College of Charleston
Charleston, SC, USA

Reviews

College of Charleston

Sophomore Biology Major

a current student here
Categories Comments
Am learning a lot
Professors at CofC are truly invested in their students. They urge students to get help during office hours and do their best to make sure you are learning the material. The majority of the courses I have taken are challenging yet interesting which is an excellent combination.
Am enjoying being here
I could not imagine a better college for me. I am in love with not only the gorgeous school but also the city. There is always something fun to do in the Holy City whether it be walking down to the battery, visiting the many historical sites, or relaxing on the beach. One of the only negatives is that with so much around, it can be hard to focus on your studies.
Bang for the buck
The College of Charleston is an excellent school with several new buildings, knowledgeable staff, and an A+ location. The price is a little steep for out of state students but being one myself, I can say it is well worth it.
Tips for prospective students
To anyone even slightly interested in the College of Charleston, I would highly suggest you visit the school and city. I would be surprised if you did not know almost immediately whether or not Charleston is for you. Be sure to check out the many on campus organizations.
Great for these types of students
CofC is wonderful for students looking for a school that is not too big or small yet has a homey feel. Also, it is great for students looking for a good education but want to always have something to do after their school work is done.

Kelly from Pelzer, SC

a current student here
Categories Comments
Am learning a lot
The professors at CofC are willing to work with their students in any way possible to make sure they are learning the material and understand how to apply it to everyday life. Small class sizes of about 20 students per class are really helpful in providing one on one time with professors if desired. It's also helful that the professors learn every student by name. Professors are readily available via email and set office hours. Also, most of the professors are willing to meet with students outside of office hours if the student is not available to meet with them during the set hours. CofC also has a tutoring center that provides labs in Spanish and French, all mathematics through Calculus, and a writing lab. CofC also provides supplamental courses weekly for the most challeging courses, and private tutors for most other courses free to students.
Am enjoying being here
I could not have found a better school for me. I love being fifteen minutes from the beach, and I enjoy the mild winters. I love the historic sceneray and aritechture of the city as well as its true southern history and flair.
Bang for the buck
College of Charleston is definitely a great buy. It provides excellent housing, dining, professors, and many modern buildings that are all comfortable and conveinent. There are many great organizations and clubs to be a part of as well as sports. CofC has a fantastic location in the heart of Charleston that provides its students with endless entertainment when they are not studying.
Tips for prospective students
Be sure to check out the website at Cofc.edu. Also, look at the many academics and classes that are offered. I found it very helpful to email the department head of my desired major/academic area that I wanted to study and ask questions about the program. The staff are all very friendly and willing to answer any questions. Be sure to visit the city and enjoy walking the beautiful campus of CofC as well as exploring the attractions of downtown Charleston to know if it is the kind of location you are interested in.
Great for these types of students
College of Charleston is great for the student who wants to be in the city, but also does not want to feel overwhelmed. Charleston is a small city, so it has many great attractions and plenty to be involved in, but still has a homey and comfortable feel. The students at CofC are well known for having laid-back personalities and no-rush, worry free attitudes. Everyone is very friendly, and I found it easy to make friends in my dorm and in my classes.

Laura, who is an Astrophysics/Biology major, who is at CofC

a current student here
Categories Comments
Am learning a lot
The majority of your educational experience will likely be fantastic. My professors have ranged from very good to excellent, and my classes have all been very interesting and well-taught—although, this is partly because most of my gen-ed stuff is done, and so I get to focus on what I’m really interested in. But the gen-ed classes offered are incredibly diverse, so if you shop around, you’ll find some very interesting classes taught by good professors. You will, I promise, take one or two classes that you don’t like, because the professor is less than great, or because you just can’t get into the material. This has nothing to do with C of C. This has to do with how school works.
Am enjoying being here
I’m really enjoying myself here. There are all sorts of clubs and events where you can meet people and have a good time; there are regular movie nights; there is a lot of stuff going on around Charleston. Because there are so many different clubs, it isn’t difficult to find a place where there are like-minded people with whom you get along; for instance, I’m in the Society of Physics Students and it’s wonderful, and I’m in Japanese Club and it’s really fun. In order to not make friends and enjoy yourself, you have to actively avoid people or be monumentally unpleasant, and even so you still may make a friend or two despite your best efforts.
Bang for the buck
THIS IS IMPORTANT IF YOU ARE A TRANSFER STUDENT: Financial aid for the first year or so is not really easy to get, but if you look around for scholarships and harass the financial aid folks you’ll probably be able to cut the cost of attendance down. Housing for transfer students is also not easy to get for the first year, but the college has a lot of resources for off-campus living.

