349. College of Charleston - Ashley Holdridge - Regional Assistant Director of Admissions
๐ In this episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast we welcome back the College of Charleston ๐ด, this time featuring Ashley Holdridge, Regional Assistant Director of Admissions. Building on the collegeโs original appearance in Episode 195 ๐, Ashley offers fresh insight into what continues to make Charleston a vibrant and attractive destination โ especially for students from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions ๐บ๏ธ.
Ashley shares a compelling overview of academic life at Charleston, where a liberal arts foundation ๐ง meets career-ready pathways ๐ผ in high-impact programs like:
- Marine biology ๐
- Business ๐ฐ
- Education ๐งโ๐ซ
- The arts ๐ญ
From internships at the Charleston Music Hall ๐ถ to hands-on field research on the water ๐, real-world experiences are deeply woven into the student journey.
๐ In this episode, we explore:
- The holistic admissions review process ๐, including how applications are evaluated through two key lenses ๐: academic performance and everything beyond the classroom
- How Charleston uses a contextual review ๐, understanding students based on what was available to them in their high school environment
- Why depth > breadth ๐ when it comes to extracurricular activities โ itโs not about doing it all, but doing it well
- How a thoughtful and reflective personal statement โ๏ธ can show resilience, growth, or key turning points
- A host of student support services ๐ค, such as:
The First Year Experience Program ๐
Peer mentoring ๐ฅ
The popular Majors and Minors Fair ๐
Advice on navigating the waitlist โณ and how to connect with your regional admissions counselor ๐ฌ (hint: she says go for it!)
๐ก Ashley also encourages students to ask deeper questions ๐ค when researching schools โ ones that focus on values, vibe, and fit โค๏ธ, not just rankings or prestige.
โจ Donโt miss Ashleyโs top 3 pieces of advice for students and families just starting the college journey:
- Visit campuses when possible ๐งญ
- Learn how to manage your โfree timeโ in college (spoiler: itโs not always free! โฐ)
- Show yourself and others grace throughout the process ๐
Whether youโre considering the College of Charleston ๐ or simply looking to understand how admissions teams evaluate applicants in 2025 and beyond, this episode is packed with clear advice, encouragement, and expert perspective.
โ----------------------------
๐ This episode is brought to you by Prep Expert, a proud sponsor of The College Admissions Process Podcast. Prep Expert offers award-winning test prep courses and strategies that have helped thousands of students improve their scores. For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert.com ๐ฏ๐
โ-----------------------------
Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College Applications
If you're looking for helpful tips and insights for the college admissions process, check out my book by clicking the links below:
๐ Get the eBook Here
Alphabetical List of All Episodes with Links
