General Orientation Questions
Orientation Schedule & Activities
Orientation Costs & Fees
Orientation Reservations
Travel & Accommodation Information
General Orientation Questions
Is orientation required? Yes, in order for Clemson University to best meet your needs as an incoming student, you need to attend Summer Orientation in June or July. Orientation provides opportunities for you to meet other students, register for fall classes, learn about the campus and the many opportunities it has to offer, find out where to go for help, meet with faculty and staff from your department, and a chance to become acquainted with our campus.
Should I bring a family member (parent or guardian)? Highly recommended- We do offer specific programs and activities for parents and guardians where they will have an opportunity to learn about their students’ academic path, meet other parents, and learn about the different opportunities and areas of assistance on campus for their student. While it is not required for parents or guardians to attend Orientation, it is highly recommended.
Siblings- The programs offered are designed specifically for parents/guardians and entering students. Younger children may tire easily and get bored with the process. If you choose to bring another child you will be asked to pay the $50 parent/guest Orientation fee for that child.
Is there a specific orientation session I should attend? All freshman Orientation sessions are open to ALL freshman. Students in the Honors College, Early Success Program, FIRST and MEW do have special orientation sessions. Honors college sessions for 2009 are June 15-16, July 2-3, and July 9-10. Early Success Program and MEW students should attend June 29-30, the session prior to their first term of classes, Summer Session II classes (beginning July 1).
The only designated transfer session is Session 2 (June 17) for Bridge students only. All other transfer sessions are open to all transferring students.
Student-athletes should attend the sessions advised by their coaches.
How long is orientation? Summer orientation for freshman is a two-day program beginning at 8:00 a.m. on day one and scheduled activities ending at approximately 1:45 p.m. on day two (optional activities will conclude between 3:00-4:00 p.m. on day two). The session is full of programs and meetings designed to provide you with information needed to register for classes, prepare to live on campus, and transition you to college life. Please make your travel arrangements according to these times.
Transfer orientation is a one-day program beginning at 8:00 a.m. ending approximately 5:30 p.m. The session includes programs and meetings with information concerning credit evaluations, registration for classes and your transition to Clemson.
Orientation Schedule and Activities
The Orientation schedules will be posted on the website in May 2009. Please visit the Dates and Schedule section of the website for specific schedules.
What do I need to bring to Orientation? Please bring an open mind, patience and excitement! Bring comfortable shoes and clothes as you will be walking a lot. It is also recommended to bring an umbrella and a raincoat. Students are provided in the residence halls with linens, blanket, pillow and shower towels. Alarm clocks, televisions and phones are not available in the residence hall rooms. Orientation is a fun, but sometimes an overwhelming experience. The Orientation Ambassadors and Staff are here to assist you during your stay!
Will I have to walk a lot during Orientation? We provide shuttles that run every 5-15 minutes throughout much of the Orientation day. However, many participants prefer to walk between sessions. Therefore, we recommend cool and comfortable shoes and clothing.
If I or a parent/guest requires special needs or assistance, will it be provided? Yes! On your Orientation reservation please note any assistance that may be required. We will provide special transportation for persons requiring assistance getting around campus. In addition, all of our CAT buses meet ADA requirements and are equipped to handle special needs.
Do I meet with my academic advisor during Orientation? Yes! During Orientation you will meet with your academic advisor, in addition to attending a college meeting. The college meeting is established to learn the policies and graduation requirements. The college meetings will vary in time and information content due to the many differences between them.
I had a family member attend Clemson previously; do I need to come to Orientation? Yes! Orientation is unique to each student who attends. Clemson in continually improving its programs and services, thus it is important to attend Orientation to learn about Clemson's current academic requirements, services and polices. Orientation is also an opportunity to meet other students experiencing the same transition. Many life-long friendships have been established from attending Orientation.
As a transfer student, I attended Orientation at my previous institution; do I need to come to Clemson's Orientation? Yes! Clemson has its own unique academic requirements, policies and student services. In order to fully understand everything Clemson has to offer it is required to attend Orientation. In addition to learning about Clemson's resources, transfer students will have an opportunity to review course evaluations, meet with their advisor and register for classes.
Will I be able to register for classes during Orientation? Yes, there will be time for you to meet with your academic department and register for fall classes.
When do I find out about my roommate? Roommate housing assignments are mailed at the end of July. Due to the number of students living on-campus we are unable to assign roommates prior to Orientation.
