A freshman applicant is a person who has not attended an institution of higher education beyond high school. Any applicant who has attended classes at a post-secondary institution while still in high school is still classified as a freshman and must submit transcripts of work whether credit is expected or not.

Admission as a freshman to Coastal Carolina University is based on high school courses, achievement in college preparatory core prerequisites and SAT or ACT scores. Coastal Carolina University requires that all students complete the following high school courses and units to be eligible for regular admission to the University:

ENGLISH: 4 units
At least two units must have strong grammar and composition components, at least one unit must be in English Literature and at least one unit must be in American Literature. Completion of college preparatory English I, II, III and IV will meet this criterion.

MATHEMATICS: 3 units
Algebra I, Algebra II and geometry are required. A fourth higher-level mathematics course is strongly recommended. Applied Mathematics I and II may count together as a substitute for Algebra I.

LABORATORY SCIENCE: 3 units
Two units must be taken in different fields and selected from among biology, chemistry or physics. The third unit may be from the same field as one of the first two units or from any laboratory science for which biology and/or chemistry is a prerequisite. Courses in earth science, general physical science, or introductory/ general environmental science for which biology and/or chemistry is not a prerequisite will not meet this requirement.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE: 2 units
Both units must be in the same language.

SOCIAL STUDIES: 3 units
One unit of U.S. history is required. A half unit of economics and a half unit of government are strongly recommended.

ELECTIVES: 4 units
Four college preparatory units must be taken from at least three different fields selected from among computer science, English, fine arts, foreign languages, humanities, laboratory science (excluding earth science, general physical science, general environmental science or other introductory science courses for which biology and/or chemistry is not a prerequisite), mathematics (above the level of Algebra II) and social sciences. It is suggested that one unit be in computer science which includes programming (not just keyboarding) and one unit in fine arts (appreciation of, history or performance).

PHYSICAL EDUCATION OR ROTC: 1 unit

Coastal Carolina University may make exceptions in admitting the following students:
1) Those students who do not meet all of the prerequisites. This exception is limited to those individual cases in which the failure to meet one or more prerequisite is due to circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the student.
2) Those students who have taken the tech prep (applied academics) courses rather than the required college preparatory curriculum described above and who meet all other institutional admissions criteria.

If unit prerequisites are not met for reasons beyond the control of the student, both the student and the guidance counselor must submit a written explanation as to why the student failed to complete the courses to the Office of Admissions at Coastal Carolina University. Completion of the course prerequisites is not required for students who graduated from high school before May 1987.

In addition to completing the college preparatory course requirements, applicants will be evaluated on the basis of demonstrating an acceptable grade point average in the 20 required academic college preparatory courses and an acceptable score on the SAT or the ACT.