The University of South Carolina is located in Columbia, the state's capitol city and cultural hub. It has been in this location for over two hundred years, with the old section of campus (the "Horseshoe") being widely recognized for its lasting beauty. Greater Columbia has over 583,000 people, over 600 restaurants, 8 major hospitals, and 5 large shopping malls. The city of Columbia is located 2 1/2 hours by car from the Grand Strand at Myrtle Beach, 2 hours from historic Charleston, and 2 hours from the scenic Smoky Mountains. Average annual snowfall is less than 2-inches and rarely lasts a day. Recreational opportunities include boating, fishing, and skiing on Lake Murray (located only 20 minutes from campus), music and arts festivals, and a nationally recognized zoo.
The economic climate is vibrant and the cost of living much less than is usually associated with urban areas. The University community is ethnically diverse, as demonstrated by its national ranking of tenth in the number of master's degrees awarded to African Americans. We believe you will find Columbia a fine place in which to live and study.
Informational Links for Columbia, South Carolina
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www.sc.gov, the official website of South Carolina, and includes information on Government, Education, Business, Health, Public Safety, Environment and Tourism.
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Yahoo! Columbia has a city guide and other info.
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Columbia A to Z... enough said.
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Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden, the Columbia Museum of Art, the Criminal Justice Hall of Fame, and the South Carolina State Museum are a few of our attractions.
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South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra, the Columbia City Ballet, three community theaters (Town Theatre, Workshop Theatre, and Trustus Theatre) and the Koger Center for the Arts provide local entertainment.
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The Congaree Vista is within walking distance of campus and home to numerous restaurants, hotels, shops, and entertainment venues.
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Lake Murray, Sesquicentennial and Dreher Island State Parks, and the Congaree Swamp National Monument are enjoyed by outdoors enthusiasts.
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Golf with over 20 courses in the area, is popular year round.
Housing
Each year the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders surveys its students concerning their current housing accommodations. Information regarding monthly rent, utilities, living environment, amenities, proximity to campus, etc. are sent to incoming students. While the university does offer graduate student housing, most of our students live off campus in either apartment complexes or rental houses. Our recent review of students enrolled in our program indicates their rents range between $475 and $1,100 per month. As you might expect, the closer you are to campus, the more expensive housing is. Living ten to fifteen minutes away can significantly reduce your monthly rent. Sharing a three-bedroom house or apartment with two other roommates will also cut costs. Our department’s Graduate Admissions Office can connect you with other incoming students who are looking for roommates to help share the cost of housing. Once you are admitted and indicate you plan to attend our graduate program, you will be contacted regarding these matters.
For more information about housing in Columbia, click on the following link: http://www.apartmentfinder.com/