Clemson University
Clemson, SC · Public · 23,300 undergrads
- Admit rate: 38.3% (60,122 applicants)
- SAT middle 50%: 1240–1410 (ACT 28–32)
- Undergraduates: 23,300 (0.8% international)
- Average net price: $22,253 (per year after aid)
- Graduation rate: 87% (within 6 years)
Deadlines
- Early Action: Oct. 15, 2026
- Regular Decision: Jan. 1, 2027
Essays
Optional personal statement (No limit stated)
Upload an optional personal statement with your application to let us know if there are specific circumstances that impacted your academic performance for a specific period of time or in a particular class.
Editor's notes
- Early Action here is early, really early. The application is due Oct. 15, two weeks before most schools' early dates, with materials due Nov. 1. It's not binding, so if your file is ready, there's little reason to wait. If it isn't, Clemson says it still admits about half the class in Regular Decision.
- Your transcript is something you type. Clemson reads your self-reported STARS record instead of an official transcript, so enter every course and grade exactly as your school shows it. A mismatch found when the official transcript arrives is a problem you don't need.
- There's no required essay, so the Honors application is where your writing counts. If you want Honors or the National Scholars Program, hit the Priority dates (Oct. 22 and Nov. 1), and give Essay 1 to your thinking, not to Clemson's brochure. The prompt says so outright.
Sources
- Clemson Admissions, Apply to Clemson as a first-year student
- Clemson Admissions, Early Action FAQs
- Clemson Admissions, Admissions statistics (2025 first-year profile)
- Clemson Admissions, High school counselor information
- Clemson Honors College, First-year honors admissions
- Clemson Honors College, Honors Class of 2030 at a glance
- Clemson Office of Institutional Research, Common Data Set 2025-2026 (record page)
- Common App, 2026-27 first-year requirements grid
