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How to Write the University of South Carolina Essays 2019-2020

The University of South Carolina is a public research university in Columbia, South Carolina. UofSC offers over 320 degrees of study, as well as an Honors College, the Top Scholars Program, and Capstone Scholars Program. 

In the 2018-2019 admissions cycle, UofSC received 30,778 applications and ultimately accepted around 63%. The middle 50% GPA of those enrolled students was 3.78-4.5, and for SAT scores, it was 1200-1350. 

UofSC has one required prompt for all applicants, with 3 options. Applicants to the Music Composition Program have an additional prompt, and those invited to apply to the Honors College or Top Scholars Programs will have an additional two prompts. 

For All Applicants

Required: Respond to one of the personal statement prompts. (100-500 words)

The most important thing here—besides sticking to the word count—is choosing a prompt that speaks the most to you. Since you have choices, your essay should be as strong as possible. Think about how you might answer each prompt, and choose the story that is the strongest and conveys the most positive qualities about yourself, especially if it’s a trait you haven’t been able to discuss at all in the rest of your application! 

Option 1: Who in your life is depending on you? How are they depending on you? (100-500 words)

To answer this question, think about the people in your life—your family, your friends, your peers. How do you interact with them? You likely depend on your parents, but do your parents depend on you too? Your siblings? Remember that there are lots of ways to “depend” on someone. It could mean depending on a person for food and shelter, or for support and leadership. 

• Your sports team might depend on you to be a reliable, motivating captain who encourages everyone and pushes the team to be their best.
• Your younger siblings might depend on you for their after-school care—like snacks, rides and homework help—if your parents/guardians work during the day. 
• Your parents might depend on you to work hard in your education because they made sacrifices for you to have those opportunities. 

The best way for you to write this essay is to tell a story. Show your readers who depends on you and how they depend on you. Pick a snapshot in time and paint a picture with descriptive details and imagery. Try not to say “This person depends on me because…” It will make for bland writing, and you want admissions officers to be fully engaged in your interesting story. 

You have 500 words to tell this story—that’s plenty of space to not only describe who depends on you and how, but also how this impacts you. Show us your feelings and emotions; does their dependency overwhelm you? Are you honored by it? Do you feel like it has made you a more responsible person? Even though the prompt asks about someone else who depends on you, admissions officers still want to know who you are. 

Option 2: Tell us something about yourself that we have not already asked. (100-500 words)

This is a very open-ended essay, but a fantastic opportunity for you to present something about yourself that you haven’t been able to share in other parts of your application. This open-endedness means there are many different things you could write about:

• You play a sport that you haven’t written about.
• You come from a unique family dynamic (many siblings, multiple parents, same-sex parents, etc.) that has shaped you in some way.
• You speak more than one language.
• You have a medical condition that you have to deal with every day.
• You once summited a mountain. 

To write this, you want to tell a story. Show us what we don’t know about you. Use descriptions and details to place us in the same environment as you. Avoid explicitly stating “I am…” because that becomes dull to read. You want to ensure that admissions officers will hang on to every word you say because they’re so captivated by your story. 

It’s very important that any trait or activity you present here does not have any negative connotations. Saying that you binge watched five different TV shows in the last two months can have negative connotations for an admissions officer, as it suggests you might be more interested in Netflix than engaging with UofSC. Discussing how you failed a class is negative if you don’t show us how you grew and learned from it, but if you show us how you became a better student because of that failure, it shows your determination.

Think about a story about yourself that you want to tell! This is a chance to show that you’re a well-rounded person and offer insight to a side of you that we haven’t seen yet. 

Option 3: What advice would you give your 13-year-old self? (100-500 words)

The first thing to do is think about who you were as a thirteen-year-old. Reflect on how you’ve changed since then. Is there something you wish you would’ve realized earlier? Something you did that you shouldn’t have done? Something you didn’t do that you should have? 

• Maybe there was a year when you tried to do too many different activities and couldn’t devote proper time to any of them and you’d advise yourself to scale it back.
• Perhaps you said something unkind to someone and, looking back, realized that you shouldn’t have said so. 
• Maybe you tried to be someone else to fit in with a group of people who, ultimately, didn’t stick around. In that case, you might advise your younger self to not waste time pretending to be someone else. 

Avoid anything particularly juvenile or negative. Advising your thirteen-year-old self “don’t date that person” is likely to come off as trivial, unless you can back that advice up with an incredibly powerful and compelling story. Similarly, try not to be too cliche; offering advice to “study harder” is quite generic and, again, would require an extremely compelling story for an admissions officer to consider a strong essay. 

Whatever advice you choose to give your younger self, make sure to first give some context as to who you were as a thirteen-year-old. For your readers to understand why the advice you’re giving is important, we need to see details about who you were and how you behaved. This is especially important to show in the context of the advice—we need to see why you feel like you have to give this advice. 

Music Composition Program

Within the University of South Carolina’s School of Music, the composition major begins freshman year with an introductory class on the development of individual work. Upper-level composition classes focus on one-on-one private instruction, and weekly composition seminars allow students to connect with professionals regularly. Applicants are also required to submit a portfolio of written musical examples.

The statement of purpose should take the form of a short letter addressed to the coordinator of composition, Dr. Rogers, that describes why you wish to major in composition, what you hope to accomplish as a composition major, and what you plan to do with your degree when you graduate. (250 words)

You have three things to discuss in this short essay: why composition, what will you do in college, and what will you do post-college? It’s possible for you to merge your answers to the first two questions by explaining how you’ll be pursuing your passion for composition in college. 

Additionally, it’s okay if you don’t know exactly what you want to do following graduation—most freshmen don’t! However, you should have a general idea of how you want to use your composition major after college. 

Be sure to open your essay with a direct address to Dr. Rogers. From there, think about why you want to major in composition, and what you ultimately hope to get out of pursuing that field.

• You may have grown up surrounded by and writing music, so now you want to pursue composition as a career because you love it.
• Maybe you struggled with finding your passion until you discovered composition, and now you dream of composing music for other people who haven’t found their passions.

Your essay will stand out if you are authentic and true to yourself. Think about why you’ve chosen this path and how you intend for it to shape your future. Be straightforward and honest, because admissions officers really want to see that you would be an enthusiastic fit for the program. 

Honors College/Top Scholars Essay Prompts

Beginning September 1, students who are invited to apply to the Honors College will receive an email with additional instructions after submitting the general University of South Carolina application and application fee. Students who apply for the Honors College will also be considered for the Top Scholars Program. Honors College/Top Scholars applicants are strongly encouraged to submit the general admissions application by October 15, 2019. This gives you at least one month to complete the Honors College/Top Scholars application for the November 15, 2019 deadline. 

Doing: How are you doing? What have you accomplished and where do you seem to be heading? We’re not looking for a particular answer. What we are looking for is a thoughtful, vivid, well-written, detailed essay that reveals you think insightfully about yourself.

This prompt provides you with an opportunity to showcase one of your greatest accomplishments in high school. Strong responses to this prompt will address each of the following:

First, why was what you did important? Including achievements that touched a lot of people or left a lasting impact helps demonstrate that your actions extended beyond your own short-term interests.

Next, what did you bring to the table specifically? Lots of people make some impact on their community, but a truly talented leader, artist, mentor, etc. is irreplaceable. They bring something of themselves to the role that no one else has to offer. Use this essay as a space to unpack part of what would make you a unique contributor to UofSC’s campus culture.

Finally—and most important of all—what does this accomplishment reveal about your long-term purpose? Admissions officers want to know who you are and who you will be as you complete your undergraduate degree. 

As an example, a student who’s an avid violinist and who has made all-state orchestra might share the passion and dedication they have to music. They also enjoy using music as a way to evoke emotions, promote healing, and bring people together. After starting an organization in high school dedicated to playing music to hospice patients, the student hopes to continue combining music and community engagement. Academically, they hope to study the connection between music and psychology, to discover new ways music can be incorporated into healthcare.

