The ARCH Scholars Program

ARCH Program FAQs

• What is the ARCH Scholars Program?

  ARCH stands for Achievement Realized through Community in Honors, an idea that sets the foundation for this innovative new program. The ARCH Scholars Program provides highly capable incoming students with an enhanced experience during your first two years of college.
  
  You’ll take specialized classes that build upon your stellar high school track record. Personalized professional enrichment activities will set you up for long-term success.
  
  And because the ARCH program is housed within the Honors College and open to students of all majors, you’ll benefit from being part of an inspired learning community.

  Watch our recent ARCH Scholars Information Session to learn more!

• What are the program benefits?

  As an ARCH scholar, you’ll…
  

  • Live in the Honors Living-Learning Community residence hall your freshman year.
  • All first-year ARCH Scholars receive priority placement in Berry Residence Hall, the home of the Honors College Living Learning Community. They'll get to select rooms in Berry Hall right after the Honors Scholars select. During the first week of June, Campus Housing will contact all incoming Honors College students with details about how you can select a room in Berry Hall before the regular room selection process begins. 
  • Take a First Year Experience course specially designed for advanced students in the ARCH program.
  • Have access to ARCH-versions of popular courses across campus, reserved entirely for ARCH scholars.
  • Be eligible for an exclusive ARCH scholars study abroad program in London during the spring of your first or second year.
  • Benefit from Honors College perks like priority registration.
  • Be invited to Honors College student activities and exclusive ARCH scholar events.

• What is the ARCH London program?

  All incoming ARCH scholars are eligible to participate in an exclusive ARCH study abroad program. Each year, a group of approximately 30 freshman and sophomore ARCH scholars travel to London, England and study together during the spring semester.
  
  The experience is administered in partnership with the Foundation for International Education (FIE), a London-based nonprofit with over 25 years of experience coordinating study abroad programs. Over the course of the semester, you’ll enjoy classes on British life and culture, a global leadership and service-learning course, tours of London landmarks, and much more.

  Learn more about ARCH London
• How are ARCH scholars selected?

  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!

• Are ARCH scholars members of the Honors College?

  Yes! The Honors College consists of two distinctive experiences: ARCH Scholars and Honors Scholars. Each approach is set up to help different types of students get the most out of their time in college.
  
  As an ARCH scholar you’ll still be an active member of the Honors College community throughout your two years in the program. You’ll be able to participate in Honors College programming, and will interact regularly with other highly motivated Honors students. After the first two years, ARCH students are no longer part of the Honors College. 

• Can ARCH Scholars become Honors Scholars?

  ARCH Scholars are welcome to apply to join the Honors Scholars program during freshman year to start sophomore year. The application for current students opens in the spring semester and is active January to May each year. ARCH Scholars who want the full four-year Honors Scholars experience are welcome to apply in their first spring semester to start the Honors Scholars program in fall of sophomore year. 

  ARCH Scholars cannot complete the two years of ARCH then apply for Honors Scholars, as the Honors Scholars program takes a minimum of 6 semesters (3 years) to complete.