Frequently Asked Questions
Does The Citadel have a summer program before Matriculation that will help some cadets transition more easily to their freshman year?
Yes, the College Success Institute (CSI) is a four-week summer transition program offered to students who have been academically accepted and medically cleared to enter The Citadel. The program is designed to introduce participants to college academics, assist them in preparing for the physical requirements of the Corps of Cadets, and help them become acclimated to the campus and its resources. For additional information visit the CSI webpage.
When will new cadets receive their final class schedule?
Shortly after their arrival, they will receive their class schedules and meet with their Academic Advisors.
What courses will new cadets be enrolled in?
Courses such as freshman English; History; Math (depending on the major course of study); ROTC; Chemistry, Physics, or Biology; Physical Education; and Foreign Language (depending on the course of study) are a few of the courses they will take.
Are high school Advance Placement courses recognized?
Yes, as part of the criteria for placement.
Are College Board Advance Placement test scores recognized?
Yes, along with the results obtained from the Citadel’s placement tests in Foreign Language and Math.
When are Mid-Term Exams given?
Halfway through the semester, traditionally, the middle of October.
When are Final Exams given each semester and what is the schedule?
Final exams begin the day after the last day of classes, and the Exam Schedule can be found on the Registrar’s webpage as well as the Web page for Academic Affairs.
If cadets are out-of-state, are concessions made for re-scheduling final exams, for travel reasons?
No, the only time a cadet can reschedule a final exam is with permission from the professor to take the exam with the same class that meets on a different day and/or time. Otherwise, no cadet can sign out for Winter/Summer Furlough before his/her exams are concluded. For this reason, the Academic Calendar is provided early in the academic year.
Can new cadets have final grades sent to their parents?
Final grades can be seen in Banner Self-Service, so cadets can show their parents their final grades.
How many hours must a freshman cadet pass in order to return as a sophomore?
A full-time student (one carrying at least 12 credit hours each semester) must pass at least 24 semester hours in each 12-month period AFTER Matriculation.
If cadets have taken courses at another college prior to coming to The Citadel, will those hours count?
Only courses taken at an accredited institution which are comparable in content and credit hours to specific courses offered at The Citadel and in which grades of “C” or better have been earned will be considered for transfer. All students should check with the Registrar to ensure that a course will transfer to The Citadel. Grades earned at other institutions will not affect a student’s GPA as only courses taken at The Citadel are reflected in a student’s GPA.
What is the difference between core courses and major or elective courses?
Core courses are mandatory/required courses. Every cadet takes them, and major courses (some required and some chosen) are courses in a specialized area of study (major).
When do cadets choose a major?
Cadets choose their major before they arrive, and if they so desire, can change their major when they meet with their Academic Advisor. Cadets may change their major any time during their academic career but are encouraged to make these decisions quickly as some majors require specific courses that a cadet may not have taken, thus putting a cadet behind in his/her major.
What are the minimum academic requirements for graduation from The Citadel?
A cadet must complete one of the major courses of study outlined in the catalog of record and must achieve a minimum grade-point average of 2.0 based on all quality hours attempted and all quality points earned at The Citadel. In addition, a cadet must achieve a minimum grade-point average of 2.0 based on all quality hours attempted and all quality points earned in their major course of study at The Citadel. However, students majoring in Education or in the teaching track of Health, Exercise and Sports Science (HESS) must achieve a cumulative grade-point average of a 2.75 and must have a 2.75 in all courses in their major course of study.
How do you compute a grade-point average?
You multiply the number of hours of the course times a cadet’s grade in the course. For example, English is a 3-hour course, and if a cadet earned an “A” which is worth 4 points, then the quality points for English would be 12. Then you divide the total number of quality points earned in a semester by the total number of hours attempted to compute the GPA for that semester.
Where do cadets go if they are struggling in a course?
The Citadel has an Academic Support Center that offers tutoring in a majority of subjects, so cadets can schedule individual or small-group appointments either by email, in person, or by phone. Supplemental Instruction is also available for several core courses.
How do cadets know if they may have a learning disability, and what is the process for receiving academic accommodations?
Many students who struggle academically, for example, having to re-read information multiple times and still experiencing difficulty remembering the information or having difficulty concentrating for long periods of time, may have a learning disability. However, students must identify themselves to the Director of the Academic Support Center and must provide appropriate documentation before receiving accommodations. For more information, please contact the Center at 843.953.1820.
What happens during orientation?
After the freshmen say “good bye” to their families and form up with their Company for the first time, they will meet their Cadre who will begin to train them. The freshmen will begin a long series of events designed to train and prepare them to assume the responsibilities of being a knob. During this training period, cadets participate in numerous training activities, get their hair cut, engage in daily physical fitness routines, learn about the history of The Citadel, and become familiar with the requirements of cadet life.
What is Cadre?
This is a group of trained, upper-class cadets from each Company who are responsible for the training of knobs.
What is a typical freshman day like?
They eat breakfast together from 7:10-7:50 a.m. and go to their first class (most freshman cadets have an 8:00 a.m. class); from 12:05-12:45 a.m., they eat lunch; from 1:00-~4:00 p.m., they attend afternoon classes. They eat supper from 5:55-6:30 p.m.; and begin Evening Study Period (ESP) at 8:00 p.m. In addition, many cadets attend meetings, participate in military contract activities, participate in intramurals, and attend club meetings. Between classes, many cadets go to the Library for research or to study.