Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions FAQs

• How do I apply?

  Incoming freshmen and transfer students should apply to the Honors College at the same time you apply to the College of Charleston. You'll be asked if you would like to be considered for admission to the Honors College, and if you select "Yes," you will submit a supplemental essay. You can review our application instructions for more information about the supplemental Honors College essay prompts.

  If you have already applied to the College of Charleston and did not indicate an interest in the Honors College, please email us at honors@cofc.edu to discover your next steps.  

• Can I apply on Common App?

  Yes! You should indicate on College of Charleston’s supplement to the Common App that you are interested in applying to the Honors College and will then be prompted to provide the supplemental essay. 

• Can I apply test score optional?

  Students applying to the College of Charleston also have the option to apply test optional. If you choose to do so and apply to the Honors College, the Honors Committee will not review any test scores that might be on file.

  The Honors College has historically used a holistic review process for applicants, and we have never required a minimum test score to apply to the Honors College. If you do choose to submit a test score for admissions consideration, we will review it within the context of your other application materials.

  There are no different requirements for the Honors College application for students applying test optional compared to those submitting a test score.

• When should I apply? When will I hear a decision?

  Our application instructions will contain the most up-to-date deadlines for your particular application. It's also home to several application tips and tricks!

• Which part of my application is most important?

  Honors College applications are reviewed holistically, which means we assess all the information available in your application. Our review committee considers all of the following:

  • the rigor of your high school coursework and your performance in the classroom.
  • your response to the required essay (and optional essay, if submitted).
  • demonstrated leadership and community engagement listed in the activities section of the application.
  • test scores (if submitted).

  Our priority is to determine whether a student is prepared to succeed at the Honors College curriculum and will thrive within the Honors College community. We also want to make sure the student is the right fit for the Honors College, and vice versa.
  
  The vast majority of our applicants have above-average GPAs in the most demanding curriculum available at their school. We recommend you focus your application on developing an exceptional essay and professionally display your interests, involvement, and accomplishments within your activities list. And most importantly, be yourself! We want to get to know you as a person.

• Does the Honors College offer any scholarships?

  With few exceptions, all Honors College students receive some form of institutional merit scholarship.

  All incoming first-year applicants who apply early action or early decision to the Honors College by the Honors priority deadline are considered for invitation to interview for the Charleston Fellows Program, our top scholars program. Be sure to indicate you are applying "early action" or "early decision" to be considered for the program and its accompanying scholarships.

  The College's Office of Financial Assistance has lots of additional info about available scholarships and the general financial aid process.

• What if I apply and am waitlisted or not accepted?

  Our review committee may recommend that an applicant be put on a waiting list if they are not currently deemed the best fit for admission. This means the committee will want additional information from you. In this situation, a you should send any updates, including senior year grades, to honors@cofc.edu for the committee's review. The committee reviews updates on a rolling basis and provides a final decision by early April.  

  If you're not admitted to the Honors College, you are still eligible for admission to the College of Charleston. The Honors College also accepts applications from current College of Charleston students after completing two semesters of coursework at the College.

• How can I learn more about the Honors College experience?

  There are plenty of ways to learn more about all that the Honors College has to offer. If you're still considering whether or not to apply, you should...

  • Explore the advantages of life in the Honors College.
  • Request a meeting with an Honors College student ambassador.
  • Attend an in-person or virtual info session.
  • Email us your questions: honors@cofc.edu.
• Is the ARCH Scholars Program part of the Honors College?

  In the Honors College, we have two separate programs; the Honors Scholars Program and the ARCH Scholars Program. As an ARCH scholar, you'll be part of a special cohort within the College of Charleston Honors College made up of highly capable incoming students. The program offers enhanced benefits during your first two years at the College of Charleston. It is separate from the Honors Scholars Program, which runs all four years. A student cannot be in both programs at the same time.

• Can I apply to the ARCH Scholars Program?

  There’s no application process for the ARCH Scholars Program. You’re selected based on your superior academic performance in high school and your potential to hit the ground running and thrive here at college.

  If you’ve been accepted into the program, you’ll receive an official acceptance notification directly through your College of Charleston admissions portal. And there’s no extra step to claim your spot in the program. Once you submit your deposit to the College of Charleston, you’re officially an ARCH scholar!

  When our website refers to "applying to Honors," it means to the four-year Honors Scholars Program!