Clemson University Top Questions

Dont limit yourself. Spread your wings and take a chance. It will work out in the long run.

I knew Clemson was the place for me, not only because I'm a legacy to the university, but because I felt a connection when I came to visit. Being from out of state, I didn't know any people going to the school, but I still knew it was the right place. The defining moment not only came in tailgating at the football games since I was three years old, but when I came to visit without my family. I had taken the official tour, I had been to the games, and I had heard all the wonderful memories my family members had made here, but I hadn't yet seen the real Clemson for myself. I stayed the night with a family friend when as a sophomore in high school, and I cannot stress enough the importance of that weekend in my college search. Staying overnight in the dorm and being around town, getting the night-time atmosphere, even without the excitement of the football games, and also attending a class of interest was the best thing I did. Clemson had always been a football team that I loved; but after that weekend, it became a true goal.

Look for some where that you feel your identity can flourish. Don't worry about making friends; that will come where ever you attend. Find some place that speaks to who your are, and the rest will fall into place.

make sure to look hard for the college that has everything you need because it can be challenging to transfer from one school to another, as i did.

The college experience will be one of the best experiences of your life if you find a college that fits your wants and desires. The first steps in choosing a college is to narrow down what you are looking for in a college, both the academic and social aspects. The next step is to do some research on the colleges that match your criteria. The internet is a great source of information and there are multiple web searches that can help narrow down and extract some of the colleges that may be suitable. There also exist a lot of inexpensive books that provide information on a good number of colleges from small liberal arts colleges to large universities. Third, you have to visit the colleges to truly get a feel of the atmosphere. Ask some of the students who attend the school about their feelings and how they enjoy the campus. The best information is the inside information from the students who attend the university. Finally, the best piece of advice I can offer is to choose Clemson University. Clemson is rated for some of the happiest students, and has given me the best experience of my life.

Some advice that I would give to parents is to listen to what your child wants. So many times, it seems as though parents are vicarously re-living or even trying to experience college through their kids and I just don't that is fair. It is your child how has to sit in class, live in the dorms, and experience that university. I know for me, I originially did want to come to Clemson but then changed my mind and wanted to go somewhere else. However, I felt as though my parents were pushing me to come here so I did. I don't regret coming here, but I would feel better about being her if I had decided that this would be the best place for me, and not them. Also, for the students, I would say think with the end in mind. Where do you want to be and what kind of person do you want to become when it comes times for you to walk across that stage? The most important component of answering that questions is definitely how college and the overall college experience will help you lead to that goal.

While kids are interested in the social life aspect that college offers, it is really important that they pick the school that will best promote the type of education that will be critcal to their career. Parents, it's time to step back and let your student make the ultimate decision. However, know that your student really takes your advice into consideration.

FOR PARENTS: Do not do all the research for your kids, and don't try to influence them based on where you think they would like to be. This is the time when they need to be taking control of their lives. Do not call academic advisors, do not request more information from programs, and once they are in college, do not contact their professors. Advisors and professors want the students to be taking control of their future, and they don't necessarily care how much the parent cares. They want to know the student cares. If your kids do not branch out and experience life for themselves in college, when will the best time for that be? FOR STUDENTS: College provides the best environment to utilize resources, meet people, and learn more about yourself than you ever thought possible. Take college as an opportunity to experience life in a semi-sheltered environment. There will be no other time in your life when you are surrounded by so many of your peers who are all interested in learning and growing. Study hard because it will definitely pay off, but never forget to have fun!

Most important is academics. Don't settle for any school that doesn't have the exact major you want. Check out the class sizes and professors, and get opinions of students, and not just what the brochures tell you. Ask if the professors are native speakers your language. Look at housing, on and off campus, and see if it is within a reasonable distance from campus. You want to make sure you won't be miserable, with long commutes, and large class sizes with no personal attention from the professors. When you're on campus, find activities and get involved. Meet your professors and make sure they know you by name. Don't let any opportunity pass you by. Study hard and have fun!

I think that it is important to take your time when deciding where to go to college. Deciding where to go to school is a big decision and I think it is important not to choose a school because a lot of your friends are going it should be for your own personal reasons. To make the most of the college experience, I think it is very important to get involved in activities that you enjoy and ones that maybe you do not know much about but have been interested in. If I could do college over agian I would have gotten much more involved. Getting involved has so many great perks. For example at my shcool the white water club lets you take out there kayaks anytime you want; the sailclub lets you check out sailboats anytime if you are a member; and the backpacking club goes on great trips. It is important to maintain a balance of social, and academics while in school. It is very hard to do but if you manage to do this. I think you will have a many great experiences.