<p>We have all the arrangements for DD's visit to USC on April 7. The folks there are SO accommodating and helpful. DD will have an oboe/English horn lesson on Friday at noon. This will also be an audition in case she decides to minor in music. The oboe teacher will also have time to talk to her about opportunities to play oboe at USC. Then at 2 she goes to the visitor center and meets with a student who is majoring in Biology. This student will be able to tell DD about the sciences, etc at USC. At 2:45 she will meet a student ambassador from CT (where we are from) who they felt would be great to share what it's like coming from the north to the south, and who now loves the school. They will do a bit of walking around...just the two of them, but not a full tour (we've already done that). Then on Saturday, they will go to the Showcase on the Horseshoe. DD is actually looking forward to the trip. I hope she has fun. Too bad she won't get the "feebies" they handed out at the Scholars weekend!!</p>
<p>thumper...it sounds great!
I'm sure she'll get a much better idea of the campus from a one on one "walk around" with the current student.If D's going to be hungry on her dash from oboe lesson to Visitors center,there's a cafe in the Carolina Coliseum across the street from the Koger Center(where Im assuming her lesson is) its open at lunch times.
I'm interested myself in how a "northern" kid has adjusted to being there.
Aren't they just wonderfully accomodating there? The level of service considering its a 25,000 student state U is just unbelievable.
We want a full report when D gets back!!</p>
<p>While we down for Scholar's Day, we ran into a parent from our high school whose D is a freshman this year. She had nothing but positive things to say about the school and how much her D loves it there.
She did not think that being from OOS ( Pennsylvania) was any problem at all. I am amazed at how wonderful everyone is finding the administration - really surprising from such a large U but great news!</p>
<p>PAMom..well so far its just admissions and the visitor's center and the Honor's College...we'll see in the future how al the rest of the administration is LOL.</p>
<p>When we were there last, we all ate at a little cafe run by the culinary arts department. It's right on the horseshoe and the food was TERRIFIC and inexpensive (because they are students). My husband and Caroline were thinking they would stop there again. I want to say lunch cost $5 including beverage and dessert with a sandwich. Facing the visitor center, it is on the left.</p>
<p>thumper
I thought of that spot in the Coliseum) for your D because her timing sounds tight from lesson to meeting with the student and I thought your H might have to run out and grab something for her.The student run cafe looked very nice when we passed by it.
Theres also lots of fast food type options in the Russell House if she has time. H and I spent a good hour sitting outside there just people watching (and enjoing the sunshine in Feb) while S was busy.Its a great spot to see the comings and goings of the general population,especially during class change time and lunchtime.</p>
<p>We're hoping that "Dan" the student ambassador from CT who will be doing the walking/talking part, will take her to the Russell Center while they are walking around. Thanks for the tip about the cafe. My husband will have NOTHING to do during Caroline's time at USC (I told him to make himself scarce) so he will need a nice place to sit...either there or at Russell Center...or just outside somewhere if it's nice.</p>
<p>LOL Thumper...send him on the mission to find the mall,the Bed Bath and Beyond,Linen and Things,nearest drug store and supermarket,etc.Don't forget Target,Wall Mart,Staples,Best Buys,the list is endless!!!</p>
<p>We did the locate the Wal Marts etc. on Sunday after Scholars Day. I was planning to do a little report in a few days. There is a Food Lion and Drug store in Five Points and a Publix that backs up to Gervais across the street from the Vista area. These appear to be the two closest grocery stores. If you head out Gervais there is a Wal Mart about 10 minutes away. Every thing and I do mean everything is off Harbison Rd/Blvd about 5 miles NW of Columbia on I26 I believe. Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Circuit City, Bed Bath and Beyond, Office Max/Depot, Columbiana Mall with Gap, American Eagle, Abercrombie, Hollister,Aeropostale,and more. Looks like one could find just about anything they needed off Harbison and it's all new and very nice.</p>
<p>I spent a week in Columbia last summer, and four days there the previous summer visiting my best friend. There is everything you could want in that town. We went to several very nice and HUGE malls...every imaginable store, and as Eadad posted, all the big box stores you could ever want. My favorite, however, was a little store in the Vista that sold "seconds" of Eddie Bauer, LLBean and other name clothes. It was on a corner...not too big, but had a lot of really nice things. I bought both of my kids inexpensive things that they actually LIKED there. The whole place was staffed by college students. There is also an outrageously good ice cream store there, but I can't remember the name. Honestly, I wish I were going on this trip, but I just can't take the time off of work...I hope they have fun.</p>
<p>thumper
don't forget to come back and give a full report on your D's trip!
Wish her good luck with everything from us.</p>
<p>You may actually get more info at the Showcase than was available at Scholars Day. Hopefully you will find some freebies as well LOL .
It sounds like fun - can't wait to hear your impressions.</p>
<p>DD and her dad are on their way even as I type. I am not going on this trip...I get the CA trip in a week and a half. I'll let you know what DD says when they get home. I would love it if she came home with a sweatshirt and decal for the car...but I'm not going to hold my breath. She was, however, very excited about the trip. The Showcase does sound great. Also...it's COLD here today, and it's supposed to be 80 and sunny there tomorrow!! I'll keep you all posted.</p>