Hi all, while we wait for Tuesday to hurry up and get here, maybe we can discuss what we’ve heard about various dorms. My daughter and I didn’t get to do a tour and are wondering if there are certain dorms known to be “friendlier” where kids meet each other more easily. I’ve heard that on most campuses the friendlier dorms are the “traditional style”. Has anyone heard anything about the personalities of various dorms?
Internet search says Shoeboxes are the friendliest. Crappiest, but friendliest. Thoughts?
Super nervous for Tuesday. Buttons are same as others honors looks a bit different but we did submit back in October. So makes sense we could not submit again.
I went to Clemson, and my daughter is there now. Dorm selection goes on date you applied to Clemson. Applications opened Aug 1 at midnight. They actually opened a couple hours earlier, so students who applied July 31 say at 10PM or so will have first pick (after athletes, LLCs, etc). My son got his in at 10 PM July 31. When my daughter applied, she got hers in at midnight on Aug 1 and was in the fourth group to pick (then it was grouped by the hour at 8 AM, etc). When she picked, many of the favorite dorms were just about at capacity. That doesn’t mean you won’t get a dorm-you will, but I wouldn’t get too hung up on ones because many of those will be filled by athletes, LLCs, and those picking first. All of the dorms are good for meeting people.
I’ve had kids at 6 universities, usually the traditional dorms are more social than suites. My daughter applied to Clemson extremely late, so she chose to apply to the CUBS LLC (business) which is in douthit. It’s traditional style with hallway bathrooms which are co-ed, but wet core, a row of sinks, and individual private bathrooms with a toilet, shower and sink. I think another dorm was renovated with the same bathrooms. The shoeboxes are the oldest and least expensive, with the best location and great socializing.
Where is the honors stuff at? Where it lists the majors?
How does she like that dorm? Do you just have to be a business major to get in?
She loved it, but it’s a bit of a walk to classes and dining halls (has a great dining hub attached but it’s not open on weekends). Anyone can dorm there, the LLC is just a part of it.
Thanks for replying. I’m glad we aren’t alone? Fingers crossed for Tuesday for both of us.
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I lived in the Shoeboxes (back in the 90s). My room had two walk-in closets, built-in desks and a sink. Assuming it hasn’t changed - tile floors so grab a throw rug! There’s a dining hall just steps away! It’s a great location in the heart of the campus.
My S23 is a sophomore now. Although he had relative priority for dorm selection, he intentionally chose the shoeboxes because they were very ideally situated in central campus, next to newer dining, stadium, core classes, etc and also because he was coming from CA and not rushing (greek), so he wanted to be in dorms that were social and facilitated meeting people. They are still as another poster described them - old but surprisingly roomy because of the walk in closet space, and the sink is a nice feature. My son loved the shoebox experience, and said that a lot of friends that he met in other dorms would come to the shoeboxes to hang out. I think what you get is a hallway of potential friends for the subsequent off campus years, rather than a suite of potential hit and miss. My current S25 is accepted and if he accepts and attends, I have a feeling he’ll want another dorm style. Each kid is different… On the dorm map, we targeted a room that wasn’t next to stairwells or bathrooms. 2nd floor is good because it’s one level up but grade/ground level on the up side of the hill.
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yep, still as you just described…
Does anyone know what the acceptance rate tends to look like for Clemson for EA deferred in RD? I tried to look online but came up with nothing insightful.
Can someone speak to the stigma that is associated with those in the Bridge program? I would think that because it has gotten so competitive, people aren’t as judgmental now, as they might have been several years ago.
Hi - I can just tell you what I know from the bridge program in the last few years from an OOS perspective (MA) - as everyone has realized admission to Clemson (and many southern SEC schools) as gotten insanely competitive. People I know from last year that were accepted to bridge were happy they weren’t denied, and the rest of us celebrated with them. My brother applied, had a 3.99 UW and 1390 SAT and tons of EC was deferred EA and rejected RD and would have been thrilled with that offer but wasn’t invited to it. There was no shame or stigma towards those who were accepted to Clemson in my HS last year and hopefuls here now (including myself) that will be happy with any admission to Clemson - and the Bridge is invite only - and far better than a rejection. If this situation applies to you or someone you know all I can do is tell you one of my favorite quotes: no one can make you feel insecure without your permission. Be proud of what you achieve. The STATS these days are insanely high, and many schools (not ours) offer numerous AP classes 9-12 grade - I have worked really hard my entire HS career to achieve and maintain a 4.0UW and it’s generating a ton of deferrals… its easy to feel your best isn’t enough - but it is. Be proud of what you get offered and chalk up what you dont as potentially just some help being pointed in the direction you were meant to go in - much longer of an answer than you probably wanted. Just trying to send some positivity
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Our nephew did the bridge program (in state) about 8 years ago. He ended up transferring to a different in state college as a junior because he could live at home. Clemson is relatively expensive even for some in state kids.
As far as I know, there was no stigma regarding being in the bridge program, but something to consider is if your student will have enough support and motivation to succeed.
While bridge students live on campus, from what I understand these are apartment style units, not regular dorms with the regular admit Clemson students. Is that a good fit? How does your student feel about taking classes at Tri County Tech? Would your student be better helped by attending a community/junior college locally and then transferring into Clemson or another 4 year university as a junior? For us personally, my daughter would rather attend another of her choices than do the bridge program. It depends on what your other options are and what your priorities are.
As a Clemson alum family (my husband has his BS and I have my MA from Clemson) it’s been kind of shocking to read this thread. While I knew that Clemson has gained in popularity and reputation in recent years, I had no idea that Clemson was so sought after and competitive now. The bridge program might be worth it if Clemson is the dream school and if financials work out.
@Kacie99 great comment… but Clemson is an ACC school, not an SEC school 
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HAHA - I was referring to them in general and it’s funny right after I hit send I was like oh no - I think this will read incorrectly! hahah -
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you are spot on, and based on your introspection and humility, any school would be fortunate to have you
LOL, well no Clemson fan wants to be lumped in with the Alabama and Georgia crowd 
. I wish you much success wherever you attend. You sound like a wonderful young person.
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It has disproportionate OOS acceptance (as a % of in state) compared to other regional schools. Whereas it is almost unheard of for a CA student to get into UNC, UVA, U-Mich, UF etc, Clemson has been more open to OOS, thus facilitating the flight from CA and the Northeast
And Clemson is a very different school from UVA and UNC.