What can I do to improve so I can get in?

Clemson is one of my top colleges out of state so I was hoping for feedback on how I can improve my chances.

Junior in high school, in Florida

1 AP so far taking 2 this year
Took practice ACT which was 27 will take actual ACT in December
First generation student
All A’s freshman year, 2 B’s each semester sophomore year looking like all A’s junior year first semester
Involved in NHS, Communiteens, Save the Memories
Volunteer at nursing home and applying to hospitals to volunteer, internship at photography studio (very interested in it)
Applying as nursing major

@pl215382 I suggest keep trying to increase your ACT/SAT scores. The most important factors Clemson likes to see for admissions purposes are:

Rigor of Secondary School Record

Academic GPA

Standardized Tests

Class Rank

Hope that helps and good luck to you!

Thank you! Do you think I need to increase the rigor of my schedule as well? In 9th grade I had all honors except for math and bio 10th grade all honors 1 ap and 1 regular and 11th grade all honors 2aps and one regular @mweb136

Also what score would you suggest I get for ACT?

You will need an ACT over 30.

@pl15382 as to rigor if your school offers 24 AP courses like my daughters you probably need take more than 1 or two a year. If your school only has 6-8 then the 2 or so a year should be fine.

To get OOS merit money in 2018-19 applicants need a 29ACT.

Also, Clemson told us they want to see you be you. What he meant was, take AP courses in your strengths and do well in them, but don’t stress about taking an AP Math for example if you aren’t good at Math or aren’t headed to a math heavy major. Take the hardest you feel like you can do well in and max out your GPA the best you can.

GPA and test prep to raise your scores are the best thing you can do to improve your chances.

@pl215382 you should take the SAT too. Sometimes a student finds they do better on the SAT rather than ACT. I would try both if you can. My son kept trying to raise his score for merit for Clemson as we are OOS also. Since he goes to a very competitive HS and was not top 10% he needed to get over a 1400 on the SAT for merit. He took it three times. 1360 first time junior year, 1370 (during AP exams junior year) and finally 1420 senior year in November. Dont give up or get discouraged just try your best and I am sure you will do fine. The fact that you care enough to write on here shows how much you care already.

Thanks for the advice @mweb136 I’m actually in the process of determining which test is better for me. I took the November SAT score wasn’t great. I am now prepping for ACT and will take it for first time this weekend.

@pl215382 my dd got 1380sat and then took ACT got a 32 and a 9 in writing. Felt more comfortable with ACT and took it again September and got a 35 and a 10 in writing.

Figure out which one you feel most comfortable taking and take multiple times to try to maximize your numbers.

@burghdad that’s good to know. Did your dd apply to Clemson if so did she get in? Also what Major did your child apply as?

@pl215382 She did apply as undecided but has not heard anything. Is currently finishing up her Calhoun Honor College application that is due at the end of this week.