by Cheryl Smithem
On Friday, March 22, 2013 1,300 accepted, yet undecided College of Charleston students and their parents, arrive for Accepted Student Weekend. While here, they will experience Charleston, voted the No. 1 city in America by Condé Nast Traveler readers, meet and talk with current students, faculty and hopefully, leave with their minds made up to make a final commitment to attend the College. View photos from last year’s event. Watch a video from last year’s event.
“The City of Charleston is one of our top ‘secret weapons,” says Susan Oakes, associate director of admissions. “Much of a student’s experience is using the city as a classroom and we’ve designed our weekend for maximum city interactivity. We love seeing how excited the accepted students are. Many have been counting down for weeks!”
This year, for the first time, current students will play a role in the planning through a hospitality and tourism management course. Students enrolled in Events Practicum: Accepted Students Weekend will get hands-on practical planning experience. In addition to planning, working, and evaluating the event- these students will be putting together a presentation to request accommodations tax money from the City of Charleston.
More than 3,500 people are expected for this event, which offers students the chance to meet their peers and possibly find a roommate in the Class of 2017. Students and their families are also able to tour all of the residence halls, and they will have time to get comfortable with the campus.
The majority of Friday is unscheduled, allowing families time to take-in Charleston. A welcome reception begins at 3 p.m. followed by a student-only Lawn Party in the Cistern Yard at 4 p.m. Simultaneous with the Lawn Party, will be a parents-only panel allowing parents to ask questions of representatives from financial aid, residence life and more.
Saturday’s events begin with registration at 9 a.m. at the TD Arena (301 Meeting St.) with programs starting at 10 a.m. and concluding at 4 p.m. Activities include learning more about the First-Year Experience, enjoying lunch in the Fresh Food Company and interacting with student-led organizations during a festive street fair. Academic departments will hold receptions as well.
For more information visit the Accepted Student Weekend page of the Admissions website or contact Susan Oakes at oakess@cofc.edu.
