How to Get Into Clemson University

Student with a laptop and documents happy about getting into Clemson University
Updated:
August 28, 2023
Contents

”Rohan

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 05/03/23

Wondering how to get into Clemson University? We have the answers! Keep reading for tips to help you get accepted. 

Clemson University is a public institution in South Carolina that was founded in 1889. Since its inception, Clemson has been dedicated to conducting research for the betterment of local and global communities. It boasts over 400 student clubs and associations and is part of the NCAA Division 1. If you play basketball, or are just a fan, this is the place to go!

If you want to attend this school, it is important to have a good understanding of how to get into Clemson University. We’ll discuss everything you need to know about Clemson, including acceptance rates and how hard it is to get in. 

Let’s get started! 

Getting Into Clemson University: Steps to Take

Clemson University's acceptance rate is approximately 43%, meaning only about half the students who apply each year will get in. To better your odds, we have come up with a few steps you can take to ensure your application stands out.

1. Pay Attention to Deadlines

If you want to be considered before other applicants to increase your chances of admission, make sure you know exactly when to submit your Clemson application and when to send in your SAT or ACT scores.

For example, if you want to be considered for Early Action, you would’ve had to turn in your application by October 15. This means you would find out about their decision by December 1, a full month before the Regular Decision deadline.

2. Get Good Grades

This might seem obvious, but Clemson University puts a lot of emphasis on GPA, SAT or ACT scores, and class rank. We’ll go into further detail about Clemson’s admission statistics later on to help you improve the competitiveness of your application. 

For those with lower scores than recommended, do not lose hope. The next two steps will help you boost your chances of getting accepted, even with lower scores. 

3. Cultivate a Strong Extracurricular Portfolio

Clemson looks for students who are engaged with their community and explore their passions through extracurricular activities

The admissions committee emphasizes the importance of participating in sports and taking on a leadership role in student organizations and clubs. Sports is a big part of student life at Clemson, so if you have any interest in sports, make sure your application reflects this interest.

4. Write an Engaging Essay

Having an engaging essay or personal statement in your application is how to get into Clemson University. 

A key quality that Clemson looks for in its applicants is the ability to tell the story of who you are because “Clemson Tigers have unique stories to tell.” This means that if you are able to write a compelling essay, then you will have a good chance of acceptance.

Try to think of a specific event or experience that influenced your academic career and why you are applying to Clemson. Doing so can be extremely influential, especially if you are at the lower end of their preferred GPA, SAT and ACT scores.

By following these steps, you will find yourself closer to your goal of gaining acceptance at Clemson University. For more information about admission requirements, keep on reading.

Clemson University Admissions Requirements

When determining how hard it is to get into Clemson University, you have to think about your academic records and your class rank. It is recommended that if you want to get into Clemson, you should have a 4.43 GPA and be in the top 50% of your class.

The admissions committee also takes your SAT and ACT scores into account. If you want to get into Clemson University, you should aim to score between 1230 and 1390 on the SAT, and between 28 and 32 on the ACT. 

Keep in mind that while one-quarter of accepted students had scores that were higher, the same amount also scored lower than these ranges. When making their admissions decisions, Clemson will consider students with lower grades and scores if their extracurriculars are extensive and if they have strong letters of recommendation.

Now that we understand how hard it is to get into Clemson University, let’s take a look at acceptance rates.

Clemson University Acceptance Rate

As we stated previously, Clemson University's acceptance rate is about 43%, meaning just over half the students who apply get in.

When breaking down Clemson University's acceptance rate, we see just how important class rank is. The following chart demonstrates that most students accepted into Clemson are at the top of their class.

Chart showing that most students accepted into Clemson are the top of their class
Source: Clemson University

When applying to Clemson, being at the top of your class is important. These figures illustrate that most admitted students performed well academically in high school. 

However, class rank is not the only factor that Clemson evaluates. Securing strong letters of recommendations, writing stellar essays and completing a wide variety of extracurriculars is key when thinking of how to get into Clemson University.

Clemson University Class Profile

Now that we’ve discussed how to get into Clemson University, it’s time to review its class profile. Considering key statistics about Clemson’s admitted students will allow you to determine how you measure up.

Out of the total students accepted, 22,566 are undergraduate students, while 5,900 are graduate students. There is a slight majority of female students at Clemson, comprising 52% of the student body, while male students make up 47%. Additionally, just over half of Clemson’s student body are South Carolina residents.

Not sure what you want to study? Don’t worry, you'll have more than 80 majors and 90 minors to choose from. There is a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio at Clemson, meaning you will get plenty of time with your professors.  

For your freshman year, you’ll be required to live on campus. This is great for getting to know the school, establishing your social networks and getting involved in the numerous student clubs and organizations.

The fact that you have to live on campus adds a bit to the expense of attending Clemson University, so it is important to take this into account when looking at tuition and fees.

Clemson University Tuition

Clemson University tuition for in-state students was $15,558. Keep in mind that this does not include room and board and other fees, such as books, supplies, and transportation. When taking all of that into account, the total in-state student pays $28,596.

For students coming in from a different state, tuition is $38,550 or $51,588 if you account for living expenses, books, and other fees. Clemson also automatically puts you into the running for scholarships when you apply, meaning will be considered for scholarships without ever having to apply.

That being said, you definitely get your money’s worth when you decide to attend Clemson University. Coming in at #77, it is ranked in the top 100 Universities in the US. You’ll be taught by world-class faculty members and be surrounded by like-minded individuals dedicated to changing the world through hard work.

Should You Apply to Clemson?

If Clemson University seems like a place you’d thrive, you should definitely apply. Though the Clemson University acceptance rate is moderately competitive, remember that the admissions committee take a lot more than test scores into account when considering applicants.

Clemson University can offer a lot of great opportunities, and you’ll get the chance to establish long-lasting relationships by participating in various student clubs, sports and organizations. Going to a school like Clemson can open doors for your future; you might find that you can thrive at this South Carolina school.

FAQs: How to Get Into Clemson University

Here are some commonly asked questions about Clemson University.

1. How Hard Is It to Get Into Clemson University?

If you have good grades and participate in a lot of extracurriculars, it can be easy to get into Clemson University. By establishing a strong profile, you can increase your chances of getting accepted.

2. What Is The Lowest GPA Clemson Will Accept?

Clemson will accept students with a GPA of 3.3 or above. If you have a slightly lower GPA, but have a lot of extracurriculars and excellent recommendation letters, then you would be able to get in as well.

3. Can I Get Into Clemson With a 3.3 GPA?

Yes, but you will want to make sure that you participate in clubs and organizations, as a 3.3 GPA is the cutoff.

4. What SAT Score Is Required for Clemson?

You need to get between 1230 and 1390 in order to get into Clemson University.

Final Thoughts

Clemson University is an excellent college in South Carolina that can provide a wonderful academic career for any student. We hope you have a more in-depth understanding of how to get into Clemson University after reading this article.

Good luck with your application!

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