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Clemson University Graduate School

Newly Accepted Students

Congratulations, and welcome to Clemson University! By choosing Clemson, you're joining a community of internationally renowned educators, researchers and scholars who have come here to change the world in our collegial, hospitable community.

Please contact us if you have questions that aren’t addressed here, or stop by the Graduate School office — for help or just to say hello.

Have a question for Graduate Admissions or need to drop off Transcripts?
Schedule an Appointment with the Graduate Admissions office so we can be prepared to give you the best service.

Please stay vigilant and know that funding and assistantship scams are circulating to students. Verify the emails sender address before responding and know that Clemson University will never email asking for credentials via email, phone, or online form.

Pre-Enrollment Checklist

The steps below will help you get started on your journey as a graduate student.

1. Accept Admission Offer by Your Program’s Deadline

To accept your Admission Offer, access the application that you submitted based on the semester and year of attendance.

2. Set Up Clemson Username and Password

Wait to receive instructions from the Graduate School on accessing your Clemson username and password (email will be sent 3–5 days after you accept your offer of admission). To activate your username:

  1. Access the Student Onboarding App.
  2. You will need your Clemson University XID# that was sent to you in your welcome letter. It begins with “C” and has 8 numbers—e.g., C12345678.
  3. You will need your username activation code, which will be emailed to you. You may receive this email several days after you get your acceptance letter. If you need it re-sent to you, contact the Admissions Office or ITHELP. Then, you can proceed with authenticating your Clemson University username and creating your password.
  4. After you set up your username and password, you will need to set up two-factor authentication (a security feature now required for many areas of the Clemson website) by registering with Duo. Duo is the dual-authentication app that Clemson University uses for security purposes. Find instructions from CCIT for setting up Duo Authentication, and complete this step before you try to set up your email.

Once you know your Clemson University username and password, completely close your browser and open a new session.

3. Set Up Clemson Email

Your official Clemson email address is in the format username@clemson.edu. In partnership with Google, Clemson offers students Google Apps for Education accounts. This account has already been created with your Clemson username. All you need to do is set up your account and password.

4. Accept Aid Offer (If Applicable)

If you receive an offer of an assistantship or fellowship, return your award letter to your academic department as soon as possible so your bill can be adjusted before the payment deadline. If you did not receive an offer, or if you need additional financial aid, you may be eligible for a federal Stafford loan. You can apply at the Federal Student Aid website.

5. Contact Your Program

Consult with the coordinator of your program to determine your department’s timeline for class registration, your planned course of study, prerequisite courses etc. After consulting with your advisor, you can register for classes. Some programs will advise new students to refrain from registering until arriving on campus.

6. Onboarding and Orientations

Required Virtual Orientation

If you are a new degree-seeking student, you're required to complete the Graduate Virtual Orientation program once you have your Clemson email and ID number (your CID, C########).

Optional In-Person Orientations

General information about our optional fall and spring in-person graduate student orientations on the main campus is on the Student Affairs New Student Orientation page.

Departmental Orientations

Check with your program coordinator for program/departmental orientations and trainings you may be required to attend.

7. Transcripts

Request official transcripts from the institutions where you completed your previous academic work. See the transcript instructions on the Supporting Materials page.

International Student Visas

To receive the appropriate certificate of eligibility for your visa application process, complete the instructions on accessing the Sunapsis Student Portal to submit an E-form Request for Certificate of Eligibility.

Transfer Students: Students transferring an Active SEVIS record from another U.S. institution will also need to submit the IS-100 Request to Transfer-In F-1 SEVIS record or IS-270 Request to Transfer-In J-1 SEVIS record and complete the Transfer-In E-Form, found on International Services’ forms and documents page. Allow 7–10 business days from the SEVIS transfer release date for processing time of the transfer I-20 or DS-2019.

See the International Student Arrival Guide to help you prepare for departure to Clemson University.

Finished these steps?

After you’ve completed enrollment, check out the other things you should take care of before you arrive for classes.

Before Classes Begin