Print this page.“If you thrive in interactive, discussion-style classes; if you relish learning for learning’s sake; and if you seek the rewards of a degree from a well-established and nationally respected honors program, you’ll feel right at home at South Carolina Honors College.”
— Davis Baird, Dean of the South Carolina Honors College
See what Honors College students have to say about their experience.
From South Carolina to South Africa, you can find South Carolina Honors College students exploring foreign countries, conducting independent research, and learning new languages. The Honors College is a small liberal arts college comprised of approximately 1200 students within the University of South Carolina. As an honors student, you may pursue any of the University’s more than 70 majors, but you’ll enjoy unique benefits and classes.
While the Honors College curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts, the Honors College is open to all majors. In addition, the Honors College gives students the opportunity to design their own major through the Baccalaureus Artium et Scientiae degree. Students interested in law may want to pursue the 6-year joint BA/BS/law degree. In order to graduate “With Honors” from the South Carolina Honors College, students need to complete 45 hours of honors credit and complete a senior thesis or project. The senior thesis is an exploration of your major interest—it can be a paper, research, an internship, or even a movie. You will have a thesis advisor to help guide you through the process, and the Honors College regularly awards grants to help students complete their theses.
The course offerings make the Honors College at USC truly unique. Approximately 300 courses are available through the Honors College annually, and many of these courses are special seminars specifically designed to meet the interests and goals of its students. Pre-med students may be interested in taking Medical Anthropology or Clinical Nutrition. Film Studies majors have the option of taking History of Film in South Carolina. The Honors College offers several courses with study abroad components. Recently, students could choose to investigate the history and politics of Morocco, examine the Holocaust in Poland, or read English literature—in London. And, two of the most popular electives in the college appeal to students of all majors: Echoes in Blues and Super Bowl Commercials.
At the Honors College, you’ll receive more attention and support than you imagined possible at a large university. In addition to an academic advisor for your major, your Honors College advisor will be there to help you make the most of your experience. Not only that, a large network of faculty and support staff standby ready to listen to you, encourage you, and guide you during your college life. You’ll take classes with handpicked faculty stars. Your creativity will be encouraged and your intellect nourished. And since you are also part of the University of South Carolina, you can join campus organizations, workout at our state-of-the-art fitness facilities, attend concerts, and cheer on the Gamecocks. You’ll enjoy the best of both worlds — an intimate liberal arts college and a large research university. Most importantly, you’re able to customize your Carolina experience based upon your academic goals, your career plans, and your unique interests.
Last year, 100 percent of incoming honors freshmen received at least one University academic scholarship. At Carolina, you'll enjoy an Ivy League education without an Ivy League price. The most prestigious scholarship for in-state students is the Carolina Scholars award, valued at $40,000 over four years ($10,000 annually). For out-of-state students, the highest-ranking scholarship is the McNair Scholars award, valued at $60,000 over four years ($15,000 annually). Recipients of the McNair Scholars award also receive tuition reduction. Both McNair and Carolina Scholars enjoy numerous benefits, including free laptop computers. To find out how to apply for these scholarships, please visit the freshman application page. Qualified students will be invited to complete the Honors/Top Scholars application online. If you choose to complete this portion of the application at a later date, or you weren't given access to this portion of the application, you may download this section at http://www.sc.edu/admissions/paper.php.
The Office of Fellowships and Scholar Programs serves a home base for Carolina and McNair Scholars, as well as Honors College students interested in applying for fellowship or scholarship competitions. The office helps students prepare for national scholarship competitions, such as the Truman, Goldwater, and National Science Foundation awards. Since 1994, more than 200 Honors College students have won national awards valued at more than $6 million.
In addition to scholarships, Honors students also enjoy state-of-the art housing in the new Honors Residence, which just opened this fall!
We encourage you to request more information, to come for a visit, and see what the Honors College has to offer you.
Profile: 2009 South Carolina Honors College Class
Class Size: 321
Interquartile (middle 50%) High-School GPA: 4.26-4.58
Interquartile SAT* Score: 1350-1400
Interquarile ACT Score: 31-32
*On the critical reading and math sections combined.
Higher SAT scores may offset grades or vice versa.
Honors Admissions Information
Admissions consideration requires excellent high-school grades and strong scores on the SAT or ACT. Higher SAT or ACT scores may offset grades or vice versa. You must submit the freshman application and Honors supplement by November 15th. If you complete the admissions application online, and your self-reported scores are high enough, you will be invited to apply for the Honors College and top scholarships at the point of application.
All supplemental materials (including application fee official fee waiver, official high-school transcript(s), test scores, two letters of recommendation, and optional personal statement) must be postmarked or submitted by November 15th as well.
Note: The November 15th deadline is designed to give Honors College applicants more time to complete their essays. Honors College applicants should submit their general University application and the Honors College/Top Scholars supplemental application together as one complete document. Those who meet the November 15th deadline will receive a decision on their University admission status during the week of December 14th (same timing as for October 15th Early Answer applicants).
Links of interest for prospective Honors College students:
South Carolina Honors College Web site
Course listings