New Student Information

Orientation Holds
All new students will have an orientation hold on their files until they attend orientation. The hold only affects the student's ability to register for classes.

Placement Testing
Placement Testing for incoming students should be completed before you attend orientation.

Get your CofC e-mail account!
Admitted students will find their Edisto e-mail account information, including password, at Cougar Trail on the Web. Visit the Registrar's page if you have trouble with your Cougar Trail PIN.

The College of Charleston faculty and staff use the campus email system to communicate with students. All new student can access their email address through the Cougar Trail system.The email account can be accessed from any computer through the webmail link. The address is http://www.cofc.edu/webmail/

Information for first-time users can be found at the Webmail tutorial.

Nervous about your first year at the College of Charleston?
We are here to help!

Students should use use orientat@cofc.edu for general inquiries about orientation.

Parents should use parents@cofc.edu for questions.

Students must complete six hours of mathematics above the college algebra level in order to graduate from the College of Charleston. This requirement may be fulfilled through AP credit or coursework completed at the College or another accredited college or university

Incoming freshmen DO NOT take a math placement test. Your placement level will be determined from information about math courses you successfully completed in high school as well as the math SAT or ACT score. Transfer students must take the math placement test if they are not transferring six or more credit hours in math (excluding college algebra) to the College. Transfer students must complete the math placement test before they meet with an advisor.

Tips for preparing for the Math Placement Test:

• Know the basics of algebra. You must understand the concepts.
• Review pre-calculus (more advanced algebra and trigonometry).
• You are not allowed to use a calculator during the math test.

For students who want to brush up on their mathematics, either before taking a particular class or prior to the placement test, we recommend a paperback book called Schaum's Outline.  They come in a variety of topics, including Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra, and Precalculus. The Outlines include mini lessons, arranged by topics, worked out problems, and exercises for the student.  Their structure makes them good for review and refresher work.

The Intermediate Algebra outline is good and relatively easy refresher to help students do better on the placement test.  If it's too easy once a student gets back into the math, the student will probably want to switch to the College Algebra one, since it will help even more with the placement test.

Sample problems:

1.

a) -15

b)-7

c) 1 d)

5 e) 13

Answer: e

2. =

a)

b)

c)

d) e)

Answer: a

3. If

a) -2

b) 7

c) 2

d) 4

e) 1

Answer: b

4. If , then

a)

b)

c) 10

d) 1000

e) 100

Answer: d

5. If , then

a) 0

b)

c)

d)

e) 1

Answer: e