<p>The Clemson campus is absolutely beautiful. The Clemson people are incredibly warm & friendly. You guys should have an amazing time at the scholars weekend. I can tell you that almost all of the NSPers feel that their individual achievements aren't all that great compared to others. It is not just your class rank &/or your ACT/SAT scores that got you invited to the weekend - it's your whole package. Good Luck to you both.</p>
<p>It is refreshing to hear that North/South tension isn't too stromg, I was kind of worried about that! </p>
<p>It's so refreshing that the admissions board at Clemson is so friendly and helpful; at some of the other schools nearby [unnamed schools in Durham and Nashville ;)] to which I applied, the people on the phones were uh...snooty, and made me feel as if I wasn't good enough to apply, I was so discouraged until I heard back from Clemson (on a day I was home sick, nonetheless :)) </p>
<p>And with a golf course, lake and SC Botanical Gardens right on campus, what more could anyone want? :)</p>
<p>btw, it seems that Clemson will be moving to #30 on the Newsweek college rankings for next school year. I heard that from a lot of different ppl who work for clemson and know much about the school as well as MPR.</p>
<p>Is that Top 30 ranking for public schools, or public/private combined? I know that this year, Newsweek ranked it #30 (w/ Mich. State) for public universities and #70 for public and private...that would be great if it jumped to top 30 overall :)
But Priceton Review ranked it #4 for "Happiest Students" and #18 (or 19, I can't remember which one) for "Best Quality of Life" in terms of social and academic life...so it can't be too bad of a school! And I think it is important to note that Clemson is much friendlier and more down-to-earth (administration, which runs very smoothly, esp. for a large school, included), and to me, being able to feel comfortable in a school is more important than its "prestige."</p>
<p>top 30 schools in the nation ;)</p>
<p>I do think it's the top 30 Public Universities. I really don't think, despite how wonderful Clemson is, that they will move up 40 places in the over all National Rankings. It would be a HUGE deal if they did :-)</p>
<p>Hmm, well either way, that's still good! I do believe that it is moving up in the rankings, as the SAT average is increasing quite rapidly. I am beginning to develop a slight dislike for these so-called "elite" schools--I mean, the Calhoun Honors College has similar SAT/ACT and class rank averages to many Top 20 schools, yet the admissions people at the Honors College don't talk down to you when you call, and the student body does not seem at all "snobby" or arrogant. I don't know, I have been very discouraged by some of the other schools to which I applied, but as my dad said, why would I choose any school over Clemson now? ;)</p>
<p>jelybo07 - Good luck to you & the other finalists at the National Scholars weekend! You have already begun to experience the "family" atmosphere that makes Clemson so great. For the Clemson folks, that "family" feeling is much more than words on a promotional piece. I really look forward to hearing how the NSP weekend goes for you all.</p>
<p>Awe, thank you BG123456 for your kind words! I have yet to visit the campus, but I have been to the surrounding area, and was so impressed by how friendly and down-to-earth everyone was! The people at the NSP are so nice--my dad called with a question and the program director went on about how impressed w/ me he was (and I don't mean that in a cocky way, but I was touched that he actually knew me by name, and what I have done, not too many program directors can say that!) It was nice too, because the program director e-mailed me and said that I would have no problem being a Northerner at Clemson, after I voiced some concern--at my Vandy interview, the guy said I would never be socially "in!" and I'm glad too see sororities don't dominate the social scene at Clemson, everyone seems pretty open, rather than exclusive :)</p>
<p>Actually, the reviewers pay no attention to anything other than the quality and significance of academic, intellectual, leadership and service endeavors of applicants -- major doesn't matter, state or region doesn't matter, gender doesn't matter....yes, they see them in the applications, but there's no quota or goal for any particular measure -- if the top apps are all chemisty majors from north dakota, that's who would be invited to compete -- BUT, since the vast majority of apps come for engineering majors from SC, then for engineering and science majors from the southeast, that's how it seems to sort out -- no one gets any benefit for a major or being from nevada, etc.</p>
<p>Intheknow, I hope you're right. My d doesn't fit the "engineering mold" at Clemson, so I hope her "accomplishments" will be judged by the reviewers in light of where she found her "significance" in high school - which was thankfully enough to get invited to the interview weekend. So, if you are in the know, I'm encouraged to think that during the weekend interviews her accomplishments will be judged on their own merits - as opposed to "competing" against someone with a lot of "math" accolades to their credit just because engineering is big at Clemson. (Although she's very good in math.)</p>
<p>She most definitely will be judged on her own merits. They liked her "on paper" enough to want to meet her in person. That, in & of itself, is a very high accolade. She will do great!</p>
<p>BG123456, </p>
<p>Thanks for the encouragement!</p>
<p>one more week!</p>
<p>Good Luck to those of you going to the National Scholars Weekend this weekend! Have a great time and let us know how it goes for you.</p>
<p>Our son was a finalist last year, but was not selected. He (mom and dad too) had a great time at the NS weekend. Clemson did a fantastic job of recruiting. It was a great weekend all around. There is no doubt, if our son had been selected, he would be at Clemson right now. You will have a great time. Don't worry about the interview. Go with the flow and have fun. Clemson will select a certain number of finalists knowing that several will turn them down. If you are not selected, you will be offered a nice scholarship enticing you to attend anyway. There were three from our son's school that were finalists. Two were selected and both turned down the NS offer to go elsewhere (Duke and Princeton). Our son went on to Furman instead. It was a very difficult decision for him.</p>
<p>Now I am just scared that we won't make it down there due to the weather! I just checked and nearly all flights in the Northeast were cancelled today due to the major storm we just had, turning everything to ice!! :( I hope it gets better tomorrow!!!</p>
<p>jelbo07 - Here's hoping the weather cooperates so you can get out on time tomorrow. I suggest getting in touch with the NSP folks today to see what back up plan they offer you. I'm sure they are well aware of the weather situation you are experiencing. Good Luck!</p>
<p>Thank you, BG123456! I really was not expecting the storm to be so bad! I knew yesterday was going to be awful, but I didn't start worrying until today when I saw how many flights were, and are still cancelled! I woke up this morning and the sun was out and the roads looked fairly clear, but the whole area is still shut down :(</p>
<p>But I have contacted Clemson, and they are being very nice about it! At least I am not the only Northerner (can't imagine people wondering why we want to head South now ;))</p>
<p>I seem to remember a few years ago one of the NS finalist flew straight from China or some such and was also delayed. Clemson will take care of you.</p>