College of Charleston or Clemson? HELP!! (Florence, Bowman: transfer, theater, schools)

[scrunner22]

I'm a senior in SC and have narrowed down my college choice to either C of C or Clemson. Does anybody here have any experience with either of the colleges?

I have been accepted at the honors college at both and will most likely major in Biology or Physics. C of C offered me a $22,000 scholarship. That, coupled with the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship and a scholarship from the state that will pay for my tuition because of my Dad's military service means I will be going to school absolutely free if I go to C of C. I'm just worried that it's not as good of an academic school or prestigious school as Clemson (which Clemson isn't really).

I love the beach, and I've been kayaking and hiking in the Clemson area before and I loved it. I'm not a big fan of football, and having lived in SC for the past couple of years rednecks annoy the crap out of me. That worries me about Clemson. I've also received a merit scholarship from Clemson, but its smaller.

I'm a runner and will most likely walk on the XC and track team, but this isn't really playing a factor in my decision.

Sorry my post was so long. I'm just having trouble picking a college.

[rubber_factory]

Sounds like you have two great options.

From an academic name-recognition perspective I like Clemson. If you don't like football, and rednecks annoy you.. then I would be inclined to recommend Charleston. Charleston obviously has cultural X-factors that Clemson does not, and one complaint I always hear is that few students there can afford to enjoy them. If you are going to CofC for free.. that might be less of a problem.

[waccamatt]

After reading your likes and dislikes I think you would be much happier at the College of Charleston.

[Tupperpatr]

Our son is in his third year of Clemson and loves it. Loves the campus and the feeling of community. Take a look at how many out-of-state students that attend Clemson. I think you might be surprised. (that should help balance the fear of the rednecks). All his professors are willing to give him the extra time to explain things (he is an engineering student) when necessary.

Best advice I can give you is listen to your heart. Make the "Ben Franklin List" put both colleges on the page, divide it in half and write your dislikes and likes on both. Writing it down often clarifies an issue. When you make the decision and you have a feeling of peace than you know you made the right one.

Remember, you always transfer!! Congratulations on getting accepted to both schools.

[gvillesc]

Can I ask where you are from?

Is it Clemson's location that brings out the fear of rednecks or simply the idea of major college football? I see neither being significantly linked to the other.

I recommend that you take a tour of both campuses.



If you have any Clemson specific questions, I'll do my best to help you. I'll be graduating in May.

[scrunner22]

Originally Posted by gvillesc

Can I ask where you are from?

Is it Clemson's location that brings out the fear of rednecks or simply the idea of major college football? I see neither being significantly linked to the other.

I recommend that you take a tour of both campuses.



If you have any Clemson specific questions, I'll do my best to help you. I'll be graduating in May.

I'm from the Florence area. It's not the location or the football that makes me afraid of rednecks at Clemson. I'm not sure if this is accurate, but around here the stereotype for Clemson is that it is a redneck school, and I know a fair share of rednecks at my school that want to go to Clemson. This could be entirely inaccurate, I have no idea.

I have taken a tour of both campuses. I've only been to Clemson once because it was so far away and it was raining and 30 degrees when I did visit it, so I'm not sure if I got an accurate representation of the school.

Do you like Clemson? Can you just give me a general overview of what life is like there? Thanks

[eureka1]

C of C, definitely.

[rubber_factory]

Originally Posted by scrunner22

I'm from the Florence area. It's not the location or the football that makes me afraid of rednecks at Clemson. I'm not sure if this is accurate, but around here the stereotype for Clemson is that it is a redneck school, and I know a fair share of rednecks at my school that want to go to Clemson. This could be entirely inaccurate, I have no idea.

I think the word 'redneck' is too harsh. In my experience, rural South Carolinians are just drawn to Clemson. It is a small town, and agriculture is just part of the tradition there, even if you have nothing to do with farming personally. Maybe it is just the crowd I grew up with, but I know people who weren't all that 'country' until they went up to Clemson.

[gvillesc]

Originally Posted by scrunner22

Do you like Clemson? Can you just give me a general overview of what life is like there? Thanks

I love Clemson. The school is rich with tradition, ranging from athletics, to academics, to student life. The setting is beautiful amongst the the Blue Ridge mountains and Lakes Hartwell and Keowee. The campus has great outdoor spaces, which is something you won't find in Charleston. A warm spring or autumn day brings out hundreds and hundreds of people to lay out, play football, frisbee, do homework, or socialize on the open grass of Bowman Field, the outdoor theater, Lever beach, or any other space that they deem large enough. It's really active and the sense of community both on and off campus is very evident.

If you attend Clemson, I think you'll begin to love college football. It's as much about the victory in Death Valley as it is about the atmosphere, tailgating, and social event that a football Saturday has become. Plus, it's a great way to meet people your freshman year.

[3 Seconds]

Clemson & its not even close.