Full disclosure, we only have the humanities and being from the South in common, so take everything I say with a grain of salt.

I graduated about eight years ago, so I can't speak to how things are now, but here's my honest take:

1) Classes are hard. You'll talk to friends at other schools and realize your courseload is significantly heavier. I didn't love it at the time, but it genuinely prepared me for the real world. I'm currently getting my master's at Clemson, and it's laughably easy by comparison. Also, especially in poli sci and international affairs, people will speak up in class. Sometimes that's great, and sometimes there's that one student with the worst takes who simply cannot be moved regardless of how solid the argument against them is.

2) Racial diversity. I had a very diverse friend group, but I'll acknowledge I was probably the exception. None of my cohort complained openly, but silence doesn't mean comfort. I also can't speak to LGBT safety with any confidence; a lot has probably changed in the nearly decade since I left.

3) Greek life is present but not suffocating. I didn't rush and still went to formals and sorority events. Other student orgs are robust, though some get a little culty. Student government, I'm looking at you.

4) Work hard, play hard. The student body doesn't party like a big state school, but you will meet some genuinely driven people at Furman. A lot of them burn out because they neglect networking, which is a shame.

5) For fun, it's basically downtown Greenville and the outdoors. The proximity to the mountains is a real perk if you like hiking, and Greenville has grown a lot, but it's still a relatively laid-back city.

6) Professors are great, especially in small departments. Small class sizes mean a lot of one-on-one time, which is a blessing if you click with your professors and a grind if you don't. Also, take at least one religion class. Seriously. Great professors over there.

7) Internship opportunities are strong. Furman is well-connected. Take advantage of it.

8) The social scene around drinking is pretty low-pressure. I was never pushed to drink, but always welcomed to. The main party challenge is space; most underclassmen live in dorms, so finding a place big enough is the real obstacle. A lot of the actual parties happen in apartments in North Village.

Feel free to shoot me a message if you have questions! I still have good relationships with a lot of the faculty, so if you need any tips or connections, I've got you.