get more information.
University of South Carolina is pretty conservative and more of a party school I would say UGA is a much better school academically, academically better students and more renowned. However, USC is very nice too. Their business school is very good. I would go and visit the campuses and see which one you like better. I guess I am saying this because I’m from out of state and UGA is absolutely impossible to get into, so all the smart kids from my school try to go there. I live in NC as well and I would say USC is probably the better choice because they give more scholarships if you get better test scores. It is much easier to get into and scholarships are easier (from North Carolina). Good luck!
So I am a senior right now and I have been admitted to both USC honors and UGA honors and have done a large amount of research on both. I, as well, am trying to decide between the two. I live in GA, but, hopefully, I am not biased.
Insofar as weather, culture, and Greek life are concerned, both school’s students will tell you that they have more fun and that their school is the best. At the end of the day, you are looking at two big-time SEC schools. Either way, you’ll be in the south. It will be warm. You’ll have a great time.
Campus/ town- Visit. Athens is my favorite city in the whole world, but South Carolina’s relatively new Greek village (if you’re into that sorta thing) is unbelievable. If you’re interested in business, the Darla Moore business building at USC is unbelievably gorgeous and new. Columbia is a bigger city, but Atlanta is fairly accessible from Athens if you are interested in being close to a big city. At the end of the day, though, visit. Both places are fantastic in their own way, and it comes down to preference.
Academics- Here is where I will be making my decision. UGA Honors is a PROGRAM: it is an add-on to an already great school. They describe themselves as an enrichment program. USC Honors is a COLLEGE: it really is its own thing. They have a much more robust and autonomous program, more course offerings, and more honors residences. UGA, as a whole, has a higher average GPA/ ACT/ SAT (if you think that matters), but the honors college students at USC that I have met are also wickedly smart and passionate.
You mention that you are liberal and not religious and that you wish to be “comfortable.” An anecdote. A senior last year at my Catholic school got into a screaming match with a religion teacher over whether a god exists. That student is now thriving at USC honors. UGA attracts everyone in Georgia. Everyone. We are talking blue haired Bernies and Westboro Baptist Church sympathizers. That is the beauty of a public school. The population is, in theory, representative of the population of the state. Sure, the majority of the population may be conservative and/ or religious, but if you are worried that you won’t find anyone like you, don’t. If anything, look at this as an opportunity to be challenged on your views and to challenge other people. Pretty cool, right?
A word on admissions (assuming you are not yet a senior)- Get your GPA and test scores up for UGA honors. They accept the majority of their students from the early admissions pool looking almost solely at those stats. USC Honors requires two mammoth essays to apply, and I am told that this is the most important part of admissions.
Two great options. Two right options. Visit both. Talk to professors and students. Best of luck.