Is South Carolina Honors truly as amazing at it seems?

Honestly - we didn’t look - mine got into UGA and U of SC and chose College of Charleston’s…but did the SC Honors College for the DC Semester (all the SC publics run through U of SC).

Again, I think you have to look - what are they offering - and does that excite her.

Will Honors kids have better outcomes - to answer your question? I’d say so - because it’s likely kids who are more engaged, academically focused on an overall basis. Will some non Honors kids outperform Honors kids - of course!!

Do they break out job types and salaries by Honors vs. non-Honors. I haven’t seen that.

Might they have Honors stats - on # of kids heading to law, medicine, etc. It sounds like you’ve asked and gotten nothing - but I would expect them to be higher than the general student body - just because they’re better students to begin with and that’s who would go.

I’m sure some of the schools have contacts or opportunities that are “easier” to find research or like mine, you had to be in Honors to go to DC.

Is it necessarily impacting outcomes after? I doubt it.

But that’s not the point (to me) - the point is, will the school enhance their experience.

That’s why they should do it - and that’s why kids shouldn’t say, I’ll only go there if I get Honors - and they don’t even know what Honors entails.

Good luck.

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Priority registration is a big deal and it is different at each school. At South Carolina Honors kids register before the entire school and that is a hug benefit. Often it is just before your class and sometimes it is only by a minute. You have to ask to get this detail.

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Depending on program, there are some nice things at SCHC. For example, there is a 3+3 law program available to Honors Students that allows them to graduate with a law degree in a total of 6 years instead of 7. There is guaranteed acceptance to the International Business major, which is otherwise competitive (UGA Honors similarly guarantees acceptance to Terry College of Business). I think the Honors programs will provide more guidance in terms of internships/study abroad/job placement. For me, it provide more peace of mind that my son is less likely to fall through the cracks and he will have support navigating college. Can he do it on his own? Of course! But extra support is a good thing, I think.

But @tsbna44 is totally right! They all have differences, early registration is a big perk, and some students will take advantage of the opportunities more than others.

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I think HC seniors get to select classes before Freshmen, for obvious reasons. So, the HC kids somewhat compete against each other for the most sought after classes…

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She is a science kid so the business perks are only interesting if she double majors or minors in something business related, which practically, I would encourage her to consider as it’s important to understand finance in any major in my view.

Thanks for your encouragement and support. I appreciate it. I’m definitely a little anxious because I know that the non honors school he is leaning towards, UNC has a lot of registration difficulties and low acceptance rates for the popular majors he’s interested in. Nonetheless, it is in state for us and in budget so I’m just going try to be supportive and hope that the lessons he learns from having to navigate a harder path will be useful for him in the future. Ultimately, I just want him to be happy and am trying not to pass all my anxieties to him.

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Correct - Honors Seniors (plus athletes, etc), then Honors Juniors, Honors Sophomores, Honors Freshman, then the non-honors students by year.

At JMU, Honors registers one minute before their native class. Totally different and much less advantageous than the SC model.

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My child recently went for their 3-day top scholar event and they really seemed to roll out the red carpet. My spouse attended so didn’t experience firsthand, but my impressions are that they are a well-oiled machine. Given what you shared, I would think it would be a wonderful choice in your case.

My child originally applied due to their BS/MD program, but then decided not to go that route. I believe everything they promote will live-up, our personal concerns for our case are about fit. Child did like Columbia and proximity to campus though.

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Thank you for sharing your perspective! Congratulations to your child on being invited for Top Scholars! It’s great to hear it was a well organized event. I hope your child has some exciting options that are a great fit for them.

Here’s the content of the March 11th Newsletter - just to show the types of opportunities that are available any given time (sorry for poor formatting - I had to take out all the bulk of the html from my copy/paste for it to be readable:

This issue: Women’s History Month Alumni Panel ** ** Be an Ambassador This Week Upcoming Events Opportunities

Women’s History Month

Please join the South Carolina Honors College and [four of our phenomenal Honors alumni] for a Women in Honors alumni panel in celebration of Women’s History Month! Panelists will reflect on their Honors College experience and how it has shaped their career paths. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions during the panel.

Please RSVP by 5 p.m. on March 14 to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Apply to be an Honors Ambassador

Become an Honors ambassador by applying for our PAID summer and fall positions— deadline April 2! The ambassador team is a diverse group of involved students who are committed to sharing their passion for the Honors College and the University of South Carolina to varied audiences.

IMPORTANT: For the first time ever, we will be hiring students to fill SUMMER ambassador positions to assist with Honors orientation (fka Honors orientation guides). [Learn more.]

