crazed

We're from the Northeast and looking for a college for younger son (oldest is at Miami).
I've been on CC since last spring when my son was deciding between schools. I've been on ever since!
My son is HS junior so we are compiling a list of schools for him. He has no idea where he wants to go. I came across CofC and it caught my interest. As time is drawing closer for spring and summer visits and I am trying to get a suitable list of prospective schools together, I thought it was time too get your help.
Can you tell me about he campus. Is there a real campus?
Housing? Do they guarantee 4 years of housing IF the student wants it?
How are the academic advisors? Do they meet with you prior to registration each term (like they do at UM which is fantastic)?
Class sizes?
Any OOS merit awards and stats needed?
Do kids get into professional schools from CofC?
Why the low retention rate?????
Any other information would be great.

LACs are easy to find in the Northeast. Anyone have great suggestions for some STATE schools on the east coast for us. We're in NY so don't tell me about the SUNY's. Will apply to Binghamton. After that, none may be a good fit. Would like a small to medium school. Under 10-12000 students.
Stats: 3.75 unweighted GPA. Some AP's. ACT 31. Good EC's.

Thanks for all your help.

KatieDid4

College of Charleston has the most BEAUTIFUL campus I've ever seen -- a very "real" campus . I don't know if they guarantee 4 years of housing if the student wants it or not, but I know I lived on campus for 4 years in 1994-98. If the student wants to meet with academic advisors, they are there for them. Class size is usually about 25-35 students. I don't know about the rest of your questions, though.

Cap'n G

Crazed,

My S is currently a freshman at CofC and the Honors College. We're OOS (VA), looked at many campuses and to reassure you, this is a "real" campus. It sits right downtown and is very compact and easy to get around. It's historic, very well kept, and considered one of the most picturesque campuses in the country. Besides the historic buildings, there is much new construction going on - Science & Math Center, Center for the Arts, etc. In the past few years a new library and new dorms have been put in place.

Housing is not guaranteed beyond the 1st year, but with the new dorm construction, it's my understanding that there is room for those that want to stay. The academic advisors seem very competent and are readily available and do meet with each student prior to registration each semester. As KatieDid4 noted, the class size is small - average undergraduate <25, with a student:faculty ratio of <14:1.

There are OOS merit scholarships, especially within the Honors College. I'd say that your S's stats should get him into that program. I'm not sure of the % of students that get into professional schools, but CofC has an extensive pre-professional program with pre-law and pre-health professions. It seems as though a number of students head of to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), right down the street.

Sorry, but don't have any info on the retention rate. I too wonder, but I have noted that a number of students are from the surrounding area and wonder if they decide to go further from home at some juncture. That said, the latest statistics show that nationally, over 50% of those that start college do not complete it.

I know that my son looked at numerous schools (accepted at 6) small and large. He felt this one was right (marine biology major) and it's reputation sealed the deal for us. He has enjoyed his time so far and seems to have made friends easily. There seems to be plenty to do on campus and in the immediate downtown area.

Hope this helps.

crazed

Thanks Katie and Cap'n.
Your information was on a positive note so that is good. I'll keep CofC on the list. Seems like Charleston would be a wonderful town to be in and visit. I'll keep checking on this forum for more information.

momsworried

Cap'n G--Could you give us some insight regarding freshmen dorms? Which dorm does your S consider to be among the best or worst. My son will be filling out housing forms soon (for fall 2008) and any info is appreciated. Thanks.

Cap'n G

Momsworried,

My S lives in Buist (Honors) and has enjoyed it. I believe he is looking to live in Rutledge (Honors) next year as it has suites and he and his new friends have decided to share a suite next year. He considers both of these good.

He has said that liberty is good but small (the dining hall is also in Liberty - quite nice from what I've seen). He has also said that MacAllister is good and big.

He has said that the worst are College Lodge and McConnell.

momsworried

Cap'n G---Thanks so much! We are making our second visit in few weeks and I've been told that Liberty will be the dorm available to view on the tour. Do you know if the honors dorm has non-honors students living there? Thanks again.