This would be a strong topic choice, as the student clearly demonstrates what they’ve accomplished, why it’s important, and how they plan to grow from that accomplishment.

Thinking: What’s on your mind? Pick one thing that is particularly exciting, exasperating, moving, alarming—something that has captured your attention and intellect in some strong way—and tell us about it.

This prompt provides you with another great opportunity to share a bit more about yourself, specifically your inner life. Topic ideas include discussing a favorite podcast, cause you care about, or cultural experience. This prompt is extremely open-ended, so you can basically choose whatever you want.

The one caveat: if you hold any controversial opinions, avoid addressing those in your essay. You don’t want to accidentally offend an admissions officer by stumbling upon some cultural tripwires. 

Overall, try to make each of your essays feature different aspects of your profile and personality. You want to seem mature, thoughtful, and nuanced no matter what your essay topics wind up being.

Want help on your college essays to get into your dream schools?  Sign up for your free CollegeVine account  and get access to our essay guides and courses, as well as our Essay Manager.

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South Carolina Honors College At a Glance

The South Carolina Honors College experience is first rate. Choose from more than 600 challenging courses taught by top faculty or define a unique major that’s tailored to your interests. When the stellar academics join with the college’s highly collaborative culture, it’s easy to see why the Honors College has been the nation’s top honors program since 2012.

The Honors College is a place where high achieving students enjoy an engaging college experience that connects them with research, study abroad, service learning and internships.  Plus, Honors College advisors and unparalleled staff support help students take their education to new heights.

Academic Rigor and Community Spirit

Led by a distinguished university-wide faculty, our 600 honors courses feature average class sizes of just 16 students to support individualized attention and spark engagement. It’s also a college where students can design a major or fast-track their pre-professional undergraduate education to prepare for a career in health, law or medicine.

Baccalaureus Artium et Scientiae

The university’s most selective undergraduate degree program gives students the opportunity to curate an in-depth curriculum that’s tailored to their specific interests and career goals.

Campus Within a Campus

The Honors College is a living-learning community with academic, support service and dining amenities. It’s ideal for students who want to be part of a community of peers who take their education and academic success seriously and support the accomplishments of their fellow classmates. Honors students experience the benefits of a top-tier research university in a setting that feels like a small liberal arts college.

Latest News

Be in the know. Get the latest news, stories, highlights and more from the South Carolina Honors College. 

U101 instructor of the year calls on lifetime of experiences to guide students

Kitty Sutton began her professional life as an attorney and thinks the lawyerly ability to hear a person’s story without passing judgment is part of what makes her successful as a University 101 instructor. In fact, her students were so impressed with Sutton’s skills that she is the 2024 recipient of the M. Stuart Hunter Award for Outstanding Teaching in University 101.

For alumna Emma Jackson, every week is a shark week

Emma Jackson, who earned her degree from USC in marine science, is pursuing her passion for elasmobranchs: the family that includes sharks, rays and sawfish.

Student body vice president advocates for good mental health

Courtney Tkacs is committed to fostering a safe community for students on campus while prioritizing mental health activism.

Honors College alumna finds success in higher education

Honors College alumna Kimberly Rogers recently completed her first year as a college president — an impressive achievement for anyone, especially a first-generation university graduate. She took the first steps on that path in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where she discovered a passion that would lead her far.

One-of-a-Kind Lessons

Students share community-building experiences that include the freshman Flotilla, a graduation Revocation, the Semester at the Coast for sciences environmental or health students and the Waverly After-School Program, which provides after school and academic enrichment for underserved students in the Columbia community.

Home is Here

The university’s home — Columbia, South Carolina — is a metropolitan capital city that affords abundant opportunities for internships, research, service learning and just plain fun. Live and learn close to the great Southern coastal or mountain outdoors, a cultural mecca of film, art and theatre, and so much more.

Achieve Beyond the Classroom

Join a college where students are among the best in the state and the country, consistently earning Hollings, Marshall and Goldwater scholar awards. Where 100 percent of students receive scholarships, including Top Scholar Awards. Where a focused faculty and support system help students achieve in areas such as undergrad research, senior thesis and national fellowships.

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Senior Theses

Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.

Zeitgeist of the 2010s and Impact on Fashion Trends , Sophie Scott Anderson

Elevating Academic Administration: A Comprehensive Faculty Dashboard for Tracking Student Evaluations and Research , Musa M. Azeem

The Arabic Influence on the Spanish Language: Sociocultural Mechanisms of Language Change Under Islamic Rule in the Iberian Peninsula , Reagan Borland

An Antidote to the Necropolitical Path of Logic: Ice Pick Lodge's Pathologic Classic HD , Rose Branton

The Sentiments of Drag Performers on Anti-Drag Legislation: a Thematic Analysis , Brian D. Briggs

The Individuality of Bereavement: A Phenomenological Analysis of Sudden Loss Trauma on Young Adults , Teaghan B. Brosokas

‘Kazakh Means Freedom’ - Kazakh Language Policy and National Identity Before and During the Ukraine War , McLean T. Brown

Barriers to Baseball: A Comprehensive Analysis of Factors That Impact Contract Value in Major League Baseball , Ryan A. Crowl

Trois Chansons de Bilitis and Estampes–The Symbolist Movement and the Works of Claude Debussy , Emma J. Devine

"Fueling for a Healthy Life:" A Cooking Class for Adolescent and Young Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors , Hope Dominique

Lyraquist: Language Learning via Music App , Vivian D'Souza, Siri Avula, Mahi Patel, Tanvi Singh, and Ashley Bickham

A Third Way: Christian Philosophy of Music , Eric S. Gardner

A Historical Analysis of Health Institutions, Professionals, and Advocates in the Civil Rights Movement in Columbia, South Carolina , Anusha Ghosh

Twisted Threads: A Novel and Exploration of Fraternity Culture and Race , Christian S. Golden

”To Be or Not to Be – It’s Good”: Actor and Student Experiences in a Drama Club for People with Aphasia , Jade K. Hannan

Investigating the Expression of GROWTH-REGULATING FACTOR 2 (GRF2) in Arabidopsis thaliana , Sophia S. Henry

A Comparison of Health Outcomes in Bare-Metal Stenting Versus Drug-Eluting Stenting , Ryan Hill

The Use of Figurative Suicidal Language by College Students and its Impact on Mental Health and Suicide Stigma , Makayla Hooker

The Contribution of the South Carolina Technical College System to Human Capital, Labor Force Participation, and Employment , Justin Land

Design of a Launchable Remote-Controlled Rover and Protective Aeroshell , Matthew Loewer, Colby Weeks, Lake Williams, and Jackson Zazzaro

Characterization of RNA Binding Proteins Regulating Axonal Localization of Prenyl-Cdc42 mRNA , Ashley I. Loomis

A Longitudinal Study of the Development of Social Anxiety in Young Autistic Children , Gillian K. Marshall

Focus Group and Survey Responses to Postural Feedback During Creative Movement Exploration , Mary C. Matthews

Spectre of Justice: Russian Reform in the Courtrooms of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy , Abby Moore

Meme Stocks, Robinhood, and Wall Street: Retail Investors and Changing Market Dynamics , Nick Murray and Spencer Brosnan

Learning Through Leading: A Survey Based Analysis of the Impact of Leadership Activity at the University of South Carolina on Career Outcome , Rebecca Ann Naglieri

Deciphering the Functional Connections between the Nuclear Paraspeckle and RAD51 Homologous Recombination Proteins using a Yeast Protein Interaction System , Eric J. Nutz

Motivations Behind the Rise and Success of Homeopathy in India , Kavya Patchipulusu

Analyzing Colonial South Carolina's Trade Landscape Through the Ricardian Model , Dylan M. Peddemors

