<p>Son applied pretty early to Clemson and was accepted with an OOS tuition waiver sometime ago. We received a letter about putting a $100 housing deposit down and applying for housing.</p>
<p>When is the earliest one can apply for housing?</p>
<p>Any recommendations on dorms for a new freshman who will not know anybody else there?</p>
<p>Son will be a bioengineering major or a biological sciences and computer science major. Rethinking engineering nowadays, but would still love to be a biomedical engineer, perhaps waiting until grad school to specialize.</p>
<p>We are hoping to visit in the spring, but would like to go ahead and put in our housing deposit and pick a room as early as possible.</p>
<p>Freshmen are guaranteed housing on campus. In fact, university policy requires all unmarried freshmen who are under the age of 21 at the time of enrollment who do not live with their parents within a 50 mile radius of campus to live in university-owned housing for the fall and spring semesters.</p>
<p>On the housing website, it says that in mid-february (or later), housing information will be sent out to all newly accepted students. Not sure when you can officially apply for housing online but it’s going to be sometime in February. </p>
<p>I don’t really see the need to put in a housing deposit and pick a room so early if you’re not completely sure about committing to Clemson. At Clemson, housing priority for all new students is based on the date your application to the University was sent, not the date you applied to housing. So if you apply now or April 30th, you will still have the same housing priority. So in my opinion, I would save the housing deposit money and wait till you send in the admissions deposit and apply for housing after that (as long as you apply before May 1st or else you lose housing priority. Also, if you make changes to your housing application after May 1st, you can lose housing priority).</p>
<p>As for recommendations on dorms, here are the places freshmen can apply to this year:</p>
<p>Guys:
Byrnes
Cope
Geer
Sanders (Residents In Science And Engineering program only)</p>
<p>Girls:
Manning
Lever
Young (Residents In Science And Engineering program and Women In Animal & Veterinary Science) </p>
<p>Co-ed:
Clemson House (also houses Civics & Service House program)
Johnstone Main
Johnstone Annex
Benet (Clemson Business Experience and PRTM programs)
Holmes (Honors College only)
McCabe (ROTC only)
Calhoun Courts (Cultural Exchange Community)</p>
<p>Now a little bit about each dorm (my opinions)</p>
<p>Clemson House - This used to be a very popular upperclassmen option on campus but next year will be the first year that it is an all freshmen dorm with the exception of upperclassmen participating in the Civics & Service House program (freshmen can participate too, for people interested in community service). There are different rooms in there and housing says that freshmen will be able to pick specifically whether they want a regular 2 person room, 2 person apartment, or 4- person apartment (apartments include a bathroom and kitchen, rooms do not). A nice thing is that there is a dining hall in Clemson House so for those rainy days where you don’t want to walk outside to get food, you can stay indoors! If I were to choose, I would go for Clemson House first especially since it’s an all freshmen dorm now (and if you can get an apartment). More info: [Clemson</a> House : Clemson University](<a href=“http://www.clemson.edu/campus-life/housing/residential-areas/residence-halls/clemson-house.html]Clemson”>http://www.clemson.edu/campus-life/housing/residential-areas/residence-halls/clemson-house.html)</p>
<p>Shoeboxes (Sanders, Cope, Benet, Geer, Young): The shoeboxes are in a pretty nice location on campus, not too far from classes or the athletic facilities either as well as the university union (forgot to mention this but Johnstone is in a nice location too in the Union). It’s a great place to be. If you are an engineering or science major, consider doing the RISE program (Residents In Science And Engineering). The nice thing I guess is that it’s all engineering/science students and apparently there is free tutoring in the hall. More info: [The</a> Shoeboxes : Clemson University](<a href=“http://www.clemson.edu/campus-life/housing/residential-areas/residence-halls/shoeboxes.html]The”>http://www.clemson.edu/campus-life/housing/residential-areas/residence-halls/shoeboxes.html)</p>
<p>I can’t say whether it will be difficult or not to get a room in Clemson House since this is the first year it’s ever been offered as a freshmen housing option. The apartments may be a popular choice but I can’t really say since again this is the first year housing’s ever made Clemson House all-freshmen housing.</p>
<p>Can you give more info on Sanders and the RISE program? Son would like to live in an engineering community so he can have study partners. He also doesn’t want to have too far a walk to classes. He would probably like the apartments in Clemson House, though, since he’s fallen in love with the Bama dorms. But you don’t have individual private rooms in their apartments, though, right? Don’t know if that’s the appeal, or the kitchen and living room is the appeal there. Definitely needs a quiet place to study with little partying, though ability to meet people is a plus.</p>
<p>I forgot to mention this but if you want to apply for the RISE program, the application process is based on the date you apply for housing so if you are indeed interested in this program, I would apply for housing as early as you can as this program is very popular (usually fills out by April 1st).</p>
