I was denied admission at Clemson, and I am appealing this decision.
I am OOS, 3.5/3.2 GPA, 28 ACT, 1260 combined SAT, lots of demonstrated interest, and lots of good EC’s. I had not so good junior year grades so I knew I was on the bubble for admissions. My senior year grades have been very good; after the first semester grades were sent out my GPA improved by 1.2 and my class rank went up 4 places. I am sending out my updated transcript, and recommendations from my guidance counselor, the director of admissions at my school (who worked at Clemson for 2 years), and from a teacher who I have for 2 classes this year and thinks very well of me. I made it very clear in my appeal that I was completely financially committed to Clemson if i was accepted since it is my first choice school. Based on this information, I was wondering if anyone could tell me their thoughts on my chances for appeal success?
I was also denied at Clemson and am planning to appeal. I was kind of surprised when i was denied, as I thought my stats were fairly decent.
20+ Honors/ AP courses (7 AP courses, many G/T and Honors Courses), 1810 SAT (630 CR, 590 M, 590 W), 29 ACT (30 E, 26 M, 31 R, 32 S), 3.93 W GPA
My class rank isn’t great (I’m at about 35%) but I go to a very competitive school OOS
Lots of extracurriculars (AP Scholars, National Honors Society, AP Scholar with Honors, Key Club, After School Choir, Spanish Club, Spanish Club Public Relations Manager, Theatre Productions, Part Time Job, Student of the month, Etc)
I think I was denied due to a lower class rank than they would have liked. In my appeal I’m addressing two new academic awards that I have been presented with, a new leadership opportunity, and a personal situation that has effected my high school performance. I am also having my theater teacher of four years send in a additional recommendation. Does anyone know how successful appeals to Clemson are?
Does any one know if you can be denied because too many applied to a specific major? My daughter was Wait listed and had applied to chemical engineering. She was really torn with that or bio medical. I wonder if it would have turned out differently if it were reversed?
I was surprised to have been denied admission as well. I have amazing EC’s, 29 ACT and 3.5 weighted GPA. I applied early and didn’t expect to be outright denied. Maybe deferred, but definitely not denied. It’s come to my attention that they denied a lot of people that fell into the category of having their average statistics. I cannot tell if they’re being more exclusive or just picking and choosing people that meet the criteria however they choose.
DS was waitlisted with a 3.9 W GPA and 32/23 ACT score from a very competitive HS. I am telling you this not to brag (far from it) but to provide some perspective. Clemson has become a very competitive school and is extremely attractive to OOS. It may be harder to get into if you are OOS - I don’t know. Also they don’t put much stock into EC. It is all about the GPA/class rank/test scores. Honestly, appealing a denial makes me uncomfortable. I can see the value if there is no other school that has accepted you, but otherwise I feel it is a healthier (emotionally speaking) decision to move on. Just my opinion.
It may be harder to get in from out of state (my daughter got in with the same ACT as your son- we are in state), but Clemson was crazy competitive this year! My daughter has several classmates who are in her honors and AP classes who were offered the bridge program. I have lived in SC my whole life (50+ years) and I cannot believe so many good students are being turned down by Clemson. I’ve always thought of it as a perfectly fine school, but nothing that special. It never crossed my mind that my daughter would not get in, but it looks like it was a closer than I would have imagined.
Larryo - It is shocking across the board. If you read posts from past year you will see the GPAs getting higher and higher for all “good” schools not just Clemson. However, the cat is well out of the bag. For some time now, Clemson is highly regarded nationally and considered a desirable school for OOS students. That can only make it harder for in-state, I’m sorry to say. I heard from a friend that their son was rejected but offered a transfer (after being at another school for 1 year) to Clemson. Really? Sorry, in my book that is low. I wish schools wouldn’t do that. If I was a classmate of your daughters with a good GPA and offered the bridge program, I would feel insulted. It’s hard not to take this stuff personally though. Doesn’t help that schools - defer, waitlist, offer second choice, invite in the Spring, invite next year, blah, blah, blah. It is like the boyfriend that cannot commit to or dump his girlfriend. He just keeps her hanging!!!
OOS, got Tigertown Bound this afternoon, after application had been reviewed by Admissions Appeals Committee. So to answer the original question of this thread, Yes, there are some chances of success. For those who already appeal, good luck!!!
@SQBrit When I received my denial letter it said “We would, however like to consider you for transfer admission in the fall of 2016”. I felt like it was kind of a low blow and made the sting of not getting in a little worse, glad i’m not the only one who thinks so. and @Fromiol would you mind sharing your stats? I submitted my appeal two days ago and was wondering what my chances would be.
I was invited to the bridge program but I appealed in mid February. I did not receive my appeal decision yet but I hope it comes soon. It was supposed to be mailed the week of March 9.
@jekamom I didn’t appeal bridge but RD. @dolphins7521 my stats: GPA:3.87, ACT: 29, 6 AP Courses more than 150 volunteer hours, NHS, lots of honors and swim team captain. Hope that helps
OOS students have a significantly lower admissions rate from what an admissions counselor told me. You should also make note Clemson is not a need-blind school, therefore finances do play a role in admissions. South Carolina offers Palmetto Fellows for HS students who are ranked top 10% of the class and have an ACT score of 27+. Most Palmettos Fellows who meet the criteria are typically offered admissions at the school. Last I checked, 40% of their admitted students were Palmetto Fellows. My friends who have lower stats were accepted and not offered bridge program. The school we attend is not competitive by any means. Personally, I believe it is for Financial reasons. Also Clemson has a three prong acceptance process, 1) ACT/ SAT- 27+,1200+ (M+CR)
2) Class Rank 10%
3) GPA 3.6 of 4.0.
You have to meet 2 of the 3. That’s how most schools in SC do admissions. I am a South Carolina Resident and a Palmetto Fellow.
They have been sent out. They rejected me and told me to reapply for transfer admission next semester, but I have already committed to UMD which I think will be a better fit for me.
