University of South Carolina-Columbia Top Questions

What is your overall opinion of this school?

Otis

My overall opinion of USC Coumbia is that the school has a wonderful football team. The school itself is very large and have lots of major to choose from. When I tell people about this school there reation is wanting to learn more about it. There are no frequent complaints about USC Columbia SC.

Victoria

I love it!

james

overall I really like it. the school is kind of large, but isn't really that bad. There is a bit of rivalry in the state between USC and Clemson so expect something along those lines. And the definetly is a lot of school pride. And you can find a little of everything for everyone there. USC is very diverse and welcoming place.

Mallory

University of South Carolina is a great school! I think one of the biggest concerns for incoming students is that that campus is so spread out, but when you begin school there you find that it isn't as bad as you think. Most of the buildings are centrally located and the busses run regular schedules to most buildings as well. One of the best things about Carolina is the school pride. When you go to your first football game or homecoming event, you see all the students that come together to make the even well worth it. Students love their Gamecocks!

LaShauna

I love this school. There are many things to do wihout even the thought of drugs or vioence. We all find pride in our Gamecocks. We are the Caolina family.

Kara

The best thing in my mind about this school is that everyone is so friendly and welcoming that the Carolina Community creates a feeling where it's a home away from home. The one thing I would change about my school is the meal plan. I feel like the meal plan is not the best way to offer food to students. The specific time blocks and certain dollar value is very hard to manage. I feel like my school is the perfect size. You can make this campus as large as you want or as small as you want. Getting involved in clubs and activities can make the school much smaller, but also large enough to always meet new people. When I tell people I attend the University of South Carolina people are always very impressed and ask me to tell them more about the school. Usually the conversations ends with a conversation about our Back to Back National Champion Baseball team or our outstanding football team. I spend most of my time on campus either in Greek Village or at the Russel House. I consider Columbia a very large college town. There are so many restaurants and different attractions that entertain the students. The school's administration is excellent! The advisors on campus are very helpful and are always available to talk. The professors on campus are very impressive and offer the students extra help when students are struggle or confused about certain class topics. I would say most students complain most about parking, or the lack of parking. There is a lot of school pride. You always pass students wearing their Gamecock spirit. I will never forget the first time I stepped foot on the Horseshoe. This is the most beautiful place on all of campus and I spend so much time walking around the horseshoe and studying under a tree.

Matt

I have loved every second of my experience here at Carolina. The relationships I've formed with classmates, roommates, and professors have made my college experience what it is today, and I have been lucky enough to attend a university that facilitates the ability to develop these relationships over time. The university was a perfect size. It's big enough for one to be able to meet new people every day, but still supports the growth of tight-knit groups all over campus. I also love how attentive the university is to its students. Over the years, I've seen tremendous improvements to facilities and dormitories, on-campus dining, and student policy. Between football games, visiting the student union, spending late nights in 5-points, and many others, I love the social aspect of the college experience that USC and the city of Columbia have provided me over the past few years. Of course, there are a few little things here and there that are not the most convenient, like the amount of student parking spots on campus and the quality of dining options, but in the end I wouldn't trade my college experience for any other!

Matt

I have loved every second of my experience here at Carolina. The relationships I've formed with classmates, roommates, and professors have made my college experience what it is today, and I have been lucky enough to attend a university that facilitates the ability to develop these relationships over time. The university was a perfect size. It's big enough for one to be able to meet new people every day, but still supports the growth of tight-knit groups all over campus. I also love how attentive the university is to its students. Over the years, I've seen tremendous improvements to facilities and dormitories, on-campus dining, and student policy. Between football games, visiting the student union, spending late nights in 5-points, and many others, I love the social aspect of the college experience that USC and the city of Columbia have provided me over the past few years. Of course, there are a few little things here and there that are not the most convenient, like the amount of student parking spots on campus and the quality of dining options, but in the end I wouldn't trade my college experience for any other!

Katelyn

I love USC. This school is large enough to get away from people from my hometown that came here as well but also small enough for me to get close with students in my classes and even my professors. Columbia is a college town settled in the capital of South Carolina. This gives up a ton to do (not just the bar scene like most of the other college towns around). There is a ton of school pride here. No matter what anyone says about our school we are willing to back our school up 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}.

Marie

I love USC for many reasons. The campus is absolutely beautiful, there is an overwhelming amount of resources to help you succeed in your classes and the school provides many different activities to break the monotony of going to class everyday. A downside to USC is that it practically is downtown Columbia. There isn't really any barriers or obvious markers to let you know where the campus starts and ends. This also means that there is really bad traffic and sometimes crossing the street to get to your next class is like an intense game of Frogger. Also, the on-campus parking situation isn't exactly ideal. Many students pay for a spot in a parking lot but when they get there to park, the lot is full. There are multiple parking garages but they get a little pricey. The best think about USC is that everyone has a huge amount of school pride and it is infectious. I've never really been much of a football-lover but after being at USC for two years I cheer just as loud as everyone else when we get a touchdown at a football game.