If you’re an in-state student, the cost of attendance is fairly low; if you’re out-of-state, not so much. But it could be worse: at my former school, tuition was about $10,000 more. Because the classes are great and I’m really enjoying it here, though, it’s definitely worth it.
Tips for prospective students
BE VERY PROACTIVE ABOUT THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS. Call the Admissions office to check in with your application every so often; ask them to go into CougarTrail to check that everything is in order. They messed up my application at first, but they were FANTASTIC about fixing it, so if you just call occasionally to make sure that things are going well, things will go well.

If you need to take Physics 101/102 or Physics 111/112, take 111/112. 101/102 are supposed to be easier, but if those are the classes you choose to take, you’ll be learning from a collection of PowerPoint slides put together in a book by your professor instead of from a book put together and designed by professors and instructional designers for a major textbook publishing company. 111/112 have been very good for me. Take those classes.

If you get the chance to have a class with Dr. Francis, do it. It will be one of the best experiences of your educational career.
Great for these types of students
C of C is great for most everyone, especially people who like Spanish moss or want to pretend that they’re Quentin Compson. (That is to say that the campus is incredibly Southern-looking.) You will find a place where you are happy socially and educationally, I promise.

Kelli from Sumter, SC

a current student here
Categories Comments
Am learning a lot
Due to the variety of classes CofC has to offer, I have been able to take several interesting classes that not alot of people have the chance to. The professor are GREAT and are always willing to work with you. CofC also offers the Center for Student Learning in which you can get FREE tutors for anything you need help with...it is awesome. They really do want you to succeed.
Am enjoying being here
What's not to love about Charleston? From soaking up the sun in Marion Square, to walking down King street and enjoying the multitude of shops, to taking a jog down to the battery, or simply hanging out with friends among the beauty of this city..it couldn't get any better.
Bang for the buck
I think CofC is definitely worth coming to!
Tips for prospective students
My tips would be to definitely check out the campus and try to spend a weekend here. Also, really read into what your major requires. Look at the requirements for graduation as well, because CofC is a liberal arts school, there are more requirements than a different university would require.
Great for these types of students
artsy students, musicians, athletic students, and people who enjoy living in a historic city, with THE BEACH 10 minutes away. The only downfall is not having a football team, but most of the students at CofC are fine with that, and it makes CofC unique.

Robert from Hickory, NC

a current student here
Categories Comments
In three sentences
The College of Charleston is well-rounded, beautiful school that rests elegantly on the Atlantic Ocean. Surrounded by delicious food, intelligent professors, and interesting people; there is no better place to attend school. Any student enrolled at the college will tell you of how wondrous and exquisite it is, and how much of an honor it is to attend.
Tips for prospective students
Apply early and make sure to set up a visit to take all that the college and the city of Charleston has to offer.
Academic Rigor
Being a liberal arts school, the college requirers students to take foreign languages and other classical classes that would normally be left out of a biology major. While these courses do take time and energy they provide the student to discover new areas and interests that may not have been noticed prior to attending the school.
Dorm Life
The dorms are no different than any school but it is the people who live in them that continues to amaze me I love them all and being in this town is a treat.
Food and Dining
All food everywhere in Charleston is delicious, being a New Olreans, LA native I am picky about good food, but the cuisine here has surpassed my standards.
What to do for fun
There is so much to do, a nice tour of the battery while the ocean breeze washes over with a soul mate, family member, or new friend is always relaxing along with lounging in the park or doing some shopping on King st. or at the northern outlets. The beach is only fifteen minutes away and if you know some one with money Kiawah is a beautiful island that offers luscious golf courses and tranquil beach lounging.
Bang for the buck
Charleston is a beautiful historic area, and therefore the money can become short, but if you know where to go and what places to eat to save little bits of cash here and there it is not a problem for a college student with a weekend job to support himself.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The historic value around the college is amazing, students can live in a 200 year old house instead of a dorm. Few colleges can offer this commodity.
Great for these types of students
Laid back people who are enjoyable to be around and know when to study and when to party. Charleston is not out of control, but it is a fun place to be.
Clubs and Activities
There is any and every sport imaginable along with art and theatre clubs. There are clubs for anything anyone can think of, and if some how there is no club yet then you can be a founding father and create your own club!
Greek Life
Charleston prides itself on having southern greek life that involves parties, dances, dinners, balls, and gatherings of all kinds. Some fraternities will go to beach week while a sorority may have mountain weekend, there is always something going on and always someone to do it with.
Campus Safety
There are security systems all over campus and a 24/7 security guard on call.

