South Carolina Colleges

[DVCLiz]

I didn't want to hijack the Best of Charleston thread, but I wonder if anyone has any information about Wofford and the College of Charleston. Both are very high on DD17's list, and we've been to visit both (and liked both, for different reasons) but I was curious if any of you live there or went there. What reputation do they have, both academically and socially? Can you compare them with any NC colleges? What about the kinds of kids who go there? Any help would be appreciated - thanks!!!

 

[mrsgus06]

We live in West of the Ashley, which is about 10 minutes to the College of Charleston. I don't know much about it, but do see tons of kids of all kinds walking the streets downtown going to and from classes. Very rarely do I hear anything about the school on the news that is bad, but I do hear a lot of good things about the school. My son's best friend goes there, but lives at home so knows nothing about the dorms, loves the school. My son is planning on transferring there after he gets most of his classes out of the way at Trident Tech (also referred as UNC > University of North Charleston and UCLA > University close to Leeds Avenue) . I will be interested to hear if other people have any opinions about COC. I like to know the people and places I give my hard earned money to are nice.

 

[christineann]

The College of Charleston is a great school. I know several kids who go there, professors who teach there, and people who are graduates of the College of Charleston. We have gone to several of their basketball games, and there is a lot of school spirit and a nice group of kids. My church is right at the edge of campus, and my office used to be a couple of blocks from the campus, so I've seen the kids out and about on the weekends as well as during the week.

Wofford is also a great school. It is small and private and also has a lot of school spirit and a nice group of kids (I know several current students and several graduates). My daughter and I went to their open house and tour, and she liked it very much, but she wants to go to a larger school after going to a small school for 12 years. Their tuition is approximately $30,000, but the school has a great endowment, and they said that the school's average financial aid package is $20,000.

I think either one is a great choice.

 

[Byrd]

I am a College of Charleston grad, Master of Education 1976, BA & EdS were from Clemson. I loved the CofC and had a great time. I tried to talk my son into going there, but The Citadel won him over. He did early decision so we only looked at College of Charleston and Citadel. With my son it was probably the best decision for him not to go there due to C of C being known more for being a party school and he does not need all of the freedom. Still I was crushed. I still can't get over the fact that he is at The Citadel. He is now a sophmore so he survived.
Wofford is an excellent school. I would have been extremely happy if my child had that as a choice (he didn't have the SAT score for Wofford).
College of Charleston is very good and the city is a bonus. Academically I feel that Wofford is stronger in a many areas and the campus is in better shape, but with either college your son can't go wrong.
Let us know what he decides in the future.
Good luck to mom as it is an adjustment for you as well!

 

[DVCLiz]

Thank you so much!! Byrd, I have a daughter, not a son, so I'll let you know what she decides!!!! Being in NC, we "know" the little bits of information about our local schools, but not the SC ones. She's also applying to Wake Forest and Chapel Hill, but seems drawn to COC and Wofford. Her best friend says "College of Charleston or Bust!" so that may influence her decision.

Anyone else?

 

[Kermit]

I know people who went to both schools. I agree that College of Charleston has more of a party school atmosphere. I think it's relatively tame as far as party schools go, but it is near the beach, and that's where a lot of potential partiers head.

All of the graduates of both schools that I know are nice, well-educated people. You can tell her that if she goes to Wofford, she can come eat dinner at my house.

 

[DVCLiz]

I know people who went to both schools. I agree that College of Charleston has more of a party school atmosphere. I think it's relatively tame as far as party schools go, but it is near the beach, and that's where a lot of potential partiers head.

All of the graduates of both schools that I know are nice, well-educated people. You can tell her that if she goes to Wofford, she can come eat dinner at my house.

Thanks, Kermit! We might take you up on that offer!!!!! Greenville really seemed like such a nice town - we spent the night in one of the downtown hotels, can't remember the name now, and ate at Sticky Fingers. I loved the downtown area - do Wofford students come over from Spartanburg - I think I remember is was a shortish drive.

She really liked College of Charleston, too, and it would be fun to go visit her!!!! This college decision is tough - waiting for test scores, waiting to hear from admissions, making the final decision, paying for it!!!!! I'm glad I only have to do this twice!!! And that DD11 has seven more years before she goes to college!!

 

[stm61]

I took some grad courses at Converse College and I remember some recently-graduated girls saying they had taken exchange classes at Wofford. Converse is an all girls school, except for the grad program, and Wofford was the all-boys school according to them. They said it was set up so limited numbers of kids could take classes not offered at their own schools? Am I not remembering right or did Wofford recently go co-ed?