Summer Start Student Benefits and Services
The First-Year Academic Programs (FYAP) staff knows the transition to college is challenging. To help you start out strong, we have created personal and academic support resources that are available to you during the Summer and throughout your Clemson career.
As a Summer Start student, you will be able to earn college credit before starting your first Fall semester. While living on campus, you will have the opportunity to learn about campus resources, explore Clemson and develop relationships with peers, faculty and staff. Our goal is to support you as you embark on your Clemson Journey!
“I have met the people who have made the most difference to me in my college career. I don’t know if that would have happened without Summer Start.”
Tae Delawarebiological sciences ’26
Transition Resources
Success Coaching Meetings
First-Year Academic Programs staff serve as Success Coaches for Summer Start. All Summer Start students are assigned a Success Coach. Throughout the Summer, one-on-one success coaching meetings are available to provide ongoing academic and transitional support. In these one-on-one meetings, study tips, time management skills, classes, and more can be discussed. Success Coaches are also available to support you during the academic year to answer questions and connect you to campus resources.
Whether you were just admitted to Summer Start or you have completed the program, our staff is ready and willing to provide the support you need.
Peer Leaders will guide you through the Summer
Peer Leaders are continuing Clemson students who are dedicated to supporting you in your first semester as a Tiger. You will be paired with a Peer Leader, and they will be your guide for any questions you have throughout the Summer. Peer Leaders help with academic skill building, plan events each week and are committed to helping you get connected at Clemson.
Summer Start Canvas page
All Summer Start students have access to a Summer Start Canvas page. The Summer Start Canvas page has information about Peer Leaders and Success Coaches, events, campus resources, more. Summer Start students will be added to the Canvas page in early June. The Canvas page is continually updated with resources throughout the Summer and Fall to support your transition into Clemson.
Academic Benefits
Earn college credits toward your degree
During the Summer II semester, you’ll take two courses and earn 6 or 7 credits toward your degree. The courses you take will be determined by your degree program and credits you bring to Clemson. Course offerings vary each year, but in past Summer terms, Summer Start students have taken classes in public speaking, sociology, music appreciation, college algebra and more.
Enter Fall semester confidently
Students in the Summer Start 2023 cohort earned an average 3.69 GPA over the Summer semester and had a 98.6 percent retention rate heading into Fall. They began their first Fall semester with a strong GPA and the confidence that they can earn top grades with a full course load.
