CONWAY, SC- Coastal Carolina University’s C.E.A.L. program helps incoming freshman get a head start on classes.
C.E.A.L. is an acronym for Coastal Excellence and Leadership. Students in the program were chosen because their test scores were lower than other incoming students. However, they showed potential through their GPA and extracurricular activities.
The four week program consists of two academic courses and daily activities to teach students time management skills and good study habits. CCU Lecturer Dr. Brandi Neal said students will participate in orientation over the weekend and start classes on Monday.
“We went from 58 students last year to right now it’s about 85.” stated Neal.
Meoshia McCall spent Friday getting acquainted with campus. McCall’s SAT score did not meet CCU’s requirement, but she was an honor student and a cheerleader in high school.
“We look at each student’s record and determine whether they could be successful,” said Neal.
Former C.E.A.L. student Jessica Barnes also had a low SAT score. She finished her freshman year with a 3.8 GPA.
“That SAT is very long, it’s four hours and you’re brain just loses focus,” explained Barnes.”Nobody should be defined by their test scores.”
Last year’s C.E.A.L. class finished with a combine GPA of 2.7, according to Dr. Neal.
“It was an experiment and we did well,” said Neal.
Neal told News 13 she consistently checks on C.E.A.L. students to make sure they’re keeping their grades up.