You are considered a transfer applicant if you have earned a high school diploma or equivalent credential and have attended a college or university in full-time or part-time status during a regular semester.
Clemson Application
Apply to Clemson as a Transfer Student
Application Schedule and Deadlines
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 1 | Application opens for Spring term |
| December 1 | Deadline to apply for Spring admission (January enrollment) |
| February 1 | Application opens for Fall and Summer terms |
| July 1 | Deadline to apply for Fall admission |
Transfer students who wish to apply for Maymester or Summer Sessions should submit their application at least two weeks before classes begin.
Transfer admission is becoming increasingly more competitive. Transfer applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as they become complete (all required documents are received). Admission is closed when all classroom space has been committed. You will be notified by email when we receive your application and if we need more information related to your application.
How to Apply to Clemson as a Transfer Student
-
Review important dates and deadlines.
-
Complete the application.
Submit your application through the Clemson Application.
-
Pay the application fee.
There is a nonrefundable $70 application fee. Clemson accepts all major credit cards. If you cannot afford to pay the application fee, please fill out the financial sections of the application completely. This information will determine if you meet the level of need we can approve by policy for a fee waiver.
-
Request final official transcripts from each college previously attended.
You must submit official transcripts even if you do not expect to receive credit for the work or if you withdrew prior to receiving final grades. Transcripts must be received by Undergraduate Admissions from the registrar of each college previously attended.
Ace Your Application. Here’s What We Look For.
Requirements for Transfer Applicants
- Complete a year of college study — after high school graduation — earning 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of transferable credit. Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and dual-enrollment credit may not be used to count toward the 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) requirement.
- Earn a cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale – 3.0 preferred.
- Complete freshman-level courses in English, science and mathematics for your intended major at Clemson University. Refer to the Transfer Course Equivalency List (TCEL) to see which courses have been previously transferred to Clemson from your institution.
- Be in good standing and eligible to return to the institution last attended.
The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education has published a Transfer Student Success Guide that you may find helpful as you begin your transfer journey.*
Transfer Course Equivalency
The TCEL includes courses that have previously been transferred from other universities to Clemson.
Choice of Major
Some majors at Clemson are more competitive due to grade-point average requirements and space limitations. Students interested in one of the majors listed below will need to select a second choice of major on the application to allow more flexibility in the review process. Admission is closed when all classroom space has been committed.
-
Space-restricted Majors
- Architecture (available for Fall semester only)
- Communication
- Criminal justice
- Health science (available for Fall semester only)
- Landscape architecture (available for Fall semester only)
- Nursing (available for Fall semester only)
- Accelerated second-degree nursing (available for Fall semester only; must apply by September 1)
- Performing arts (audio)
- RNBS completion track (offered fully online)
- Sports communication
-
GPA-restricted majors
- Construction science and management (3.0 GPA required)
- Early childhood education (2.75 GPA required)
- Elementary education (2.75 GPA required)
- General engineering (2.7 GPA required)
- Graphic communications (2.8 GPA required)
- Secondary education (2.75 GPA required)
- Special education (2.75 GPA required)
Additional requirements for some majors
-
Nursing
Priority consideration is given to students who have completed and excelled in the appropriate science and math courses, which include general biology (BIOL 1030/1050 or BIOL 1100), anatomy and physiology I and II (BIOL 2220/2221 and BIOL 2230/2231), microbiology (MICR 2050/2051 or MICR 3050/3051), general chemistry (CH 1010/1011), and statistics (STAT 2300). Transfer students may use the Transfer Credit Equivalency List (TCEL) through the Clemson website to informally evaluate their own transfer credits. You can cross reference your courses to the nursing curriculum.
-
Accelerated Second Degree Nursing
Must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed prior to the start of classes. For more information regarding admission requirements, curriculum plan and contact information, visit the Accelerated Second Degree Nursing website.
-
RNBS Completion Track
Allows registered nurses with an associate degree in nursing to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing (offered in a fully online format only). For more information regarding admission requirements, steps for admission and enrollment in RNBS track, program details and contact information, visit the RNBS program website.
-
Construction and Science Management
Construction science and management majors should have a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 and must have successfully completed English composition (ENGL 1030), physics I (PHYS 2070/PHYS 2090), and calculus I with physics (MATH 1060) or business calculus (MATH 1020) for review consideration.
-
Performing Arts
An audition is required for students interested in pursuing music or theatre concentrations. For more information, visit the Department of Performing Arts website.
-
Prebusiness
The prebusiness program is for students planning to earn Bachelor of Science degrees in accounting, economics, financial management, management and marketing. Prospective transfer applicants must have successfully completed English composition (ENGL 1030), Microeconomics (ECON 2110) or Macroeconomics (ECON 2120) and an approved math sequence (MATH 1020/MATH 2070 or MATH 1020/STAT 2300 or MATH 1060/MATH 1080 or MATH 1060/MATH 2070 or MATH 1060/STAT 2300) for review consideration. Transfer students may use the Transfer Credit Equivalency List (TCEL) to informally evaluate their own transfer credits. You can cross-reference your courses to the prebusiness curriculum.
Transcripts
The Office of Admissions accepts official, secure transcripts through third-party electronic delivery services (i.e., Parchment, Student Clearinghouse) to apply@admission.clemson.edu.
Fewer Than 30 Hours of College Coursework
Transfer applicants with fewer than 30 credits (post-high school) may still be considered, but they must also submit an official high school transcript. Official SAT or ACT test scores are optional and should only be submitted if students would like to include them in their application file. High school performance is reviewed first, and a strong high school GPA, class rank and standardized test score (if submitted) are necessary. College academic performance is also required and will be reviewed.
*This consideration is only for transfer applicants who have completed less than 30 hours of college coursework.
After You Apply
Next Steps
We will keep you updated on the status of your application via email, but you can always find the most up-to-date information by visiting your Clemson admissions portal. When you are accessing the Clemson admissions portal for the first time, please reference your email for login instructions.
Please allow seven to 10 business days for the receipt of transcripts, test scores and other credentials to be added to your application file.
Need To Edit Your Application?
To edit your major, term or personal information or to withdraw your application, please visit Clemson admissions portal.
Explore Financial Aid
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available in October. The amount of need-related aid for which you are eligible is determined by the information you supply annually on the FAFSA. To be considered for need-based scholarships, applicants must also submit the FAFSA to the federal processor by March 1.
Receiving Your Decision
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and you will receive an email notification with a status update when a decision has been released. You can view your official decision letter and next step information in your Clemson admissions portal.
*Transfer applicants from the South Carolina Technical College System (SCTCS) are eligible to participate in reverse transfer. Through reverse transfer, credits earned at Clemson University can be sent back to the student’s SCTCS institution and applied toward the completion of an associate degree. Eligible students will receive additional information about the program during the enrollment process.
