College of Charleston | Student Reviews | Best College

Student Profile

leslie

Class: Junior
Major: Government
Gender: F

High School: Archbishop Spalding High School
Transfer Student: N

Big Picture

the college of charleston isn't big by any mean. it is small enough to function like a community, you'll start to recognize people, mostly because they'll say hi as they begin to recognize you. everyone is very friendly. among the college of charleston students exist a fabulous commraderie. sports aren't a huge deal to everyone but they're always a good time. and the students have a particular affection for bobby cremins. he is always warm towards students and very visible in the community. the same can be said of the professors. the commraderie charleston's students share extends into the professors. charleston boasts a number of hugely influential, and truly just cool, professors. they'll be found on benches around campus on sunny days, strolling through the city and even out at folly. most professors strive for accesibility, handing their home phone numbers out with the syllabus and i've never seen an office door closed. the only advice i can give, is don't come to charleston if you aren't trying to stay in school for more than four years. it is possible, but undesirable. i'd gladly be a c of c student for the rest of my life.

Academic Life

Bob Haley teaches a course titled "Criminal Justice." I considered purposely failing so I could take the course again. Professor Haley is intelligent, patient and hilarious. A crowded classroom met him every morning at 8am absolutely enraptured. His advice helped me to choose a path, and I am extremely grateful for the time he took to share his wisdom. Professor Haley is the most influential teacher I have ever had, take his class. Dr. Parsons is an awe inspiring man. In his classroom you'll begin to love Africa, as if you too have seen it. Dr. Timothy Carmichael teaches with a contagious energy and interest. He also wants to see you succeed. Furthermore, he's brilliant. Professor Mark Long is very cool. He gives a hard test but his goal seemed to be giving us a greater understanding. In his geography/politics class he introduced us to the world and cared greatly what we thought and understood. Dr. Hinton is a genius. His intelligence is unreal and it is truly an honor to have studied with him. He surfs too, and had an affinity for carpentry. Among students there is a great deal of respect for him. Professor Taylor is the kind of teacher who makes you smile by entering the room, or by speeding by on her vespa, which she does quite often. Her classroom was one of mutual learning. She taught us a lot, and we taught her a lot too. It was like a friendship, and the easiest class you'll ever take.

Student Body

it is a fantastic mix. there is greek life. it is a small percentage of kids, a smaller community with the community. and it is unlike any other greek life anywhere else. it is a SMALL organization. everyone knows everyone within. theres a lot of talk, and of course stereotypes, but some of the hardest working and most intelligent people are greek. theres very wild ones too. i have loved my experience within the greek community. but a lot of my friends didn't rush. they still have fun. the commraderie that exists eliminates a lot of segregation. the athletes stick together but welcome their fans readily. there are a lot of strong religious types and then the opposite end of the spectrum as well. you are in the south so certain racial tension still run, but not very deep. during the civil war, the college of charleston did not share the sentiments of the confederate army. racism was not accepted on the campus then and it still isn't today. there is a strong underground art scene. i would have missed it had my roommate in the dorms not been entrenched. a lot of musicians. we have a surf team too. there are plenty of well-off kids but you also have kids putting themselves through school. i haven't run into a lot of judgement. everyone truly is laidback. the people who are there, each person and what they do or care about, makes charleston the school it is. we all love our college.