Happening This Week

Wednesday

Honors Ambassador Virtual Interest Meeting

4-4:45 p.m.
Do you love all things Honors and want to get paid to help recruit and welcome our newest Honors Gamecocks? If so, apply to be an Honors Ambassador! The ambassador team is a diverse group of involved students who are committed to sharing their passion for the Honors College. Find out more by attending our virtual interest session this Wednesday. **[Application deadline: April 2nd]

Thursday

Project Vida Organization Meeting

HRH B112 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Interested in public health, education or volunteering with children? Project Vida helps you meet all three goals! Come join us in HRH B112 for our organization meetings where we plan events and bond with our peers. Open to Honors and non-Honors students!

Advice from Upperclassmen: What We Wish We Knew

HRH B110 7-8:30 p.m.

Join the Black Honors Caucus at our Advice from Upperclassmen social. Upperclassmen will recommend classes they enjoyed and provide advice about Honors Beyond the Classroom requirement, research, advising, senior thesis and more! This will be a chill and very discussion-based meeting, so we hope you can join us!

Friday

Graduation Application Due

Seniors: This is the last week to submit the Honors College graduation application to qualify you as a May or August grad as well as qualify you to walk at Revocation.

Honors Enchanted

Saturday, April 13 7-10 p.m. Traditions Club, Williams Brice Stadium

Check your email this Wednesday, March 13 for information about the registration and ticketing process for this year’s Honors Gala (which will henceforth be known as “Honors Enchanted!”). MY NOTE: THIS IS THE ANNUAL FORMAL DANCE FOR HONORS STUDENTS

Upcoming

Honors Connect Lunch & Learn: Dr. Kallie Metzger

March 19 12 p.m. Harper 320

Join Dr. Kallie Metzger ‘09 for an Honors Connect Lunch and Learn to hear more about her Honors experience and how it influenced her career path. Dr. Metzger is currently the director of fuel for the Westinghouse eVinci microreactor. There will be time for Q&A and information provided on Westinghouse open postings for internships and new grads. Lunch will be provided! Space is limited to the first 30 students to [RSVP] before March 15.

Law School Application & Personal Statement Workshop

March 19 6-7 p.m. Harper 320

Learn about best practices for the law school application process and how to craft a personal statement that stands out! This workshop will be co-hosted by Tyler Parent, director of admissions at the Rice School of Law. This event is open to all Honors students who are interested in strengthening their application to any and all law schools. **[RSVP By March 18th. ]

2024 Honors Thesis Symposium

Friday, April 12 Russell House

The Honors Thesis Symposium is an annual event that highlights the many exceptional Honors senior thesis and creative thesis projects from all academic disciplines. This event offers Honors students the opportunity to present and showcase their research to the wider university community. [Learn more.]

Honors Opportunities

Apply to be an Honors Peer Mentor

Honors Peer Mentors help incoming Honors students find their place in college by providing guidance, connecting them to resources and introducing them to the abundant academic, professional and personal opportunities at USC. [Read more about the benefits and expectations here.] Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year will open March 13 and close March 27 on our website.

Low Cost SCHC Study Away

**[Art, Business and Economic Revitalization in Lake City, S.C.]
In the hometown of Darla Moore, learn cutting-edge business practices while contributing to the arts and serving a small, South Carolina town through this immersive course. Students will gain an understanding of how to restart a local economy through hands-on workshops with Artfields and Moore Farms.

[Explore Coastal South Carolina Through Native Marine Life]

Beach, boats and Beyond the Classroom. Spend your May on the warm and sunny coast of South Carolina at the Baruch Institute while fulfilling a Carolina Core Science and an Honors Beyond the Classroom or Natural Science requirement.

Research Grant Application OPEN!

The SCHC Research Grant application for the 2024-2025 academic year is now LIVE! To apply for fall 2024 research funding, the deadline is Friday, March 22nd by 11:59pm. To learn more about this opportunity, attend one of the online workshops hosted by Honors research coordinator, Ajay Patel.

2024-25 State Government Program Application Now Open!

The SCHC State Government Program is a competitive, application-based internship program designed to expose students from all backgrounds and interests how South Carolina state government functions. This two-semester program can help prepare students for careers in public policy, political science, public administration, and advocacy through classroom knowledge, networking with senior government officials, and completing an internship with a state agency in the spring semester. More program and application information [HERE]

Other Opportunities

Garnet and Black is hiring an Editor-in-Chief

Applications are being accepted for both Garnet & Black Editor-in Chief for 2024 and WUSC Station Manager for 2024. Applications are available [here] All completed applications must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on March 15.

Sustainable Carolina Green Certification

Get your event, office, or chapter house green certified! Sustainable Carolina offers green certification as an opportunity for on campus organizations and offices to get involved in sustainability and help make a difference at USC. Green Certification allows you to reach a new audience who is interested in sustainability and show your commitment to the environment to the Carolina community. If you are interested in getting your event green certified, please fill out our[ interest form.] Please email sustainability@sc.edu with any other questions.

