Clemson University (CU) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Clemson University was founded in 1889 after the death of Thomas Clemson. He donated his Fort Hill plantation and money for the establishment of the school after seeing first hand the devastation caused by the Civil War to the surrounding community and the economy. He wanted to make sure that young people in the area would have a chance to become educated and help revive South Carolina. Originally an all-white-male military school known as Clemson Agricultural School, it updated in 1955 to become a civilian co-ed institution.

Today, this public university is one of the top research schools in the nation. Set at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains with it’s own personal forest, undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered, and students can enroll in five different schools.

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Information Summary

Ranks 2nd in South Carolina and 81st overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	95.8
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$31,270
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	32 / 1400
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	17 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	93% / 33%
Enrollment Total (all students)	24,951

Academics

Students here enroll in one of these schools: College of Architecture, Arts & Humanities; College of Agriculture, Forestry & Life Sciences; College of Engineering & Science; College of Business & Behavioral Science; and College of Health, Education & Human Development. The university offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, Education Specialist, and Doctor’s degrees.

The five colleges have over 100 departments, including Aerospace Studies, Bioengineering, Cooperative Education, Environmental Toxicology, Mechanical Engineering, Policy Studies, Sociology, Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, and many more. The Calhoun Honors College for gifted students who excelled in high school is also located on this campus.

Military

Known primarily as a military school until 1955, there is still a military presence on campus. Along with being a host for the U.S. Marine Corps PLC Semper Fi Society, the school hosts the following programs:

Air Force ROTC
Army ROTC
Pershing Rifles
K-7 Scabbard and Blade
Maj. Rudolf Anderson Jr. Squadron Arnold Air Society
Maj. Dennis H. Satler Chapter Silver Wings
Clemson Rangers

Online Learning

Distance education is also offered for those students seeking an alternative way of completing college credit. Through distance education, classes are conducted online or via video conferencing.

Honors

Motivated students are given the opportunity to attend Calhoun Honors College. Established in 1962, this college offers honors classes for students interested in getting an excelled and enriching education. Students interested must apply to be considered.

Partnerships

To assist working professionals, the university is part of a cooperative with six other South Carolina universities who offer classes at the University Center of Greenville. The universities included in this cooperative are: Clemson University, University of South Carolina, Medical University of South Carolina, South Carolina State University, Furman University, Lander University, and the University of South Carolina Upstate.

The University Center of Greenville provides working professionals the opportunity to complete their undergraduate or graduate degrees within a flexible learning environment. Classes are offered during the day, in the evenings, on the weekends, and some can be found on the web.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

The school serves undergraduate students, graduate students, international students, and transfer students. To be considered, students must fill out an application form, a financial aid form (if needed), submit transcripts from high school or from another college or university, provide ACT or SAT test scores, and pay an application fee. The school’s application form can be downloaded from their website or completed online.

Admissions has grown more and more competitive in recent years, as the school continually receives more applications than available spots in the classroom. Therefore, officials generally look at a student’s high school curriculum, performance both in and out of the classroom, and scores on standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT, when evaluating an applicant.

Applicants to the graduate school must possess a four year degree from a university that meets Clemson’s academic standards. They will also need to submit standardized test scores, official transcripts, and any letters of recommendation. Moreover, graduate student applicants can submit their theses and dissertations online.

Students who apply to the Calhoun Honors College must have been in the top ten of their high school graduating class, as well as a minimum score of 30 on the ACT or 1300 on the SAT (with a minimum score of 620 on the critical reading and math sections). Those accepted to Calhoun must maintain at least a 3.4 grade point average their freshman year.

Financial Aid

Several financial aid options are offered which include loans, grants, scholarships, and student employment. Students can find detailed information with descriptions of all financial aid options on the university’s website. In addition, all appropriate forms for applying for financial assistance can be downloaded from the school’s website. Applicants should begin by filling out and submitting a Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) form, which can be done online.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 1424th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in South Carolina.

Athletics

Founded in 1889, the Tigers men’s sports include baseball, cross country, golf, football, basketball, soccer, tennis, track & field, and swimming & diving. There are eight women’s sports which include volleyball, basketball, cross country, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, rowing, and soccer.

In addition, the school has a cheerleading squad and a dancing team.

The athletic program is probably best known for its football team, which competes in the NCAA’s Atlantic Coast Conference (as do most Clemson teams). The team plays in the 80,000-seat Memorial Stadium, and has one of college football’s greatest traditions where the players rub Howard’s Rock for good luck as they come down The Hill and take the field. Alumni include former NFL stars Dwight Clark, Levon Kirkland, Brian Dawkins, and William Perry.

The school also has an extensive intramural program, with 4-on-4 flag football, dodgeball, sand volleyball, softball, and ultimate Frisbee among the sixteen sports offered.

Accreditation

Accreditation is provided by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Clemson University