College of Charleston Top Questions

This school is very student oriented. The classes are not overbearing. We are not just a number to our teachers. They know us by name and are easy to contact. I feel very confident and secure speaking openly to my professors. I think the stigma attached to going to C of C is that people are typically impressed. C of C has a great reputation of being a strong school academically and socially. I think that employers are confident in hiring students that have graduated from the college. I also feel like we are pretty well prepared once we do graduate. The majority of my time spent on campus is at the library or in class. This year has been one of my hardest, so I was constantly studying or doing projects at the library.Although I spent a my time in the library, it all pays off in the end when you see your grade and summer comes. Since I have been done with classes for the year, I have been able to go to the beach and baseball games. There are a lot of activities that go on throughout the year in Charleston, so there is always something to do around town. I feel that there is a great deal of school pride even though we don't have a football team. People are always wearing cougar apparel and it's an honor when we finally get to walk across the Cistern. The most unusual part about C of C is that we always have tourists and carriage tours around campus taking pictures and talking about the history of the school. It's wierd to me because I find it odd to see someone with their tourist gear standing outside the door taking a picture of the building I have class in everyday. I understand the curiosity. We are (I think) the oldest or one of the oldest colleges in South Carolina. There is a great deal of history that coincides with the college. I think one experiance that I will always remember is when I finally get to walk across the Cistern. I have seen so many people walk across it and receive their diploma. I appreciate the history of the ceremony and I have worked extremely hard to receive the privledge to walk across the Cistern. It will be an honor.

I love that CofC has a small campus, I think that our school is about 12,000 and I think that is the perfect size. I've been to and heard about bigger university's and I can't imagine walking around those huge campuses! You really can't beat the weather in Charleston either, it rains sometimes, but that is just something that you have to deal with and I like to play in the rain sometimes. I love that when I'm on campus for class I can just go behind the library or lay down on a bench and have a nap. Expecially when the sun is shining, that's one of the best things about CofC in my opinion. The students are a large part of Charleston, but we are also a huge tourist destination so the city isn't entirely dependent on the student population. I see that as a good thing though, it's nice to go out and meet all kinds of people, not just students. The higher powers here at CofC (aka; professors, administration) can be difficult to work with sometimes, but I guess you get that with any school. This year, an office from our student government (student body vice president, I think?) was "impeached" and they tried to remove him from office over some controversy. I don't know all the details, but try to stay out of all that.

One thing I love about C of C is the perfect size. It's a well-known, higher-grade college without losing the advantages that smaller schools have of better teacher-to-student ratios and the like. It is also a gorgeous campus located in the beautiful downtown area of Charleston.

Cofc is less of a "school's school" (spirit and inner involvement) and more of the city's school -- it is far more connected to the city than the school - probably because of its lack of general school spirit focus - such as football is at other schools . it also must have to do with how cofc is literally intertwined in the city itself

I love the view that you get from just walking around on campus. Everyone is really friendly and you can make a friend practically anywhere. There's really nothing that I would like to see change. Towards the end of the school year though, our all-you-can-eat cafeteria was slacking off, just a little bit. My school is just the right size, so no need for population change either. When I tell people that I go to C of C, they immediately ask me if I like it or not. I tell them that I LOVE it! I spend most of my time either in the library or in my dorm on campus. This college actually shares the surrounding perimeter with the town of Charleston, so it's not necessarily a college town. C of C's administration is good. I have not really had a chance myself to involve myself with them. The biggest controversy on campus would have to be all of the other college campus' issues with violence. C of C is concerned about their students' safety, so keeping everyone safe is always a big task. Another controversy would have to be the use of alcohol in the dorms with minors. I have seen many students being disciplined with this and it does not look like it would be something fun to go through with. With basketball and baseball, our two big sports on campus, I would say that we have enough school pride. Compared to our other rivals in South Carolina, I would like to see more school pride though. There's nothing really unusual about C of C. The experience that I will always remember will be my first couple of days at the college. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot of new things in those very few days. The most frequent student complaints would have to be their issues with their advisors and how hard it is to set up an appointment, let alone get all of the right classes lined up for the following semester.

