<p>I agree, pierre! Also, they need to put their money where their mouth is. They say that they are trying to recruit the best of the best, but they don’t have the scholarship money to back it up.</p>
<p>In Clemson’s defense, they are restricted by the state budget, not themselves, when it comes to scholarship money. This is happening at many schools across the nation. While the top 20 initiative can have some unintended negative consequences, the end result will be a better university (smaller classes, better students, etc).</p>
<p>Does anyone know if Clemson awards any merit aid without a class rank? My DD has a 32 act and 4.3 gpa, but her school doesn’t rank. I think the rationale is that our kids are so competitive with each other already that they’ll make all their class choices for the sake of rank instead of interest. We’re coming for a visit next week and if she loves Clemson I’m hoping Clemson will love her back, lol! Right now Va Tech is the favorite, and I don’t think I would pay more for her to go farther away. We’re in Pa, by the way.</p>
<p>It’s my understanding that if your school does not rank, Clemson will estimate a class rank by looking at your transcript and looking at your school’s stats.</p>
<p>That’s what clemson has told me too proud mary (I submitted my transcript without a class rank since I go to a really competitive high school)</p>
<p>Thanks, Mary and Pierre! That seems fair.</p>
<p>ehh, I think I’ve finally given up on Clemson for our son. I emailed financial aid and they said scholarships have been offered, yet our award letter won’t be sent until mid to late April. Son received OOS waiver, but it looks like nothing else would come until he’s attending. That’s too late. He’s been offered an NMSC corporate award, full 4-yr. tuition and departmental scholarship to another school. The economy has messed up some things, but it’s pretty obvious where his path is supposed to be. </p>
<p>I am just puzzled as to why Clemson would wait until “mid to late April” to send award letters, with May 1st being the decision deadline. (since financial aid saying they have already given scholarships) That’s just cutting it too close. Summer orientations are being filled, as I type. I don’t mean to sound negative, as I am a very positive person, but reality is staring us in the face. I’ll take it as a blessing.</p>
<p>feedback, I’m pretty puzzled by Clemson’s financial aid office too. I didn’t get any substantial financial aid, just loans, but I didn’t get my letter till after May 1st while all other schools had replied with their FA offers well in advance with the latest being Virginia Tech in late March. Sounds like some work needs to be done in the financial aid office. </p>
<p>I definitely understand if you give up Clemson for your son. You gotta do what’s best for your son and your family!</p>
<p>Thanks Pierre.</p>
<p>Registration for Orientation at Clemson University is an online program. Accepted students will have access to the program on April 1, 2010. Once you complete registration, you will receive a confirmation e-mail at your Clemson e-mail account. </p>
<p>So, I guess there orientation registration is in line with their FA awards and behind the other schools you are considering.</p>
<p>feedback: I too am frustrated with Clemson’s FA office. That’s just so late to let these kids know so they can make a decision. Also, I had a recent issue with the FA office that just infuriated me, so Clemson is not looking good. My daughter wanted to apply for the Eureka program through the Calhoun Honors College but she can’t apply until she knows that she will be able to afford Clemson. The application opens on April 1st, but until she knows her FA situation with Clemson, she can’t put it through. It will be interesting to compare Clemson’s awards to the other schools that D is looking at.</p>
<p>I’m thinking that this loss for the 2010 freshman class will be a gain for the 2011 freshman class. As soon as Clemson realizes that come out short of the freshman class goals they will adjust their awards policies to atract more freshman with higher stats the following year.</p>
<p>Too much reacting…</p>
<p>I hope the budget situation improves so that Clemson can offer more/bigger scholarships, but I don’t think the lack of money to students here is a result of them not wanting to attract better freshman. The unfortunate truth is that both schools and families have seen their budgets shrink recently. </p>
<p>Graduate schools are even worse than undergrad for decisions and financial aid. I have to make a decision by April 15th, and I am still waiting on decisions from two schools. Luckily I have a few generous (tuition and stipend) offers to choose from already.</p>
<p>A Clemson student called yesterday regarding my daughter and I explained that she is going to attend another school that has given her a full-ride. I told him that as generous as the OOS tuition waiver was, it paled in comparison to other school offers and that I knew a number of kids who have chosen to attend another school because of the lack of merit aid. Even though he stuttered a little from not really knowing how to respond, he was very nice and congratulated her.</p>
<p>I also think that the class of 2011 might benefit from this year’s lack of merit aid. I am concerned of the school’s lack of ability to award serious merit aid to high-achieving students when other schools can - does it indicate a significant of funding loss that might affect UG education? Maybe the South Carolina governor should have spent more time trying to help its universities instead of “hiking” in South America. :)</p>
<p>My S is a junior OOS and he has his eyes on Clemson as his #1 choice. I hope that Clemson opens up the merit aid for 2011. It is not consistent with their goals to be a top 20 public university. The landscape for top students is very competitive out there. </p>
<p>We will be visiting the campus on 4/15 so I’ll ask admissions their opinions around this topic…</p>
<p>Mitch_L: They definitely want to attract bthe best of the best. At the NSP weekend, they keep saying how it is a major priority to attract the top applicants and strive to become a Top 20 public university. D has been recruited very heavily with tons of snail mail and phone calls. She fell in love with the school when we visited there. The problem is that Clemson does not have the money to back up what they want to do. To attract top students, they have to be able to offer them great FA packages.</p>