Ibrahim Gardner
The University of South Carolina is a public research university in Columbia, South Carolina, founded in 1801 as South Carolina College. It is the flagship of the University of South Carolina System and the largest university in the state by enrollment, with over 34,500 students attending the Columbia campus. The university offers a range of resources and programs to support its students, including academic advising, career services, mental health resources, and financial support. Students can also participate in various extracurricular activities, such as club and varsity sports, Greek life, and honors programs. With a diverse student body and a commitment to fostering a healthy campus environment, the University of South Carolina provides a well-rounded and engaging educational experience for its students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founding | 19th December 1801 |
| Type | Public research university |
| Location | Columbia, South Carolina, United States |
| Campus size | 359 acres |
| Student population | 34,500 at Columbia campus; 16,000 at regional campuses; 28,470 undergraduate enrollment (Fall 2023) |
| Student demographics | Students from all 46 South Carolina counties, all 50 US states, and over 100 foreign countries; 42.2% male, 57.8% female |
| Housing | 6,200 on-campus housing units; 34% of students live in college-owned housing, 66% live off-campus |
| Academics | World's largest Ernest Hemingway collection; largest collection of Robert Burns and Scottish literature materials outside Scotland |
| Support services | Career Centre, Basic Needs shop, Campus Recreation, Civil Rights and Title IX office, mental health resources |
| Athletics | 19 varsity sports teams, known as the Gamecocks; club and intramural sports; free student tickets for events |
| Transport | "Carolina Cab" offers students free rides within 5 miles of campus on weekends |
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What You'll Learn
Student life: sports, clubs, Greek life, and more
Student life at the University of South Carolina is centred around balancing work and play. The university offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, clubs, Greek life, and more.
Sports
The University of South Carolina offers club, intramural, and varsity sports. Its 19 varsity sports teams compete in the Southeastern Conference, with the exception of men's soccer, which competes in the Sun Belt Conference, and women's sand volleyball, which competes independently. The university's athletic teams are known as the Gamecocks. Students can also take advantage of recreational activities offered by nearby Lake Murray and the three rivers (Saluda River, Broad River, and Congaree River) around Columbia. The South Carolina coast, including Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Hilton Head, is also just a short drive away for additional recreational opportunities.
Clubs
With a diverse student body of over 34,500 students from all 46 South Carolina counties, as well as students from all 50 states and over 100 foreign countries, the University of South Carolina offers a wide variety of clubs and organizations to cater to different interests. Whether you're interested in fashion, academics, or something else entirely, there is a club for you.
Greek Life
The University of South Carolina has a Greek Village on campus, providing an opportunity for students to join fraternities and sororities and participate in Greek life.
Other Amenities and Services
The university provides a range of other amenities and services to support student life, including the CommUnity Shop, which offers food, clothing, toiletries, school supplies, and other essentials to students experiencing basic needs insecurities. The university also offers mental health resources, both online and in-person, to help students manage factors contributing to their mental health, such as sleep, substance use, academic concerns, stress, and grief. The Carolina Cares Fund provides financial support to students facing unexpected financial hardships, ensuring they can continue their education without interruption. The university also offers career services to support students at all stages of career planning, from identifying possibilities to making decisions on future directions to searching for hands-on experience.
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Academic advising and coaching
Academic advising at the University of South Carolina is a comprehensive and student-centric process. The University Advising Center (UAC) for Academic and Post-Graduation Success is at the forefront of these efforts, with over 100 academic advisors and support staff dedicated to helping students succeed. Academic advising is mandatory for all incoming students, who meet with advisors before registering for their first semester to define and work towards their academic goals.
The UAC offers a range of services, including the Office of Exploratory Advising and Academic Coaching, which assists students in exploring degree options, evaluating requirements, and preparing for academic advising sessions. Academic coaching provides individualised support and guidance to undergraduate students who are exploring their options or are academically at-risk. Coaches work one-on-one with students to explore majors and degree programs, complete self-assessments, create academic and engagement plans, and set strategic goals.
Additionally, the UAC supports undergraduate student success through various other programs and offices, such as Curriculum Management, Transfer Advising and Retention, and Student Success Technology. The University also provides resources like the My USC Experience, which offers records of students' educational experiences outside the classroom, helping them plan and achieve their goals.
The University of South Carolina also recognises that the student advisor relationship is personal, with some advisors being former students themselves. This shared experience allows advisors to better support students and navigate academic programs and regulations. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisors regularly and can schedule appointments online.
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Career planning support
The University of South Carolina offers extensive career planning support to its students. The university's Career Center provides a range of services and resources to help students explore career options, develop essential workplace skills, and connect with employers.
