College & Beyond | University School of the Lowcountry

USL students are exposed to a wide range of colleges and universities, professors, and disciplines starting in the 3rd grade so they can make informed decisions based upon real-world examination.

College Prep

By senior year, a USL 12th grader has been on 100+ field trips, talked to religious leaders from 15 houses of worship, met representatives of the four major political parties, traveled all over America and visited 10+ college campuses, and sat in on classes at a local college.

Dual Enrollment

By many students’ Junior and Senior years, they are eligible for dual credit college classes that speak to individual interests and ambitions. Over a third of USL Upper School students are enrolled in at least one College of Charleston course for direct experience in a college classroom, traveling to the downtown campus, meeting professors, and experiencing diverse perspectives.

College Counseling

Upper School students benefit from the ongoing guidance of multiple college counselors: Don Burkard, B.A., M.A., retired from the College of Charleston after a 30-year career as Dean of Students and Vice President of Enrollment, Sara Peck, B.A., M.A., USL Upper School Director, and USL’s full-time counselor Winnie Caetta, B.A., M.S. Together they help our students navigate the sometimes confusing and stressful college selection and application process.

Job Shadow Program

The Job Shadow Day Program at USL is designed to help our students learn more about career fields of interest by observing professionals in real-life work settings. It ensures students have an opportunity to explore varying career choices and experience some of them first hand through observation of real-life work settings

Life and Leadership Course

We aim to develop students who have more than just strong academic skills. In Leadership & Life Skills, guidance is provided on a wide range of experiences, from meeting new people to preparing for an upcoming LOTC. L&L, as it is fondly called, is a cornerstone of building adults who are aware of the world and steeped in civics and students who are leaders and advocates.

This video clip is from our Fall 2022 “College and Beyond” session. The speaker is Jason Kreutner, USL’s Head of School. He is also a member of the college counseling team. He has visited over 80 colleges across North America through school field trips with USL’s Middle and Upper School divisions. It included perspectives from a current student, USL college counselor, alumni parent, current college professor (our older high school students take classes physically at the College of Charleston), and more. These are helpful insights to understand University School’s preparation for our students for the world beyond our campus.

Check out the other videos from our College and Beyond series

College and Beyond: Perspective from a Current Student

College and Beyond: Perspective from Alumni Parents

College and Beyond: Perspective from a School Counselor

College and Beyond: Perspective from a College Counselor

College and Beyond: Perspective from a College Professor

Preparing for life beyond USL takes determination, discipline, and courage.

usl academics sig prog college beyond 2 — An Upper School student presents her findings at the College of Charleston’s EXPO, an annual event to celebrate student research and creative inquiry.

usl academics sig prog college beyond 3 — Middle School students are guided on a tour of the campus of Atlanta’s Emory University to explore the college’s esteemed history and academic programs.

usl academics sig prog college beyond 4 — Upper School students pause on a visit to the campus of Northwestern University in Chicago.