Tiffani from El Paso, TX

a current student here
Categories Comments
Am learning a lot
I transfered to CofC from my hometown university, University of Texas El Paso, The courses here at CofC are more challenging than UTEP but the quality of the material and the professors is far superior than UTEP. I have been challenged in all of my courses but have been very successful in all because of the interest all of my professors have taken in my performance in class. The professors truly care about you and want you to succeed.
Am enjoying being here
This campus is gorgeous. Living in the center of a beautiful city with great shopping, close proximity to the many beaches here, and a lot of opportunities for fitness and outdoor activities, is an amazing experience. Dorm life is nice and there are many off campus apartments that are 5-10 minutes away from campus it's perfect for those who don't want to bother having a car to care for. The down side however, is that being in the city always means there is a bad side of town, which isn't that far from campus, but for the most part the city is safe, and on campus is extremely safe.
Bang for the buck
I am paying out of state tuition so I am paying an extra $6000 a semester to come here. If I were paying in state tuition it would be an even bigger bang for my buck. Especially with the many South Carolina scholarships available to resident students.
Tips for prospective students
College of Charleston is a great place to study I would recommend this school to anyone. It is a wonderful experience living in this beautiful city. The college provides many fitness options and I suggest you take full advantage of all of them. The food on campus is good, but if you live on campus and have a meal plan the options can get boring after a while.
Great for these types of students
This school is great for people interested in living in a lively city and a city with tons of history. If you enjoy beautiful weather, and having tons of fun opportunities to engage in then this is the school for you.

Gene from Blythewood, SC

accepted here and planning to attend soon
Categories Comments
Academic Rigor
I'm learning so much here. The teachers are all challenging, but eager to teach and very interesting.
Will enjoy being here
I think I'm going to enjoy it here very much! However, I've had trouble getting everything sorted out up to now, particularly housing. Other than that, it's a beautiful campus with friendly people. Great food is everywhere which could end up to be a bad thing for broke college students.
Bang for the buck
College of Charleston is relatively affordable I suppose. It is as far as colleges are concerned at least. I've found that many of the students here are kids with rich parents from out of state, just coming to party.
Tips for prospective students
If you or your parents are worried about C of C being a Party School, it is, but that's really easy to stay away from if you don't go looking.
Great for these types of students
Great for any type of student really. Goes everywhere from rigorous science courses to great business classes, and easy classes for the partiers.

Megan from Fort Mill, SC

a current student here
Categories Comments
Am learning a lot
You learn many things from not only the classes, but the staff as well. With a wide variety of classes that can help any student find what direction one would want to find themselves in. Students that are even undecided get a good feeling of no pressure for not deciding. And all of the staff have no qualms about answering any type of questions a student could have. They always do what they can to help students understand the goals they want, and how to achieve them with their abilities.
Am enjoying being here
The college is set in such a beautiful city with great history everywhere you walk, and it is a great plus that a beach is near by. Even the citizens of Charleston are involved with the college, just like when exams are commencing a local church will set up a free food stand for studying students, also wishing them good luck. Its so great to see how involved everyone gets with companies hiring students/graduates to help further themselves, the local residents wanting to give back, to even students who also want to get involved with the community with tons of volunteering. They have so many options for students besides just school work with the many provided centers for anything such as finding volunteer opportunities, religious life, crisis assistance, substance abuse/counseling, multicultural student programs, and a career center for those needing aid in searching for a job. This school helps so much in transitioning into the college life its no wonder that not only myself but other students always seem to be happy. And with so many activities going on for students to get engaged with its so easy to find not just career builders, but long lasting friends too. All of these factors make College of Charleston an enjoyable place to learn, live, and grow.
Bang for the buck
For being what I believe to be a wonderful school, This is their only set back. Being a public school for the state does not seem to deter them from making one feel like their paying for a private one. And with freshman year the school requires these students to pay for things like a meal plan, or even 15 pages of printer paper that if not used up by end of semester/year will not be rolled over next time for use. Its all of these small, but collective fees that the school does that makes it irritating for students and parents. But even with these costs the school makes up for it in other ways.
Tips for prospective students
This is a great school especially if one is undecided. They offer a great variety of majors to prospectively choose from, and if you want to go on to graduate school they also have great branches to pick from. Or it can even be a great launching point for you to get into other schools. Make sure to always see your advisor, they are always there to help with any decision troubles, and to send you to the right places for anything else you might need. Be warned though! This is a school that prides itself for getting students involved with campus life. Many students just want to wisp by, but you should take advantage of this opportunity from the school as it can provide a balance of: fun, friends, and an opening to not just get by in life, but to enjoy it also.
Great for these types of students
This school is the best for students looking in: Marine Biology, Hospitality and Tourism, Art, Theatre, History, and also those undecided. But overall this is a great place for anything students could want, especially because of the many choices of majors and minors to choose from.