The Health Effects of Chocolate: A Literature Review , Erika A. Pierce

Music as a Coping Mechanism: Clinical Implications of How College Students Utilize Music to Cope with Anxiety, Depression, and Daily Stressors , Karly Pikel

Elucidating the Role of Protease-Activated Receptor 2 in Elastase-Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms , John Pitstick

The Role of Sport for Adolescents: The Effect of Sport Participation as a Unique Form of Physical Activity on Mental Health and Overall Subjective Well-being during Adolescence , Caleb M. Rogers

AI's Influence in the Sports Media Industry , Hanna Schatteman

Exploratory Multiple Regression Analysis of Predictive Factors on Pediatric Concussion Recovery , Jaimeen Shah

The Effect of Dental Insurance Coverage and Economic Fluctuations on Oral Health Outcomes in the United States , Laura Singletary

Facing Two Fronts: Asian Americans Grappling with COVID-19 and Xenophobic Tensions , Matthew Soos

The Impact of Individual Culture on Purchase Decisions of Fast Fashion in Brazil , Lucie S. Speck

Decoding Implant-Related Sickness: Unraveling the Complexities of Breast Implant Illness , Madison M. Stewart

Innovative Retail: A Framework for the Future of Brick-and-Mortar Retail in an Omnichannel Market , Mallory S. Strmel

From Cough to Crip: The Development of Codeine from a Purely Medical Substance into a Popular Recreational Drug , Rhett C. Vaughn

Adherent-Invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) Promotes Mild Colitis in the C57BL/6 IL-10 KO Mouse Model of Crohn's Disease , Sarah SM Zaw

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Black and Battered: The Impact of the Violence Against Women Act on Women of Color , Antonia D. Adams

templates to transition: making solar-generated electricity accessible for lagos residents , Adeola O. Adebajo

Around the Table: A Comparative Study on the Commensality of American and Italian Culture and Its Implications on Wellbeing , Joy Bernal

That’s MY Deity: An Examination of Online Lokean Cultures through Log-Linear Modeling , Mary Bernstein

Immunohistochemical Investigation of WWP1 Expression During Embryonic Heart Development and Its Implications for Cardiac Aging , Savannah L. Bowers

Institutional Intervention in DAT Preparation Among Undergraduate Pre-Dental Students , Remi Brebion

Atomic Utopia: Nuclear Power at the Oconee Power Station in Seneca, South Carolina , Dalton Bridges

Unlikely Heroes: Self-Reflexivity, Comedy, and Reflective Nostalgia in Post-Unification German Film , Lindsay Carney

Mutating Tetur02g09850 Originated From Spider Mites to Enhance Crystallization , Hayley Cash

Bad Blood: Octavia E. Butler Takes a Bite out of Gender and Racial Stereotypes in Fledgling , Abigail Cole

Our Social Packaging: How Labels in Society Affect our Perceptions of Ourselves and What This Implicates for the Overdiagnosis and Self-diagnosis Crisis in Mental Health Conditions , Alexandra X. Cortez

Accessibility of Medical School to Students with Physical Disabilities , Shelby A. Cowan

Making Music Social: Creating a Spotify-Based Social Media Platform , Dalton J. Craven

Assessing the Threat of Social Media to National Security: Information Operations in the 21st Century , Brendan M. Cullen

Motivations and Barriers in College Students for Coffee Consumption from Coffee Shops: A Podcast , Khushi Dave

The Impact of Candidate Sex on Electoral Success in Nonpartisan State Supreme Court Elections , Emma Dickson

Using Podcasts to Bring National Estuarine Research Reserves into the Classroom for Grades 6-12 , Kaitlyn M. Dirr

The Ethical Challenges of Newborn Screening Programs in the United States , Devin Donovan

Free Money: The Feasibility of Implementing a Universal Basic Income in the United States , Chase H. Dorn

Country-of-Origin Information Reports: The Political and Legal Geographies of Central American Migrants , Elise Dosch

Robert Burns’ Poetic Style Through his Poetry, Songs, and Correspondence , Abigail Druckenmiller

Why Word Problems are Hard for High School Math Students: Problem Formulation and Disciplinary Literacy , Emily Charlotte Elliott

The Americans Progress Forgot? An Interdisciplinary Study of the Role of Media in Opiate Politics , Rachael M. Erickson

The Influence of TikTok And Social Media On Body Dissatisfaction And Disordered Eating Behavior In College-Aged Women , Ariana R. Faraci

Toxic Positivity and Perceptions of Mental Health , Madeline E. Feltner

A Comparative Investigation of Tonal Memory Improvements with Electronic and Vocal Pitch Stimulus Training , Grayson M. Fletcher

Girls Just Want to be Safe: An Analysis of Drugged Drinking and Prevention Amongst Students at the University of South Carolina , C. Gray Forsberg

An Exploration of the Social and Economic Factors that Influence the Mental Health of LGBTQ College Students , Alexandria MH Fossum

Noodz: A Strategic Communication Plan for a Startup Restaurant Targeting the College Market , Payton M. Fronapfel

Analyzing the Impact of Salary Discrepancies Between Professional Sports Organizations , Benjamin R. Garner

Mapping Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in South Carolina Surface Waters: Are there Hotspots? , Thomas C. Geiger

Fixing the System: A Comparative Review of the United Kingdom, Germany, and United States’ Healthcare Systems and Lessons Learned for Potential Improvements in the United States , Jessica Goddard

The Future of Bail Reform in the United States , Mary Gorham

Local Translation and Focal Adhesions are Dysregulated in Down Syndrome , Ashlyn Gotberg, Nikita Kirkise M.S., and Kristy Welshhans Ph.D.

Hard Seltzers in Europe: A Sparkling Opportunity? An Analysis of the Market Potential for Hard Seltzers in Europe , Amanda R. Harper

A Comparative Analysis of Adolescent Pregnancy Patient Outcomes In The United States and United Kingdom Healthcare Systems , Liza Hopper

"The Opium of the People" - The Effects of Soviet State Atheism on the Muslims of Central Asia , Joshua Hughes

Temperature Effects on Yield of Ideal Wheat Cultivars , Jeffrey Jiang

Humanity's Fate: An Analysis of Speculative Human Evolution in Literary Fiction , Celeste T. Johnson

The Effects of Mental Health Literacy and Perceived Social Support on Mental Health Stigma Across Racial and Ethnic Groups in the United States: A Survey-based Analysis , Isabel R. Jordan, Dan Cooper, and Jayxa Alonzo

Consumers and Eco-labels: A Quantitative Analysis of the Effects of Various Sustainability Certification Models on Consumer Opinions , William F. Joseph

Role of Nucleus Accumbens Dopamine Receptor Signaling in the Suppression of Punished Reward Seeking , Grace M. Joyner and Anna Caroline Toburen

Balancing Conservation and Enjoyment: A Case Study of Sustainable Tourism in Yellowstone National Park , Rachel E. Killen

Psychosocial Outcomes of African American Traumatic Race-Based Stress , Zenith Lamb

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pediatric Emergency Department Visits for Asthma: A Scoping Review , Peyton Law and Robin Dawson

Comparative Medicaid Policy Analysis Related to Maternal and Infant Birth Outcomes in South Carolina , Cassidy L. Lena

The Economics of Mass Incarceration: How Imprisonment Due to Drug Offenses Impacts the Economy of Texas , Leah N. Letterhos

Understanding Gentrification Outside of the Global Neoliberal Perspective in Hong Kong , Ivy Lu

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Vaccination Rate among the Latino Population in South Carolina , Brynn E. Lynagh

Moral Injury to Inform Analysis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder , Amanda Julia Manea

Parenting During a Pandemic: Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Early Childhood Development , Jessica A. Manes

Heroes or Villains: Modern Rappers and their Effect on Young Adult Males , Jared J. McCabe

Understanding Pressures College Women Feel to Have Sex , Hannah L. McCrone

Racial Differences in Hormonal Contraception Use and Accessibility Among University of South Carolina-Columbia Undergraduate Women , Ian L. Mencken

Avian Scavenging in the Forensic Context , Austin Millwood

The Benefits and Implementation of Open Science Practices in Exercise Science Research , Brendan Moore

The Virtual Classroom: What can be Learned from the COVID-19 Lockdown , James L. Nations

The Associations of Built Environments on College Students' Physical Activity Levels , Catherine M. Neel

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Departmental Scholarships for Current Students

The scholarships on this page are available exclusively to transfer and continuing students of the South Carolina Honors College. Out-of-state students selected for Honors College departmental scholarships are entitled to reduced tuition, which is not the same as in-state tuition. Please see the Bursar’s fee schedule for more information. 

