<p>I recently received my acceptance into the College of Charleston and I am pretty excited. I am a resident of Pennsylvania (suburbs of Philadelphia) and I heard good things about the CofC. I plan on majoring in Business, but I have no idea how well known their program is. The other colleges I am considering are Penn State and James Madison University. I would like to know how the transition is for students who lived in the North and also how the academic program is compared to PSU and JMU. Thanks!</p>
<p>I think there are a good number of Northerners at C of C; I wouldn’t anticipate a problem there. Charleston is historically a Navy town, and has a lot of transplants from all over the U.S. The campus is picturesque and the town is one of the gems of America.</p>
<p>That said, PSU and JMU are stronger schools academically, and it’s hard to imagine that at $33K per year for OOS tuition, room and board, C of C would be the bargain for you that Penn State would be. But for a change of atmosphere, it’d certainly be idyllic.</p>
<p>OP - I can’t tell your gender from your post but I would warn that if you are female - investigate CofC very carefully. Visit for a weekend if you can. Sometimes girls from the northeast find themselves a little overwhelmed by the “southernness” at CofC and other similar schools. Things like it is cliquey, the girls really dress up for class, emphasis on sorority life, etc. I have not heard this type of complaints from boys - so perhaps it does not affect them as much. Not saying you should not choose CofC - I hear a lot of good things about it as well - but just make sure you are ok with the southern atmosphere.</p>
<p>Agree with rockvillemom, you wouldn’t want to suffer from culture shock! :)</p>
<p>Culture shock goes both ways folks. LOL.</p>
<p>CoC is a great school. Its not lower than JMU, its about the same. One could argue PSU is a better school, but PSU is also HUGE. </p>
<p>The advantage of JMU is its charm in the Shenandoah Valley and near the ski resort mtns of Va. But its not a big time city or lots of things to do culturally…its an outdoors lover’s paradise however. The entertainment is definitely on campus and sports. </p>
<p>Both JMU and CoC have a fair share of party animals. Stay AWAY from them! They will pull you down like cement shoes in a swimming pool. </p>
<p>CoC is in beautiful Charleston and has a lot of tourists right under foot. It too many tourists bother you, then think about that. But its a gorgeous city with history dripping from the oak trees and spanish moss. CoC has a strong sorority environment. Its a good business school. For the disciplined student (its close to SC beaches!), its awesome. Is it cliquey? Most kids tend to come from the southeast and in particular North and South Carolina. But that doesnt mean you wont be accepted. They are open and honest and if you are an honest person and always act yourself, you will be fine. Its not all girls with pearls. There are kids of all flavors and ideas: liberals, conservatives, country kids, city kids, jocks, sorority queens, granola crunchers, pearls and flipflops. Its not too big, but not so small as to be smothering. But you must be disciplined to do well…otherwise the party animals will suck you in, the beaches will beckon you on nice days and you quickly find yourself struggling to survive. </p>
<p>All three schools are state schools. All three have kids of all flavors and abilities. That is either bane of your existence there ,or what makes them charming. You decide. You get out of it what you put into it. </p>
<p>SOME kids will have transferitis at JMU for UVa, and SOME at CoC for USC-Columbia (and sometimes Clemson or UNC). But most kids love it and thrive. Repeat, to shine and thrive you must be a disciplined student. Got it?</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>I’m glad this was asked! We will be visiting CofC this spring. We are out of staters as well and the concern regarding the clique-ish, superficial steroptype is a big reason why we are visiting before my daughter decides if it is somewhere she will want to apply. She’s more artsy than preppy (is interested in their Arts Management program and would want to be active in their choral groups)
Of course, one of the things I quickly learned as I visited colleges was take what you read on the internet, guidebooks, etc with a grain of salt…and form your own opinions. Or more importantly…have the prospective student form his/her own opinions :)</p>
<p>While CofC is being discussed…anyone knw how is the Honors College perceived there? Are those kids really “segregated” out? How do they differ from the rest of the student body? (other than having a stronger academic record…) </p>
<p>For the record…we have the same concerns about Elon and therefore will be visiting there as well.</p>
<p>I dont know about the Honors Program at CoC specifically. But overall its a good school. The biggest problem isnt the prepsters and sorority girls…though they are certainly there, its the party animals. Its a great school if you are disciplined in your studies. I know the Honors Program at USC-Columbia is HIGHLY regarded and is in fact segregated living quarters, if that interests you as well. </p>
<p>Look at programs, yes…and inquire…but remember also that picking a major too soon can be tough…so be open to new ideas she might get in the core requirements etc. </p>
<p>Visiting is essential.</p>
<p>Elon is a fabulous school and a real rising star. Its profile has improved significantly. Its an absolutely gorgeous campus and while its very southern, there is a strong contingent of northerners there as its name is spreading…but those kids tend to be lifestyle kids anyway…who desire the Elon ethos (community service is huge there) and slower paced way of life. Elon students are prized by employers as hard working and ethical people, without a snobby attitude. You may fall in love with it. Its Honors Program is very strong and rigorous. Its one of my favorite places (they offered my D1 a HUGE scholarship four years ago…lol…but alas she went north!) Elon kids do tend to come from money much of the time, and can dress a bit preppy…though there are granola kids there too…but overally I dont think its reputation is one of being snooty and exclusive…its rap was always its the kids who didnt get into Duke or UNC…but that is changing as kids now select it for its warmth and friendliness and being competitive without being cutthroat. There will be drinkers there too…they are everywhere. But overall, its not a party school. But its small…so some kids don’t like environment and prefer a large public university. </p>
<p>Its very wise to visit campuses.</p>
<p>ghostbuster - very informative - thanks for joining in. We have visited Elon several times with both sons and we love it. Do not see at as being too southern as there are so many kids from MA, NJ, MD etc. I think the biggest difference in terms of student population is that CofC is public - so the majority of students are in-state, which Elon is private, so there is a more even geographic distribution.</p>
<p>I also note that CofC does not have a football team - it seems a little more artsy to me - but the location is great - so much to do. </p>
<p>But I certainly agree that visiting and speaking to present students (beyond the tour guide) is in order.</p>
<p>If you want a great tan, go to C of C. For an education, go elsewhere.</p>
<p>Mark2457, I don’t know where you went, but you need to ask for your money back.
My D turned down UNC, UMD, JMU, Richmond, Loyola, and Lafayette to go to College of Charleston Honors. A senior now, she’s a finalist for a Fulbright, and has been accepted to two of the top PhD programs in her field (duke, U Mich.), with full funding, when she finishes an already funded MA in the UK next year. CofC is the best thing that ever happened to her.</p>