One of the key offerings is the online platform Handshake, which serves as a one-stop shop for jobs, internships, events, and employer connections. Students can also access resources and make appointments with career coaches through Handshake. Additionally, the USC Mentorship Hub provides an opportunity for students to seek mentorship and career guidance from experienced professionals.
The Career Center employs dedicated Arts and Sciences Career Coaches who offer customized career development coaching for students pursuing degrees and careers in arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. These coaches guide students throughout their academic journey, from their arrival at USC to post-graduation planning. They assist students in analyzing their major or career decisions, creating standout resumes, and preparing for interviews.
The university also encourages students to gain practical experience through internships, co-ops, or part-time jobs to help them discover what it's like to work in their field of study. To support this, the Career Center offers resources for searching and applying for internships, as well as guidance on funding opportunities for career-related experiences.
Furthermore, the university provides support for students considering advanced degrees. Career coaches are available to help students weigh the benefits of pursuing further education and make informed decisions about their academic and career paths.
Overall, the University of South Carolina is committed to supporting its students in their career planning journey, offering a wide range of resources, guidance, and opportunities to help them succeed in their chosen paths.
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Student basic needs: food, clothing, toiletries, etc
The University of South Carolina provides various meal plans for students, with options to suit different dietary requirements and preferences. First-year residents are automatically assigned the All Access Plus Plan with $250 in meal credits, which can be adjusted to an alternate All Access Plan. Students with All Access Plus Plans receive seven swipes per week to access six dining halls, with unlimited access. There are over 30 venues to choose from, including international fare, health-conscious plant-based options, and southern staples like BBQ. One campus tradition is Chicken Finger Wednesday, where students can enjoy hand-breaded chicken tenders. Students with dietary restrictions or requirements can visit True Balance, which serves meals free of common food allergens and meets religious dietary guidelines.
Students can also opt for a Dining Plan, which provides access to a variety of on-campus restaurants, or choose to eat at the many restaurants and fast-food options in the Russell House Student Union and the surrounding Columbia area. The university also has a Food Recovery Network, which connects food donations to local charities, and a Swipe Out Hunger program to help students facing food insecurity.
As for clothing, the University of South Carolina has a Spirit Shop where students can purchase official university apparel and gear, including t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, and hoodies. The university also recommends that students pack transitional clothing that will serve them during their first few weeks, as they may need to shop for additional clothing after arriving due to the varying seasons in Columbia.
The university's CommUnity Shop provides food, clothing, toiletries, school supplies, and other essentials to students experiencing basic needs insecurities.
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Student employment resources
The University of South Carolina offers a variety of student employment resources, providing students with the opportunity to develop their professional skills and gain valuable work experience.
The university's online job portal, uscjobs.sc.edu, is a one-stop shop for students seeking employment opportunities. The portal is mobile-friendly and allows students to explore current openings across various categories, including campus services, administrative support, and research positions. Students can set up job alerts based on their interests and create accounts to easily apply for positions.
The University of South Carolina values diversity and inclusivity in its employment practices. It provides equal employment opportunities for all job seekers and does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, religion, or any other protected characteristics. The university also offers reasonable accommodations during the application process for those who need them.
Students can find a range of positions that align with their academic goals and interests. Opportunities include customer service roles, lab-based research, administrative support, and more. These positions allow students to enhance their career-ready skills, such as communication, conflict resolution, and time management, while also gaining valuable real-world experience.
Additionally, the university offers resources to help students succeed in their job searches. This includes guidance on building essential workplace skills, such as professionalism, public speaking, and time management. The university also emphasizes the importance of balancing academics, work, and extracurricular activities, ensuring that students can manage their time effectively and gain well-rounded experiences.
With its innovative and dynamic environment, the University of South Carolina presents students with valuable employment prospects. Whether it's through campus jobs, work-study programs, assistantships, or internships, students can access opportunities that align with their personal and professional goals while being a part of an award-winning and energizing workplace.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of South Carolina has a total undergraduate enrollment of 28,470, with a gender distribution of 42.2% male students and 57.8% female students. 34% of students live in college-owned housing, and 66% live off campus. The university offers Greek life, sports, and clubs. Students can also take advantage of resources such as the CommUnity Shop, which provides food, clothing, and other essentials, as well as mental health resources.
The University of South Carolina is a public research university founded in 1801. It is the largest university in South Carolina by enrollment and has a campus size of over 359 acres. The university is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities with Highest Research Activity" and houses notable collections such as the world's largest Ernest Hemingway collection. It is also known for its South Carolina Washington Semester program, which allows students to work and take classes in Washington, D.C.
Undergraduate admissions are classified as selective. For the freshman enrollment of 2022, half of the class had SAT scores between 1150 and 1360, or ACT scores between 26 and 31. After gaining acceptance, students can apply separately to the Honors College, which offers support to academically gifted undergraduate students.
