Apply to the Honors College
The Honors College is a community of highly engaged students looking to make the most of the College of Charleston experience.
What unites us? We thrive academically. We’re creative problem-solvers. We relish impactful learning opportunities. And we seek to make a difference in the world around us.
If that sounds like you, apply today to become a member of the Honors College community.
Apply to the Honors College
Ready to join the Honors community? The Honors College application is integrated directly into the College of Charleston's admission application. Simply indicate your interest in Honors on your College of Charleston application, then follow the directions for the supplemental Honors College essay.
Start your application
Application Instructions
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Incoming Freshmen
Applying to the Honors College is easy. To be considered, simply indicate that you're interested in applying to the Honors College when asked to do so on your your College of Charleston or CommonApp application. Then when prompted, follow the instructions to complete the supplemental Honors essay.
Application Considerations
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).
Required Honors College Essay
As an incoming student, you’ll submit a supplemental Honors College essay. The essay prompt for incoming freshmen applicants for Fall 2024 is below. Responses should be 500-650 words in length.
Consider the following individual identity descriptors: creator, doer, explorer, change agent, seeker. Choose one of these descriptors that best encapsulates your core identity. Provide 2-3 concrete examples of how the descriptor you chose reflects your identity. How might this core identity translate into action as a scholar citizen at the College of Charleston? In what ways do you hope to develop your core identity during college?
Apply to the College of Charleston - The rigor of your high school coursework and your performance in the classroom.
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Transfer Students
If you're applying as a transfer student to the College of Charleston, you can also apply to transfer into the Honors College.
In most cases, it will take transfer students at least six semesters to complete the Honors curriculum regardless of what transfer credits are awarded. If you have any questions about whether you'd be a good fit to transfer into the Honors College, please email honors@cofc.edu.
Transfer Application Materials
Transfer applicants who are interested in the Honors College are required to submit a supplemental statement of intent on their transfer application to the College of Charleston. This statement should be 250-500 words and should cover why you believe you are a good fit for the Honors College, why you have decided to leave your current/previous school(s), and what you hope to gain from participating in the Honors College. Applicants must also submit their high school transcript via the application.
What We Look For
A cumulative college GPA of 3.4 or higher is required for consideration and a GPA above 3.8 is preferred. In reviewing applications to the Honors College, the admissions team considers your statement of intent alongside your transcript(s) and activities list.
Apply as a transfer -
Current College of Charleston Students
In certain instances, current College of Charleston students who aren't members of the Honors College can apply to become an Honors College student.
In most cases, it will take students at least six semesters to complete the Honors curriculum, so we typically only review students who have completed no more than two semesters at the College of Charleston. If you have any questions about whether you'd be a good fit to join the Honors College as a current CofC student, please email honors@cofc.edu.
Honors Application for Current CofC Students
Interested applicants should submit the Current CofC Student Honors application, which includes a statement of intent and resume. The statement of intent should be 250-500 words and should cover why you believe you are a good fit for the Honors College and what you hope to gain from participating in the Honors College.
What We Look For
A cumulative college GPA of 3.4 or higher is required for consideration and a GPA above 3.8 is preferred. In reviewing applications to the Honors College, the admissions team considers your statement of intent alongside your transcript(s) and resume.
Apply as a current student
Application Deadlines
Apply by the appropriate date to be sure your application receives full consideration.
| Application Type | Deadline | Apply By | Decision Release |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incoming Freshmen | Honors Priority Deadline | November 1 | Expected December 15 |
| Incoming Freshman | Honors Deadline | January 15 | Expected March 1 |
| Transfer Students | Fall Honors Deadline | May 1 | Admitted on rolling basis |
| Current Students | Fall Honors Deadline | May 15 | Admitted on rolling basis |
Why you should apply early
If you apply early action or early decision to the Honors College by our priority deadline, you become eligible for the Charleston Fellows Program. This is our top scholars program, and all students in the program receive Honors College merit scholarships.
We consider all early action and early decision applicants for the Charleston Fellows Program (there’s no separate application).
But you must indicate you are applying early action or early decision to ensure your application is considered. So apply today!