The best thing about CofC is that it is right in the middle of downtown Charleston. Literally, I can be a block away from great shopping and great food at any time when on campus.

The best thing about CofC is the campus and how amazingly beautiful it is. It's hard to find such a pretty school these days, and I really enjoy just walking around campus. One thing I'd change is the parking situation. I mean, come on, it is a bit absurd. However, this past semester I started taking the Carta Express bus from James Island instead of driving and parking, and I have really liked that. Saves me money and frustration!! I wish more students would use this service. The folks at MUSC take the bus way more than people at the college. Another thing I'd change is the negative attitudes that students of one major hold towards another. For instance, as a Psychology major I have been 'fighting' the past four years to earn even a speck of recognition from my peers in the "harder" sciences like Chemistry. I wish more money and attention was paid to up and coming majors like Psychology, with it's new emphasis on the science of Psycholgy, rather than it being pushed onto the back burner and ridiculed. I think the school is just the right size. I love small classes, and I am really glad that I've been able to be a big fish in a small pond. I know all of the professors in the Psychology department and they know me too, which I really really like. People really don't react one way or another when I tell them I go here. They usually are interested more by the fact that I grew up here and am going to CofC. I am usually in the Science Center because I work in the Animal Care and Use Program. Yeah, I feel Charleston is becoming a college town... slowly. I mean, you can find buildings that are owned by the College as far as King street! However, I also feel like this city has a history all its own and that can't be overshadowed by one institution.

At a medium sized 10,000 students, CofC is the perfect environment for a student that is looking for a school that is rather large but not as enormous as a state school in which drowning in classes of 300+ is inevitable. Set in the center of breathtaking, quaint downtown, campus is only feet away from delicious, CHEAP food, an array of stores, and marion square; the local hangout where students study, tan, play frisbee, and play at the local drum circle. The music scene is great and there is always tons of stuff going on; you just have to be active and look for it. The biggest controversy on campus at the moment, and by far the biggest complaint, is the noise and inconvenience from the construction on campus at the moment. Construction is not stopped until the week of finals and can be very distracting! Once the buildings are complete however, the campus is going to be INCREDIBLE! The new science center is going to be complete with a greenhouse, computer fitted classrooms, and the asthetics and define the CofC campus. The library is a great place to get some work done while catching some rays on rivers green, grabbing a coffee at the adjoining java city, or studying in one of the libraries beautiful nooks (my favorite nook has a glass wall that overlooks the library fountain and garden; it makes it slightly bearable to be inside all day). The best part about going to CofC however is definitely the fact that a variety of beaches are only a 10 minute drive away. If you dont have a car theres always the battery and the waterfront park overlooking the bay.

10 minute drive to the beach. would not change anything! the school is the perfect size and there is so much to do in downtown charleston. everytime i tell someone i go to cofc, they are jealous because charleston is such a cool place. since there is not a football team, which usually drives people away, the school pride is minimal. during basketball and baseball season, though, a lot of students attend games and wear maroon. homecoming is also a big week for school pride.

The College is just the right size. Classes are small once you get into the upper level ones. The campus is absolutely beautiful all year round but especially in the Spring. The best thing about the College is the student learning center in the library. They are very helpful with math classes and if they can't help you they will tell you where you can get help.

the weed

Best Thing about CofC: The location, the atmosphere, the people. You are in South Carolina, but it's not like anywhere else in South Carolina. The biggest recent controversy on campus would have to be the corrupt SGA, or frats getting caught hazing. CofC is a city school, although there are 10,000 people who go there, it seems very cohesive, I see someone I know every time walk around. I think this is because the campus is so small, and the people who are social are very social, then the others just stay in their rooms, or in the library the whole time.

I love the size of the school. It's just big enough to have a lot of extracurricular activities that anyone could be interested. Some people think it's difficult with it being in the middle of downtown Charleston, but the campus is so close together that it makes it a piece of cake to get anywhere in 5 minutes and you are close to all of your friend's dorms and all the class buildings. It's so convenient to go shopping or get food since everything downtown is just a short walk away. The only thing that I could say I do wish CofC had was a football team because a football season can really bring a school together and it helps you get involved in more activities. Also, public safety at the school is great. It's a pain to deal with check-in's but it's really nice because if you call them for a problem someone is there within minutes.