The application is available below during the application period. The recipient often holds the scholarship for his or her undergraduate tenure if eligibility requirements are maintained. The information below is subject to change.  

2024-2025 academic year: The scholarship application is open Monday, April 22, 2024 through Monday, June 3, 2024.

Scholarships Available for the 2024-25 Academic Year: 

Award Amount: $1,725/one academic year.

Eligibility: To qualify, interested students must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and be in good standing with the Honors College. Preference is given to students from New York.

Contact: Honors College Scholarship Office

Award Amount: $600/academic year.

Eligibility: To qualify, interested rising seniors must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, be in good standing with the Honors College, demonstrate financial need (FAFSA form submitted to financial aid), and have scored a 34 or higher on the ACT or a 1490 or higher on the SAT.

Established by Terri and Mark Fishman, parents of an Honors College graduate. 

Award Amount: $1,000/academic year

Eligibility : The Fishman Family and Komito Scholarship is awarded to junior and seniors whose majors are in the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management or who have declared an interest in Pre-law.

Renewal:  If the recipient is a junior, the scholarship may be awarded for one consecutive year given the student maintains his/her current course of study, remains in good standing with the Honors College, and maintains a GPA of 3.5 or better.

Contact:  Honors College Scholarship Office

Established by Greg Smith, a 1988 graduate of the South Carolina Honors College, in memory of an outstanding accounting professor and strong supporter of the Honors College.

Eligibility:  The John S. Herin Scholarship is awarded to an out-of-state student who has completed one year of study. To qualify, interested students must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and be in good standing with the Honors College.

Renewal:  The scholarship is automatically renewed annually if these requirements are still met.

Established by William and Faye McAnulty, parents of an Honors College Alumna.

Award Amount:  $1,000/academic year

Eligibility:  The McAnulty Scholarship is awarded to a rising junior or senior whose major is Sport and Entertainment Management or in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Preference will be given to eligible students in Sport and Entertainment Management.

Renewal:  This award may be automatically renewed for the 4th year of study if the student meets the eligibility requirements and is in good standing with the Honors College.

Established by  the Eta Gamma Chapter of Chi Omega in recognition of the chapter’s upcoming centennial and its commitment to scholarship and community service.  

Award Amount:  $1,000/academic year

Eligibility:  The Chi Omega Centennial Scholarship is awarded to a sophomore, junior or senior who has exhibited a consistent level of commitment to serving others in the local and Gamecock community and who participates in extracurricular activities beyond academia, with priority going to those in financial need. To qualify, interested students must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and be in good standing with the Honors College. Applicants do not have to be members of Chi Omega.

Renewal:  This award is automatically renewed if the student still meets the eligibility requirements.

Established in honor of two former Deans of the South Carolina Honors College.

Award Amount: $1,000/academic year.

Eligibility:  To qualify, interested rising juniors and seniors must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, be in good standing with the Honors College, and demonstrate financial need (FAFSA form submitted to financial aid). Students beyond their 4th year may apply for this award; however, priority will be given to 3rd and 4th year students. Awards to 5th-year students will be made on a funds-available basis.

Renewal:  This scholarship is automatically renewed for rising seniors who received the award as rising juniors if the above requirements continue to be met. Students who receive the award during their 4th year must reapply to receive it in their 5th year.

Award Amount : $1,000/academic year

Eligibility: The Kane Family Scholarship is awarded to a sophomore, junior or senior Education major. To qualify, interested students must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and be in good standing with the Honors College.

Renewal: Scholarship will be renewed annually as long as students meet GPA requirements and remain in good standing with the Honors College.

Scholarships Unavailable for the 2024-25 Academic Year:

Eligibility: The Alvarez Family Scholarship is awarded to a current USC student who is transferring into the Honors College. Preference will be given to students from historically underrepresented populations.

Renewal: The scholarship will be renewed annually for up to three years if the student has a 3.5 GPA or higher and is in good standing with the Honors College.

Established by an anonymous donor to support students who transfer into the Honors College.

Award Amount : $1,150 scholarship each academic year and $450 in CarolinaCa$h annually.

Eligibility: This scholarship is awarded to students who enter the Honors College after their freshmen year. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate financial need and/or who are the first in their family to attend college.

Renewal: This award is automatically renewed if the student still meets the eligibility requirements and is in good standing in the Honors College.

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.

Essay prompts for University of South Carolina Honors Program

Does anyone know if the essay prompts for the Honors program application at University of South Carolina change year to year? If it does not, what were the exact prompts from last years application? Thanks

Supplemental essay prompts definitely can change from year to year. I’d just wait until they release their application, which is tomorrow.

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Honors & Scholars Programs

Carolina Elite is a group of specialized programs within the University of South Carolina designed for high-achieving students. Home to three invitation-only programs — Top Scholars, Honors College and Capstone Scholars — Carolina Elite is a distinguished academic opportunity like no other.

Carolina Elite Programs

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Top Scholars are the university's most distinguished merit award recipients. They display extraordinary academic talent, exemplary character and remarkable leadership skills.

South Carolina Honors College

The South Carolina Honors College is home to some of the nation's brightest students. The Honors College offers more than 600 courses per year, boasts its own residence hall specifically designed to foster collaboration and even offers its own degree.

Capstone Scholars

The Capstone Scholars Program is a two-year educational enrichment program designed to provide opportunities both in and out of the classroom. Capstone Scholars live by the program motto: "Dream big, impact the community, leave a legacy!" 

Applying to Carolina Elite Programs

After you submit your general university application, you may receive an invitation to apply to the South Carolina Honors College and our Top Scholars Award program. If you’re not automatically invited, you may contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at [email protected] to request access to the Honors College application.

You are automatically considered for Capstone Scholars when you apply for freshman admission. No separate application materials are required for review. 

Required Materials

The following materials are required for admission consideration to the South Carolina Honors College and Top Scholars Award program.

You'll provide your high school courses/grades for your senior year only, choose your  major , complete the essay, and list your extracurricular activities, honors and awards. You will also decide whether you want us to consider your ACT / SAT scores in the review process.

All information submitted with your application will be used to determine admission and merit-based scholarship award decisions. For more information on the freshman application visit our freshman application page.

We recommend submitting your general USC Application or Common App by the Oct. 15 Early Action deadline if applying to the Honors College. This will allow you more time to complete the application and essays.

Regardless of which application you select, you must pay the non-refundable $65 application fee or use an ACT, College Board, NACAC, SCOIR or Common App application fee waiver, if eligible.

If you have an application fee waiver, upload it on the payment page before submitting the application.

Upload a legible unofficial copy of your high school transcript in JPG or PDF format. After you submit the application, we’ll review your uploaded transcript and let you know if we need an official one. The unofficial transcript must list grades through the end of your junior year and include your full name and high school name. Do not send an official high school transcript to the admissions office unless it is requested.

If you already graduated from high school, request to have your official transcript sent to USC’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Don't forget to list your senior year courses and credits on the application. You must list the exact amount of credit (full, half, trimester) for each course. You will also need to list all dual enrollment courses you are taking.

