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Top Scholar Benefits
A Top Scholar’s experience at USC is full of holistic advising, a full slate of scholar events, leadership opportunities, peer support and so much more.
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Top Scholar Awards
At USC, there are different types of Top Scholars - Stamps, Carolina, McNair, 1801 and Horseshoe – all funded by our generous donors committed to helping our students change the world.
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Top Scholar Community
From our student-led scholar organization Scholars United, to student-run Last Lecture series groups and more, the Top Scholar community is one where lifelong friendships are made, students challenge each other to be their best and every student finds a sense of belonging.
Who are Top Scholars?
More than academically skilled, at every level our Top Scholars are well-rounded and dynamic individuals. Top Scholars uplift community, engagement and so much more.
Our Scholars have diverse intellectual pursuits that are supported by both the South Carolina Honors College and the University of South Carolina. Mentored by premier faculty, scholars are at the forefront of undergraduate research in their respective academic fields. It is not uncommon to find a Top Scholar working in the USC Neurolinguistics Laboratory, exploring sustainable energy initiatives with ExxonMobil or interning with The Washington Post.
Scholars also have access to specialized programming through USC national fellowships, and as a result, Top Scholars lead the way at South Carolina as national fellowship recipients. They have and continue to earn the impressive titles of Marshall, Udall, Truman, Fulbright, NOAA Hollings and Goldwater Scholars, among many others.
Touched by the needs of communities abroad, our scholars have found themselves immersed in many cultural and physical landscapes.
Their curiosity has led them to visit Chile, Turkey, Spain and Italy. They've experienced the sunrise in Uganda, England and Australia. And they've practiced language skills in Argentina, China, France, Japan and Germany. Scholars have access to study abroad programs through the South Carolina Honors College and the university.
Their extraordinary commitment to leadership and service sets an honorable standard for their peers. Our scholars are USC and Honors ambassadors, club presidents, humanitarians, start-up musicians, intramural sports champions and Euphradian Society masters of rhetoric.
Many dedicate countless hours outside the classroom to soup kitchens, medical clinics and encouraging young interest in the sciences through programs like Carolina Science Outreach.
Our scholars are an important part of the South Carolina Honors College, and as Honors students, have access to the many academic and extracurricular enrichment opportunities provided by the nation's top-ranked public honors college.
This includes personalized advisement, where scholars meet individually with an Honors advisor to help them navigate their varied interests and find an undergraduate niche.
As an important part of the Carolina family, our scholars are also athletes, members of the marching band, campus radio personalities and columnists for The Daily Gamecock.
You may find scholars studying on the Horseshoe, organizing a concert for Gamecock Entertainment, participating in Dance Marathon or simply enjoying “chicken finger Wednesday.” With so many opportunities on a vibrant campus, Top Scholars know that every day is a great day to be Gamecocks!