College of Charleston Podcast: Tips for College Applications

On this episode of Speaking of … College of Charleston, Jimmie Foster, vice president of enrollment planning at the College of Charleston, shares insight on various aspects of preparing for college, from when to start thinking about applying to understanding the importance of grades, extracurricular activities and campus visits.

Foster addresses common misconceptions about college admissions, the reduced significance of standardized tests like the SAT and the holistic review process adopted by many colleges. He also offers advice for parents on supporting their students and emphasizes the importance of finding the right fit financially, academically and socially.

Foster’s takeaway advice is that campus tours give students the opportunity to preform a bench test.

“Every student should have that moment where they can sit down for just five minutes by themselves on a bench somewhere on that campus and just watch and get that feel of campus to know if they can see themselves here.”

Featured on This Episode:

Jimmie Foster Jr. is vice president of enrollment planning as of May 2023. In this role, Foster leads the Division of Enrollment Planning, made up of the Office of Admissions, the Visitor Center, the Office of Financial Assistance and Veterans Affairs and the Office of Enrollment Information.

Foster returns to the College of Charleston after spending three years as vice president of enrollment management at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Foster’s experience at the College spans more than a decade and several roles, including director of first-year student admissions. Foster has enjoyed being a part of the College’s First Year Experience Abroad and has been involved with the UK Soccer Experience course since its inception in 2012. Foster is passionate about English football and enjoys having the opportunity to work directly with first-year students by co-presenting the eight-week long seminar that culminates in leading study-abroad experiences to the United Kingdom based on the theme of the sociology, history and economics of soccer.

Foster also served as dean of admissions and orientation at Northeastern University in Boston. He began his career in admissions at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

Before moving into higher education, Foster worked on national political campaigns, including time on a U.S. presidential campaign. He has been a presenter at national professional development conferences.

Resources From This Episode:

• Admissions Website
  • Office of Admissions Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Phone: 843.953.5670
  • Email: admissions@cofc.edu 
  • International Students: international@cofc.edu 
• CofC Quick Facts
• How to Apply
• College at a Glance