As students from the Upstate have relocated to their next 4-year home and are settling into college campus life, we wanted to know: Why choose the University of South Carolina? (Besides having the #1-ranked undergrad biz school and a top-10 hospitality + tourism program.)

It’s a decision that 366 first-year students from Greenville County made this year:

55% of those students come from JL Mann, Mauldin, Riverside, Eastside, and Greenville Senior High Schools
61% are female
28% identify as an underrepresented minority
3 most popular majors among this group are biological sciences, business, and nursing (Read: These kids are going places. And this year’s class of incoming freshmen is extra smart.)

What we tried:

We spoke to 4 incoming UofSC freshmen from the Upstate to hear why they chose to go to college at the University of South Carolina — and headed down to Columbia for First Night Carolina to see the hype for ourselves.

What not to miss:

These 4 Upstate students’ reasons why they chose UofSC:

🐔 Sofia Sea, Travelers Rest High School: “I chose University of South Carolina because I am a business major, and I believe Darla Moore would provide me with one of the best educations for my particular field of study. I also was able to meet some students who were attending and instantly fell in love with the intelligence and drive those students possessed. When I visited campus it seemed like the environment that would suit me the most!”

🐔 Robert Cassels, Greenville High School: “I chose University of South Carolina because when I stepped on campus, it instantly felt like home!”

🐔 Elizabeth (Eia) Cole, Wade Hampton High School: “I chose University of South Carolina because of the overwhelming sense of community that the university gives off. I want to be a part of that all-in community."

🐔 Ella Darby, JL Mann High School: “I have been a University of South Carolina Gamecock my whole life, and I would have not wanted to go anywhere else for my college experience. I can’t imagine myself at any other school. The atmosphere is one you simply can’t beat, and I can’t wait for the next four years!”

Incoming freshmen at University of South Carolina’s welcome event, First Night Carolina | Photo by Kim Truett/University of South Carolina

What we’re still talking about:

First Night Carolina, the UofSC Welcome event that all incoming freshmen are encouraged to attend after move-in and before classes. This year’s event had a DJ, Cocky the mascot, crowd surfing, games like Ski Ball, snow cones, Gamecock cheerleaders + celebs, and fireworks… to name a few. Watch what went down.

Scenes from First Night Carolina 2021 | Video via University of South Carolina

Incoming freshmen at University of South Carolina’s welcome event, First Night Carolina | Photo by Kim Truett/University of South Carolina

Fireworks at First Night Carolina 2021 | Photo by Kim Truett/University of South Carolina

Fireworks at First Night Carolina 2021 | Video via University of South Carolina

How you can experience this:

Visit the University of South Carolina (the Horseshoe during fall: *chef’s kiss*) and apply. Spurs up. 🤙

Things to know if you go:

Experience: Choosing the University of South Carolina for college
Website: https://sc.edu/
Address: Columbia, SC 29208
Social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Ⓟ