faqs

• When should I apply to the Honors College?
• Does the Honors Application require a fee?
• How many students are in the program?
• What are the required test socres to be considered for acceptance?
• Is there a dorm designated for honors students?
• Is being in the Honors College more work?
• What are the requirements for graduating from the honors college?
• Are there benefits of being in the Honors College that the average College of Charleston student might not have?

When should I apply to the Honors College?

While there is no deadline to apply to the Honors College, students are encouraged to apply by November 1st of their Senior year in high school to maximize chances of being accepted. Submitting your application by this date should also assure that you meet the Office of Admissions’ deadline for incoming freshmen to be automatically considered for academic merit scholarships.

Does the Honors Application require a fee?

There is no fee for the Honors application. The general College does, however, require a non-refundable processing fee of $45.00, or $35.00 if you apply online. Also, you must fill out both the application for general admissions to the College of Charleston as well as the application to the Honors College.

How many students are in the program?

There are approximately 650 students in the Honors College.

What are the required test socres to be considered for acceptance?

There are no cut-off scores for the Honors College, but the typical Honors student has an average SAT score of 1340, an average ACT score of 29, and is in the top 6% of his/her graduating class.

Is there a dorm deignated for honors students?

Honors students may choose to room together in specially selected residence halls, Rutledge-Rivers and Buist-Rivers. Both will be co-ed by floors, with men living on the first floor of each hall and women on the upper floors. These halls will provide a true learning community with Honors R.A.s, optional lectures and seminars in the evenings, and Honors social activities. These residence halls are in the center of campus in close proximity to the Honors Center and the library.

Is being in the Honors College more work?

Being in the Honors College does not demand extra courses or classroom hours; it does, however, demand some different work. There is more interaction between students and between students and the instructors in Honors classes. There are also greater opportunities for independent research, to study abroad for a semester or a year, for creativity and for meeting individual goals.

What are the requirements for graduating from the honors college?

All Honors students take: 2 semesters of Honors English, 2 semesters of the Honors Colloquium in Western Civilization, 2 semesters of Mathematics to include Calculus and one other Math course at the 200-level or above, 3 other Honors courses of the student’s choosing (one of which must be an interdisciplinary Special Topics course), a 3 credit-hour Tutorial, usually completed in the junior year, and a 6 credit-hour Bachelor’s Essay, usually done in the senior year.

In addition to the required courses, students who want to graduate from the Honors College must have attained a cumulative GPA of 3.40 or higher upon graduation.

Are there benefits of being in the Honors College that the average C of C student might not have?

Some of the benefits include:

1. Early advising and registration;
2. Use of the Honors Center for studying, meetings and more;
3. Rooming with other Honors students;
4. Membership in the Honors Student Association;
5. Exclusive study away opportunities;
6. Smaller, more stimulating classes with some of the college's top professors;
7. Being a part of a community of students who share common interests and motivation;
8. And the designation of being recognized as an Honors College graduate upon the completion of the requirements.