My D wants to submit an application to Clemons for the Oct 15 EA deadline. We are out of state. She is TO and has a weighted GPA of 3.5. She only has 5 APS on her transcript. Applying liberal arts History/Psych.
Lots of community service, a part-time job, clubs.
Small all girls private school, no class rank.
Is it even worth a try?
If it is, should she submit the “optional personal statement” -any advice on how to approach that?
What is her unweighted - in other words, forget the APs - but give a 4 for an A, 3 for a B, 2 for a C - so will be less than a 3.5.
Is she interested in Clemson?
I mean, you’re asking the question so I have to think the answer is yes. And you can afford the price tag?
Will she get in? I’m not an adcom but I would say no. btw- it’s not “only” 5 APs. That’s a very good # - and they also look at what the school offers. If she took 5 of 7 offered, it’s different than 5 of 20.
I don’t see her getting in but I go back to - I’m not an adcom. So I’d say a reach.
Can I say for sure that she won’t get in?
Only if she doesn’t apply - so if it’s truly her top pick and you can afford mid 50s+ a year, why wouldn’t she apply? To be cliche, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
It’s a reach.
You might check an Ohio U or Ms State for “easier” admits than Clemson that might also fit her. App State, James Madison, UNCW, and Georgia Southern pop into my mind too - with Auburn as maybe another reach. But if she wants big time sports - not sure if that’s a reason, Ms State would make a nice complement and it’s a fine school.
Take your shot so you don’t have to wonder.
There’s nothing wrong with getting rejected to a school. In fact, I wanted my kids to get rejected - showed them they applied “high” enough.
Good luck.
I agree - a definite reach especially for OOS. Although Clemson does offer a summer start program and also a bridge program from their community college. Is the major that she intends to apply to a restricted one (psych is usually a popular major). If so, it will be even tougher. But like tsbna said, she’ll never know if she doesn’t take the shot - just have some solid backups that she is also in love with. It’s not a great strategy to only love a reach school.
I would submit whatever optional extras that Clemson gives her the opportunity to submit, so she can give them every and any reason to want to admit her that are beyond her grades & test scores. I don’t recall what the parameters are for Clemson’s optional statement - is it just the Common App personal statement or one unique to Clemson? Either way, I would encourage your daughter to write a draft and submit it here under the “essay review” section here on CC - that way she can get some valuable feedback before submitting.
The optional statement should focus on specific reasons why your daughter wants to attend Clemson University (assuming that Why Clemson ? is not part of the regular app essays).
Yes, it is worth a try so long as your daughter is prepared for a possible rejection. Apply since it is her first choice school and not applying might lead to long-term regret based on “what if”.
What attracts your daughter to Clemson University ? I ask so that other schools might be suggested.
As you know, Clemson’s popularity has been soaring in recent years so admission is tough. Has your daughter considered Ole Miss ? College of Charleston ?
SHe is below 3.5 for UW for sure.
She is happy to apply as History major and drop pscyh if that strategy might help her.
She loves Clemson’s big sports, climate and school spirit. Thanks for the advice
We need her unweighted GPA, core courses only, to make any type of recommendation. At some schools, a weighted 3.5 GPA could have a sub 3.0 unweighted, for example.
What is her approximate class rank? I know her school doesn’t rank, but what decile do you think she’s in based on counselor feedback and/or school profile? Clemson will try and figure that out too.
I agree with others that it sounds like Clemson is likely a reach, especially with no test score. Do you want other school recs? If so, any budget or other constraints?
Happy to drop pscyh to help chances. She would definitely do summer start or spring start. will draft a “Why Clemson essay” as it is not part of the regular application. Already applying to Ole Miss and Cof C.
We are full pay
It is a part of the regular application. It’s the optional personal statement in the Activities section (Common App, see below graphic.) She can treat this as a Why Clemson essay, but I would also talk about her intended major and reasons for that choice.
Thank you for the advice!
Not sure if Clemson looks at major but based on what you describe, I’d barbell Clemson with Mississippi State. There’s a similarity of sorts there. Ole Miss too but will be more Greek.
If she wants to be in that area, and lesser on the sports but still has them, a Ga Southern could fit. A bit farther App State.
