College of Charleston Top Questions

When I was looking at schools, the class size was always mentioned. At the time I really didn't think it made that much of a difference. I now see that it makes a huge difference. Smaller class size makes it much easier for students and professors to form a relationship. Professors at CofC are extremely helpful and care a lot about your future and want you to understand the material they are teaching. As much as I dislike my general education classes, I think it's important to be well-rounded. The most unique class I've taken is Event Management Practicum with Dr. Canberg. The whole class is focused on planning and executing an event. For a class with no lectures or tests, I've learned so much in this class.

I love the small class sizes. Most all of my professors learn my name and are so helpful during office hours. The library is also an awesome resource with a lot of helpful people and things like the Center for Student Learning. I am in the honors college, so my requirements are a little different but I definately feel that CofC is challenging academically and is standard for the requirements for a liberal arts school. I am a biology major and within my major I have gotten to know people through common classes. This is an advantage of the smaller class sizes because we can help each other out with studying and problems, etc

I think that academically Charleston is a lot better than people give it credit for. The Honors College is pretty demanding, with a lot of requirements such as a 12 credit hour history class and a bachelor's essay. The students aren't very competitive from what i've seen so far. A lot of the education is just for education's sake, especially in the Honors College.

Some of my professors take the time to learn their students names, while others don't even try to learn our names. My favorite class is Business Calculus, which most people would say is their least favorite. It's my favorite because I LOVE math. I get really excited when I figure out the right answer or when I finally understand something. I feel it's gratifying. My least favorite class in Economics. I've had the hardest time in this class, and I don't understand why. I feel you either understand it or you don't. And if you don't understand it, than you're S.O.L. In my opinion students study a lot. The library is always very very busy, it's so hard to find on open table or desk. Class participation depends on the class. If the teacher makes it fun or if it is a class that the student enjoys, they will participate a lot more. Hmmm, intellectual conversations outside of class are very rare in what I've seen. Most people don't talk about class once their class is over. All students are competitive, you always want to do better than the person sitting next to you. The most unique class that I've ever taken would probably be HISTORY OF POPULAR MUSIC IN THE MODERN DAY! I really enjoyed it and found it interesting. My major is Business Administration with a Concentration in Marketing. I am just starting to take classes that are a part of my major. I met with an advisor in the business center, and I absolutely love her, and she is getting me really excited about the years to come. I have never really spent time with my professors outside of class. I've met up with English professor from freshman year, she helped me with my resume. I have tutoring with a professor, but she is not my professor. I think the fact that we have to take four semesters of a foreign language is a little silly, but hey that's just my opinion.

CofC offers some classes that are so intersting and unique. I love the wide range of curriculum. The professors in general are great resources. I'm double majoring in French and Spanish and I have found that both of these departments have dedicated faculty that are really concerned for the best interests of the students.

Most of my professors do know my name, because class sizes are small (around 30 people). There is a lot of work, like other colleges, and there are always people in the library. We do have "labs" for math, reading, writing, and foreign language which are for appointments or walk-ins. The people that work in the labs are amazing and willing to help you on anything and everything whether it is making your english paper better or understanding how to do a math problem.

All professors know the studens name. Professors are all friendly and willing to awnser questions.

Professors definitely tend to know your name, even in the huge lecture classes. My favorite class has been Fiction Writing. It was set up as a writing workshop and was a great experience. Your stories themselves weren't graded, but everyone in the class gave constructive criticism. My least favorite class was Math 250, higher level statistics, but I was told I should take it for grad school and then I couldn't understand the professor because of his accent and I had no previous experience with statistics. The library is generally pretty busy with students studying, and you'll be hard pressed to find a seat during final time. Class participation is common, and many professors have part of their grading dependent on participation. I've noticed a fair share of debate and intellectual conversations outside of class. Students are very concerned with national issues. The most unique class I will take is the psychology of mental health and relationships. I think it will be really helpful for future relationships. Psychology is a great major here. All of the professors in the psych department are very helpful and willing to work with you no matter what you need. The classes tend to require a lot of reading but it's all very interesting (though dry since it's all textbook reading). I personally don't spend time with professors outside of class, but I know that they all have office hours and encourage students to come talk to them if they have any issues. CofC's academic requirements are fairly reasonable, though some of the department requirements are tough. I decided not to take a Biology major based on the required classes for that major. The education system itself is geared at getting a job, with lots of help in getting internships and study abroad experiences, but I am here to learn for its own sake.

The education here is definitely geared toward learning for its own sake, at least in my experience. I don't think a professor has ever said anything in relation to getting a job to me, unless I prompted it. That being said, I will probably never have a good paying job! My case is unique as I am a French major--all my classes are small, the professors have been at the school for 20 years, I know all my classmates. The most unique experience I have had in the classroom was an honors seminar about Wal Mart and the effects of globalization on the world's population.

Professors are the best part of academics at CofC. Professors know your name and are easily available outside of class. They have office hours set aside specifically to meet with students. There's a great variety of classes, including fun ones like social dancing! Many of the professors are really down to earth and love to get to know the students on more than an academic level.