Cap'n G

Momsworried -- Buist, which is the Honors Freshman Dorm, doesn't have non-honors students in it that I'm aware of. Rutledge, which has some freshman allows them, I believe, because of the suite setup. The caveat is that they have to sign up for the room with an Honors student. That sort of lends itself to post-Freshman years once a student knows other students.

I really don't think you'll be dissapointed with any of the dorms, except maybe for College Lodge. It just doesn't give me warm fuzzies.

TurtlePhobic

I will add to the Cap'n G chorus. My D (OOS-MD), is a freshman honors student, living in Buist. I must admit, I was underwelmed by the dorm when we moved in. The rooms were large for 2 people, but with the painted cinder block walls, and tile floors seemed cold. The place looked like it sorely needs a good cleaning, if not a total renovation. All this being said, we left her there anyway! (did I mention the huge scholarship, nearly full OOS tuition!)

Well, one semester is down, (with all A's.) D reports that she loves it in Buist. We brought her a 10 x12 carpet on parents weekend, and were pleasantly surprised how "homey" the kids made the place. D says that the traditional layout of Buist creates a sense of community not found in the suite style dorms. In fact she says that honors students who chose to live elsewhere, hang out in Buist all the time.

Next fall, D and her friends will try to get one of the George Street apartments, but they fill up fast, so they expect to be in Rutlege. I don't thimk you can really go wrong with on campus housing, though I will second Capn'G on the College Lodge assesment. I understand the Berry(sp?) dorms are nice, reports have it that celebrity freshman Britney Favre (Green Bay QB Brett Favre's D) lives there, so they must be the higher dollar choice.

D is a Physics/Classics major (at least she was the last time we talked). She says most classes have <20 students, with very helpful profs, who beg kids to show up for office hours.

My D is happy, my wallet is happy, and when I go down there, I can surf fish at Foley Beach, only 15 miles away.

What's not to like?

momsworried

Turtlephobic and Cap'n G ---Thanks so much!!! Unfortunately my S is not in the Honors College. He is an excellent student but his SAT's don't reflect his academic proficiency. I would love him to be amongst the honors students because his personality and study habits are similar to honor students. We are heading down from the northeast in a few weeks. Yeah for warm weather!! I'm glad to hear your children are happy. I'm hoping my S chooses CofC. Even with the OOS tuition, my wallet will be happy. We told him he could fly home if he got homesick. Since he's an avid golfer, I don't think he'll get homesick for 20-30 degree weather. The plane tickets will come in useful for us to fly down. Thanks all for your help. I'm sure I'll have more questions.

tia3

Hi, also from the NE and looking with son! I am hoping they will let him sit in on a class and wonder if anyone has done this there and which classes they found helpful for some insight into the school.

momsworried

We just came back from Charleston last week! The weather is great and everyone seems so friendly. We took a second tour of the school and the area but did not sit in on any classes. On the tour we did pass by many classes in session and loved that the student to teacher ratio is very small. My S has already been accepted and still trying to decide if CofC is a fit for him. He was more concerned about the dorms and the freshmen general education courses. We know a fair amount of students who attend from the NE and just love it at Charleston. We are waiting to hear from a few more schools and by the end of March we hope my S will have made his decision. Meanwhile, we are heading south to the University of Tampa to check out their Honors Program.
tia3-- I would think that C of C would let you sit in on a class. I would pick one of interest either in my S's major or an elective. Good Luck!

tia3

Have a good trip and enjoy the balmy weather! Hoping it will be warmer in Charleston by middle of March. BTW, I love that username!

momsworried

Since I have sucessfully gotten two children into college, my family thinks I should change my name to "momsnotsoworriedanymore". But as our own mothers have told us, the worrying never stops. .
tia3-- hope you have a great time in Charleston-make sure you go to Market Street. If you want some good restaurant suggestions, PM me. We went to three good ones while down there.