Family Orientation

Knowing where to turn when help is needed is important! Attend our Family Orientation program for the answers. The Family Orientation program is an optional, two-day program for parents that has been highly rated in the past and gives parents helpful information to support their student, especially during the critical first year.

The Family Orientation is held at the same time as New Student Orientation. The program gives family members an introduction to campus resources, opportunities to ask questions and meet others and a chance to see our beautiful campus.

The success of your student is our top priority. By sharing this information with parents, you can help ensure the success of your student. We encourage you to e-mail or call the Office of New Student Programs if you have any questions! Contact us at a 843.953.2017.

Orientation Sessions

Students register for orientation by logging into their MyCharleston account, selecting the academic services tab and going to the orientation box in the first column.  Students will need to complete the questions in the orientation registration booklet before they log into register for orientation.  

All students have an orientation hold on their file until they attend orientation.

Orientation session confirmations can be viewed seven days after completing the online registration by logging back onto MyCharleston.

Please do not make travel plans until your orientation date has been confirmed through MyCharleston.

Orientation Session Dates

The following sessions are for students who are starting classes at the College of Charleston in August 2012.  

Please note freshman and transfer students are eligible to attend sessions 1-8. 

*The August 13 and 14 session is only for transfer students

** The August 16 and 17 session is limited to freshman students who live 700 miles or more away from Charleston, SC

Sorority recruitment will be August 14-19.  If you are participating in sorority rush you can attend any orientation session other than August 16-17 if you are eligible.

Summer Preview will be August 14-17.  If you are participating in summer preview you can attend any orientation session other than the August sessions.

At the College of Charleston, course options will be available at each orientation session since seats are held open for each of the orientation sessions. Courses that may appear closed in My Charleston may have seats open when new students register on the second day of orientation. This allows new students to have a chance to select the courses they may want. The "perfect" schedule may not be available, but all students should be able to register for a full load of classes that will help them fulfill their core curriculum and degree requirements. New students should be prepared to be flexible and should not rule out registering for classes that begin as early as 8:00 a.m. or late in the afternoon. Students who are not satisfied with their schedule can change it in My Charlesotn after their orientation session and before the end of the drop/add period for the semester.

Family Orientation Activities

The family orientation program is a full, two-day program. You can view an overview of the Summer Programs. Students and families should plan for activities to start at check-in between 7:30 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. and last until 5:00 pm on the first day. On the second day of summer orientation, activities will begin between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and end between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Students will have separate activities from their families for the majority of the program.

How to Register for Family Orientation

There is a space on the student's online reservation form to indicate how many family members will be attending. The cost, $25 per family member, is non-refundable.

Reservations can ONLY be made by completing the orientation reservation form online through My Charleston. Please do not make travel plans and/or reservations until your student's assigned orientation date has been confirmed.Students can view their assigned date on My Charleston one week after they have submitted their online reservation form.  Confirmations are not mailed or emailed. 

When New Student Programs receives the orientation reservation, we will mail confirmation information to the student with additional details about the orientation session.

If a student needs to add an additional family member after they have registered, contact us with the student's name and the correct number of family members. The additional fee will be added to the student account and due with the tuition bill. Also, family members can sign up at the late registration table at check-in.

Special Needs Students and Family Members

If you have special needs because of a disability, please call the Office of New Student Programs at 843.953.2017 so we can make appropriate arrangements to assist you during orientation.

For more information about services available to students at the College, contact the at Center for Disability Services at 843.953.1431.

More Tips for Parents (from family orientation newsletter)

Parent A to Z Guide

Tips for Families

Summer Reading List

Like Clockwork: The Rhythms of College Life

Parent Services

The College of Charleston welcomes parents and the families of our students. The parents website is your resource and connection to the College as your student moves through his or her time here. The links and pages listed here are your resource for information and updates.

The College of Charleston is pleased to provide this electronic information service especially for parents. The parent listserv is an interactive service parents can use to post questions for College faculty and staff who are also subscribers to the listserv.

To read the latest campus updates from the listserv, check out the parent blog.

Of course, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us in the Office of New Student Programs.