The best part of C of C is that it is a diverse campus and is extremely accepting. The location of the campus, which is right in the middle of downtown, is fantastic as well. The campus is big enough so you meet new people all the time, but small enough so you see people you know walking around. Also, since the campus is relatively small, the teachers make it a point to learn every student's name and develop a relationship with him/her.

C of C is one of the most beautiful campuses you will ever encounter. There are so many beautiful places to spend your time for either studying or leisure activities. You will often see students taking advantage of the beautiful setting outside the library when the weather is beautiful. If there was one thing that I could change about C of C it would be the parking situation. The school is a great size but with each incoming class they admit more and more students which is beginning to be a problem. Until the new basketball coach arrived, there was minimal interest in college pride, but now you see students wearing CofC gear all of the time. The most frequent complaint from students is that the humidity is unbearable.

The best thing about CofC is the location by far, a small city with beach access. One thig that could use some work is the construction- its at the worse times and constant. Its the perfect size, and most of my time is spend lounging in a park or partying. Many people this its just a party school but its actually pretty legit. great college town, not much school pride, not too much diversity besides white, black, and hispanic.

i wish there was more school pride and better school activities for students to go to

I am actually transferring to the University of Georgia because the urban setting of the college is just not for me. The college is about 11,000 students, which at times can seem like 2,000. The city life is great for about a semester, and then it begins to feel suffocating because of the "borders" of the campus. Compared to other schools Charleston is definitely NOT a college town. If you're looking for a tail-gating, full-fledged Greek life experience, this is not the place for you. Charleston is also a VERY expensive place to live-everything from shopping to food to parking will cost you. It cost me $800 to park my car 8 blocks from my dorm... which is insane compared to the usual $60-$80 parking pass at other schools. Students often complain about the obvious lack of school spirit- since there is no football team there is a lack of unity and pride among students. The Nathan Addlestone Library is the largest library in South Carolina-it's packed during midterms and exams! The meal plan isn't great-unlike other schools, you have to use your meals between certain times otherwise you lose them-and the selection is awful.

The best thing about CofC is the overall atmosphere. I feel like I'm living in a dream sometimes. I wake up and walk out of my dorm and I'm in the most wonderful city. Most of the days are sunny and warm, but even on the rainy days CofC is just as wonderful. The size of the college is perfect. I see people I know on a regular basis but I can walk a few minutes off campus and not see anyone familiar. The size of the classes fit me well. I don't have a call larger than 50 people. Most of them average around 25 people and the professors always have the ability to answer questions directly. When I tell people I go to CofC, they usually respond with "Oh man I'm so jealous." It's the perfect mix of city life, beach town, and college campus. When it comes to school pride, the students could definitely be more involved. Recently, school pride has been increasing, especially with a new basketball arena being built and our new coach Bobby Cremmins. Hopefully students will get even more involved in coming years.

I love that Charleston has so many different things to offer. There's King Street, where you can spend a lot of time and money. The Waterfront Park and the Battery are so beautiful, I love to run down there. The weather is usually AMAZING, although it gets a bit cold in the winter months. The beach is a close ride away, which is something very unique about CofC. Hanging out in Marion Square is always enjoyable. Overall, Charleston is a place where you can relax and have fun. I feel like I've been on summer vacation while being at CofC. There are always things to keep people busy, and everyone is really friendly.

Good beaches, good bars, awesome city, historic, beautiful.

great school, great city, tons to do, easy to get a job close to campus within walking distance or on campus. great teachers, dorms are ok (i never lived in one, but I heard they weren't too bad) beautiful campus!! beach is soo close, no need for a car. beware of the roaches at night! total college town, but lots of tourists too. just a great place to go to college. I wouldn't have gone anywhere else!!

I think C of C is the perfect size and is located in a great "college town". Charleston is one of the most fun cities to attend college in because there is always something new to do. When I tell people that I go to College of Charleston, people usually make a comment about how much fun I must be having, and while this is true, we also work very hard academically. I think the college does a good job of making sure that their students are safe, because Charleston can often times be a dangerous city, especially at night.