Maureen from Augusta, GA

a current student here
Categories Comments
Academic Rigor
Professors are reasonable, knowledgeable, and experienced. If you make an effort to go to their office hours for help, stay involved in in-class discussion, and overall try to perform well in the class, everyone is very willing to help and listen.
Am enjoying being here
Charleston is a fabulous city! There is so much to do here, no matter what your interests are. I love being involved on campus and have made great friends.
Bang for the buck
While the cost of the College of Charleston is high for out-of-state students, I believe that the quality of education you receive as a student at the College is well worth it. I have been away from the College for the semester, and the quality of education at my other university could not compare to what I was used to at the College.
Tips for prospective students
Make sure your professors know your name and think of you as hard-working.
Have fun, but not too much. It's easy to get too caught up in the fun to be had in Charleston and forget that you're here to learn.
Love living in the most beautiful city in the world and appreciate your time there.
Great for these types of students
Everyone! We have a lot of diversity with students from all across the United States and all over the world. We have a vibrant Greek community, if that's of interest to you, that is smaller than many state universities, however, this allows you to really feel connected to other students in Greek life. Great art programs, as well as science; overall a great choice for those who want a well-rounded education

Maddie from Huntersville, NC

a current student here
Categories Comments
In three sentences
The College is everything you could want in a balance of academics and recreation. As a student in the Honors College, I can assure you that we work hard here but the love I have for my professors makes the work worthwhile. Besides academics, you are in downtown Charleston and 20 minutes from the beach so if you don't want to do school at the moment, odd's are you won't be bored.
Tips for prospective students
Apply early!! The College loves to see your interest and loves to get to know you. If you can come visit, definitely do and also talk to your admissions counselor. They are so helpful.
Academic Rigor
I am in the honors college so my work is slightly more vigorous than others. That being said it is a good amount of work because I stay sane while also working hard and earning a respected degree.
Dorm Life
The dorms are a little old and could be better. That being said, you don't have to live in them your freshman year so if you want to avoid it, there are plenty of apartment buildings to do so.
Food and Dining
You have lots of meal options on campus that are good most of the time. Of course, if you aren't in the mood for a dining hall, you are literally in one of the culinary capitals of the world so eat up!
What to do for fun
- go to a beach! Sullivans, Folly, Isle of Palms, all around a 20-minute drive
- go shopping on King Street, just hold your wallet close- it's tempting
- walk to the battery, if you can't drive to the beach, you might as well breathe in some salty ocean air
- go to a park- there's literally so many!
- take a day trip to Savannah
- the Cougar Activities Board ALWAYS has a free activity going on for us Cougars
- go to a sporting event- whether it be a C of C game or the Charleston Riverdogs

Bang for the buck
They are very liberal with their scholarships so apply for anything and everything. The most interest you show, the better. Plus you get to go to school on "America's Most Beautiful Campus" so that's pretty incredible.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Graduation is so beautiful. Everyone dresses in white and carries a red rose instead of the traditional graduation gown. You get to walk across the Cistern for the first time which is a highlight of any Cougar's life.
Great for these types of students
International Anything: We have an awesome study abroad office and lots of scholarships

Pre-med or anyone interested in research: MUSC is right down the street and they love to take on undergraduates to help with research

Hospitality/Tourism/History/Architecture: again it's Charleston, perfect for anyone
Clubs and Activities
All the clubs on campus are so inviting and exciting. There is a fair at least once a semester where they all come out and showcase their club. You can find any and all of your interests but if not, you can easily be proactive and make your own.
Greek Life
WOOO greek life! I am a part of a sorority and it was one of the best decisions I've made. The greek community is highly inclusive on campus so it's not like you're in a whole different world than the non-greek community.
Campus Safety
You are in an urban setting so safety is a priority on campus. The public safety office is more than willing to help out in any circumstance. They are patrolling campus always to ensure that everyone who is on campus is peaceful and not trying to be violent.