USC is test-optional for the spring, summer and fall 2025 terms. This means you are not required to submit SAT and / or ACT scores for admission to the University, South Carolina Honors College admission, or merit scholarship consideration. You will select “Yes” or “No” on the general application to indicate whether you want us to review your test scores as part of the admission process.

If you choose to report your scores on the general application, enter the highest scores for the ACT composite and / or the SAT total. If you took either test more than once, we will superscore using all tests taken. 

USC’s deadline for receipt of test scores is based on the credential deadline associated with your application type. If test scores are received by the credentials deadline, your application will be considered on a space-available basis. We require official scores only if you enroll in USC. Our SAT code is 5818 and our ACT code is 3880.

Review  frequently asked questions  about USC's test-optional policy. 

Students should answer a “yes / no” question on the general application to indicate their interest in applying to the South Carolina Honors College. The separate Honors College application will be added to the USC Admissions Portal approximately 48 hours after submitting the freshman application. Students will receive an email from our office once the application is available.

Students who originally answered “no” on the freshman application and change their minds may email [email protected] to request access to the Honors College application.

Personal Interest Statement: What motivated you to apply to the South Carolina Honors College? Discuss how you would take advantage of the specific opportunities and resources the Honors College offers. How do you envision contributing to and benefiting from the collaborative and engaging community of the Honors College? (150 – 300 words)

Doing Essay: Reflect on your role and responsibilities in an activity — this might be community service, clubs / organizations or any other initiative that has shaped your character and influenced your personal growth. Provide one specific example that showcases your passion and dedication, demonstrating how this outside-the-classroom experience has prepared you to make meaningful contributions to the South Carolina Honors College community. (500 – 1,000 words)

Thinking Essay: The South Carolina Honors College seeks students with a deep intellectual curiosity and a passion for knowledge. Reflect on a topic that has sparked your intellectual curiosity. Explain how this topic has driven you to engage in critical thinking that will contribute to the scholarly community of the Honors College. (500 – 1,000 words)

A letter of recommendation is required by the Dec. 1 credentials deadline. There are two ways to submit the letter:

• Your high school counselor can submit the letter on your behalf via a secure electronic service (including the Common App, Scoir and Naviance).  This is our preferred method. 
• Your recommender may email the letter to [email protected] .

Helpful Hints:

• Ask someone who knows you best to write on your behalf. Recommenders can include teachers, school counselors, coaches, community leaders and even employers.
• Only one letter of recommendation will be considered during the review process.
• Please ask your recommender to only submit your letter once.

Important Dates

Early Action Application Deadline

Apply by Oct. 15 to get an early admissions decision.

Honors College Application Deadline

Apply by Nov. 15  to be considered for Top Scholars awards and the South Carolina Honors College.

Application Credentials Deadline

Send in all required materials by Dec. 1 to complete your application for admission.

Honors College admission notifications will be sent via email by mid-February. If you are named a Top Scholar Candidate, you will be invited to participate in a mandatory interview and in-person event. Capstone Scholars invitations are released in March.

Application Review

The South Carolina Honors College and Top Scholar review is a holistic process that evaluates aspects from the student's application including, but not limited to, academic achievement, leadership potential, a commitment to serving others, intellectual curiosity, high school course rigor, interest in the university and a letter of recommendation.

Academic Profile

These ranges reflect the middle 50% of students who were admitted in 2024 and give you a general idea of where you fall within each academic range.

* Class rank ranges only include students whose high school provides a ranking.

After You Apply

You can check your application status on your   USC Admissions Portal . You can also request changes to your application. Once we've made a decision on your application, you will receive an email instructing you to check your portal.

USC Admissions Portal

Connect with an Honors Ambassador

Honors Ambassadors love to answer questions about life at the Honors College!

Carolina Elite Brochure 

Download our Carolina Elite brochure to learn more about our programs. 

Connect with Us

Have questions about Carolina Elite? Let the admissions office help you!

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Courses and Requirements

Honors students are expected to make satisfactory progress toward graduating from the Honors College. This requires students to have taken a minimum of 45 Honors College course credits. Please note that H-Option course credits count towards meeting the minimum Honors College course credit requirements. A grade of “C” or better is required for a course to count both toward acceptable progress and also toward graduation from the University with honors from the Honors College.

South Carolina Honors College courses are designated either by the “SCHC” prefix, or under the appropriate departmental prefix (e.g., “MATH,” “ENGL”). The SCHC prefix is used for courses designed specifically for the Honors College, and which have no direct equivalent in the regular University curriculum. Honors College versions of University courses are distinguished by alpha-numerical section designators beginning with an H (e.g., H01, H02). A section number of “H10” is used for an Honors College section within a larger, non- Honors course. Students should keep in mind that the Honors College cannot be responsible for providing all the courses necessary to finish any particular discipline’s major.

The Honors College provides courses that fulfill University distribution requirements and that enrich your academic experience. However, in several disciplines some advanced Honors College courses that contribute toward completion of that discipline’s major may not be available. Your Honors College advisor will work with you to make graduating possible. With the approval of the appropriate dean or department chair, all Honors College courses may count toward group, area, major, minor, cognate, or elective requirements. Specific questions concerning equivalents should be directed to the Honors College Student Services office.

Honors seniors are required to fulfill additional requirements. Learn more on our graduation page. 

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University of South Carolina | USC’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Common app personal essay.

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

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My chances at University of South Carolina Honors College?

I’ve already been accepted to regular admission and I was wondering if you guys thought I likely got into the honors college.

Here’s my info: GPA: 4.34 on a 5.0 scale, 26 class rank SAT: 1480 -790 math & 690 English I did get accepted into the mathematics major program AP tests- Calc AB-5, Psych-4, APUSH-3, APES-2 Senior year courses- AP Stats, Band, AP Physics 1&2, APCSP, AP Human Geo Extracurriculars: Jazz Band, Marching Band(leadership as well), Multiple honor bands, pit orchestra(for musicals), NHS, and this thing called APALS(a club my school started for people that have taken 4 or more AP classes before senior year) I’m also not in South Carolina if that affects anything.

I’m really stressed and scared and want to know what y’all think about my chances of getting in.

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The 10 Best Honors Colleges and Programs

College Admissions , College Info

For students who are really set on enrolling in a quality honors program, it's important to learn about some of the best honors colleges before making that big decision. That's especially true because your honors program will dictate how difficult your classes are...and the perks you get from doing well in them!

We're here to help you get all the information you need about the top honors programs in the country so you can pick the program that's right for you. In this article, we'll:

• Explain what an honors college is
• Provide our research-based ranking of the ten top honors colleges and programs at U.S. colleges and universities
• Give you five tips for applying to top college honors programs

Ready? Let's dive in!

Feature Image: slgckgc/ Flickr

What Is an Honors College?

Honors colleges and honors programs are supplemental and/or alternative learning programs that undergraduate students can complete while pursuing a traditional bachelor's degree.

Honors colleges typically function independently within a larger university system, similar to the college of business or the college of arts and sciences at a big university. Additionally, honors colleges typically come with their own funding, facilities, faculty, course offerings, and perks for their students. In many instances, honors colleges can offer their students more rigorous educational opportunities since they serve fewer students and often have better funding than the bigger colleges within a university system.

College honors programs , on the other hand, function like an academic track. Eligible students can follow honors programs' guidelines to receive a more rigorous education and an honors distinction at graduation. At many universities, these honors programs are managed by individual departments. While honors programs aren't usually big enough to constitute a college within the university system, honors programs can still offer students the opportunity to take special courses and participate in extracurricular activities that aren't open to "regular" students.

If honors colleges and honors programs sound similar...that's because they are! They both give qualifying college students the opportunity to pursue a more challenging educational track and graduate with honors. Even more importantly, honors colleges and programs provide students with the opportunity to get an elite education at colleges and universities of all kinds.