Orientation Costs and Fees
What is the cost of Orientation? The cost of attending summer Orientation is included in the 'Orientation and Transitions' fee. This fee covers the actual costs of delivering a series of integrated programs designed to assist new students in their successful transition to Clemson. The fees below are based on actual costs of delivering specific orientation and transition programs and services to new freshman and new transfer students. Orientation and Transition fees are non-refundable; if there are any questions, please call New Student & Sophomore Programs at (864) 656-4402.
Freshman Orientation and Transition Fees are $275 per student
Transfer Orientation and Transition Fees are $220 per student
Further information on breakdown of Orientation and Transition fees.
Optional Summer Orientation Fees
Parent/Guest Orientation fees are $25 per person. These Orientation fees are non-refundable.
NO Parent/guest housing is provided.
Pre-Orientation housing ($20) is available for Freshman and Transfer Orientation. Orientation Housing ($20) is available to Transfer students at the conclusion of Orientation if desired. Orientation housing between the two-day Freshman program is included in the Orientation and Transition Fees.
Orientation t-shirt ($12)
You can add any of these optional Summer Orientation fees when you register for Orientation online, or you can add parent/guests, pre-Orientation housing and/or t-shirts at anytime by calling
(864) 656-4402.
What does my Orientation and Transition fee pay for? Further information on breakdown of Orientation and Transition fees.
Meals included during Summer Orientation:
Freshman Orientation:
Day One- Coffee and tea (Students and Parents/Guests)
Day One- Lunch (Students & Parents/Guests)
Day One- Dinner (Students only; Parents/Guests may pay per meal at the Schilletter Dining Hall.)
Day Two- Dining Hall Breakfast (Students only; Parents/Guests may pay per meal at the
Schilletter Dining Hall.)
Continental Breakfast (Parents/Guests)
Transfer Orientation:
Coffee and tea (Students & Parents/Guests)
Lunch (Students & Parents/Guests)
If I register for Orientation and decide not to come, can I receive a refund? Orientation fees are non-refundable; if there are any questions, please call New Student & Sophomore Programs at (864) 6565-4402.
If a parent/guest registers for Orientation and decides not to come, can I receive a refund? Parent/guest fees for Orientation are non-refundable during your Orientation session. Changes to parent/guest participants can be made before your Orientation session by calling New Student & Sophomore Programs at (864) 656-4402.
When do I pay my tuition bill? Bills are generated in mid-July and are available online at the Student Information System. Bills are NOT mailed home. More bill information can be found on the Bursar's Office website.
Orientation Reservations
How long should I wait before registering for Orientation? Orientation sessions are filled on a first-come-first-served basis. To get the session that fits within your summer schedule, please register as soon as possible. Reservations open April 1, 2009.
Are there waiting lists for Orientation sessions? Unfortunately, we do not maintain waiting lists for any of our sessions.
I want to attend the same Orientation session as my friend, how do we do this? You and your friend can attend the same Orientation session if you register and complete payments at the same time, requesting the same Orientation session. We will do all that we can to accommodate this request, however, because reservations are made on a first-come-first-served basis, we cannot guarantee your request.
What if I need to make a change to my Orientation reservation? Please call New Student & Sophomore Programs at (864) 656-4402 for any changes to your Orientation reservation.
Travel and Accommodation Information
Where do parents and guests stay for Orientation? NO parent and guest accommodations are provided on-campus. For Orientation Hotel specials please refer to Travel and Accommodation Information under Before Orientation.
Do I have to stay on-campus during Orientation? Orientation housing for freshmen is included in the orientation fees. Students who have stayed in the on-campus residence halls in the past have commented on the postivies benefits of this experience.
If I'm flying to come to Orientation, what airports are around and what flight times should I arrange? The Greenville/Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) is approximately 45 minutes from Clemson. The two major airports near Clemson are the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is 2 hours from Clemson; the Charlotte International Airport (CLT) is also 2 hours from Clemson. An airport shuttle is offered as a vendor service outside of the University from all three airports. Shuttle arrangements can be made by calling 1-800-669-6463.
When scheduling flights, please keep in mind your travel time to and from Clemson and the airport. Freshman Orientation check-in is from 8:00-10:00 a.m. on day one and concludes no later than 3:00 p.m. on day two. Transfer Orientation check-in is from 8:00-10:00 a.m. and concludes no later than 5:00 p.m.
More travel information to and from Clemson University can be found at the Visitor's Center website.