But Ms State is what i would target as the safer version. Fine school.
Ps full pay unlikely to matter.
Good luck.
Clemson does look at major. Without knowing anything about the OPs highschool, unweighted GPA and coursework it’s really hard to say whether Clemson is a reach or out of reach. @transfermom2 , do students from your daughter’s school regularly attend Clemson? What does your school college counselor have to say? Why test optional ?
As far as other schools that have been mentioned, Auburn is probably the most similar to Clemson and a marginally easier admit these days but would require a test score. They will only review applicants without a score if the student has a GPA over 3.6 and the student is unable to take a test. Georgia Southern is probabably one of the last schools. I’d recommend, assuming you are out of state. The four year graduation is somewhere around 30 percent and at 6 years somewhere around 50 percent. Statesboro is in the middle of nowhere and there is nothing to do there except party. I know a lot of in state kids who have either dropped out or transfered. Ole Miss and App State are much better suggestions.
Are you describing Clemson ? 
My point was I see similarities on a much safer admit level with some of the traits OP wants, albeit on a lesser level.
I don’t think Auburn happens which is why I mentioned Ms State. Bama happens but likely too big, not right vibe. Ms State smaller
All kidding aside - another to consider on the other side of the state would be Coastal Carolina although not quite the same vibe.
James Madison likely doesn’t have the nice weather being sought.
But def check Ms State - and others everyone has mentioned.
Good luck.
Lol. Have you been to either of these campuses? South Georgia is a different type of middle of nowhere. Clemson is a charming southern town on a lake. Lots of outdoor activities and very easy access to Greenville.
Yes I have been to both. And work with lots of parents whose kids go to Ga Southern.
There share similarities and the student needs alternatives.
I’m not sure of the geographical desires but saying they like the spirit and weather, there’s some similarity.
Clemson is not really accessible to Greenville - it’s the closest area - did that drive a few weeks ago - but if you say that, I’ll make that same argument with easier ( interstate) access to Savannah.
But we both made points - and it’s up to OP to use as seeing fit.
Bottom line, OP should apply to Clemson but need targets and safeties to fit as well.
But Ms State was my true thought.
I was thinking App State, UT Chattanooga or maybe Wofford.
Not to belabor the point, but I stand by the reasons I don’t love Georgia Southern for an out of state student. The school is over 90 percent in state and has a less than desirable graduation rate. My son’s best friend came home to Atlanta every weekend after his first semester, found the party scene too crazy, and had the majority of his classes online. He ended up transferring out as did several other kids we know. Of course there are students who are happy there. Its great you know out of state kids who are thriving there and can share that perspective. I just happen to think your other school suggestions are much better. 
I agree with the MIssissippi State and Auburn suggestions and will add U. of Kentucky and West Virginia U.
I agree my other schools are much better too. But not sure of OPs geographic limitations and given it was closer to Clemson and has semi big time sports, I threw it out there.
But for big time sports, agree with you on Auburn but it’s not the assured and then MSU for highly likely - if it works geographically.
Given Clemson is not city based, I was trying to think of semi warm schools in less populous areas with big sports.
There’s other great but colder choices too.
In my neck of the woods, Auburn and Tennessee (Knoxville) are becoming harder and harder admits each year (both are very popular). While maybe not high reaches for OP’s D, the fact the applications for both continue to climb, could make these “light” reaches for OOS applicants, depending on the rest of her application. UofSC would also fall into this category. When my older daughter was applying to colleges back in 2012, all these were solid safeties for her. By the time my younger daughter went through her application cycle in 2020, these schools were much harder to get into. She didn’t like Clemson and didn’t apply but a lot of her classmates did. I surprised to hear about a number of waitlists and summer starts for kids with really solid stats.
I may have missed where OP is from but keep in mind also that if your D is coming from a northern state and a small all-girls school, these large, southern universities are likely to be a bit of a culture shock. She will have to be prepared to put herself out there or risk getting swallowed up.
I like the App State suggestion - it has a laid back, friendly vibe with the sports. If she doesn’t care about football games, UNC-Wilmington may also be one to consider (assuming they are affordable). There are options in FL, if there’s interest in venturing that far south (UCF, FAU, U Tampa)