While honors colleges across the U.S. are pretty similar in terms of their rigor and individualized attention, some honors colleges stand out from the rest . The best honors colleges support and reflect their universities' mission and identity, create ties to their community, and offer top-tier resources to support their students' career goals. Enrolling in an honors college can help set you on the path to long-term success.

If you're still curious about honors college and want to learn more, check out our introductory guide to honors colleges in the United States .

We considered many different factors, like academic rigor and funding opportunities, when deciding which schools to put on our list.

Our Methodology for Choosing the Best Honors Colleges

Now that you know a little more about honors colleges, it's time to look at the best honors colleges in the US. Here's our methodology for our honors college rankings.

To put together our list, we evaluated honors colleges based on admissions requirements, curricular and extracurricular program offerings, community, financial aid opportunities, and innovative approaches to the honors educational experience. The colleges that made our list offer rigorous coursework, tailored learning plans, excellent funding opportunities, and unique or out-of-the-box learning experiences.

During our research, we found that there are many different types of honors colleges and programs out there, and every honors college is unique. And you know what? That's a great thing! Every student is different, so our goal is to include a diverse array of honors colleges so you can find your perfect fit.

Now that you know how to navigate our list of the nine best honors colleges, let's look more closely at our picks for the ten best honors colleges and programs in the U.S.

Barrett College at Arizona State University tops our list of best honors colleges in the United States.

The 10 Best Honors Colleges

We've divided up our list of the ten best honors colleges into three main categories: the best honors colleges, best honors programs, and best affordable honors colleges.

The Best Honors Colleges

These are honors colleges that are stand-alone schools within a university. They can have the benefit of additional funding, school-wide extracurriculars, and sometimes even additional distinctions at graduation!

Here are the honors colleges that are at the top of PrepScholar's list.

Barrett College, Arizona State University

• Location: Tempe, Arizona

Barrett College, the honors college at Arizona State University, is a stand-alone college within the ASU system. Ranked #1 among honors colleges in the United States , Barrett College has a presence on ASU's four campuses in Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, and Glendale, Arizona

In the 2021-2022 academic year, Arizona State had an 88% acceptance rate, which means it's an accessible school for many students. Though Barrett College doesn't publicize its acceptance rate, it does provide other stats that can help prospective students know where they stand as applicants. For example, the average unweighted high school GPA of students admitted into Barret in 2021 was 3.81 . In terms of test scores, the average composite score on the SAT was 1347, and the average composite ACT score was 29. If your GPA and test scores are above average, you have a better shot at getting into Barrett.

Despite the large number of students attending Barrett College, honors class sizes are still small. In addition to offering a required sequence of signature honors courses (the central theme being "The Human Event"), Barrett College allows students to conduct research and thesis projects , has a private writing center for Barrett students, and offers many global internship, study abroad , and real-world service opportunities. Barrett College also provides quality housing facilities for the majority of its nearly 7,100 first- and second-year undergraduate honors students.

Barrett is nationally prestigious, and is among the top 20 universities in the US for recipients of the Fulbright fellowship . It's also the only honors college that has a Nobel Prize recipient teaching undergraduates.

Schreyer Honors College (SHC), Pennsylvania State University

• Location: University Park, Pennsylvania

Schreyer Honors College is Penn State's honors college. Considered one of the top honors colleges in the nation , Schreyer provides approximately 2,000 honors college "Scholars" with an educational experience that is dedicated to academic integrity, fostering a global perspective, and rich opportunities for leadership and civic engagement.

The acceptance rate to Penn State is about 54% , but the average acceptance rate to Schreyer Honors College is between 8-10% , making this one of the more competitive public university honors colleges. Another unique feature of Schreyer Honors College is it doesn't consider SAT/ACT scores or high school GPA as part of the application process . Instead, the Schreyer admissions committee is interested in the creative thinking and authenticity applicants demonstrate in their admissions materials.

Schreyer also offers an abundance of honors-specific courses for admitted students. In fact, Schreyer offers over 300 smaller-sized honors courses to its students , usually taught by senior faculty members. Schreyer students also have the benefit of access to priority registration and living learning communities (LLCs) in residence halls that primarily house honors students .

One stand-out offering at Schreyer Honors College is the Integrated Undergraduate Graduate (IUG) Program . The IUG program allows exceptional students to complete their undergraduate and graduate degrees concurrently, or at the same time. Eligible students will be able to meet the requirements for this accelerated program by completing an honors thesis that meets both undergraduate and graduate standards and taking a series of cross-listed undergraduate and graduate courses. If you're interested in enrolling in an honors college and completing an accelerated graduate degree program, Schreyer could be a good fit for you!

Clemson Honors College at Clemson University offers honors students a rigorous academic experience. ( Spyder_Monkey /Wikimedia)

Clemson  Honors College, Clemson University

• Location: Clemson, South Carolina

Clemson University's honors college is called Clemson Honors College. Clemson’s acceptance rate is 62%, and while Clemson Honors College doesn’t publish its admissions rates, it’s likely that getting in is more challenging. That’s because the honors college has more rigorous GPA requirements: the minimum required GPA for the honors college is a 3.7, but most students accepted to Clemson Honors College far exceed that minimum.

There are plenty of benefits to being an honors student at Clemson. Honors students receive priority registration, extended library privileges, and are eligible to apply for research grants to support their Departmental Honors research projects at the beginning of both the fall and spring semesters.

Another stand-out feature of Clemson  Honors College is the brand new Honors Residential College (HRC) facility , which includes housing and dining for honors students, administrative offices, a library, study rooms, classrooms, and a kitchen. These facilities are available exclusively to honors students, so you'll have the space you need to study (and have fun, too).

Clemson Honors College also offers many unique academic opportunities, including the highly selective EUREKA! Program . The EUREKA! Program invites 50 incoming honors freshmen (25 in person, 25 online) to participate in research projects over a five week period before the start of the fall semester. Many EUREKA! Program participants go on to receive elite scholarships and fellowships , such as the Rhodes, Fulbright, Goldwater, Marshall, and Truman scholarships.

Rutgers University Honors College

• Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey

The Honors College at Rutgers University is both a stand-alone school and a student living-learning community . The goal of the honors college is to blend the classroom and the community to create a transformative learning experience for its students.

The Rutgers acceptance rate is 67% , and while the honors college doesn't publish its admissions rates, it's safe to assume that getting in is more competitive. The test scores of accepted students reflect that idea: the median SAT score for the Honors College class of 2022 is 1530 (the composite SAT score for non-honors students is 1300).

Luckily for incoming students, there isn't a separate or additional application for the Honors College. The Honors College admissions committee uses the general Rutgers application to determine who will be admitted into the honors program.

Once admitted into the college, honors students have access to top-notch facilities and academic resources . The Honors College at Rutgers has its own state-of-the-art building, which is the hub for honors courses and seminars, research opportunities, an Innovation Lab, on-site academic advising, and lounges where honors students can build community and even get to know live-in faculty.

One of the best things about the Honors College at Rutgers is that all honors students receive a four year renewable scholarship . The Honors College also provides additional scholarship opportunities for study abroad, research projects, and even has an Honors College Student Emergency Fund for students who encounter unexpected financial hardship.

The University of Texas at Austin takes the top spot in our list of the best honors programs in the United States. (Kumar Appaiah /Flickr)

Best Honors Programs

The biggest difference between an honors college and an honors program is that honors colleges are stand-alone schools within the university system, and honors programs are not. For our list, we focused on finding the best university-wide honors programs in the United States.

Plan II Honors Program, University of Texas at Austin

Location: Austin, Texas

The College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin offers the Plan II Honors Program, which is an interdisciplinary arts and sciences major with a core curriculum. Unlike stand-alone honors colleges like the ones listed above, the Plan II Honors Program is housed within UT's College of Liberal Arts .

