Hi everyone. I’m trying to decide between University of South Carolina Honors Colleges and College of Charleston Honors College.
USC is a big school with an awesome campus. Plus their Honors College is one of the best in the nation. I like the feeling of the big school and I think I’d like it there. It’s also close to home, which would be convenient. However, I would still have $10k left to pay using other scholarships, VA benefits, and grants.
On the other hand, College of Charleston is also a fantastic school. I love the historical campus and how down to earth everyone is at Charleston. The students and faculty are all great. I also received a full ride to attend the school. I have talked to a lot of people who attend CofC and they love it.
USC Strongpoints - Honors College and Size
CofC Strongpoint - City, People, Financial Aid.
Could anyone give me some input on the my predicament?
Which school did you end up choosing? We are looking at both of these schools and will be touring USC next week! Would be interested to see why you ended up choosing one over the other. Do you mind sharing your stats to have received full ride to CoC?
I ended up choosing CofC. The campus is gorgeous and I love the personal attention that the Honors College students get from the professors. The campus is large enough to where you meet tons of new people but also not as large as Clemson and USC. Honestly though, I was split 50/50 between both schools because USC was closer to home, I knew a lot of people there, and the Honors College is #1 in the nation (or so they say lol). But CofC won me over because of all the help and advice I received from many professors at the College in my decision making.
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1500/1600
ACT:31/36
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.49 Weighted: 4.3
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):58/348
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Calc AB (5), AP Lang (4)
Senior Year Course Load: Biology 2 Hons, Physics 1 Hon, AP US History (4), Independent Study for AP Calc BC, AP Bio, and AP Physics ( I scored a 4,4,3 respectively)
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Too many to list
Job/Work Experience:Worked at a grocery store since January
Volunteer/Community service:300+
Summer Activities:Took dual enrollment classes
Essays:8.5/10 Awesome essay in my opinion (lol)
Teacher Recommendation:I asked my Calculus Teacher along with my Physics and Bio Teachers
Counselor Rec:N/A
Additional Rec:N/A
Interview:Interview went well at the WAF interview weekend
Other
State (if domestic applicant): SC. Palmetto Fellows
Country (if international applicant): N/A
Ethnicity: African-American
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Lower middle-class
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM, Instate, First Gen
My strengths were my test scores and community service (which CofC loves). It also helps that I am a first generation, URM guy (CofC is looking to increase diversity and has a 3:1 girls to guys ratio). My WAF interview went very well also. If you’re son/daughter is looking to attend, express interest in the university and stay in contact with an admin representative.
My son is also a WAF fellow at the Honors College of CofC . His experience has been wonderful. I also encourage anyone to look at departmental scholarships as well.
Thank you so much for your in depth reply! Congratulations on your choice, as it sounds like you made the right one even though you would have been happy both places. My D’s stats are very similar to yours though she does not have any hooks. Our family has now decided to spend Thanksgiving in Charleston to really get a feel for the city, but she will be applying to both USC and CoC. @carolinamom2boys When you say focus on departmental scholarships, does she have to apply to those separately or will she be considered automatically with her honors college application? Did your son have any hooks? Do either of you have any insight on my previous post about the “optional” personal statement? Did you, @10026722 write that optional part and if so, was it a Why Charleston essay? @carolinamom2boys What about your son?
@elcs76 My son is instate. He had no hooks .He had lots of community service and volunteer hours, leadership and is an Eagle Scout. He met with a representative from the Honors College and the Dean of the CS the summer before Sr year. He could continued to remain in contact with them. He completed the CS department essay and was awarded that award. He did fill out the optional statement and reflected on his many visits to CofC and what he had to offer their community. He was also considered for merit from the Honors College. Good luck.