Too impersonal, professors don't really care, no one hangs out on campus that often, just run like hell to go have fun, stressful, college town sorta - situated in the middle of the city between rich, overpriced historic district and drug-ridden ghetto, admin sucks, lots of money wasted, large stuff but few of them hard working or properly qualified, more money needs to be spent on the curriculums and less on bureaucracy and making them all look good, little school pride b/c there's no football team, good basketball team though, TOO MANY WOMEN, guys aren't very good looking (girls aren't always too hot either)

C of C can pretty much be summed up like this, it is a great experience. Charleston is both a thriving city and a historic one. This is juxtaposed to a great group of people and events. The professors are a mixed group but for the most part are good. If you are searching for the small town feel but the big city experience CofC is a perfect choice for you.

The best thing about CofC is living right downtown- we have everything from food, shopping, and activities 5 minutes away from everything! Plus, you can ride your bike everywhere, which means no having to pay for gas! The school is perfect sized, classes are usually less than 40 people (I usually have 20 people in my classes). The administration is great, you can easily get to know many of the higher-ups on campus. We don't have a football team, so that is one area we lack "pride" but we do pride ourselves on our range of activities we offer, everything from a surfing club, to tons of volunteer opportunities, to a skydiving club. The experience I will most remember is the midnight walks down to the battery- which is 20 minutes from anywhere downtown.

I absolutely love my department. The Classics department only has about 6 or 7 professors, and I know them all and have a professional relationship with all of them. It is a wonderful environment that is very conducive to my learning experience and I trust them all when seeking advice as to my future. I spend my time between classes in the area of the department, since the Classics offices are all right near the classroom where most Classics courses are taught. There are benches where several of us Classics majors like to congregate and have conversations about whatever interests us, whether it's Homer or Futurama.

The school is the right size; not too big, not too small. People believe that C of C is a really good school with a challenging academic program so many people are surprised and think you are really smart for going to C of C. There is no need to worry about being bored on campus because the school is in the middle of town and there is always something going on. No matter your tastes, whether you like to party hard (not me) or do something fun without drinking and getting high (that's me) then you can find it.

The best thing about CofC is being able to bike or walk anywhere you need to go. Biking is best though. The worst thing is parking! It is much faster to ride a bike than drive a car with traffic and zero parking. Most of my time on campus is spent in the Geology reading room or in the library. Also finding off campus housing is highly recommended. dorm life can be rough and that is what I have heard the most complaints about.If you use any illegal substances and dont want to get kicked out of school than DON'T live in the dorms, this includes underage drinking! CofC is definitley a college town and the cops treat it that way. about 80 percent of parties get busted. I think I heard something about one of the school officials getting busted for some sort of fraud or scam.

The best thing about CofC is the size. I toured a very large school and then attended a small college, and when it comes to college, size matters. There are enough people to support many organizations and many activities, but no so many people that you feel like just a number. I do wish that we had more well-known athletic teams.

CofC is located in the historic district of one of the oldest cities in the U.S. If you can forego the football and "big school" feeling with a campus, this is certainly a great school. CofC has lots of personality and there is always something to do. What a beautiful place to go to school. The school is the perfect size; it feels like you see the same people a lot but also some new faces everyday. It can be difficult to meet people in a city atmosphere with many commuters, so get involved in a Greek organization or a campus organization.

Walking around campus is really awesome. I'm a history major so that historical aspect is really cool to me. Plus, its good exercise. I would make a futile attempt at changing the amount of free parking for students. There isn't much space but it still stinks that we have to wait till a certain time to park for free. People generally know where I mean when I say College of Charleston. It really is a nice school and a great place to get a degree from. Plus there are tons of places close to campus that you can go and do stuff. There is always something to do. Sometime the administration is difficult to work with. I know that I personally had to deal with some issues they wouldn't address or fix at first. I remember getting really upset though and working up all my courage to go talk to someone and when I did they were so nice and gave me what I wanted. So if you want something done, it definitely will take some time. But eventually they pull through and thats what counts in the end.

