Waitlist FAQ

How is the waitlist established? 

Admission to the College of Charleston is competitive. While we would love to offer every applicant admission to the College of Charleston, we must account for capacity limits in our student housing, course offerings and student services. We know that there are applicants that would be successful here and we’d be pleased to offer admission if space became available. For now, these applicants are offered a place on the waitlist. 

How do I accept my offer for the waitlist?

In your decision letter (located in your Admissions Portal), there is a linked form to indicate that you would like to accept a spot on our waitlist. You must accept a spot on the waitlist to be considered for admission. We encourage you to do this as soon as possible.

When will I know if I was admitted?

Once a final admissions decision is made, decisions will be released via the Admissions Portal and applicants will be notified by email. The College of Charleston will try to provide all applicants on our waitlist with a final admission decision no later than June 15.

What number am I on the waitlist?  

While waitlists can mean different things at different institutions, applicants on the waitlist at the College of Charleston are not assigned a numeric position or specific place on the list. Just as with the admissions process, we consider applicants based on multiple factors within their application and institutional needs. This is because the spaces that become available are not identical, but instead, may call for students from different academic profiles, demographics, geographic locations, etc.

What can I do to increase my chance of being admitted off the waitlist? 

Make sure you confirm your spot on the waitlist using the linked form in your decision letter. Connecting with your admissions counselor is the best way to showcase your continued interest in the College of Charleston. As potential spaces become available, these personal connections go a long way for your counselor to advocate for your admission.

You do NOT need to send additional letters of recommendation, essays or personal statements to be admitted from the waitlist.

Am I more likely to be admitted if I change my major? 

No, your major of choice does not impact your admissions decision. College of Charleston reviews and admits applicants regardless of anticipated major.

If someone else turns down their offer to College of Charleston, does that mean I'll be admitted?  

Numerous factors contribute to how and when we admit applicants from our waitlist. If a applicant turns down their offer of admission to the College of Charleston that does not guarantee an offer for that spot.

Will I still be considered for scholarships/financial aid? 

The availability of merit scholarships cannot be guaranteed. Those who are admitted will be informed of any merit scholarship earned within their offer of admission. 

To be considered for need-based financial aid, be sure to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and send it to the College of Charleston (school code 003428), if you have not done so already.

If admitted, what are my next steps for enrollment? 

If admitted, to secure your seat in the fall class you will need to submit your $400 non-refundable enrollment deposit. The College will inform applicants selected for admission of their chances for campus housing and any financial aid award before requiring an enrollment decision.

If you are admitted off of the waitlist prior to May 1, you’ll need to abide by the May 1 enrollment deposit and housing application deadline to be guaranteed on-campus housing and a spot in the class.

Students admitted off of the waitlist after May 1 will not be guaranteed on-campus housing so paying your $400 non-refundable enrollment deposit as soon as possible will give you access to the on-campus housing application in hopes of space opening through the summer. Additionally, we may close deposits at any time after May 1 if the incoming class reached capacity.

You will be able to register for a summer orientation session once the enrollment deposit is submitted. Additional information on the next steps for enrollment can be found here.

What should I do if I’ve made plans to attend somewhere else instead and want to decline my spot on the waitlist?  

If you decide that you are no longer interested in attending the College of Charleston, you can cancel your application by sending an email to admissions@cofc.edu with your name, CWID or date of birth, and a request to withdraw your application. We’ll take care of the rest!