Charleston Fellows

The Charleston Fellows Program is the Honors College's top scholars program. If you have the potential to grow into a transformative individual, if you aim to one day become a standout in your field, the Charleston Fellows can help turn your goals into reality.

As a Charleston Fellow, you’ll benefit from four years of:

  • Significant scholarship support.
  • Leadership and personal development.
  • Enterprising peers and elevated connections.

A Top Scholars Program

Students gather at a fancy donor reception and pose for the camera next to the College's president, Andrew Hsu.
fellows/experience
Students stand in front of a bookshelf with many fancy texts.
Andrea Kimpson presents during the Mroz Institute.
Students pose as a group during a mock etiquette reception.
 
 

For students who aim to make a significant impact on their communities and in their chosen fields.

The Charleston Fellows Experience

Significant scholarship support

Your time in college should focus on making the most of your opportunities. Which is why all Charleston Fellows receive four-year merit scholarships from the Honors College to help you cover tuition costs.

But being a Charleston Fellow is about far more than a scholarship. It’s a chance to broaden your mind. To determine your optimal leadership style. To grow into the exceptional person you're capable of becoming.

Personalized development

You’ll participate in professional and personal development activities tailored to your unique goals, including:

  • A team-building mini-retreat to kick off each semester.
  • A for-credit professional enrichment class that prepares first-year fellows for leadership opportunities.
  • Public presentations where graduating Fellows showcase their senior research projects.
  • Nuanced workshops on topics like graduate school applications, networking etiquette, stress relief, and personal finance.

Expert connections

Fellows regularly have opportunities for intimate discussions with industry leaders and visionary thinkers.

  • Pick the brain of visiting experts like Pulitzer Prize winner Geraldine Brooks, James Beard nominee Michael Shemtov, or innovative trauma surgeon Dr. Ashley Hink.
  • Connect with an alumni network of 300+ former fellows.
  • Gain access to additional faculty mentors who can provide guidance on your resume or write letters of recommendation.

An elevated community

Collaborate with students who are just as driven as you. Friendships among fellows begin as soon as you set foot on campus.

  • Meet a peer mentor who’ll help you acclimate to college.
  • Develop connections over coffee, pumpkin carving, stargazing, or any of our other community-building events.
  • Explore your creative side with a group collaging session, or sing your heart out at karaoke.

The Application Process

There’s no separate application process for the Charleston Fellows. As long as you’ve applied to the Honors College by our priority deadline, you’ll be considered for the program. If your overall Honors College application suggests you’d make a good fit as a Charleston Fellow, you’ll be invited to interview for the program during Honors College Interview Weekend in February.

Who's a good fit for the program?

The Program consists of roughly 100 fellows and features students from a diverse range of majors, backgrounds, and aspirations. When considering prospective students for the program, our review process is a holistic one. We look for evidence of excellence in the following categories:

  • Willingness to learn
  • Rigor and breadth of coursework
  • Leadership experience and development
  • Community engagement
  • Creative and analytic writing abilities

There is no minimum GPA or test score to be considered for the Charleston Fellows. Students applying test optional to the College of Charleston will not be disadvantaged in the Interview Weekend review process.

 

Apply to the Honors College