You're here! Day 1 of Pillars will be spent moving into your room, meeting other Pillars participants, and being placed in your "Family Group". Family Groups will be the group that you stay with throughout the week, led by two of our eXtended Mentors (XM's), upperclassman who have been training to help you transition to USC all spring semester!

Some activities on day one include: Opening Ceremonies (dinner and overview of Pillars), Ice Breakers, and Willy-B 101 (USC chants, cheers, songs, and traditions).

Good morning and welcome to day two of Pillars! Day 2 will be spent around campus and the Columbia community. Participants will start the day with a scavenger hunt around campus before joining upperclassmen at a lunch where they will be paired with other participants based on majors. Participants will then have some time to explore "Cola" as we visit Main Street in Downtown Columbia. In the afternoon, participants will learn more about the history of USC in a fun and interactive way. After dinner, we will have an opportunity to discuss different challenges or situations that might arise during your first year in college and how to overcome those to be successful Gamecocks!

Some activities on day two include: The Amazing Race (USC scavenger hunt), Main Street time, So You Wanna Be a Gamecock? (USC history trivia), and For a Gamecock (challenges you may face your first year at USC).

It's day three here at Pillars! Day 3 is an exciting day exploring campus, with a lunch in the Greek Village, free time at the Wellness and Fitness Center (including pool time, if you want!), and dancing! While participants eat lunch in one of our Greek houses in the Village, they will learn ways to engage around campus their first year, including Greek Life, student organizations, how to be civically engaged, and service opportunities. After lunch, let's have some fun in our Wellness and Fitness Center, where you'll have access to basketball courts, racquetball courts, outside pool, sand volleyball courts, and our 52' climbing wall! After dinner, participants will join in a Pillars tradition: Shag Night, where they will learn the state dance, shag. As we close the night and reflect on the week, participants will reflect in a candlelight ceremony around the Thomas Cooper Library Reflection Pool (the same fountain that our students jump in with every national championship win!).

Some activities on day three include: lunch in the Greek Village, Community Service, Wellness and Fitness Center time, Shag Night, and Candlelight Ceremony.

Done already?! It's the last day of Pillars and we're going out with a bang! Day 4 is full of fun as participants partake in the annual Garnet and Black Olympics! Remember field day in elementary school? Pump it up to Gamecock level and you're ready to play! Participants will close out their time in Pillars with their Family Groups before they leave at 3:00P, ready for their return in August.

Some activities on day four include: Group photos, Garnet and Black Olympics, and Family Group reflection time.

Pillars for Carolina prides itself on making the transition to USC more comfortable for first-year students by providing an opportunity for self-discovery and campus exploration before you come for your first semester.

• 99% of participants agreed that they would recommend Pillars to other incoming students.
• 98% of participants agreed that because of attending Pillars, they felt more comfortable coming to USC.
• 97% of participants agreed that because of attending Pillars, they felt more prepared for their first year experience.
• 96% of participants agreed that because of attending Pillars, they felt more confident in making friends with other first-year students.
• 100% of participants agreed that their XM's (eXtended Mentors) served as mentors and built community within their family groups.

• USC New Student Orientation and Pillars for Carolina are separate programs. While New Student Orientation is mandatory for all incoming students, Pillars is an extra way to meet fellow Gamecocks and spend time on campus before move-in day.

•  No, Pillars is offered to all incoming first-year Gamecocks, as well as incoming transfer students.

•  Yes. Parking information will be provided to you closer to your program week in July.

•  All food, sleeping accommodations for three nights, and four days of activities are included in the registration cost. Participants will also receive a t-shirt.

**Registration fees go towards all space rentals and activities for participants during the program**

• Check-In information will be provided closer to your week, but will be between 2:00P-5:00P on Tuesday with check-out at 3:00P on Friday. 

**If you are participating in New Student Orientation on July 15-16 or July 22-23, you will be able to check-out of orientation and check-in to Pillars on time.

• Participants will be staying in a residence hall on USC’s campus. Information about residence hall is provided after registration.

•  Please list all dietary restrictions in your registration form and we will accommodate as necessary. 

•  Clothes for 4 days of activities in and around campus
  
  • Be mindful of the South Carolina summer heat. The average temperature in Columbia in July is 95 degrees.
• Comfortable shoes to walk around in
• Reusable water bottle
• Hat / Sunscreen / Sunglasses - protective sun wear 
• Portable Chargers for your phones
• Hygiene products 
• Medications
• Bedding for a twin XL size mattress, including sheets and a pillow
• Spending money
  • Students will have the opportunity to shop around some off-campus locations
                     

After registration, you will receive an email with a full packing list. 

• Yes! The link to with more information and to apply for scholarships is located on our website on the right hand side.

• "Pillars went above and beyond my expectations in so many ways. I not only made some amazing friendships and bonds but I learned about my campus and so much about myself. I not only watched myself grow so much within the week but I got to see the people around me grow as well. I think that is such a wonderful thing. I was blessed to have amazing staff with us every step of the way, and amazing opportunities to highlight our personalities. I feel so much more comfortable to be coming to campus now." - Participant, 2022
• My time at Pillars was unforgettable and while I was there I formed multiple close relationships. During my time at Pillars I definitely built a better sense of community in Columbia and stepped out of my comfort zone." - Participant, 2022
• "I can confidently say that I would not be the person that I am today without my experience from Pillars. I met so many people who I now consider close friends, got to step out of my comfort zone, and gained so much confidence speaking with people and making new friends. I cannot thank the staff enough for what they've done turning a shy, quiet high schooler into a confident, outspoken, college student." - Participant, 2021