More than 3,000 people are expected to attend the largest Accepted Student Weekend ever at the College of Charleston on Friday, March 18, and Saturday, March 19. Registration for the weekend-long experience closed on Monday, March 14. The event is designed specially for students who have been accepted to the College, but might not have made a final decision about which college they will attend in fall 2011. Approximately 1,000 students have registered. Nearly half will be coming from South Carolina and the rest from as far away as the Bahamas, California, Rhode Island and Utah.

“Accepted Student Weekend has grown each year, and this year we’ve incorporated even more aspects of life at the College into the event,” says Jimmie Foster, Jr., director of freshman admissions. “Accepted students will establish new friendships, maybe meet potential roommates, talk with faculty, staff and alumni, and explore the city of Charleston. We’ve seen approximately 75 percent of the students who come to Accepted Student Weekend actually attend the College in the fall. We expect the students will return home this year equally confident in their decision to attend the College of Charleston.”

On Friday, students and families will be able to tour residence halls and off-campus facilities (including Grice Marine Lab and the Patriots Point Athletics Complex), check out the campus, and explore the City of Charleston. They’ll also attend faculty lectures such as “The Architecture of Politeness or How to Live in Charleston” (Robert Russell) or “Our Historic College” (Tony Meyer ’49, former dean of men). Current students will present the student perspective in information sessions such as “Freshman Year: 101” and “Learning Outside the Classroom.” There will also be a Welcome Reception on Friday from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. in the Cistern Yard. Students and families will be able to meet others from their geographic region and with the same academic interests.

Saturday’s events will kick off with an opening session at 10:00 a.m. at the Carolina First Arena. Throughout the day, there will be ample time for students to explore the campus, check out student organizations at a street fair, tour the library and learn as much as they can about the College of Charleston.

For more information, visit the Accepted Student Weekend website or contact the Admissions Office at 843.953.5670.