OP here. Thank you all for the replies and insight.

I’m going to try and answer a few of the questions that have come up. We are considering some UC schools, but most of them are very hard to get in now. Some are reaches on her list. Others don’t work location wise. She also really wants a school with over 10k undergrads and when you add “mild winter” as a requirement it ends up very limiting.

I wrote off Elon already because it came up on my radar sooner and I looked into it and was able to figure out she wouldn’t like it there. Also due to the size being smaller than she wants. We also ruled out SMU and TCU after she watched boulevarding videos on Tik Tok. I agree she won’t really like the Greek life, particularly in the south.

The list of schools I posted today were very recently suggested by her counselor and she’s now supposed to be researching them. I’m trying to figure out which are worth touring. Also suggested were Alabama and Ole Miss. Appalachian too but the weather doesn’t make sense.

I’m willing to let her explore and maybe she’ll figure this all out herself. I’m just worried this doesn’t make sense, as some of you pointed out.

Anonymous wrote:We also live in Los Angeles and have a junior who would never consider any of those schools because of all the racist connections with the South. They exist.

Well, clearly you and your junior are superior to everyone else on this thread.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi everyone,
I’m a Los Angeles mom of a HS junior looking for your help. My DD is considering several schools in SC and NC due to the weather. She doesn’t want to stay super close to home but wants mild winters. I know nothing of schools in the area and while it’s easy to research academics and stats I’m hoping for some more insight regarding the social aspect and types of kids that attend some of these schools. My concern is that DD is a very laid back west coast type girl and I’m worried she won’t fit in there socially. We are an affluent family but DD is not into material things. For example, she doesn’t own a single designer handbag, by choice. Her usual wardrobe is baggy jeans and crop tops or hoodies. She doesn’t usually wear dresses. She started HS at a private school and really hated it and is now much happier in public school.

These are the schools she could consider. I’d really appreciate any insight.

Clemson
NC State
UNC Wilmington
UNC Charlotte
College of Charleston
USC
Coastal Carolina
East Carolina

I already figure out that she probably won’t like Elon and she tends to prefer larger schools.

Thank you!

She might have difficulty fitting in at Southern schools.

Oh, stop. Such a tired stereotype.
NP

Anonymous wrote:I’d actually rank Elon above many of the schools on this list in terms of academics and campus culture. I’d keep Clemson, NC State, and College of Charleston on the list and eliminate the rest.

Not sure, but I think that this post is intended as sarcasm.

Elon should be the last school considered by your daughter and Clemson & C of C would not be fits either. Maybe NC State. Your daughter would probably be most comfortable at ECU or App State as the students are very down to earth & casual.

We also live in Los Angeles and have a junior who would never consider any of those schools because of all the racist connections with the South. They exist.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you guys made of money?

To me it's super bizarre to fly across the country to go to a school like ECU or Coastal Carolina when she could go to a state school in CA for less. And still have warm weather. And fit in better.

She doesn't want a school that revolves around sororities and frats? Why then would she go to any of these schools?

The only ones you’d find that at are

Clemson
College of Charleston
USC

Did I miss where OP says doesn’t want sororities and frats?

I think it was assumed based on this.

“For example, she doesn’t own a single designer handbag, by choice. Her usual wardrobe is baggy jeans and crop tops or hoodies. She doesn’t usually wear dresses. She started HS at a private school and really hated it and is now much happier in public school.“

Have you seen sorority TikToks from U of SC? It’s all about dresses and designer bags.

OP, can you clarify if your daughter is interested in a school with heavy Greek culture?

Anonymous wrote:Are you guys made of money?

To me it's super bizarre to fly across the country to go to a school like ECU or Coastal Carolina when she could go to a state school in CA for less. And still have warm weather. And fit in better.

She doesn't want a school that revolves around sororities and frats? Why then would she go to any of these schools?

+1. These are not schools people seek out from across the country.

I’d actually rank Elon above many of the schools on this list in terms of academics and campus culture. I’d keep Clemson, NC State, and College of Charleston on the list and eliminate the rest.

I have two friends with kids at USC and they both love it. Don't rule it out because one person said it has a "racist vibe." I think you should plan an East Coast road trip with your daughter to really get a good feel for the schools. There are a lot of great schools on your list.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you guys made of money?

To me it's super bizarre to fly across the country to go to a school like ECU or Coastal Carolina when she could go to a state school in CA for less. And still have warm weather. And fit in better.

She doesn't want a school that revolves around sororities and frats? Why then would she go to any of these schools?

The only ones you’d find that at are

Clemson
College of Charleston
USC

Did I miss where OP says doesn’t want sororities and frats?

U of SC very southern and Greek. Big party school. Have heard anecdotes about casual racism.

College of Charleston. Great city but still pretty southern vibe. I like Charleston as a location quite a bit and it has much to offer. That said, a family member went there and transferred after a year (it just wasn’t the right fit, too southern in culture).

NC State. Raleigh/RTP area is nice. It’s more laid back and more progressive than the other places in NC and SC. I went to Chapel Hill for graduate school and would gladly send one of my kids to NC State. It’s a solid state school.

I think you really need to visit these places to get a feel. They are all quite different.

Why did you eliminate Elon but keep the ones you have on the list?

East Carolina & Appalachian State are reasonable options.

Anonymous wrote:My California-raised kid LOVES his NC school (Davidson). The students are from all over the country and the weather is terrific, plus the town is absolutely lovely.

Very underrated school.

Anonymous wrote:Are you guys made of money?

To me it's super bizarre to fly across the country to go to a school like ECU or Coastal Carolina when she could go to a state school in CA for less. And still have warm weather. And fit in better.

She doesn't want a school that revolves around sororities and frats? Why then would she go to any of these schools?

The only ones you’d find that at are

Clemson
College of Charleston
USC

My California-raised kid LOVES his NC school (Davidson). The students are from all over the country and the weather is terrific, plus the town is absolutely lovely.