I love the location of the campus because it is located in the heart of downtown Charleston. There is awesome night life that goes on both on and off campus. I also love the size of the school. It is not too big like state universities, but at the same time it is not that small. The only real complaint that students have is the lack of parking, but that is to be expected of a school that is located in the middle of a city. Overall, the professors are awesome, especially in the English department.

good size (on a scale 1 to 5 i would say it SEEMS like a 2 or 2 1/2...) everyone goes to beach on weekends the firetrucks and busses are so loud

Coming to The College was one of the best decisions of my life and I have never regretted it. CofC blends into the City of Charleston but there is still a traditional campus. There is just the right number of students too. It is big enough so that you can always meet new people but small enough so that you aren't overwhelmed. The city of Charleston is a great place to live in general but even better for college students. You can walk everywhere and don't need a car unless you want to head to the beach. You also have a pretty extensive number of dining options as well; ranging from a $2 slice of pizza at Andolini's to a $50 a plate dinner on East Bay St.

In general, this school was exactly what I was looking for... I'm not sure though, that when I graduated from high school, I knew what I was looking for! CofC is a nice school. It's perfect size so if you want to avoid someone you can, but you always see at least someone you know on the way to and from class. No football team honestly leaves a lot to be desired (it sounds weird but the whole "school spirit" idea isn't there... everyone is either a USC or Clemson fanatic) and while the basketball team was good at some point and I suppose may be again, it's not right now and definately not the same as football (especially when in South Carolina). There IS a lot of partying and not so much studying-- only 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} graduate in 4 years. When I started in 2004 I was an outcast given my homestate of NY but now there's many more Northeasterners (perhaps too many). Things on campus are segregated but that might just be a Northerners perspective. All in all, a good school but not great.Take the Southern attitude, Spanish moss, and sweet Greek, pearl-wearing, church-going, non-cussing ladies, all with a grain of salt.

CofC is pretty awesome. The size is just right, I'd say it's in between USC & Wofford, as far as number of students. The only thing I would change would be the number of liberals, and I'd up the cute guy population. I don't live on campus, so I pretty much just go to class & leave, but the time I do spend on campus is pretty enjoyable. Charleston is DEFINITELY not a college town, which I love. If you didn't already know that CofC was here, you probably wouldn't figure it out by just visiting. The administration at CofC seems to be okay. I've had a few crazy professors, but I'm pretty sure that's anywhere. School pride isn't necessarily important. I have a few CofC tshirts, but that's about it. I think the people involved in Greek Life are much more into being "Cougars." I don't really have any extraordinary experience to tell yet, but I have enjoyed the last 2 years. The biggest complaint would definitely be the uneven bricks on the sidewalks, but this doesn't bother me at all. Charleston is the most amazing city ever, and the bricks are a part of that. Those bricks have been there way longer than any of the whiny students and they are just part of Charleston's history.

Best thing about CofC-history of the city, great weather, can either go to crappy college bars or nice bars down on market street. Worst things-I transfered not knowing anyone and found it difficult to find a new group of friends. Stereotypical sorority/frat people but there are plenty of chill people around. Coming from a big city I am used to a different type of people that arent found in charleston

Perfect size, awsome location, crazy parties and bar scene, would not change a thing

Campus is beautiful. Charleston is a great city, lots of shopping, good bars, and restaurants. Can be a bit of a culture shock if you are from the north, but overall people are nice and it's somewhat easy to avoid the douchebags.

The College is downtown and right in the middle of the action in Charleston. Parking is preposterous; Charleston was once a walled city, and while they continue to build more and more buildings, parking garages are slow, or fail, to follow. People in the South know what CofC is and respect it as an amazing school in a beautiful city. Outside of the South, I usually have to explain where/what it is. On campus, apart from classes, a lot of time is spent in the eateries or at the Stern Student Centre. Stern has a few fast food restaurants, a nice garden in the back, a gym, a few ballrooms, and a pool. Downtown is filled with college students during the school year but it is definitely a tourist attraction and is constantly occupied by people visiting from all over the world. The biggest recent controversy on campus is split between the (accidental) death of a senior, and some controversy that went on in SGA. People who live in Charleston and the South in general have a lot of pride in where they live and come from, and I would say the same is true for the College.