Sometimes called a "public Ivy," UT has a 32% acceptance rate. Plan II, however, usually receives around 1400 applications every year and only admits around 175 freshman honors students every fall. (In other words, getting into Plan II can be a little tough!)

Plan II Honors is a prime example of the difference between an honors college and honors program . As an honors program, Plan II Honors doesn't have its own housing, nor are its programs consolidated in one stand-alone honors college. However, Plan II does have its own scholarship and grant programs, study abroad opportunities, and student clubs.

A major perk of the Plan II Honors Program at UT is its flexibility. For students who are interested in double majoring, combining multiple UT honors programs, or even getting a second degree concurrently, Plan II Honors is a great choice. Over 70% of Plan II Honors students complete the requirements for a second, third, or fourth major , and close to 35% complete the requirements for a second degree. That makes the Plan II honors program great for ambitious students who are pursuing a more interdisciplinary course of study!

Echols Scholars Program, University of Virginia

• Location: Charlottesville, Virginia

The honors program at the University of Virginia (UVA) is called Echols Scholars Program. UVA's Echols Scholars Program is housed within the College of Arts & Sciences at UVA.

The acceptance rate to UVA is around 23%, making it one of the most competitive schools on our list. Luckily, all applicants to the College of Arts & Sciences first-year class are automatically reviewed for admission to Echols. Each new class of Echols students typically has approximately 200 students, so if you want to get into Echols, you'll need to make sure your UVA application stands out from the crowd .

The key value that defines the Echols is that students get the opportunity to shape the program. For instance, the Echols Council is a student-led governing body that represents Echols students and works with the honors program's administration to design and implement initiatives that give students the best learning experience.

Another unique opportunity that the Echols Scholars Program offers is the Echols Interdisciplinary Major . The Echols website explains, "The principle underlying the Echols Interdisciplinary Major is that no existing major, or combination of majors, fully satisfies a student's broader interests." This means that Echols students have the chance to create their own course of study that best fits their future career goals. If you want the chance to chart your own course in college, you may be a great fit for the Echols Scholars Program.

University Honors Program, the University of Kansas

• Location: Lawrence, Kansas

The University of Kansas Honors Program, which is more commonly referred to as "University Honors," is a campus-wide honors program open to students of all majors.

The acceptance rate to KU is about 91% , but acceptance to the University Honors Program is highly competitive. The average GPA for freshmen entering the honors program is 3.95, which is much higher than the average GPA of all incoming freshmen, which is 3.6. To get into the honors program, students have to apply to University Honors as part of the KU admissions application, which requires you to submit an additional essay and short answer response.

The University Honors program at KU is built on the concept of experiential learning . To graduate from University Honors, students are required to earn "Honors Experience" units by engaging in Enhanced Learning Experiences (ELEs) . ELEs at KU include opportunities in public service, cultural literacy and social justice, global citizenship, aesthetic engagement, professional development and social entrepreneurship, leadership, and research. Honors students can even propose alternative experiences of their own design to meet the ELE requirement.

Honors College, University of South Carolina

• Location: Columbia, South Carolina

The Honors College at the University of South Carolina is one of the larger honors college programs on this list, with roughly 2,300 students, but that doesn't mean they receive fewer resources. In fact, the honors college offers nearly 600 honors courses, as well as the option (only available to honors students) to design your own major. Average class size for honors college classes is only 16, so students there also get more one-on-one interaction.

The acceptance rate to the University of South Carolina is roughly 68%, with an estimated SAT midrange of1100-1300 and an estimated ACT midrange of 21 to 29 for South Carolina residents, and an SAT midrange of 1250-1400 and ACT midrange of 28-32 for nonresidents. For the honors college, the SAT midrange is 1410-1520, the ACT midrange is 32-34, and the average weighted GPA of admitted honors students is 4.77.

Honors college students benefit from additional perks like honors-specific living communities in particular dorms and strong financial aid packages. The Honors College at the University of South Carolina has also received the highest ranking among public school honors programs for the fifth straight time by the publication  Inside Honors.

An impressive 87% of Macaulay Honors College students graduate debt free! Beyond My Ken /Wikimedia

Best "Bang for Your Buck" Honors Programs and Colleges

If you're looking to get the most out of your educational dollars, you might consider enrolling in an honors college or program that offers financial assistance. Here are two honors colleges that can give you a top-tier education without breaking the bank.

Macaulay Honors College, City University of New York (CUNY)

• Location: New York City, New York

Macaulay Honors College is the independent honors college housed within the City University of New York (CUNY). Macaulay is affiliated with eight senior colleges within the CUNY system and has a presence on the following CUNY campuses: Baruch College, Brooklyn College, City College, Hunter College, John Jay College, Lehman College, Queens College, and the College of Staten Island (CSI). And guess what? All of these campuses are located in New York City!

CUNY is pretty selective—the university's acceptance rate is about 51%. Macaulay itself is also competitive, offering just 520 seats to incoming students across all eight campuses each year. To apply to Macaulay, prospective students must submit a high school transcript, resume, two letters of recommendation, and two maximum 500 word essay responses.

While Macaulay scholars will spend most of their time studying at their home campus, they will have the opportunity to attend lectures, seminars, and even take courses at the other CUNY campuses in New York City. In fact, Macaulay makes learning about New York City a key feature of its honors education. To that end, Macaulay students receive free admission to hundreds of the city's cultural institutions, and participate in required honors seminars that use New York City as a teaching tool.

Besides its exceptional honors education, perhaps the most appealing thing about Macaulay Honors College is its financial aid package . Macaulay offers all of its students a merit scholarship package that includes tuition and a laptop computer, plus access to funding to support study abroad, research, and internship opportunities. Most impressively, 87% of Macaulay students graduate debt-free!

Macaulay's excellent academics—they even have a Nobel Prize winner on faculty— and its generous financial aid package makes it an excellent value. High-achieving students who have limited funds (but want to get a top-tier education!) should definitely consider CUNY's Macaulay Honors College.

The University of Alabama Honors College

• Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The honors college at the University of Alabama, which enrolled students call "UA Honors," is a stand-alone college within the larger University of Alabama campus.

Admissions into UA Honors is equally competitive : applicants must have a minimum ACT score of 30, minimum SAT score of 1360, and a 3.5 high school GPA or higher to get accepted to UA Honors. There is a fast track into UA Honors for certain students: National Merit Finalists and National Achievement Finalists are admitted automatically once they complete the honors application.

UA Honors offers admitted students tons of academic opportunities . One of the most prestigious is the Randall Research Scholars program , which is the first interdisciplinary research program in the United States. Randal Research Scholars learn how to combine computing skills with their academic interests to perform high-level research in their field.

UA Honors also offers top-tier leadership and service opportunities through the University Fellows Experience . This four-year program allows students to develop elite leadership skills while empowering them to give back to the community around them through service and mentorship. The combination of academics and service offered by UA Honors helps honors graduates stand out as they embark on their future careers.

The amazing academic and extracurricular activities available through UA Honors comes at a reasonable price, too. That's because UA Honors offers some of the most generous merit aid packages in the country to its students . At least eleven different types of merit and need based scholarships are available to UA honors students. On top of those scholarships, UA Honors students are eligible for study abroad scholarships and research fellowships.

5 Tips for Applying to Top College Honors Programs

Applying to college is already a demanding task. If you're planning to apply to honors colleges on top of that, you've got your work cut out for you!

Our list of five tips for applying to top honors colleges can help simplify the honors application process.

Tip 1: Do Your Research Before You Apply

Lots of prospective honors students consult the annual honors college rankings to help them decide which honors colleges to apply to. But rankings are just the tip of the iceberg! You can—and should!— learn a lot about college honors programs just by browsing university websites before you make any decisions about where to apply.

Honors college applications can be long and involved. You want to make sure you know that an honors college is a good fit for you before you dump your time and energy into a secondary application. By doing a little research up front, you'll save yourself precious time during college application season.

