From the Director's Chair

Well, for all the high school seniors out there, tomorrow, May 1 is an important day.  It is the day many of you will have to make up your mind on where you are going to spend your next four years. 

May 1 is the national commitment date by which most competitive colleges and universities require an enrollment deposit to secure a space in the freshman class.  Carolina is no different, and while most students have already decided, many are still trying to make that final decision. 

Most people have heard that admission to Carolina is more competitive this year than ever before.  To accommodate the demand we have had to admit students for Spring, or "second semester", and we also have a waiting list for Fall.    So, if you are still undecided and you haven't sent in your enrollment deposit yet, you need to realize that on May 2 it will be too late, so don't miss the deadline!  

If you are on the wait list and anxiously waiting to hear if we can admit you for Fall, it will be a couple of weeks yet before you hear.  See, we accept deposits that are paid on-line by 11:59pm, EDT, May 1, or that are postmarked by the US Postal Service on May 1.  It takes us several days to count up the final numbers, and only then will we know if any space for Fall is available.

And remember, the enrollment deposit is just that, a deposit, not a fee.  It will apply to your fall semester as a credit when you enroll.  But, if you don't enroll Fall semester, the deposit is forfeited to the University.

So, now is the time to make up your mind.  No matter what you decide, all of us at USC are proud to have been among the schools you considered, and once you make your decision, be happy and don't look back!

Posted by Scott at 04:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I'm not sure it is possible to put into words the agony and concern the faculty, staff, students, and entire USC community feels right now for our friends and colleagues at Virgina Tech.  We can only imagine what those who have lost friends and loved ones must be going through.  Needless to say, like all colleges and universities, we are deeply saddened by Monday's events, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Virginia Tech family.

Here is a statement from the USC Office of the President:

President Andrew Sorensen and the entire University of South Carolina family extend their sympathy, thoughts, and prayers to the Virginia Tech faculty, staff, students and their families in the aftermath of today's tragic shootings.

Anyone at Carolina who wants to discuss his feelings with a counselor may contact the Counseling and Human Development Center at 777-5223. The Carolina Campus Ministries are also available for consultation.

Carolina Campus Ministries is also sponsoring the following:

The University of South Carolina will host "A Time of Remembrance" for the Virginia Tech community at Rutledge Chapel on the historic Horseshoe at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 19. 

This will be an occasion to offer words of hope, to reflect and to be in solidarity with the Virginia Tech community in the wake of the recent tragedy.  

The event is sponsored by Carolina Campus Ministries and concerned students.

While there is nothing any of us can do to undo what has been done, the Carolina Community nonetheless wants to to do something, anything, to show our concern.  For up to date information on how USC is responding emotionally and addressing the concerns of our community, here are some useful links:

student news media: www.dailygamecock.com

faculty experts: http://uscnews.sc.edu/FACU129.html

USC News: http://uscnews.sc.edu/

It is my sincere hope that future gamecocks and their families will join us in keeping Virginia Tech in your thoughts and prayers.

Posted by Scott at 02:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)