The Citadel, The Military College of South CarolinaMove-In Guide
Charleston, South Carolina
🏫 Public UniversityEst. 1842🔗 www.citadel.edu
The Citadel is a public military college on the Ashley River in Charleston, South Carolina, founded in 1842. Its South Carolina Corps of Cadets lives in campus barracks organized by company and battalion, and cadet-recruits are known as knobs during the fourth-class system. New cadets report on Matriculation Day rather than a typical residence hall move-in, then go straight into a basic-training-style Challenge Week before classes begin.
Enrollment
2,705
Total Students
Freshman Class
750
Approx.
Move-In Dates
Aug 15, 2026
Fall 2026 (completed)
Acceptance Rate
—
Not available
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
Cadet-recruits (knobs) report on Matriculation Day, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, and should expect to arrive early. After checking in to their company, members of the Citadel Family Association help unload the car and carry bags to the barracks room. Recruits then go through receiving and processing, including haircuts, uniform issue and supplies, over about 48 hours. Parents are asked to join the President and staff for an overview of the fourth-class system once the class is checked in. Recruits take the oath on Monday, Aug. 17, which begins Challenge Week, and upperclass cadets return Aug. 23. Classes start Aug. 26.
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time.
Move-in day tips
- Arrive during your assigned move-in window - arriving early may mean waiting until your time slot.
- Bring a rolling cart or hand truck - campus carts can run out quickly during busy move-in periods.
- Have a parking backup plan - spaces near residence halls can fill up quickly, so know where you can unload if your preferred area is full.
- Watch the loading-zone time limit - many campuses require you to move your vehicle to longer-term parking after unloading.
Housing & Dorms
Residence halls (5)
Open to undergraduates (first-year students may be able to live here)
Law Barracks
Murray Barracks
Padgett-Thomas Barracks
Stevens Barracks
Watts Barracks
Orientation
Orientation tips
- Register as early as your class allows - popular session dates fill up first.
- Bring a parent/guardian if separate family programming is offered.
- Check whether placement testing or advising sign-ups happen the same day.
Costs
Room & Board
—
Not available
Nearby Essentials
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More Links
Checklists
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A free, printable packing checklist covering everything from bedding to important documents - built for any freshman, including yours at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina.
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Dates last checked October 2026.