@carolinamom2boys You’re correct in your description and I’m trying to walk my comments back. I have family members who have personally suffered violence and deprivation at the hands of Communism. So it does provoke a visceral reaction to see faculty members, supposedly history experts, proudly applying that label to themselves. But yes, that’s my issue and what’s important is what’s right for my daughter, who has a right-of-center political orientation but not the visceral reactions I do (and that’s a good thing). I appreciate your time in letting me know about the required Western Civ and the Classics major. I apologize if it sounded like I was casting aspersions on the entire College, which I did not intend, but as you say – my reaction was visceral so it probably sounded that way. I do like CofC, a lot. Whether the history department is a fit for my daughter we’re trying to determine, and your comments are helpful. Apologies.
@AndrewBander I’m a firm believer that a person needs to be where they feel comfortable in order to learn. There are a lot of schools out there. What’s right for one isn’t right for all. I hope your daughter finds a place where she feels that. Good luck to her.
Hopping back into conversation. Just finished last accepted students day so S19 is between CofC and Quinnipiac (well also one in-state option would only choose to save $$), with CofC being top choice and best OOS cost…totally different schools for sure! All of the info responses on this thread is very helpful. I didnt know about the history department…very interesting. He is biochem tho so prob wont interact too much with history. But he loves American history and I think it would be cool to take some of those preservation classes for enrichment. Love Charleston history!
@carolinamom2boys and @MYOS1634 would you mind chiming in on a couple of these questions? You can PM me if its easier/more comfortable. Thank you!!!
–Is the campus and surrounding area safe (with it being urban in mind and the usual precautions). Can S19 walk around by himself during day (in a group at night)? Heard that city is very unsafe. Wondering if it’s just the typical “certain parts to avoid?”
–Are the dorms decent? We saw Berry Hall which we both thought were fine but didnt look at any other hall. Read somewhere that the dorms were very run down. I cant imagine them being that bad though if they were all open on ASD, but just asking.
–If S19 is not in honors college, will he still have decent support in the sciences? Internships?
–How hard is it in a city environment campus to meet other students? Is there a lot of clubs & happenings to choose from (I forgot!). Any idea how many students commute versus live on campus/in town? Are all the clubs late at night were he would have to walk back to dorm by himself if he didnt have friends available? Do any students ever go hiking or have a hiking-type club?
–Anyone have any info on the pre-college leadership program - its a couple of days before move-in at Seabrook Island. Worth looking into?
–Any decent Christian churches in the area that students go to as a group? Or Christian clubs on campus? S19 would like to go to church and/or be involved in Christian community.
–An add…In light of conversation on this thread… S19 is moderately conservative/doesnt really care much about politics and will listen/be respectful of all opinions. Will he be okay at CofC? I am very familiar with Rutgers and it does get a bit tiring there not being able to have any dialogue or express any opinion except super liberal.
Hope not too many questions! 
@cakeisgreat I sent you a PM.
CofC is not a commuter school @cakeisgreat . My DS16 has quite a few local friends from Mt Pleasant and Summerville and they live on campus. Always something going on.
@carolinamom2boys thank you so much for your PM and answering all my zillion questions. I’m 98% sure he is choosing CofC. He loves it. We love it. Such a cool place.
Im no expert but my D18 is a freshman and has felt safe walking around. She passes some homeless on her walk to the grocery store but hasn’t had any issues. There was one incident where an older man on campus meowed at her and creeped her out. The usual safety applies and she loves CofC.
Her roommate is from Charleston and stays on campus most of the time. The other suitemates are from all over the east coast.
The dorms seem pretty standard to me. Nothing fancy but completely fine.
D18 has not gotten too involved yet but there seems to be a lot going on and several events at the beginning and end of the semesters.
What do people do on Saturday afternoons at CofC? I am Jewish, and keep the Shabbat, so I can’t drive anywhere on Saturday, as well as a bunch of other things
@thepay3 Charleston is a very walkable city. There is a synagogue within walking distance . There is also a strong Jewish Student Association and Hillel on campus. Unfortunately, I am not Jewish, so I can’t speak from experience, but if you search Clubs on the CofC website, there is contact information for all of the groups. I’m sure if you contacted someone in those groups, they’d be more than willing to answer any questions.
@drewsmom17 Thank you for chiming in. I felt safe when we have visited Charleston in the past, but I have always been a tourist so I don’t always pick up on things. The consensus definitely seems like it’s doable.
It’s pretty cool that your D’s roommate is from Charleston and stays on campus. I can see why. It’s also cool that her other roommates are from all over. Another reason why we like CofC. S19 wants to experience another part of the country and other people’s experiences. If he stays home, it’s pretty much instate people (great people anyway, but not new). Turned down Virginia Tech and Elon because of cost. CofC was very nice with the merit. Very glad about that!
S19 wants to work at the aquarium
Oh…I should add that so far our experience with meeting professors has been amazing. At ASD, we talked to a marketing teacher at a table who told us about the Health Care Management Minor, and also was just so friendly and welcoming. Also, the biochemistry chair and German chair both reached out via email and phone call. And when we missed them at ASD/phone, reached out again with a lot of great information on how to combine German and Biochem with certain internships etc. Much appreciated/useful info.
We reviewed the biochemistry major requirements and it is comparable to other colleges S19 was considering - and is American Chemical Society-certified, so makes sense that it would be similar.
@MYOS1634 Sent you a PM.
@AndrewBander Is this your daughter’s opinion or yours? Just food for thought.
@Mallosu Fair point. I’m more adamant about it than she is. But I’m paying.
It’s official! S19 going to CofC. Yey!
Congratulations!!
Update: S19 at CofC - roommates and dorm great, experiencing lots of new things, academics great, opportunities abound and very happy with choice so far.
Move in was raining but easy. Made it through hurricane Dorian evacuation no problem.
Very happy so far!