It’s terribly unfair, I agree, but I think Clemson is extremely focused on improving their rep/rank and rightly or wrongly uses OOS students and every stat they can to help improve the stats of the freshman class each year. As a state university they have to cater to SC residents in a variety of ways, so they try to tip the scales with OOS applicants with excellent, measurable stats.
My mom always said life isn’t fair. It is almost cruelly unfair throughout the college application process. Your students need to insulate themselves for the horrible rejections that may come even though they are very strong candidates. My shellshocked son kept saying, ‘Mom, this wasn’t supposed to happen.’ He confidently thought he’d get in his ED school and received a lot of RD rejections/ waitlisted on top of not getting in his ED choice.
BUT - he landed where he should be and he is thrilled and loves Clemson. A year ago he was fighting with me about not wanting to spend time applying to Clemson’s Honors College because “there is no way I’m going there.” We chuckle about that today.
Did anyone on this thread pay the $200 deposit before 2/1 and before they knew how much merit aid (not financial aid) they were getting? Wondering if you might end up with less merit money if they know you’re coming either way?!?
@sunnyschool No need to apply to honors college to get merit aid. My oldest son applied to Clemson last year - class of 2023… He did not do the honors college application because we are in state for Ga Tech and Clemson was a safety. He figured he could apply later if he ended up there. He had an unweighted 4.0, was valedictorian, 1540 SAT, 35 ACT (both in one sitting). He was offered at least 20k - there may have been a little extra. I can’t remember because I never saw the numbers. He opted for Ga Tech so I don’t know exactly. Even with the merit, Clemson was significantly more than in state at Georgia Tech (where tuition is free).
The merit scholarship award ranges have come down in recent years, since the student body as a whole has become more competitive. If your school does not rank or does not offer rank, but you believe your child to be in top 10%, have child ask their guidance department to write a recommendation and include A class rank range so clemson does not have to do much work to determine. Also, apply early to get best chance of merit. Once enough acceptance letters go out w “merit award forthcoming’ notice, they will cease that addition to make sure they manage their yield and merit expense investment. As shared above, 3.0 gpa and 12 credits to maintain.
@lulurat The top merit money actually increase from 15K in 2018 to 20K in 2019. The rest of the ranges may have lowered as you suggested but they did increase the top award.
@burghdad, nice. Hadn’t realized that. I guess to keep up writing tuition and get very top to be interested. I just remember a lot of people complaining last year, and I thought much was that the ranges had decreased. maybe it was the ranges changed, not the award, meaning harder to get top, next tier, etc. so in essence an older student received 15k, sibling had equal scores and got 10, etc.
@lulurat yes I understand. My daughter got highest level at 15K in 2018. Her tuition of course has increased but the merit award stays the same. Not to mention the fees they add on such as $500 a semester for the honors college, $1200 a semester for Business school…etc.
But with all the credits they give for AP my daughter is going to graduate in 3 years so that is money saver.