Zachary

The best part about USC is the close knit community within a city of 40,000 students. There is a great deal of school pride, both academically and athletically. There is so much to do both on and off campus, covering a whole range of interests and hobbies. There are several theatres, shops, and restaurants throughout the city. Another thing the school offers is involvement in a whole range of areas, especially politics. The administration is also excellent. There is always someone to discuss issues and concerns with, and they are always happy to help. The best experience I’ve had to date was the Student Government trip to Knoxville, Tennessee, to watch the football team play University of Tennessee.

Brandy

Columbia, Sc is def. a college town. I think the school is over crowed but at times it can feel very small. I spend most of my time in the classrooms as well as at the student union. School pride is abundant around campus and it is an overall great university.

Jennifer

The best thing about this school is the mixture of spirit for our football team, and a generally high-ranking academic program. I'd change the temperature if I could. It's notoriously hot for most of the school year. The winter months don't typically see temperatures below 40. This is a large school, but that's what I love about it. There are a ton of activities to get involved in, a lot of diversity, and always a new person to meet. Because it is so large, it also happens to make Columbia a college town. The administration is hit or miss. I've had trouble with financial aid on multiple occasions. The study abroad office seems to have some difficulty keeping up with things as well. I never really get help or answers when I need them. Some departments have a knack for hiring people who are terrible professors. It's more of a research based school that I'd like. They hire professors to do research, and teaching is secondary. If there is controversy on campus, it's always over sports. That being said, it's because we have a ton of pride in our football team. I will never forget my job as an RM, the different organizations I joined, or the various Carolina Productions events I attended. The most frequent complaints are with the Financial Aid Office, or about professors not doing a decent job.

Aubrie

I love USC because it is the perfect size. It is relatively big but not so big that it is overwhelming. Everyday you will see the same people that go to classes the same time as you and you'll get to know them giving USC the dynamic of a smaller school with the advantage of not having everyone know your business. I spend most of my time hanging out in my dorms lobby. I chose a smaller dorm so we all know each other and we all hang out together. There is a ton of school pride and there is free stuff given to us as students all the time. Also the city of Columbia is perfect for college because there is five points which consists of a ton of bars. There are a lot of opportunities to get involved on campus through clubs and organizations. At USC there is something for everyone. If I could change anything at USC it would be the amount of parking that is available!

Jeremy

The University of South Carolina may be the most underrated institution in the Southeast. We are smaller than most other southern state schools, but that makes us all the more accessible to our student body. The school directly reflects the feel of its mother city Columbia. It has a young up and coming feel with a lot of new construction going on to improve facilities, but mixed with old south charm. The faculty are all very nice and helpful and seem to really care about students and the University. There are many fun things to do from the Riverbanks Zoo to bar-hopping in Five Points; whatever you're into. Plus the beach and Charlotte are only an hour and half away! Everyone LOVES Gamecock football and the student section at the games is electrifying! The biggest complaint I've heard are some buildings are falling apart, but there are new dorms and major renovations going on to fix this. There are numerous great of campus apartment options and houses too! I will always remember beating Clemson at football three times in a row! The atmosphere on campus afterwards is electrifying!

Ashton

Obviously, I love my school 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}. I come here from out of state and I consider it my home now. The city of Columbia is extremely clean, and is the perfect size city. The campus is absolutely beautiful, and has the most green space that I saw on any of my tours of schools in other cities. The campus also seems safer than most, or at least I do not hear about to much crime. Although it is a huge school, the class sizes seem to be just the right size as well. You have lecture classes that are huge, and major classes that range anywhere from 20 to 80. No matter what, the teachers always make themselves available to help their students, and there are plenty of opportunities to get extra help from outside sources. If I could change anything it would be the variety of eating places on campus. When I toured USC I thought that 6 different fast food places was a lot, but learned during freshman year that you get tired of the food very quickly. If you are even remotely considering the University of South Carolina, go for it and at least apply.

Amanda

I love this school. I was born and raised in Sacramento, California. I know I wanted to study International Business so one day I googled "Top Undergraduate International Business Programs" and the University of South Carolina came up as number one. So I applied on a whim. I ended up getting in! I even ended up getting an amazing scholarship and entrance into the Capstone Scholars program (which then made me a direct admit into the International Business program). Most schools make students apply to be in the IB program spring semester of their sophomore year, this can be stressful on most students and if they don’t get in then their forced to switch majors. Carolina fortunately offers direct admittance if you are a Capstone Scholar or in the Honors College. Not only was being a direct admit into my selected major before even stepping on campus a big plus but the scholarships that this schools gives out are incredible. Just about every out of state student is granted some type of award. The school is fairly large and the campus can be slightly overwhelming but there are many things that makes this school feel smaller. For example, living on campus your freshman year makes the school feel smaller because you get to know a ton of people that live around you but at the same time you don’t get sick of them since the school is so large. The dining halls even have traditions like chicken finger Wednesday and holiday cookouts to make you feel more rooted. Greek life, student government, and other organizations also allow students to find their niche. Another nice thing is that most of administration is very approachable. The President lives on campus and can often be seen walking around the historic horseshoe on a sunny day. Him and his wife are very dedicated to interacting with students. While the city of Columbia may not seem like a “college town” and the closest target is a bit of a drive, there is nothing like 5 points. Cheap, delicious food, little boutiques, random shops, the statue dedicated to Hootie and the Blowfish and all the bars you could think of give 5 points its unique appeal. There is no lack of school pride here at the University of South Carolina. I have three letters for you S-E-C! I’m not exaggerating when I say that people eat, sleep, and breath Gamecock Football. The entire city shuts down every Saturday that there is home game going on. From the Cockabooses (that start off at a little over $250,000) to the simplest of parking spots tailgates are a must. Most people arrive anywhere from 7 hours to 3 hours to the night before to celebrate their love of football. With a beautiful stadium like Williams Bryce and a student section that literally breaks sounds barriers and has been ranked as one of the top five student sections by ESPN, even if you know nothing about football you can’t help but get caught up in the fanfare. One experience that I will definitely remember for the rest of my life is the incredible atmosphere at the game when beat the number one team, Alabama in the 2010 school year. Just being around that many people all united over my school was simply a moving experience. If you come for the football, then you will definitely stay for the warm weather and Southern Hospitality. There is not shortage of “yes ma’ms”, open doors, or sweet tea.

