University of South Carolina-Columbia Top Questions

What are the most popular student activities/groups?

ELIZABETH

I am not one hundred percent sure as this is my first semester but from what I have seen I would say sports are very important to this school, also making sure the GPA standards are high as it is a well known school.

Mario

It really depends on what you like. Intramural sports are real big and a good way to get to know people while having fun. Greek life is also a big part of USC and they do a lot of activities.

Mallory

I think one of the most popular student activities on campus would be greek life, although this is not the most important thing to do when you are in college. I am in a sorority, but I can honestly say that I debated whether or not I should rush right before coming to school. Greek life is a great way to meet friends, but it has to be something that you feel passionately about. You also have to make sure that you are able to balance school, friends, and sorority life. A couple of weekends ago I participated in Dance Marathon which is 24 hours of dancing to support Children's Miracle Network. I participated through my sorority, but it was a school wide function and it was great to see the participation of all the students. Students raised $177, 229 for Children's Miracle Network. We also had Carolina Beautiful Week where Whitney Thompson, a former America's Next Top Model, came and spoke about body image. Carolina Productions always puts on great shows and concerts. My first semester at school Josh Turner came and put on a free concert. There is so much going on at Carolina, that you will never be bored.

Mallory

I think one of the most popular student activities on campus would be greek life, although this is not the most important thing to do when you are in college. I am in a sorority, but I can honestly say that I debated whether or not I should rush right before coming to school. Greek life is a great way to meet friends, but it has to be something that you feel passionately about. You also have to make sure that you are able to balance school, friends, and sorority life. A couple of weekends ago I participated in Dance Marathon which is 24 hours of dancing to support Children's Miracle Network. I participated through my sorority, but it was a school wide function and it was great to see the participation of all the students. Students raised $177, 229 for Children's Miracle Network. We also had Carolina Beautiful Week where Whitney Thompson, a former America's Next Top Model, came and spoke about body image. Carolina Productions always puts on great shows and concerts. My first semester at school Josh Turner came and put on a free concert.

Matt

One of the greatest advantages the University of South Carolina has to offer is the wide variety of activities and groups one can participate in on campus. There is a club or group for anyone and everyone, whether it's academic, social, political, or just based on a specific interest or hobby. It's very easy to get involved here, and that's one of the reasons I love it so much. For instance, in my freshman year I became friends with everyone in my dorm, everyone in the fraternity that I joined, and many people studying business because of our similar academic schedules. At USC there are parties, places to eat/drink (open late), movies showing at the student union, guest speakers from all different walks of life, football games, great looking girls and guys laying by the pool, people throwing a frisbee on the horseshoe, gyms to workout in, concerts to listen to, places to dance, and many many more. No matter what you may want to do, you can not only do it, but have many others to do it with you!

Katelyn

Greek life is definitely the biggest activity/group that the majority of kinds on campus are involved in. About 1/4 of the students that attend school here are/were part of a sorority or fraternity, wither it be social or service. I am involved in Greek life and I definitely think it helps with networking as well as allowing us to become more involved with the community. The most important season in the south is football season. Football is our most popular sporting event. Everyone dresses up and goes to the games. The second most popular sport is baseball. We have won 2 national championships in a row so the popularity is slowing rising as we begin to improve.

Matt

One of the greatest advantages the University of South Carolina has to offer is the wide variety of activities and groups one can participate in on campus. There is a club or group for anyone and everyone, whether it's academic, social, political, or just based on a specific interest or hobby. It's very easy to get involved here, and that's one of the reasons I love it so much. For instance, in my freshman year I became friends with everyone in my dorm, everyone in the fraternity that I joined, and many people studying business because of our similar academic schedules. At USC there are parties, places to eat/drink (open late), movies showing at the student union, guest speakers from all different walks of life, football games, great looking girls and guys laying by the pool, people throwing a frisbee on the horseshoe, gyms to workout in, concerts to listen to, places to dance, and many many more. No matter what you may want to do, you can not only do it, but have many others to do it with you!

Matt

One of the greatest advantages the University of South Carolina has to offer is the wide variety of activities and groups one can participate in on campus. There is a club or group for anyone and everyone, whether it's academic, social, political, or just based on a specific interest or hobby. It's very easy to get involved here, and that's one of the reasons I love it so much. For instance, in my freshman year I became friends with everyone in my dorm, everyone in the fraternity that I joined, and many people studying business because of our similar academic schedules. At USC there are parties, places to eat/drink (open late), movies showing at the student union, guest speakers from all different walks of life, football games, great looking girls and guys laying by the pool, people throwing a frisbee on the horseshoe, gyms to workout in, concerts to listen to, places to dance, and many many more. No matter what you may want to do, you can not only do it, but have many others to do it with you!

Kenesha

Carolina Football and Baseball are the most important activities!

Brandy

FOOTBALL!! Football is the one thing every student participates in at the University. Greek life is pretty popular around here also.