<p>None of the dorms are a far walk from class so that shouldn’t be a problem. It sounds that Johnstone is not the place for your son if he wants a quiet place to study with little partying. I think he should pick between the High Rises, Clemson House and Shoeboxes (Clemson House if he wants the nicest dorm, Shoeboxes if he wants to be in the RISE program, High Rises if you want to meet the most freshmen). If you choose not to do the RISE program, don’t worry about finding a study partner. The most popular major here is by far is engineering (1/3rd of the student body I think?) so chances are there will be at least 2 people on your hall (if not more) in the general engineering program. In the Clemson House apartments, there aren’t any private rooms. In a 2-person apartment, it’s just one large room with 2 beds. In a 4-person apartment, there are 2 rooms with a bunk bed in each. (See floor plan: [Clemson</a> House : Clemson University](<a href=“http://www.clemson.edu/campus-life/housing/residential-areas/residence-halls/clemson-house.html]Clemson”>http://www.clemson.edu/campus-life/housing/residential-areas/residence-halls/clemson-house.html)) Also, I forgot to mention that in the Shoeboxes and Johnstone have a sink in the rooms while the High Rises do not (nice so you can brush your teeth and get water in your own room).</p>
<p>A mistake I made above is that all room types in Clemson House has their own bathroom, even the 2-person room. The only difference between room and apartment in Clemson House is that there is no kitchen in the room.</p>
<p>Although Pierre always offers great advice, I want to disagree with him on Holmes Hall. My son has lived in Holmes for 2 years and loves it. He finds it very social BUT with a good balance - there are times to have fun and times to study. The Honors College is also in the process of improving the study rooms on each floor and plans to re-do the basement this summer to make it more comfortable for students to use. </p>
<p>If you are in Honors, I would give serious consideration to Holmes.</p>
<p>^I haven’t lived in Holmes or know many people who live there and my opinion on Holmes was just based on what I’ve heard from most people (some of which I suspect may have stereotypes about “honors kids”) so thanks for clarifying!</p>
<p>Son was in the CBE program last year in Benet and really liked it! The advisor is great and there were some activities that the group participated in both during orientation and throughout the year, but not overwhelming. Benet is coed (which he preferred) and also housed the golf program and one other, although there were also some kids not in any living experience program. Typical dorm living, but the sinks in the room were definitely a plus and the close location to the stadium was another bonus. (You could see the stadium from the window.) IMO, it was a good way to make a connection to a smaller group from the start.</p>
<p>I know some people living in Benet and they all love living there. It’s close to the stadium, you get to meet people from both sexes in the business program and the location is great (close to a dining hall, the union, football + basketball stadium, not far from classes especially business classes). The people that I know living there have all bonded together and become great friends. I agree with Tiger10, it’s a great way to make a connection to a smaller group.</p>
<p>I thought Clemson House was suite style? And would you suggest Byrnes, mauldin, Clemson house, or the shoeboxes for someone that doesn’t party a lot and likes a fair amount of quiet?</p>
<p>Hmm I really wouldn’t say that any of those dorms are substantially less quiet than another. Traditionally, Clemson House hasn’t been known as a party dorm but you never know with the freshman taking over. I would personally live in either Clemson House or the Shoeboxes. Not a big fan of the rooms in Byrnes.</p>
<p>Son went from Benet freshman year to Clemson House this year (although wanted Stadium Suites). Clemson House was a hotel or something back in the day so it somewhat has that feel. He’s in a 4 person “suite” - 2 BRs, small full bath, a good size common area and a kitchenette. Note that the Clemson House requires that you clean your own bathroom unlike the other standard freshman dorms that have the community bathrooms on the floor which are cleaned daily. This may or may not be an issue for some. Don’t know too much about the social life, but from what I’m told it’s not a party dorm. It currently houses sophomores thru seniors so I think it is classified as a ‘wet’ dorm (i.e. if you are of legal drinking age you can keep alcohol in your room.) Obviously the criteria will change with all freshman housed there. Another thing to note about Clemson House… whereas Benet is close to most pertinent places (at least for Business students), Clemson House is across the street from the main campus (across from Bowman Field near Visitor’s Center) so not as convenient BUT it does have its own dining hall & fitness center in the building. All of the housing options have their pros & cons; you simply adjust to them, I suppose. There have been no housing complaints since arriving at Clemson (or any other complaints for that matter.) Next year it’s an off campus apartment so that will present its own pluses and minuses I’m sure!</p>
<p>The pictures of the two person apartments at clemson house make it seems like there are no walls inside the basic box if a room. I’m assuming there has to be walls and doors for the bathroom?</p>
<p>Clemson Business Experience is one of the Living & Learning Experiences for Freshmen Business students. As mentioned in a prior post, the students in the program live in Benet Hall (coed) and participate in some group activities during orientation and over the year, as well as receive tutoring services and workshops for some of the core business courses. Another side benefit is the ability to connect with a smaller group from the start who will have similar courses, academic interests, etc. The program’s advisor, Suerea Wooten, is a great asset and offers her support to the CBE students in many areas beyond the program’s scope. For those looking to gain some leadership experience and resume building opportunities, there are leadership and committee positions available, as well. The CBE students also host potential Clemson business students on campus tours and overnights. If you’re intending to enter the pre-business program and want to live in a coed dorm, I would recommend looking into it or contact Ms. Wooten.
The link below will give you some additional details:</p>
<p>Clemson House being across the street is definitely not an inconvenience (there’s a crosswalk), plus it’s good exercise to walk up and down that hill everyday :)</p>