Analisa

It would be an understatement for me to say I LOVE USC! Going here has been the best decision ever. No matter what my interests, this school has something for me. Whether it is Greek life, politics (close to the statehouse), athletics (back to back baseball champs and football games!), acting (multiple student theaters) or whatever else you can imagine. Personally, I love Greek life and the football games. I live in my sorority house and have truly made the best friends I could ever ask for. As for Greek life this year, they have cracked down on hazing and underage drinking, but I still find it beneficial. The one thing I would change is the meal plan. It is not buffet style, you are only allotted a certain amount of money per meal and cannot carry over unused meals. Otherwise in my opinion, USC has it all. Great teachers, a friendly student populatino, and many opportunities for students to prepare for their futures.

Caroline

I absolutely love the University of South Carolina! As a high school student, I always planned to attend a small private college, but I ultimately ended up at a large public university. I wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy it, or whether I'd be overwhelmed by such a large student body, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it is very easy to make the campus seem "small". Through getting involved in organizations you love, you can easily find a great network of friends and mentors to help you along in your freshman year. The large size of USC is definitely an asset! You can easily get involved in research, study abroad, and other such opportunities- even in your freshman year! The large size means over 300 student organizations, so there is likely to be at least one that interests you! Also, a large student body means that you will always be able to meet new people, as opposed to a small school where you know everyone by your senior year. USC students are genuinely friendly, whether saying hi to random strangers while walking across campus, or being inclusive the first time you visit an organization. School pride is SO big here! Everyone loves SEC football. Students frequently dress up for the football games- girls in black dresses and guys in khakis and bowties. There are also plenty of students in Gamecock t-shirts, if dressing up isn't your thing. I am so happy I ended up at a school where football is a great experience, because most of the other colleges I looked at had small teams and significantly less enthusiastic students. Having won the National Championship 2 years in a row, our baseball team also has a big student following. Of course, no university is perfect. The most frequent complaints students give involve difficulty in finding campus parking, frustration with the meal plan, and frustration with the ticket system for football tickets. Because USC's campus is in the middle of downtown Columbia, parking can be difficult for students who live off campus. However, garage spots, though somewhat expensive, are available, which guarantees you that you'll find a spot. Students also complain about the meal plan, but the dining company generally does a good job in bringing new chains to campus each year. No meal plan is perfect, but USC has a lot of options, which will hopefully keep you from getting sick of campus food! The online ticket request system for football tickets is sometimes a hassle, because it is a lottery system based on attendance points from previous games. However, it is still more efficient than having students camp out at the student union to get tickets each week! Online requesting is so much easier.

Michael

this school rocks so hard its just hte right size i wouldnt change a thing. people dont really react when i say where i go to school its just like a question and then epople say where they went and we talk about the next thing. i spend most of my time drinking either in my room or someone else's. i guess i also spend a lot of time in class and at games towns ok administration i have no impression people LOVE SC and i CANNOT FUCKING BLAME THEM. this school is seriously the best.

Tasha

Football. I'd change the basketball team. Just right size. When we mention USC they automatically assume Southern Cal In the middle of down town so its a college town with grown ups. Administration tries to be "in touch" with the students but they are very concerned with maintain the Carolina image. The Student Government election run-offs were interesting. Black candidiate vs. white candidate race became a issue. Lots of pride, more other places. Our sports are building so is our pride. PARKING SUCKS!!!

Alex

It's the perfect size because it's a large R-01 university, but it's one of the smaller of those. You can always make a big school small, but you can never make a small school big. Depending on who I am talking to, I get different reactions about the fact that I go to SC. People from my old privated high school, turn their nose up. But other people think it's cool that i chose to go out of state, and not to the same place as everyone else in my state Most of my time is spent at the sorority house It's not really a college town, but rather a small city (to some even a big city). but there are parts of the city that are like a college town the administration works really well with students to make changes that we want school pride is insane, especially about football!