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Students wearing harnesses and helmets sitting at the top of the ropes course laughing.

University 101

Grow into your college experience at the University of South Carolina through a highly specialized curriculum that's designed to help you succeed both personally and academically.

Build a Lasting Foundation

College is a transformative time. Challenging academics, new experiences, being in a different place or transferring schools — it takes some adjustment. University 101 helps you bridge these transitions with greater success, connect with peers and access the full scope of university resources.

University 101 is USC's groundbreaking course created to foster student success, development and transitions into, throughout and beyond the University of South Carolina. Nationally recognized as having the nation’s top public first-year experience by U.S. News & World Report, the university has also been named an Institution of Excellence in the First College Year by the Policy Center on the First Year of College.

 

A University 101 class poses for a photo on the sidelines of the Williams Brice Stadium football field.
USC stamp with text Nation's Best #1 First-Year Experience U.S. News.

South Carolina's hallmark University 101 program is a national model for first-year seminars and consistently named by U.S. News & World Report as a "Program to Look For.”

I’m still friends with half the class, and we’re all excelling. We started as a U101 class where we didn’t know anyone, and we left feeling like we were a family.

Marvin Mitchell, Darla Moore School of Business student
Marvin Mitchell with his University 101 class gathered together smiling at the camera.

Curriculum

Students achieve greater success when University 101 is part of their academic pathway. How do we know? Our years of research show that University 101 students consistently experience higher first-year persistence rates, six-year graduation rates and first-year GPAs than unenrolled students. 

  • Students at a table studying together.

    Study Skills

    Students learn not only academic strategies to apply to coursework and learning, but also critical skills like time and priority management.

  • Group of students gathered around the Cocky Statue.

    University Connection

    Students cultivate a connection with their alma mater by learning about the university's history and enduring traditions.

  • Student having a converstion sitting at a table with a professor.

    Positive Relationships

    The enhanced interactions from faculty and staff members help students establish a strong sense of belonging and connect with peers on a deeper level.

 

First-Year Reading Experience

First-year students share a common academic experience — a book to read during the summer — followed by on-campus programming that includes an opportunity to hear from the author.

First-Year Reading Experience
Student at an outdoor table reading the First-Year Reading Experience book

Sophomore Success

Build on a great first year with an even better second year. Our Sophomore Success program supports and engages second-year students in academic success and integrative learning activities.

Sophomore Success Program
Group of students gathered together at a table.

Start your future.

Get your first year at South Carolina started now. Find the application you need to begin the admissions process for an undergraduate, graduate or professional degree from the University of South Carolina.

Undergraduate Admissions
A University 101 class gathered together wearing helmets in front of the rope course

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