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Clemson University Graduate School

Supporting Materials

For most graduate programs the items described below are all that are required for your application to be considered complete. However, some programs request additional supplementary materials such as a specialized personal statement, resume, thesis, portfolio, etc., to help them evaluate your application. Please be sure to check with your program area to be sure you’ve supplied all the necessary support materials.

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Personal Statement

Unless your program specifies otherwise, the personal statement section will ask you to address the following:

Please articulate your career goals and your motivation for pursuing a graduate degree at Clemson University in your chosen field of study.

You can upload a prepared statement of purpose directly into the application. As you get started, check out this Personal Statement handout (PDF) from Clemson’s Center for Career and Professional Development.

Resume/CV

You can upload a digital-file resume/CV directly into the application.

Sample resumes and helpful tips can be found on Clemson's Center for Career and Professional Development Page:

Letters of Recommendation

Most programs require two or three recommendations.

On page 6 of the application you will be asked for:

  • The names of recommenders.
  • The email address of each recommender.

Once you click “Submit Recommendation Request,” an email will be sent to your respondents. This email will inform your recommenders how to complete the online letter of recommendation. To ensure they receive it, please inform each recommender that this email will be coming before you submit your application.

Letters of recommendation are handled via an online recommendation system that is part of our online application. The host for this process is CollegeNET, the vendor that hosts our online application. If your recommenders have technical difficulties while completing the letters of recommendation, they can send an email to lor_help@collegenet.com for technical support.

If you applied for Fall 2022 or Spring 2023, you can change a recommender or send a reminder through the application portal (“Manage Your Account”). You can leave recommenders a note generating an email that will be sent to the email address you provided.

If your recommender prefers not to use the online form, they can download the form as a PDF and print it. Submission options are included on the form.

Transcripts

A copy of your unofficial transcripts from each institution you attended and that awarded or will be awarding you a degree(s) should be attached to and submitted with the online application for admission. You may also include documentation of additional coursework that may be relevant to the graduate degree you wish to pursue. Do not send secondary (high school) transcripts or any type of certificate other than degree certificates.

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an approved institution whose scholastic rating is satisfactory to the University or an equivalent degree from instruction outside the US. is required for all graduate students. Additional degree requirements will vary by program and degree. Final official transcripts are only required of those applicants who are offered admission.

If you’re admitted, your final official transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the Clemson University Graduate Admissions office in a sealed envelope.

Title of the degree earned and the date awarded must be noted for the transcript to be considered final official. Official certificates or diplomas in sealed envelopes from the issuing institution should accompany any transcripts that do not note the degree earned and date awarded directly on the transcripts.

Graduate Admissions will not accept faxed copies of transcripts as official. An opened envelope disqualifies a transcript as official.

For U.S. Domestic and Permanent Resident Applicants

Final official transcripts should be submitted before or during your first semester. For additional information, read the Graduate School’s final official transcript policy.

Current Clemson students do not need to request official transcripts. However, Clemson students with access to iROAR should upload their iROAR transcripts to the application (PDF).

Transcripts and/or Credentials from Non-U.S. Institutions

Applicants to graduate programs at Clemson University must hold a four-year bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) or a master’s degree from an institution whose scholastic rating is satisfactory to the University. If you are uncertain whether an institution that awarded your degree is a qualifying institution, contact your program’s coordinator.

English translation of all international transcripts is required. Translations are accepted from the issuing institution or may be provided by any NACES or AICE-recognized credential evaluation service. Some evaluation services do not provide translations. A few companies which do provide transcript translations are ULS, SpanTran (requests for translations/verifications should be sent to intake@spantran.com), Josef Silny & Associates and Foreign Credits, Inc.. You are welcome to use any NACES or AICE-recognized company. Clemson does not endorse any particular company. For additional information read the Graduate School’s final official transcript policy (PDF).

International Student Financial Certification

U.S. universities are required by federal law to verify that students entering the United States on F-1 and J-1 visas have adequate financial resources to meet expenses. See the international applicants page for more information.

Required Tests

  • GRE: Requirement varies by department. Official scores must be received directly from Educational Testing Service. Clemson’s institution code is 5111. GRE scores are valid for five years. If you’re a current Clemson University student, be sure to choose Clemson as a designated score recipient as well as your attending institution.
  • GMAT: Requirement varies by department. GMAT scores are valid for five years.
  • MAT: Can be taken in lieu of GRE for some College of Education programs (check your program's website to confirm). Clemson’s institution code is 1707. MAT scores are valid for five years.
  • TOEFL iBT (international students): A satisfactory score (80 or higher) is required of international students whose native language is not English. Clemson’s institution code is 5111. TOEFL iBT scores are valid for two years.
  • TOEFL Essentials (international students): A satisfactory score (8.5 or higher) is required of international students whose native language is not English. Clemson’s institution code is 5111. TOEFL Essential scores are valid for two years.
  • Duolingo English Test (international students): A satisfactory score (115 or higher) is required of international students whose native language is not English. Duolingo English Test scores are valid for two years.
  • IELTS (international students): Can be taken in lieu of TOEFL. A satisfactory score (6.5 or higher) is required of international students whose native language is not English. IELTS scores are valid for two years.
  • PTE Academic (international students): Can be taken in lieu of TOEFL. A satisfactory score (54 or higher) is required of international students whose native language is not English. PTE Academic scores are valid for two years.
     

If you’ve requested official test scores to be sent to Clemson University, allow two weeks for your application status to be updated. If you sent scores before applying, allow one week for your application status to be updated.

Community Standards

Clemson University is committed to maintaining a safe environment for all members of our community. All applicants must answer six questions on the application related to criminal and disciplinary charges. Your application will not be processed without these responses.

An affirmative answer to any of these questions does not automatically disqualify you for admission to the institution, but does require review. You are required to provide an explanation for each instance you answer “Yes.” The statement will be used in the review process. The academic program you are applying to will not see these responses. These questions are reviewed by an Applicant Conduct Review Committee and the review is separate from the academic review of your application.

For general information about the University’s values of integrity, honor and respect, see the Office of Community and Ethical Standards.

If you’re denied admission due to Community Standards, you may appeal the decision through the graduate admissions appeal policy in the Graduate School Policies & Procedures handbook.

Faculty, Staff and Employee Applicants

Faculty, staff and employees of Clemson University are subject to the same admissions requirements, approvals and academic regulations as all other applicants.

No member of the faculty or staff who has a rank higher than instructor or its equivalent may be considered as a candidate for an advanced degree in the academic department where employed.

Find information on the Employee Tuition Assistance Program.