S. Carolina: Clemson, College of Charleston, Furman Univ., Limestone College, The Citadel, Univ. of South Carolina, Wofford
Diane Forman
I had the opportunity to travel to South Carolina from February 28-March 3rd with 25 IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association) professionals from around the country for a college tour. We visited seven schools, all very different from one another: large, small, public, private and even a military college. In addition to meeting with admissions personnel, academic deans, and students, we also met with the disability service providers to get a better understanding of the level of support offered at each school.
We had wonderful discussions as we got back on the bus to share impressions of each visit and determine the type of student who would be best served at the school. While South Carolina has a lot to offer, including beautiful weather and lots of outdoor activities, the “southern” feel is quite different than what we are used to in New Jersey.
For the student who is open to experiencing a different culture as part of their college experience, South Carolina is a beautiful place to be for four years. Following are the descriptions of each school, their support services and photos of each campus. I would like to thank Linda Kay, my colleague and co-author for the South Carolina College visits.
Clemson University
Clemson is a mid-sized public university with a College of Engineering, located in rural Clemson, SC with 12,140 undergraduates. Two-thirds of the students come from in state, about one-third are legacy. Princeton Review’s 371 Best Colleges reports a 4.13 average HS GPA of accepted students; they do not recalculate GPA’s.
Even though the student body is academically talented, there is a 62% acceptance rate with the emphasis on GPA, test scores and class rank. Average Test Scores for SAT were Math: 580-670, CR-=: 550-640 and ACT 25-30. SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted. Average ACT scores were 25-30. The average GPA was reported at 4.1.
…Full report of Clemson University….
College of Charleston
The College of Charleston is a public, liberal arts college located in the heart of Charleston. The students rave about the “charming, lively, Southern city with its beautiful historic buildings and abundance of nightlife, shopping, and restaurant options”. There is a mixture of Pre-Civil War buildings as well as modern.
It is close to the beach which is both an attraction and distraction. It is a medium sized school with an undergraduate class of 10,000 students, 2,000 being freshman. Approximately 53% are in state students and they claim there are no geographical quotas. There is ratio of 66/34 female to male.
..Full report of College of Charleston…
Furman University
Furman is a small, private liberal arts college (2,771 students) located in the mountains of Greenville, South Carolina. The campus is beautiful with red brick buildings and fountains. They reported a $600 Million Dollar Endowment. The average accepted unweighted high school GPA is 3.6-3.8.
Admissions said they look at the student holistically and they do accept about 1/3 of their students Early Decision. Furman super scores both the SAT and the ACT and average SAT scores are 1200-1360, average ACT between 26-31. Popular majors include Science, Business/Marketing and Music. They have a very high acceptance rate for students applying to medical and law school.
…Full report for Furman University…
Limestone University
Limestone College is located in Gaffney, South Carolina and is a Christian, non-denominational, small private, Liberal Arts College (859 students). The middle 50% of First-Year Students scored from 410-520 on SAT CR, and 430-550 on SAT Math. ACT scores ranged from 17-22. GPA ‘s range from 2.0 up to3.5 for the most competitive academic scholarships offered.
Limestone offers Associate and Bachelor’s degrees. Most popular majors include business/marketing and education. They also have a strong Athletic Training program with a great lab for their practical training. The professors like to get the students out in the real world with a focus on experiential learning.
…Full report of Limestone College…
The Citadel
The Citadel is The Military College of South Carolina and described as both Pre-Professional and Liberal Arts. It is a public college and is best known for its Corps of Cadets. The students live and study under a classical military system.
About a third of the graduating class accepts military positions, one third go into the work force and one third go onto graduate school. There is 100% job placement. There are 2,455 undergraduate students, 626 freshmen. The ratio of male/female is 92/8. The average GPA is 3.4. The average SAT’s are 1640: CR 545, Math 555, and Writing 540. The average ACT is 24.
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a large, public university located in Columbia, the central part of the state. The 350-acre campus includes a pre-civil war area which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. .
“It is home to more than 200 years of history and tradition, rising from a single building in 1805 on what would become the heart of the campus, the Horseshoe. The 11 buildings that now make up the Horseshoe frame a lush lawn that is an irresistible gathering place. “
…Full report of University of South Carolina…
Wofford College
Wofford College is a small ( 1500 students ), private, liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It is designated a national arboretum and is located in Spartanburg in an urban setting. Competitor schools include Wake Forest and Furman along with Clemson and U of South Carolina.
Wofford is known for its competitive academics, close relationships with professors, interdisciplinary courses, and learning communities. It has a total of 1506 undergraduates, 431 of whom are freshmen. SAT score ranges are: CR – 560-675, M – 590-680, and W – 545-650. ACT scores range from 22-28. Average accepted GPA is 3.49.
…Full report of Wofford College…