C of C has the perfect amount of students. It is not as large as some univeristies but it fits the city very well. Charleston is not a small city but it does seem to have a decent percentage of residents who attend the College of Charleston. Charleston is very welcomeing to the student body in terms of the night life. And there are tons of nearby houses and apparments for rent each year that are within walking distance of the campus. C of C is also located near several beaches and rivers. The nearest beach is about 20 minutes away.

college of charleston is the most amazing school i could have ever imagined to come to. the size is perfect for me: a big school (10,000) with a small school feel; most everyone who goes here is extremely cool, everyone is pretty cool with drugs and there are definitely plenty to be found; the best thing to do when you have free time would be go to the beach, maybe take a bike ride, go to marion square, or just chill around the beautiful campus! one thing i hope for cofc is that it remains the same size, which can be done be raising the standards to attend. i think that cofc is making its way from its past reputation of just being a party school where south carolinians went to just go fuck around, into a reputable college- ive even heard that cofc is set to be like a new vanderbilt in about ten years. i think the staff and the students at college of charleston warrant this kind of recognition. sports are not really that popular here, which i like. im not really into going to organized sporting events. but even without huge sports to draw students together, the students at college of charleston all LOVE their school and have plenty of school spirit as far as just having love for their college goes.

Great size of school. Big enough to present a lot of unique opportunities but small enough to see people you know all over. Absolutely awesome location. Charleston is an incredible city with tons going on.

The best thing about C of C is the campus. I have been to many colleges and universities all over the south and C of C, in my opinion, is one of the best because of it's historical importance, it's awesome appearance, it's location, it's size, and it's administration. The campus is small, but has a big feel to it because of the student population. Since C of C is located in the center of Charleston, people never run out of things to do. Most of the students that like to go to the beach like to go to Folly, which is only a 15-20 minute drive from downtown.

The best thing at C of C is the campus and how unbelievably beautiful it can be. We are very historical and very rich in culture. Walking around C of C is a pleasure and should be a privilege.

The best thing about cofc is the nice people and weather. One thing I would change is have more holidays. I think that the school is too small, but others would disagree. I spend most of my time at the Libary, but Stern Center and Cougar mall are poupular. Cofc is kind of in the middle, its not a college town, but it feels like it is missing something that a big non-college town would. Cofc administration is helpful sometimes, a little misguided but their hearts are in the right place. There isn't a lot of school pride, there isn't a football team, and our baskeball team isn't so good.

I loved going to Charleston. It is the perfect size school. The classes are small (which is good for getting to know your professors), but there are enough students who go here that you constantly meet new people. There are a lot of opportunities to meet people. Sororities and Fraternities are present on campus but are not the center of everything. So if you chose to be in a sorority or fraternity great, but if you don't it's not the end of your social life. Being located in the heart of the city is AWESOME! There are tons of fun bars throughout the city. But, if you don't like the bar scene, house parties are always an option. Most students live off campus after freshmen year. The school is close to the beach, which fun to go to when the weather is nice (and the weather is usually nice). The college is constantly adding onto the campus and fixing the buildings. When I am on campus I usually would be at the library. They have tons of computers for students to use, and great resources. Also one great resource is the Stern Center. It has a food court, gym, pool, study areas, and two ATMs. If I could change one thing about Charleston I would want it to have a higher number of students who attend sports events. The basketball team in the past two years is definitely drawing bigger and better crowds, however, other teams like soccer and baseball play in Patriots Point, which is not directly on campus, so students are less likely to go to those games. I have had the best 4 years at Charleston.

Wonderful, awesome campus in a downtown southern city. Experience living in a true, southern city! The horse rides, Spanish moss on oaks, and the excitement of being able to walk to nearby bars and shops. Your able to attend school, experience not only the campus but the City of Charleston.

When I tell people I go to College of Charleston, I often get a blank look followed by "Oh, I love Charleston, I had no idea there was a college there." I think the main reason for this is the lack of football and has nothing to do with the quality of the school. CofC is extremely undergraduate-focused and really cares about the students. Charleston is by far the greatest city to go to school in as there is a definite "college town" feeling but at the same time is a historic city filled with tourists and day to day life outside of college activities. I love seeing professors down at the open market or at festivals held within the city...it breaks the bubble of only being surrounded by people your age all the time.