Anonymous wrote:My DH is from Columbia and went to grad school (business) at South Carolina. The business school is very good for international business. DH had to learn two languages and lived abroad in the UK, Mexico and Germany. He routinely meets people from his program. He also got into Wharton, but chose South Carolina or as he calls it, "USC" (to me that is in CA ) because he got a full ride and the international program.

My inlaws are from Columbia and they are the two most racists and classist people I have ever met. They are highly educated and well traveled and they use the N word, say very classist things about me and my family who they consider "new money". Their church and country club friends are the politicians you see on the news for racial incidents.

DH's nieces went grew up in DC and went to DCPS (Wilson). They went to South Carolina and graduated in 2019. They were in sororities (different) and involved in Greek life and the campus. Both of them were college athletes and went to USC to play sports. They absolutely loved their teammates and the football culture. They also received academic tutoring despite being 4.0 students.

The social aspects of USC can be jarring. One niece, who is popular, down to earth, funny and smarty, joined a cult. She is from a non-religious family who is Christian in name only. It was the norm for her sorority and dorm mates to pressure her into attending Sunday worship and Wednesday night Greek Life Bible study. The pressure to be thin and attractive was also high. These girls are athletic and naturally pretty, but there is a Southern, perfect woman stereotype. The one niece who was in the cult had a lot of issues due to self esteem. She also suffered from an eating disorder and depression in college. The other daughter was sexually assaulted by a friend and pressed charges. The attacker was never charged and she faced disciplinary actions from the college.

The area that the students hang out in is a high crime area and there are some very publicized incidents. Google it. There is a girl who was missing and never found, a girl killed by an Uber driver and a girl who was shot. I would definitely have my kid take self defence.

The Columbia area is not really beautiful or have anything great to do. It is a suburban area in a Southern town. Besides football and women's basketball, there isn't much to do if you don't drink. The Greek life culture is prevalent and DH's nieces felt pressured to join as out of state students.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah the more frequent and open racism, huge Greek culture, conservatism of the State and the school being a bit of a let down for those who didn’t get into Clemson all seem like big turnoffs to me.

Why are we continuing to perpetuate stereotypes based on experiences you all had over a decade ago?
I have a student there now. No indications of any of these things mentioned. Great school overall. Even better business school.
Super fun sports and social scene. Strong academics.

But, I guess that doesn't meet the DCUM narrative. Sorry it isn't an Ivy. In many ways, it is better!
GO COCKS!

Anonymous wrote:Anyone with kids or any recent experience at this school? I just learned that they offer in state tuition if you hit certain GPA and SAT levels that my kid has. Also, their business program is pretty strong. There’s a chance my kid is also in range for recruitment or walk on in their sport.

We are in VA so looking at in state schools there too but, any recent experience would be helpful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DH is from Columbia and went to grad school (business) at South Carolina. The business school is very good for international business. DH had to learn two languages and lived abroad in the UK, Mexico and Germany. He routinely meets people from his program. He also got into Wharton, but chose South Carolina or as he calls it, "USC" (to me that is in CA ) because he got a full ride and the international program.

My inlaws are from Columbia and they are the two most racists and classist people I have ever met. They are highly educated and well traveled and they use the N word, say very classist things about me and my family who they consider "new money". Their church and country club friends are the politicians you see on the news for racial incidents.

DH's nieces went grew up in DC and went to DCPS (Wilson). They went to South Carolina and graduated in 2019. They were in sororities (different) and involved in Greek life and the campus. Both of them were college athletes and went to USC to play sports. They absolutely loved their teammates and the football culture. They also received academic tutoring despite being 4.0 students.

The social aspects of USC can be jarring. One niece, who is popular, down to earth, funny and smarty, joined a cult. She is from a non-religious family who is Christian in name only. It was the norm for her sorority and dorm mates to pressure her into attending Sunday worship and Wednesday night Greek Life Bible study. The pressure to be thin and attractive was also high. These girls are athletic and naturally pretty, but there is a Southern, perfect woman stereotype. The one niece who was in the cult had a lot of issues due to self esteem. She also suffered from an eating disorder and depression in college. The other daughter was sexually assaulted by a friend and pressed charges. The attacker was never charged and she faced disciplinary actions from the college.

The area that the students hang out in is a high crime area and there are some very publicized incidents. Google it. There is a girl who was missing and never found, a girl killed by an Uber driver and a girl who was shot. I would definitely have my kid take self defence.

The Columbia area is not really beautiful or have anything great to do. It is a suburban area in a Southern town. Besides football and women's basketball, there isn't much to do if you don't drink. The Greek life culture is prevalent and DH's nieces felt pressured to join as out of state students.

Like other posters, you are projecting your (very valid) experiences onto the UofSC student body, and Columbia, as a whole. I am truly sorry for your daughter that was assaulted and then had charges brought against her. That is just plain wrong and shouldn't have happened.

There are racists everywhere. Some could argue that posters on DCUM are the most racsist and classist people around. If you don't conform to the DCUM hive mindset, you are bad. That is bigotry at its core. But it doesn't fit your narrative.

UofSC is a great school (returning to the original topic). Yes, it has its flaws. So do the DCUM vaunted Ivy's! The absolutely best way for the OP to gain an appreciation for the culture and environment there would be to visit!

Anonymous wrote:My DH is from Columbia and went to grad school (business) at South Carolina. The business school is very good for international business. DH had to learn two languages and lived abroad in the UK, Mexico and Germany. He routinely meets people from his program. He also got into Wharton, but chose South Carolina or as he calls it, "USC" (to me that is in CA ) because he got a full ride and the international program.

My inlaws are from Columbia and they are the two most racists and classist people I have ever met. They are highly educated and well traveled and they use the N word, say very classist things about me and my family who they consider "new money". Their church and country club friends are the politicians you see on the news for racial incidents.

DH's nieces went grew up in DC and went to DCPS (Wilson). They went to South Carolina and graduated in 2019. They were in sororities (different) and involved in Greek life and the campus. Both of them were college athletes and went to USC to play sports. They absolutely loved their teammates and the football culture. They also received academic tutoring despite being 4.0 students.

The social aspects of USC can be jarring. One niece, who is popular, down to earth, funny and smarty, joined a cult. She is from a non-religious family who is Christian in name only. It was the norm for her sorority and dorm mates to pressure her into attending Sunday worship and Wednesday night Greek Life Bible study. The pressure to be thin and attractive was also high. These girls are athletic and naturally pretty, but there is a Southern, perfect woman stereotype. The one niece who was in the cult had a lot of issues due to self esteem. She also suffered from an eating disorder and depression in college. The other daughter was sexually assaulted by a friend and pressed charges. The attacker was never charged and she faced disciplinary actions from the college.

The area that the students hang out in is a high crime area and there are some very publicized incidents. Google it. There is a girl who was missing and never found, a girl killed by an Uber driver and a girl who was shot. I would definitely have my kid take self defence.

The Columbia area is not really beautiful or have anything great to do. It is a suburban area in a Southern town. Besides football and women's basketball, there isn't much to do if you don't drink. The Greek life culture is prevalent and DH's nieces felt pressured to join as out of state students.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only reasons I’m really considering South Carolina from out of state is:

1) my kid might qualify for in-state tuition, based on gpa and test scores, and
2) they might be able to continue with their D1 level sport

Also, it seems like the type of atmosphere they would enjoy, and also, their business program a strong, and that’s what my child would major in

Didn't know about this possibility. Mind sharing what those cut-offs are? Couldn't find it on their website. We are considering U-SC for our junior and this option may sweeten the deal.