First-Year Admission

Come here to make contributions that matter.

Our open and collaborative community creates an intimate setting where you'll have the opportunity to think, create and explore alongside leading faculty in their respective fields. Here, you will be given the freedom to explore your passions and are supported throughout the journey to discovering your best path. Let's take this journey together.

Understanding the Application Process

Applying for first-year admission is simple once you understand the process. It's helpful to familiarize yourself with the necessary steps and gather required documents before you initiate the application process.

  1. Choose the application deadline that makes sense for you. Find out what our admissions committee is looking for.
  2. Choose your application method (College of Charleston Application or Common App).
  3. Review your application checklist. Once you submit your application, you'll be able to view your application checklist and track your application file in your College of Charleston Admissions Portal. If you chose the Common App, we'll send you an email after you hit submit, so you can access your College of Charleston Admissions Portal.
  4. Submit your application materials to complete your application file.

** The College of Charleston essay options are the same as the Common Application essay prompts. We also allow you to provide an essay using a topic of your choice

**Students applying for first-year admission can choose to have their application evaluated without SAT or ACT scores.

Cougar Advantage Program (Top 10%)

If you're a South Carolina student in a public or charter high school and you are in the top 10% of your class, you will be automatically admitted based on your class ranking at the time of application. You are also eligible for a minimum of $4,000 in merit scholarships.

Admission Requirements

In a university where originality, innovation and experiential learning matter, we look at more than just test scores in determining admissions. Take a look at what the average first-year student who enrolls at the College looks like to help inform your decision. 

Decision Information

Waiting to receive your admission decision can be stressful. To eliminate any confusion, and keep students and families informed, we've compiled an overview of possible decision outcomes.
  • Accepted

    Accepted students are able to join CougarNation in the fall so long as they take the next steps—from confirming enrollment and financial aid to securing housing and registering for orientation. Acceptance to the College is contingent upon maintaining the high level of academic performance that warranted admission for the duration of the applicant's high school career. The admissions committee will review official final transcripts reflecting any coursework currently in progress. Applicants are encouraged to make lasting memories and enjoy every second of their senior year without sacrificing their standard of academic excellence in order to ensure they are able to take advantage of this opportunity to do something truly extraordinary.

  • Pathway Programs

    iCharleston

    Your decision letter may include an invitation to participate in the iCharleston program.

    Through the iCharleston, select students who do not initially receive an offer of admission have the opportunity to gain guaranteed acceptance to the College by successfully completing a first semester abroad.

    After successfully completing the program, you'll transfer your 15 hours of iCharleston credits and begin the spring semester enrolled at the College of Charleston.

  • Deferred

    Deferred students are early applicants who may very well be eligible for admission once the admissions committee has been able to see the entire pool of applicants or received additional information reflecting a more comprehensive academic profile (e.g. first semester grades, additional test scores, etc.). As long as the Office of Admissions receives adequate information to formulate a more comprehensive academic profile, deferred applicants will be notified by mid-March. Deferred applicants are required to submit Fall semester grades to be considered further for admission. Read the Deferred Student FAQs.

  • Waitlist

    While we would love to admit every applicant to the College of Charleston, we must account for capacity limits in our student housing, course offerings and student services. We know there are applicants that would be successful here, and we'd be pleased to admit them should space become available. For now, these students are offered a place on the waitlist. Once a final admission decision is made, we will release decisions through the College of Charleston admissions portal, and email notifications as well.The College of Charleston will try to provide students with a final admission decision no later than June 15. The College will inform students selected for admission of their status for campus housing and any financial aid award before requiring an enrollment decision. Visit our Waitlist FAQ page for more information.

  • Denied

    Denied applicants may opt to transfer to the College of Charleston in the future. Denied applicants are only eligible to apply to the College of Charleston again as transfer students after completing at least 12 educational college-level credits and earning a cumulative college grade point average of 2.4.

Financial Aid & Additional Info

 

FAFSA

Students interested in federal loans and federal/state grants must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

International Application

The College of Charleston believes that diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences are integral parts of a liberal arts education.