Choosing The Right College School Spotlight: University of South Carolina Written by Emily Toffelmireon August 24th, 2020 I came to College Coach after working for many years in college admissions and high school counseling. As a school counselor, I assisted students in the college application process and wrote hundreds of letters of recommendation, while also helping them and their families cope with any emotional, social, and academic concerns throughout the year. I transitioned from the high school setting to the admissions office when I joined the University of Southern California as an assistant director, reading freshmen and transfer applications and collaborating on admission decisions for over 150 majors, including the liberal arts, engineering, business, cinema, and the fine and performing arts. I subsequently took on the role of senior assistant director in the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, where I coordinated the division's Mork, Stamps, Trustee, Presidential and Dean's merit scholarship selection process, as well as recruitment publications and outreach, and traveled everywhere from Honolulu to Miami presenting to and interviewing hundreds of applicants each year. Learn More About Emily choosing the right college, college lists, There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. And while the media tends to focus on just a handful of schools, we at College Coach encourage students to think outside the box during their college selection process and explore a wide range of colleges. As such, we are highlighting a new college each week in our School Spotlight series. Check out the college below, along with the other posts in our series, and you may just stumble upon your dream school! School Spotlight: University of South Carolina Columbia, SC You might imagine that as the flagship institution for the state of South Carolina, the university enrolls predominately in-state students. But thanks to the university’s vibrant research program, diversity of student clubs, and commitment to service, over 40% of undergraduates travel state lines to enroll here. 27,000 undergraduates call USC-Columbia home, and they flock to strong programs in the College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Business, and the College of Engineering. For fun, students can turn to more than 500 clubs and organizations, including Ducks Unlimited (a waterfowl and wetlands fundraising club), Swype (a breakdancing club), and the Carolina Philosophy Club. Students looking to live on campus have plenty of options, from traditional residence halls to themed living and learning communities. The Green Quad Community focuses on sustainability, while the Sport & Entertainment Management Community provides opportunities for career and leadership development. Looking for something good to eat? The university was named one of the top 40 best colleges for food in America by dining website, The Daily Meal. Image Credit: Top, Courtesy of University of South Carolina Related Resources Read | Posted on March 26th, 2024 California Colleges and Universities: A Treasure Trove of Opportunities Read | Posted on March 5th, 2024 The Top 3 Campus Safety Myths Read | Posted on March 1st, 2024 Celebrating International Women’s Day: Is a Women’s College Right for You?