<p>Like most students, I'm nervously awaiting my replies from colleges (not too nervous, fairly good GPA, scored decent on SATs, plenty of ECs, loads of volunteer/service work, and good letters of recommendations), and Clemson is one of them. If I get in, it's most likely where I'll end up going :) Only issue though, is that I'm afraid of how I'll fit in there. I heard the school is a bit conservative and stuck in the "southern ways", and since I'm a north eastern girl, living in a very liberal, typical-Massachusetts-suburban-neighborhood, I'm not sure I'll fit in. For the most part, I'm not like the other kids in my class; I really, really want to go down south for college (kind of a family dream; my dad was looking to go to Texas A&M, and VT, plus he spent every summer down south as a teen, as did my mom), I like a more conservative lifestyle, I like the sports, Greek life has always seemed cool and something I want to do , and I like the warmer weather. I was also raised strict Methodist/Baptist, and church/God, have always been a big part of my life. So what is your take on Clemson? Do you like it? Pros/Cons? How's the football? (my brother is big into football/sports) Greek life? Is it fun? How's the weather? Are there things "outdoor-sy" to do? How big is religion/Christianity of campus? And last, but not least, how are the academics, because after all, that's what you're suppose to go to college for. Haha, sorry that's so long! :)</p>
<p>You’ll be fine. Its a large school with all types of people. Most kids I know that attend are involved in a religious group and they seem to be very active and well attended.</p>
<p>You’ll be fine. Everyone here is different. There are people here from all over so you’ll be able to find a crowd to fit in with. There are tons of opportunities for Christian fellowship. Hope you enjoy!</p>
<p>Hey Erin, I’m originally from Belmont, Massachusetts (between Cambridge and Waltham in the Boston area). Going to Clemson was probably the best decision that I’ve made - it’s definitely been interesting to see another part of the country and to see how people in the South react differently than people in the Boston area so I’d definitely encourage it. Sports are a big deal here especially football (we won the Orange Bowl this year in case you haven’t heard haha) and if you want to try it out about 1/3rd of campus is involved in Greek Life. The weather is fantastic. Clemson is on Lake Hartwell and not far from the mountains so there’s a lot to do outside (I was in the Outdoors Club). I’d highly recommend you to check out Clemson FCA, it’s one of the largest christian campus organizations in the US and I’ve enjoyed being a part of it from Thursday night worship to Spring Break mission trips. What’s your major? Clemson is the 21st ranked public university in the US and we have the 11th best career center according to Princeton Review so you’ll be getting a great education as well as hearing about some great career opportunities after Clemson. </p>
<p>I think you’ll fit in well! Feel free to message me if you have any questions at all about transitioning from Massachusetts to Clemson. Good luck!</p>
<p>As long as you have an open mind and understand that there are regional nuances here in the good ole USA, you will be fine. My daughter is second semester freshman, born and raised just outside of Boston. She rushed and is very happy that she did. As I explained to her, she was going there not knowing a single person…her sorority gave her an instant family of 200 sisters. Embrace your northeast traditions…once the ribbing passes, the southern students will adopt you as one of their own. Just expect some funny looks when you use the “wicked” word…and my daughter dropped a y’all on me the other day.</p>
<p>Sorority recruitment at Clemson is competitive, you will need letters of recommendation for the chapters at Clemson. If you know women who are sorority members start by asking them.</p>
<p>I don’t think sorority recruitment at Clemson is competitive compared to other schools in the south - most people I know who rush don’t have any recommendation letters (some do) so you’ll be fine if you don’t have any. The whole process can be stressful but it’s definitely not cutthroat and really competitive.</p>
<p>Hi Pierre. My son is working hard so that he can be accepted at Clemson. He attends Ipswich High, Ipswich Ma. I noticed you were from ma! Wondering if there are a lot of students from this area? Would you be able to email me at <a href="mailto:amymbennett@aol.com">amymbennett@aol.com</a> so i can ask you a few questions?</p>
<p>aol</p>
<p>.com</p>
<p>I see more people from Mass than I would expect. Of course they’re less common than people from NC, Georgia, or NJ, but there’s a good number from Mass.</p>
<p>Here are your enrollment numbers by state: <a href=“http://www.clemson.edu/oirweb1/FB/factBook/CUfactbook.cgi?conf_file_name=FBS_LevelState&tabbness=2&colapp=4”>http://www.clemson.edu/oirweb1/FB/factBook/CUfactbook.cgi?conf_file_name=FBS_LevelState&tabbness=2&colapp=4</a></p>
<p>South Carolina 13,181
North Carolina 1,081
Georgia 816
Virginia 533
New Jersey 483
Maryland 470
Florida 341
Massachusetts 321
Pennsylvania 309
New York 253</p>
<p>wow NY only 253!!</p>
<p>Daughter has met a handful from MA…funny thing is you meet them all at the airport when you are traveling to see the kids at peak times…</p>
<p>How about people from Illinois specifically Chicago land? I’m also worried about fitting in, being so far and from very up north on Chicago. One of the biggest things holding me back from Clemson is being scared I won’t fit in in the south! Specifically for sorority recruitment. Are there specific sororities that are pretty strictly southern girls that I should avoid? </p>
<p>I know 2 girls, one from Chicago and another from Wisconsin and they are both in ZTA so don’t worry about getting in a sorority. You’ll know during recruitment which sorority you’ll fit into but I can’t really think of any off the top of my head that are “southern” - I can think of some northerners or out of staters in most of them.</p>
<p>Pierre, is there a big difference coming to the south? My parent’s concerns for me going to Clemson is that i “won’t like or get along with southern girls” </p>
<p>Of course the South is going to be different than wherever in the country you’re coming from. But I think your parent’s concern that you won’t like or get along with southern girls is probably the least of your worries. If anything, southerners are very friendly and if you don’t look down on their way of doing things (at least in front of them), you won’t have any problems. Most people that transfer out and say they hate the South expect the same life that they lived where they came from and that’s obviously not going to be the case since it’s a different culture/lifestyle in the South.</p>
<p>Our Boston girl is doing just fine…I, and she, would recommend rushing for sorority. She arrived at CU not knowing a single person. She had “met” her roommate online but having the instant “family” of 150 sisters was a lifesaver for her. Almost a year in and all of her friends are from Virgina or further south. They have all embraced our Boston girl…and other than constantly asking her to say certain words over and over (car, party…lol), it has been seamless. </p>
<p>How about the kids from California!? Clemson may be a top OOS contender for my daughter. She has spent many summers in NC (mostly along the Coast) when we visited her grandparents regularly. I love the South so she has only heard positive comments about the area from me. We started looking at UNC Chapel Hill initially but have opened up to additional great universities in order to have options. We are also very aware of UNC’s very limited acceptance of OOS students. (this initially disappointing fact fact actually helped us “discover” Clemson as a wonderful high academic, mid-size, Southern school!) I do have some concerns as it is so very far from California where she has lived her entire life. For that reason, however, an OOS university seems like a wonderful opportunity for her to get out and see more of the US! Any thoughts and input would be so appreciated!</p>