火爆社区

Furman University is a school that helps its undergraduates 鈥渂ecome the best version[s] of [themselves].鈥� That potentially daunting task is made possible thanks to the school鈥檚 ample resources ranging from 鈥済ood study abroad [options]鈥� and 鈥渆xperiential learning鈥� to the 鈥渕any opportunities for research and internships.鈥� One of Furman鈥檚 top selling points is 鈥渢he strength of its pre-professional curriculum.鈥� The university鈥檚 鈥減re-health and pre-law advisors are exceptional, and they greatly help students get into graduate programs, regardless of major.鈥� Of course, prospective students should be aware that the academics here 鈥渁re very difficult, particularly [the] science courses.鈥� It鈥檚 important that you come prepared to study. Fortunately, the 鈥渙verwhelming majority of professors at Furman are experts in their field and truly care about helping students succeed.鈥� They seem to excel at creating a classroom environment wherein undergrads 鈥渇eel comfortable yet challenged at all times.鈥� And it鈥檚 definitely evident that they 鈥渓ove teaching and instilling a passion for growth, inquiry, and engagement.鈥� We鈥檒l give the last word to this student who shares, 鈥淢y professors have changed my life by supporting me and working with me from academic interests to personal crises. They are easily the best part of Furman.鈥�

Furman seems to attract students who 鈥渁re very motivated and driven to perform well academically.鈥� Thankfully, though most everyone has 鈥渉igh aspirations,鈥� this isn鈥檛 a very competitive student body. Instead, undergrads here simply 鈥減ush...each other to be the best people possible.鈥� Students do readily admit that Furman 鈥済enerally draws a Southern white demographic鈥� with many kids hailing from 鈥済enerally wealthy backgrounds.鈥� However, they note that the university 鈥渉as expanded its recruitment initiatives and current on-campus opportunities to invite a greater diversity of individuals especially in regard to race.鈥� Students also stress that you鈥檒l find plenty of people with 鈥渦nique talents鈥� and 鈥渇airly diverse [interests] when it comes to hobbies, interests, majors, etc.鈥� And they certainly 鈥渒now how to have a good time鈥� and 鈥渆njoy stimulating discussions and new experiences.鈥� Best of all, they form a 鈥渃ommunity of open-minded people鈥� who are 鈥渨illing to help one another.鈥� As this student explains, 鈥淚 transferred to Furman because of the student body. I was completely taken aback at how genuine and kind the people here are.鈥�

If you鈥檝e done enough to attend Furman, you can expect to maintain a pretty busy schedule. 鈥淚t is very common for everyone to be involved with many clubs and organizations.鈥� After all, there鈥檚 so much to discover and partake in outside of academics. To begin with, Furman undergrads are an athletic lot and you鈥檒l often find 鈥減eople play[ing] pick-up games on the sports fields鈥� or participating in intramurals and club sports. Plus, 鈥渁thletic events are very accessible to students and are free.鈥� For individuals with an altruistic bent, there are a 鈥渧ariety of community service opportunities.鈥� Greek life is also fairly popular at Furman. However, students make a point of mentioning that 鈥減arty culture isn鈥檛 extremely prevalent on campus, and the Greek organizations are very welcoming and open to anyone, regardless of appearances, socioeconomic class, or affinity for partying.鈥� The university itself hosts numerous 鈥渃ultural events鈥� where undergrads 鈥渃an go learn about something new or hear an engaging speaker.鈥� And, of course, people can easily join some of the many organizations like Residential Life Council, Eco Reps, and the student run musical theatre group, Pauper Players. Lastly, when undergrads want a respite from campus life, they head into 鈥渄owntown Greenville and try new restaurants, go to concerts, bar hop and EXPLORE. You can often find students downtown at the various 鈥渃ute coffee shops [and] farmers markets.鈥� Given its proximity to the outdoors, many also like to 鈥済et into nature and hike Paris Mountain鈥� or 鈥渂ik[e] the Swamp Rabbit Trail.鈥�

The community at Furman University encourages 鈥渟trong research/internships if you want them,鈥� from medical research to international business opportunities. As one student observes: 鈥淕raduate schools like the Furman name,鈥� and the professors associated with the school serve as great references and connections to a broader future. 鈥淔urman has given me a great opportunity to learn, challenge myself, and find incredible internships,鈥� says one student. The Malone Center for Career Engagement provides access to digital programs, like Focus 2 and O*NET, that connect students鈥檚 skills and interests with corresponding occupations. The center also organizes job fairs and campus recruiting to help aid students in their search and offers identity-based resources for students with diverse backgrounds who are looking for a community in their chosen field. For those Furman graduates who visited PayScale.com, 53 percent reported feeling that their job had a high level of meaning. And according to the university, 99 percent of graduates gain admission to graduate school or find a job within six months of graduation, with a median starting salary of $51,100, as reported by Payscale.com.