Understanding Climate Impacts: A Panel Discussion

March 14 6:00-7:30pm Russell House 305

Join us a conversation about the intersection of environmental justice and climate change, featuring expert panelists from USC and SC DHEC – refreshments will be provided! Presented by Sustainable Carolina’s Environmental Justice team.

Accelerated MIB Information Sessions

Join the Master of International Business Program at USC for an information session about the Accelerated option that allows you to complete your Master’s degree in only one additional semester AND use your undergraduate scholarships for up to 40% of your degree! You will hear program specifics regarding curriculum, the admission process, career placement, and the MIB student experience. [RSVP to receive the meeting link]

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Thank you for this thread. My daughter has been accepted to the SCHC with instate tuititon. However, we live in Georgia and she wont pay any tuition at UGA. She didnt apply for UGA honors as she was burned out with essays like another poster’s son above. She could apply first semester and likely be in honors at UGA for second semester or fall 2025. Not sure what she should do. Gathering all the intel we can on SCHC. We went to admitted student days and the HC reception. Trying to figure out is it all that? Can’t find stats on job placement rates, for one. And Inside Honors seemes to be from 2018.

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I haven’t seen job placement rates broken out by honors v. non-honors, but have looked at job placement and salaries for Darla Moore School of Business, where my son is accepted, and was very happy with what I found. Maybe try checking by major and keep in mind that SCHC is approximately 8% of the student body, and the school does give them extra opportunities and guidance, so I would expect that they would do well with job placement, etc. My son is very likely going to choose SCHC over his in state flagship where he would not pay tuition because of the small classes and community and additional guidance and opportunities we think SCHC will provide. Plus, he just really liked Carolina when he toured.

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My work colleague’s daughter recently graduated from South Carolina honors program and is now working at an Investment Bank.

According to my co-worker, South Carolina is not a target school for the top investment banks and consulting companies. She did land a job at a top investment bank but it was mostly due to her non-stop networking than what the school offered.

Her advice: She loved South Carolina but if you can get into a target school, it will be 100 times easier than going to South Carolina if top tier investment banking and consulting is what you want.

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Correct. High Finance jobs are relegated to Target schools only, and they tend to be the T20 per US News plus 10-15 others they have developed good relationships with (i.e. SMU Cox school). You will have an EXTREMELY tough time getting your foot in the door at a non-target school like USC.

Getting an IB or MBB job from target schools is also highly competitive…sure these companies take more students from these schools, but easy it is not.

My D who went to a highly rejective LAC that places well into these types of jobs had to network like crazy to get her job (talking close to 100 conversations, who knows how many contacts). This school’s career center did not help her much at all beyond helping with a resume (which mom and dad made better)…she started networking with students she knew from school who took these jobs and also used LinkedIn to contact alum/other people of interest.

For posters wanting USC honors college placement info, they should have their students call the program heads and/or the career center for data.

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Thank you for this information. When you are talking about “High Finance jobs,” does this mean big Wall Street type IB firms? What types of employers are only targeting T20s? I think this information is definitely important for finance/business majors considering SCHC, but I am not sure if it will impact my son’s decision.

My son definitely wants to stay in the Southeast, and is not trying to go to NYC/Chicago/LA etc. There is a decent chance that he will go to law school, and he also is considering financial planning/wealth management/corporate finance type jobs. He didn’t apply to any T20 schools, so that type of job wasn’t really in the running for him.

My daughter will be a communications major so a little worried about employment opportunities.

Communications is a varied and widespread major - so it depends on what she’s hoping to do - and I think with all majors - engineering to communications - having an internship (which is not easy to get and things seem to be tightening) is key.

That she found something that hopefully she loves is a great thing.

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By High Finance I mean Investment Banking, Venture, Private Equity roles. The bulge bracket tier (i.e. Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, BOA) will exclusively only hire from their target school list, which consists of the Ivy’s plus UVA, UNC, Mich, UCLA, etc. They may some kids from SMU or BC, or UF, but they vastly prefer T20. Second tier and third tier firms by way of size like Stevens will take quite a few from the U of Arkansas Walton School. So it will vary by firm.

Which isn’t to say you absolutely have to go into IB/VC to have a meaningful and lucrative career, those just happen to be the quickest path for early millions. Plenty of kids from well known but non-target IB/VC schools have great placement rates in corporate finance, wealth management, and so on (U Arkansas Walton School, UNH Paul School, UTK Haslam, KU, LSU business, Darla Moore, etc.).

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Thank you! That is very helpful!