Jennifer

The most popular organization is Carolina Productions. They put on movies, concerts, speakers, and all sorts of amazing events. The people they bring in are quite famous. We have had Charlie Murphy, Eve 6, and Jeff Corwin. They cater to all types of students. I'm involved in the Carolina Judicial Council. It's a unique group that gets to hear cases of students charged with violating the school's code. We determine responsibility and sanctions. I love the people I've met through CJC. Some students leave their doors open, but it's always a good idea to leave them locked when you're out due to some theft problems. I wouldn't know about the dating scene here, as I have a boyfriend from Michigan. I met my closest friends through CJC, Pastafarians, and my job as an RM. If I'm awake at 2AM on a Tuesday, I'm either on facebook, studying, watching movies with friends and ordering pizza and insomnia cookies, or playing Apples to Apples. People here like to go out and party a bit, but it's not too excessive. Greek Life is somewhat important here because so many people are involved in it. Last weekend I studied (it's finals week so it may not be the best representation). Carolina Productions hosts movies Thursday-Sunday. This makes for great events on Saturday that don't involve drinking. You can also have movie nights with friends, or play games. If you go off campus, there are clubs, parks, and decent shopping.

Aubrie

The most popular groups on campus consist of sororities or fraternities. I did not have the financial capability to be in a social sorority so I took the cheaper option and am currently in a service sorority. Also I live in Preston Dormitory which is a living learning community and I am currently a Preston Ambassador. Some students choose not to get involved with their dorm, but it is the best place to meet your best friend. For instance I met my best friend at a Preston cook-out. Also here at Preston we all trust each other and everyone just leaves their door open. There are plenty of opportunities to date at USC because there are a ton of boys/girls. People party on the weekends from Thursday to Sunday. Thursday is college night at the bars so a lot of people go "dt" which means down town to five points that night. But if your not into partying there are a lot of religious opportunities on the weekends or you could see one of the free movies offered by USC. Basically here at USC you just have to dive in and find what you like the best.

Erika

... is our favorite past time. There are tons of organizations, clubs, and teams to join. Greek life is one of the biggest, holding tons of functions for the whole school to enjoy. There are honors organizations, inter-mural teams, zumba classes, event staff, on campus jobs, and more. Almost all of the dorms are super social, leaving their doors open and joining events together, such as Relay for Life. Athletics are a solid part of USC: football, baseball, basketball all have huge following, which means you have to know the latest score. Late nights are spent at the free movies, partying, studying at the library, or playing Capture-the-Flag with glow bracelets. Its easy to met friends, through class, joining a club, doing community service, or in the elevator. Traditions, such are the Tiger Burn, are a huge part of school life. Five Points and The Vista are super close and always hoppin' on the weekends, but there are also backpacking trips, After Dark, and tons more for those who don't want to party.

Ashton

Wow, there are so many. Beyond greek life there are social clubs, religious clubs, political clubs, and so so much more. You can also get involved within your dorm, especially if you choose to live in a learning community.

Analisa

Without a doubt, Greek life is the most prominent. With 10 current sororities, 3 planning to began their charters within the next two years and over 15 fraternities, a large portion of USC student population is Greek. Every student has the choice/opportunity to rush. You make your best friends, go out and live up the college life, or stay in and just act silly.

Caroline

With over 300 different organizations on campus, there's a lot to get involved with. Some of the most well-known organizations tend to be the Greek ones, mostly because they put their names out there the most. However, that definitely does not mean that most students here are involved in Greek life. I feel that for the most part, campus organizations are viewed on the same level by most students. It really just depends on what your interests are. There are always weekend events available that don't involve drinking. USC has a program called Carolina After Dark, which occurs several times a semester. These events occur in the late evening and have free food, free activities, and great free stuff like personalized bumper stickers, key chains, tie-dye shirts, etc. I've been to several, and they're a lot of fun. I always come back with great free stuff- a college student's dream! There are also 2 free movies showing each week (Thurs-Sun nights) at the student union, movies that have recently been in theater but have not yet released to DVD. They do a great job of picking the most popular movies, which saves students from having to visit expensive movie theaters!

Michael

beer beer beer beer seriously people call me a homo if i cant finish a twelver. i lvoe this place and have so much fun here.

Tasha

Greek Life Football games reign supreme Traditions are not strong. except tailgating. Depends on the residents. Busy student activities schedule. Lots of events all year. Club Cooper( the library) is 24hrs so is the cafeteria

Jerry

As far as partying goes, there's a lot of it. 5 Points is right by campus and students take advantage of that. However, not everyone goes out (like myself) and if you look hard enough, you can find like-minded people. I am not given a hard time for my decision not to party; that's never been a problem.

Alex

greek organizations are big, and there is a place for almost everyone in at least one of them, but if you aren't interested in them there is still tons of other things to do, however, you probably won't ever stop hearing/seeing greeks around my sorority was one of the groups i joined to make the school feel smaller. and i met my best friends there. it's great to have a house to escape to when campus starts getting old, there is always someone around to hang out with, and you automaticly know 200 people. some dorms leave the door open, but some floors are worse. the ones that are suit style are worse about leaving the doors open. the all girls dorms all leave their doors open all the time, and everyone knows everyone soccer football and baseball are really popular, basketball is semi popular there are tons of guest speakers and theater performances, and an entire organization devoted to bringing them here, which you can also join one of my best friends is my roommate, the rest are pretty much from my sorority. if i'm awake at 2 am on tuesday, i'm either at a party, writing a paper, or just goofing off with friends in my dorm homecoming is huge, we also have creed week, greek week, and a lot of other stuff partying happens every night, mostly tuesday thursday and saturday tho last weekend i did dance marathon, a huge fundraiser and a ton of fun. i also went the basketball game and the ballet there are movies at the student union thursday thro sunday (2 movies a day) and tons of things around columbia to do if you don't drink