General Engineering Learning Community & Boyd Scholars Program

Who is eligible to join the GELC?

The GELC is open to new undergraduate students from the United States majoring in General Engineering, who are invited and selected for the program based on their math preparation in high school. During summer orientation, an advisor will inform you if you are eligible to join this program.

How do I know if GELC is the right choice for me?

You should plan to join the GELC if any of the following apply to you:

• My SAT Math score is below 640, or my ACT score is below 27.
• I want to be an engineer, but math is not my strongest subject.
• I did well in high school, but I am concerned about being prepared for college-level courses.
• I felt like I never needed to study in high school, so I was unsure how to study for college-level courses.

When does the program begin?

The program begins on the first day of classes.

Where do GELC students live on campus?

You can live anywhere on campus as part of the GELC! This program is designed to complement other on-campus programs, including Living/Learning Community (LLC) experiences, such as Residents in Science & Engineering (RISE) and CONNECTIONS. We do, however, encourage you to choose the RISE LLC as your housing option to best complement your GELC experience.

If I am in the GELC program, can I still be part of other programs on campus?

Absolutely! Think of the GELC program as an “AND” program, not an “OR” program. If you are part of the GELC, you can be in this program AND other support programs on campus.

What does the GELC program cost during the Fall and Spring terms?

There is no fee for this program! Services are provided at no additional cost.

What is a Boyd Scholar?

Boyd Scholars are students in the GELC who are selected to complete their summer courses at Clemson in the Long Summer academic term. The award will cover the tuition and fees for the 7-credit hours required in the summer, along with your summer housing and summer meal plan.

The Boyd Scholars program, made possible by a generous gift from the Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation, gives students the time to become successful without the additional financial burden of the necessary additional summer or full-term to remain on track with the engineering curriculum.

Who is eligible to be a Boyd Scholar?

Boyd Scholars are chosen using an invitation-only application process.

How do I apply to be a Boyd Scholar?

The Boyd Scholar application process will begin during the Spring semester.

When will I know if I have been selected to be a Boyd Scholar?

All applicants will be notified of their status during the Spring semester, likely around spring break.

If I am selected as a Boyd Scholar, what are the requirements of the award?

• Remain a full-time student in good standing at Clemson, majoring in General Engineering for the first year with the intent to continue in engineering in the second year.
• Take all program courses together with your entering class as an intellectual cohort.
• Earn a C or better in all courses during the fall and spring academic terms.
• Participate in meetings with an assigned staff/faculty advisor.
• Attend all Boyd Scholar events.

What is the difference between GELC and Boyd Scholars?

In the Fall and Spring terms, there is no difference. All students are part of GELC. During Spring term, GELC students can apply to become Boyd scholars. Students selected as Boyd Scholars will still take the same three-term course sequence as GELC students but will receive an award covering expenses to complete the third term during the summer.

Can I still take courses in the summer if I am not accepted to become a Boyd Scholar?

Yes. Boyd Scholars will take the required courses during the Long Summer session on-campus at Clemson, with the cost of tuition, housing, and a meal plan for the Summer term covered. GELC students can take the summer courses at Clemson or a different institution at their own expense. GELC students also have the option to continue with courses in the next Fall term, though this would delay a change of major to December of their second year.

Can I choose not to join the GELC/Boyd Scholars Program?

Yes. However, not joining the program will delay your engineering coursework to the Spring term. You would also not be eligible for the additional benefits of these programs, such as involvement in the learning community with other students and a professional skills and learning strategies course. You will still need to complete courses in Summer term to change your major out of General Engineering by the start of the second year Fall semester or delay a change of major until the end of the second year Fall semester; however, you will not be able to apply for the award that would cover these expenses.

Curriculum

ENGR 1000 [1] Major Discovery Seminar
ENGR 1010 [3] Engineering Applied Math
ENGL 1030 [3] Accelerated Composition or Gen Ed if ENGL completed
ENGR 1100 [2] Engineering Success Skills (Part 1 of 2)
ENGR 1510 [3] First-Year Engineering (Part 1 of 3)
CH 1010 [4] General Chemistry I
—
16 credit hours
Note:
Students will enroll with other GELC students for all courses shown in orange.

Curriculum

ENGR 1110 [1] Engineering Success Skills (Part 2 of 2)
ENGR 1520 [2] First-Year Engineering (Part 2 of 3)
MATH 1060 [4] Calculus I
PHYS 1220 [3] Physics I
If Needed
PHYS 1240 [1] Physics Lab
Gen Ed Req [3] General Education Requirement
Engineering Graphics [2]
CH 1020 [4] General Chemistry II
—
13-15 credit hours
Note:
Students will enroll with other GELC students for all courses shown in orange. 

Non-ENGR courses may vary depending on the intended major.

Curriculum

ENGR 1640 [3] First-Year Engineering (Part 3 of 3) or CHE 1300 [3] Introduction to Chemical Engineering
MATH 1080 [4] Calculus II
—
7 credit hours