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Admissions

Summer Pathways

First-year students who receive a Summer admission decision are required to complete one of the offered summer programs in order to continue at Clemson the following Fall term. Eligibility requirements are different for each program. Students should visit their Clemson admissions portal for a tailored list of options.

Students walk to and from classes in front of the Howard L. Hunter Chemistry Laboratory Building.
Two female students cross paths as one carries a large duffle bag in front of a Summer Start banner.

Summer Start

June 25 - August 5

Summer Start provides an opportunity for students to earn 6-7 credit hours toward their degree while building connections with peers, getting familiar with Clemson’s campus and building relationships with faculty mentors. This program ensures a smooth transition to college life and sets participants up for success over the next four years. Participants experience smaller class sizes, personalized academic and social resources, and early access to campus facilities — all before the Fall semester begins.

Students participating in Summer Start live on campus and can choose to remain in the Summer/STEM Community Housing for the academic year or move into a new housing assignment.

Summer Start

STEM Start

June 25 - August 5

STEM Start is a completely free summer program designed to support South Carolina residents who are Pell Grant-eligible or first-generation college students pursuing a STEM major. Students earn 5 to 7 credit hours, including a Global Challenges course and a seminar focused on academic success strategies in math and writing.

Participants will build connections through smaller classes and receive personalized academic and social resources to ease the college transition. STEM Start also features company tours at organizations like BMW and Prisma Health and professional development workshops using tools like Focus 2 and StrengthsFinder.

Participants will live on campus at no charge for the duration of the program.

STEM Start
A male and female student overlook their female professors shoulder to view a monitor. All are wearing white lab coats, exam gloves and protective eyewear.
A smiling female student stands while her peers look on.
A young student holding a pencil looks up from their desk towards the front of the room.

PEER & WISE Experience

June 25 - August 5

PEER WISE Experience (PWE) offers a free summer program to support students pursuing an engineering degree in the College of Engineering, Computing, and Applied Sciences (CECAS) degree. The program begins with a week of online learning before participants move to campus after July 4. Students live on campus and earn three credit hours through introductory STEM topics, such as general engineering, calculus, physics and chemistry. In addition to academic preparation, participants engage in career-focused company tours and interactive summer activities to build connections.

Students participating in the PEER & WISE Experience will live together on campus during the program.

PEER & WISE Experience

Global Start

July 6-24

Global Start offers a head start on college life with the added adventure of an international experience. This program combines a week on Clemson’s campus with over a week abroad, allowing students to adjust to college, settle into Tigertown before the Fall semester begins, connect with peers and professors in a small cohort, and kickstart their personal growth and academic exploration through a study abroad experience. Participants satisfy a graduation requirement by earning 3 credit hours in a Global Challenges course and exploring one of five destinations: Italy, Puerto Rico, Germany, Scotland or Greece.

Housing is provided both on campus and overseas, and program costs vary by location.

Global Start
A line of study abroad students hold up pans of various types of pasta in a large ornate kitchen.
Students smile while studying at a table scattered with notebooks and paper.

Summer CUSP

July 16 - August 4

Summer CUSP provides a supportive and individualized summer experience for 15 students who self-identify as having a neurodivergent diagnosis such as ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, or a related diagnosis. Students will earn 7 credit hours from three courses: Public Speaking, Career Exploration, and Introduction to College. This program provides services beyond standard accommodations, helping students build connections, navigate college life and foster growth and independence in their academic, social, and professional development.

Housing is provided on campus. Students must register with Student Accessibility Services to be eligible for the program.

Student Accessibility Services