For Three Quick Questions, I send the same three questions to admission representatives at colleges all over the country, and then I hope to hear back from them. The three questions are meant to probe some of the things that make a school unique but that aren’t easily captured as a stat to go in a book or web search.

Today’s response is from Ty Robbins, Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina.

What is a course, tradition, program or event that is unique to Furman University?

The most unique aspect of Furman University is its 100% residential requirement for traditional, undergraduate students. This in combination with a large campus footprint and Division I athletics creates a great environment for students looking for the perks of a larger campus with a smaller student body. Also, ask our students about, “Laking”.

Naturally every college wants to recruit the perfect student--high grades, high test scores, involved in their community, leadership...everything. But what kinds of imperfect students tend to flourish at Furman?

The type of imperfect student who flourishes at Furman University is the one who is willing to reflect. We all have our strengths, weaknesses, and passions; the students who can recognize and leverage their proficiencies are the ones who are successful in the long term. Furman has spent the past several years developing the Pathways Program to organize intentional reflection throughout the first two years at Furman.  In my opinion, that second year’s focus on leadership, storytelling, and career preparation is truly where the rubber meets the road and propels students into thinking beyond their classes. Before students get there, they master the basics with the help of a Pathways professor and student mentor.

When people come to visit Greenville what's a place off campus that you recommend they check out while they're there?

I have to give a cop-out answer here: the Swamp Rabbit Trail is great for recreation, but it links my favorite locations in Greenville together. Biking from campus to downtown Greenville, you will intersect with the Swamp Rabbit Café (a locally sourced grocery store with some great breakfast/lunch options), Unity Park (one of the larger parks in Greenville with multiple restaurants and recreation areas), and Falls Park ( the iconic center of Greenville). That section of trail is approximately 7 miles long, but you can absolutely shorten that if you are looking for a smaller adventure.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, here are three easy things you can do:

1. Share it on your social media feeds so your friends and colleagues can see it too.

2. See which other colleges and universities answered the questions.

3. Is there a school you’d like to hear from? Let me know, and I’ll make sure they get the questions.

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Photo by Angela Elisabeth. [The banner photo is not of Furman. I use the same photo for all Three Quick Questions posts so you can spot them easily.]

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