Answered by CoachT
I don't know Hood. I do know Coastal (CCU) and Charleston (CofC). CCU and CofC are in two wholly different classes of college. Both are South Carolina publics and the final costs will be about the same either way once you factor in financial aid availability. Both are on the coast (at the beach) but the similarity just about ends there. Myrtle Beach and Charleston are two very different towns. CofC is the "Ivy" of South Carolina. It's where many of the "best and brightest" who want to stay in-state go. It's a true liberal arts college and the academic standard is very high. They tend to be a bit more 'prim and proper' than most others in the state. Coastal Carolina University is growing fast and trying to change categories from liberal arts to regional master's college. Marine Science is among the leading majors at Coastal and they do indeed have their own research island and they have some faculty that are deep into specific marine sci. research. CCU isn't exactly a "party school" as much as it's VERY laid back. The atmosphere reminds me of the atmosphere of the surfer culture when I lived in California. They're very accepting, open, and move S L O W. There is a party scene, as there is at every school, but it's not the focus. CCU is fairly new as colleges go. It wasn't that long ago that it was University of South Carolina - Coastal campus; a commuter school of the USC system. There's still a very large commuter population. Being that the campus is inland from the beach, many students from out of the area elect to commute as well. They find a place in town comparatively inexpensive because the academic year is outside of the tourist season. If you're not certain about Marine Science, you may not want to get into the CCU Marine Sci program - those folks are very serious about their ocean stuff and highly competitive. I'd weigh that decision before making a choice. Visit both. Spend a few days. Observe the culture at each. You have to live, eat, sleep, date, breathe, and study in that culture for four years. The two are very different places. If "hey dude, let's head down to the beach and grab a brewski" is your style over "like, last week we were at the country club and Miffy said...." then CCU is your place. If you're not offended by people coming to class in a bikini because they intend to head right to the beach (or patio) after class or in pajamas because they are going right back to bed - CCU is your place. Don't mistake the laid back attitude for easy academics though. A lot of people don't make it through 4-years at Coastal. Usually it's because they misplaced their priorities and were too busy having a good time to bother reading a textbook. You mention working. If that's an important consideration and you don't want to be a waiter or hotel clerk then Charleston is probably a better choice. Myrtle Beach is a tourist town and the school year is exactly when the tourists aren't here. There are no good jobs in the fall and winter in Myrtle Beach South Carolina. There are hardly any really good jobs in Myrtle Beach in the summer. Fun jobs - yes. Good pay - no. ☺