The College of Charleston

We visited the College of Charleston yesterday and fell in love with one of the most beautiful campuses we have ever seen. As described in the Fiske Guide: The 13th oldest college in the country, College of Charleston was founded as a private college and, after a number of identity changes, became a state university exactly 200 years later. Located in Charleston’s famous Historic District, the campus features many of the city’s most venerable buildings. More than 80 of its buildings are former private residences, ranging from the typical Charleston “single” house to the Victorian, and the clap-clap of horse-drawn carriages bearing tourists is a routine sight. The campus is within easy walking distance of the city’s shopping and restaurant district and offers proximity to beaches. Cistern Yard, the area in front of Randolph Hall lined with moss-draped live oaks, is a student gathering point and the site of May graduation ceremonies. The campus has received countless awards for its design and has been designated a national arboretum and a National Historic Landmark. The college’s core curriculum is rooted in the liberal arts, sciences, and professional programs. The focus is on the development of problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, as well as taking an entrepreneurial approach to addressing global issues like climate change, social injustice, and economic inequality. Each student is required to satisfy credits in English, history, mathematics or logic, social science, natural sciences, humanities, and foreign language. All new students attend Convocation, where they are introduced to the college’s academic traditions, and freshmen from underrepresented groups can participate in several support programs designed to ensure their successful transition to college. All freshmen take part in the First-Year Experience and choose between seminar and learning community options; sample seminars include Charleston Writers, Designing Your Life, and Gateway to Neuroscience.
The College of Charleston is semi-selective, very LBGTQ friendly, and dedicated to sustainability. The campus is almost 70% female, but the nearby colleges even out the social scene. The campus has a pre-med program in conjunction with the nearby Medical University of the South and offers excellent support services for students. Because it is located in the historic section of Charleston, be prepared for very uneven sidewalks. When I mentioned this to a Charleston rep, he told me "Heels down, toes up," which is an important safety tip. If you want to be in an urban campus that includes historic homes as part of the classroom experience, give the College of Charleston a look!