Tip 2: Learn How You're Being Evaluated

You can almost always find out the average SAT/ACT scores and GPA of students who are accepted to a school's honors college before you apply. Many college honors programs have higher requirements for standardized test scores and GPAs that determine whether an applicant qualifies for admission.

Though you shouldn't necessarily let your GPA, class rank, or standardized test scores deter you from applying to honors colleges, these numbers can help give you an idea of where you stand going into the application process. If your scores and GPA are a lot lower than the honor program's stated requirements, then you may have a hard time getting in.

On the other hand, some schools no longer take SAT/ACT scores and GPA into account as a part of their honors college applications. These schools are more interested in learning about who you are through written essays and short answer questions. If you're applying to these schools, you can't plan to simply rely on a perfect SAT score or 4.0 GPA—you'll need to make sure you're a well-rounded candidate before you decide to apply.

The bottom line? Go into the application process knowing how different honors colleges are going to evaluate you and what qualities they're looking for. This will help you know which components of the application to focus your energy on.

Tip 3: Brush Up on Your Writing Skills

We've already mentioned that honors college applications are more demanding than regular college apps, usually because they ask you to write additional essays as part of the application process.

Also, the essay prompts usually require you to think creatively about yourself, your intellectual interests, and global issues. While some honors colleges ask standard questions like "why this school," most are going to ask you to think way outside the box. (For examples of essay questions like these—and to prepare yourself for what you may see on an honors college application— check out the University of Chicago's essay prompts .)

You'll also want to apply for special scholarships or fellowships available through your selected honors programs. Most merit-based scholarship applications include a required essay section that asks you to explain what experiences, achievements, or goals make you the best candidate for the scholarship. That's right— more writing!

Are you starting to see how the essays can add up if you plan to apply to an honors college? Don't worry, though! If you're prepared to write persuasively about your skills and achievements, you're prepared to show that you're an amazing honors college candidate.

Tip 4: Be Ready for an On-Campus Interview

Sometimes (though not always) honors colleges will narrow their applicant pool by inviting select applicants to visit their university's campus for an in-person interview . There are some great things about being invited to an on-campus interview: you get to meet faculty and current students, and you'll get to tour the college's facilities.

There are also some scary things about an interview: namely, it will help admissions officers determine whether you'll be invited into the program or not.

Does this sound nerve-wracking? Don't worry: you can take a lot of the anxiety out of the interview process with a little preparation. Our guide to conquering the college interview is a great place to start !

Tip 5: Be Yourself!

It may sound cheesy, but honors colleges want to get to know you through your application. Don't lie or exaggerate to try and impress the admissions committee! You're already a great student: all you have to do is put together an equally great, authentic application .

Keep in mind that creativity and curiosity are two of the qualities that honors colleges desire the most in potential students. If you can demonstrate what makes you a creative thinker and what intellectual topics get you excited in your application essays, you'll be more likely to stand out to the faculty and staff members who evaluate your application materials!

What's Next?

If getting into an honors college your goal, then you need to make sure you're setting yourself up for success. This starts with having a solid GPA . First, make sure you're calculating your GPA correctly . Once you figure out what your current GPA is, you can focus on raising it as quickly as possible !

Once your GPA is looking good, it's time to start focusing on your test scores. Having good test scores is one key to getting into the honors program of your dreams! The first step is deciding whether you should take the SAT or ACT . Then it's time to start studying. Check out our expert SAT study tips and expert ACT study tips to make sure you're studying smarter and harder.

But like we mentioned earlier, the best honors programs know that you're more than just your grades and test scores. Honors colleges want to see that you're involved in things beyond school, which is where extracurriculars come in . This article will teach you everything you need to know about writing about extracurriculars on your college applications so that you stand out from the crowd.

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Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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University of South Carolina Requirements for Admission

What are University of South Carolina's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into University of South Carolina and build a strong application.

School location: Columbia, SC

This school is also known as: Carolina, SC

Admissions Rate: 64.1%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at University of South Carolina is 64.1% . For every 100 applicants, 64 are admitted.

This means the school is moderately selective . The school expects you to meet their requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but they're more flexible than other schools. If you exceed their requirements, you have an excellent chance of getting in. But if you don't, you might be one of the unlucky minority that gets a rejection letter.

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

University of South Carolina GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.66

The average GPA at University of South Carolina is 3.66 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.66, University of South Carolina requires you to be above average in your high school class. You'll need at least a mix of A's and B's, with more A's than B's. You can compensate for a lower GPA with harder classes, like AP or IB classes. This will show that you're able to handle more difficult academics than the average high school student.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.66, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

University of South Carolina hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to University of South Carolina will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

University of South Carolina SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1275

The average SAT score composite at University of South Carolina is a 1275 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes University of South Carolina Competitive for SAT test scores.

University of South Carolina SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1180, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1370. In other words, a 1180 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1370 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

University of South Carolina has the Score Choice policy of "All Scores."

This means that University of South Carolina requires you to send all SAT scores you've ever taken to their office.

This sounds daunting, but most schools don't actually consider all your scores equally. For example, if you scored an 1300 on one test and a 1500 on another, they won't actually average the two tests.

More commonly, the school will take your highest score on a single test date. Even better, some schools form a Superscore - that is, they take your highest section score across all your test dates and combine them.

Some students are still worried about submitting too many test scores. They're afraid that University of South Carolina will look down on too many attempts to raise your score. But how many is too many?

From our research and talking to admissions officers, we've learned that 4-6 tests is a safe number to submit . The college understands that you want to have the best chance of admission, and retaking the test is a good way to do this. Within a reasonable number of tests, they honestly don't care how many times you've taken it. They'll just focus on your score.

If you take it more than 6 times, colleges start wondering why you're not improving with each test. They'll question your study skills and ability to improve.

But below 6 tests, we strongly encourage retaking the test to maximize your chances. If your SAT score is currently below a 1275, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You don't have much to lose, and you can potentially raise your score and significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

University of South Carolina ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, University of South Carolina likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 28

The average ACT score at University of South Carolina is 28. This score makes University of South Carolina Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 25, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 31.

Even though University of South Carolina likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 25 or below, you'll have a harder time getting in, unless you have something else impressive in your application.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 28 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to University of South Carolina, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 28.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

University of South Carolina considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is moderately selective, strong academic performance will almost guarantee you admission . Scoring a 1370 SAT or a 31 ACT or above will nearly guarantee you admission. Because the school admits 64.1% of all applicants, being far above average raises the admission rate for you to nearly 100%.

If you can achieve a high SAT/ACT score, the rest of your application essentially doesn't matter. You still need to meet the rest of the application requirements, and your GPA shouldn't be too far off from the school average of 3.66. But you won't need dazzling extracurriculars and breathtaking letters of recommendation to get in. You can get in based on the merits of your score alone.

But if your score is a 1180 SAT or a 25 ACT and below, you have a good chance of being one of the unlucky few to be rejected.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

• PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
• We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
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There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of University of South Carolina here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Not accepted
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $65
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office None

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language 2
• Social Studies 2
• Electives 1

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes December 1 March 15
• Yes October 15 December 15

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 1244 Columbia, SC 29208
• Phone: (803) 777-7000 x7000
• Email: [email protected]

Our Expert's Notes

We did more detailed research into this school's admissions process and found the following information:

Complete a general application by December 1 to be considered for scholarships. A full list of scholarships for both in-state and out-of-state students is available here .

If you're interested in the Honors College, you will complete an honors application alongside your general university application, due November 15th. Additionally, if you apply by December 1 you will be considered for the Capstone Scholars program , a two-year enrichment program.

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in University of South Carolina, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to University of South Carolina.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than University of South Carolina. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for University of South Carolina, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for University of South Carolina, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If University of South Carolina is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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