Freshman Applications to CofC Hit Record Highs for Fall 2022

The College of Charleston Class of 2026 is already breaking records – and they haven’t even started their CofC story!

That’s because, by the end of March, the College received 22,522 freshman applications for the fall 2022 semester, a 12% increase compared to fall 2021.

“Our record application growth is a clear indication of student interest in the College of Charleston from around the country and the world,” says Amy Takayama-Perez, vice president of the Division of University Marketing and Enrollment Planning at the College of Charleston. “Students and families are recognizing the academic distinction of our outstanding programs and faculty.

“We are especially excited about the growth in the diversity of our applicant pool and increases from those who identify as the first in their family to go to college,” she continues, pointing to the 9% increase in submitted applications from underrepresented minorities compared to fall 2021.

Indeed, the pool includes students from diverse backgrounds, locations and experiences.

“We received freshman applications from 70 different non-U.S. countries, with India on top with the most applicants,” says Mark Stratton, interim executive director of enrollment information, adding that applications represent all 50 states and four U.S. territories: Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Closer to home, the Top 5 S.C. cities represented in the submitted applications are (in order) Columbia, Mount Pleasant, Fort Mill, Charleston and Summerville. And, outside of South Carolina, the Top 5 states represented are New Jersey, North Carolina, New York, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

All put together, students from more than 4,200 different high schools submitted freshman applications to the College for the fall 2022 semester.

It is, says Takayama-Perez a testament to the College community: “I am so proud of the admissions and marketing team for continuing to recruit this next class in another challenging year – and thank the entire campus community for their efforts in telling the College of Charleston story.”