Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

Make sure the names you used for your application match exactly the names on test scores. If they don’t, contact us at grdapp@clemson.edu so we can reconcile them.

Please allow 1–2 weeks for official scores to be sent and for your application status to indicate that scores have been received.

No set minimum GRE/GMAT test scores are required. Each program uses test scores as one component of your whole application in a holistic review process

“Official” (or final official) transcripts are transcripts that are sent directly to Clemson University’s Graduate Admissions (Office of Graduate Admissions, E-209 Martin Hall, Clemson University, Clemson SC 29634) from the issuing institution. “Unofficial” transcripts are transcripts that have been opened by the student or printed from an institution’s student portal, or that do not yet reflect a graduation status. Graduate Admissions accepts unofficial transcripts during the admissions process; you can upload those directly to the application. Official transcripts are required of applicants who are admitted and intend to enroll.

Clemson University’s Graduate School generally does not require transcript evaluations for international transcripts. However, we reserve the right to request an evaluation if we are not able to determine the degree equivalency or if we have questions about the institution. Individual programs may require transcript evaluations. Please review the requirements for the program you are applying to.

If you’ve previously been a student at Clemson University or applied to Clemson under a name different from the one you now use, then your previous name remains in the database. Please furnish a name change form to have your file updated. The University provides guidelines in the preferred names policy.

A number of Clemson University’s doctoral programs are direct-entry, so you don’t have to hold a master’s degree to enter the Ph.D. program. For more information, visit the Graduate School’s Direct Entry Ph.D. Programs page.

After Submitting an Application

Review and decision time vary by department and depend on whether or not they have a committee review. Please contact your department to see where they are on their decision-making process. Your official decision letter will be posted by the Graduate School to the Application Portal that you applied through 48 hours after a decision has been made on your application. You’ll receive an email notifying you that a decision has been made, and you’ll be directed to log into the Application Portal. There, a PDF of the letter will be posted toward the top of the portal. You will not receive a hard copy version of this letter.

Clemson University receives scores from ETS electronically. If the status check indicates “awaiting,” your scores haven’t been uploaded into our system as of this date. Please continue to check back on your application status.

Please send all inquiries to grdapp@clemson.edu or contact the department you are applying to directly.

1. Go to the application status check at https://gradapply.clemson.edu/apply/status.
2. Log in with the email address and password you used for your application.
3. Under the checklist, you will find instructions to edit and send reminders to your recommenders.c

• Hard-copy letters may be mailed to this postal address:
  • Office of Graduate Admissions
    E-209 Martin Hall, Clemson University
    Clemson, SC 29634.

  You need to contact the program to which you have applied to inquire why you’ve been denied admission. If you wish to appeal the decision, guidelines for the appeal process are available in the Graduate School Policies & Procedures handbook.

  After You’ve Been Accepted

  In the Application Portal where you view your decision letter, you will find an “Applicant Response” button. Click on it to open and indicate whether you want to accept or decline Clemson University’s offer of admission. Three-to-five days you confirm your intent to enroll, you will receive an email with your Clemson Student ID (XID#) and an activation code. his email will provide important instructions on how to log into Clemson University’s iROAR information-management system, access your username (created by the University) and create your secure password. Visit the Newly Accepted Students page for a checklist of things to do before beginning your journey at Clemson University. Additionally, the Registration Portal is a good place to gather information.

  An admission status of “Accepted Provisionally” means that the admissions office does not have your final official transcript. Most likely, you were admitted based on your unofficial transcript(s), or you haven’t yet graduated or provided a transcript with your final date of degree on it. Provisional acceptance doesn’t prevent you from registering or enrolling in classes, but you must provide your final official transcript(s) or certificate(s) (starting with bachelor’s and including any subsequent degrees) to the Office of Graduate Admissions during your first semester enrolled at Clemson University. A registration hold will be placed on all students who have not submitted final official transcripts during their first term. Read more on the Transcript FAQs page.

  You are not officially accepted into Clemson University until you receive an official letter of acceptance signed by the dean of the Graduate School. When your department goes through the proper channels of acceptance and the Graduate Admissions office determines your admission status, an official letter will be posted to the Application Portal that you applied through.

  No. For each applicant’s protection and to meet confidentiality legal requirements, Graduate Admissions can only give information directly to the applicant.

  If you’ve received an offer of admission from the Graduate School, you may defer enrollment for up to one year beyond the initial semester you indicated, pending approval from the program of study. A “Change of Term” form must be submitted by your program to the Office of Graduate Admissions in order to change the term you intend to enter. Please contact your program if you wish to defer your start term. Your application and supporting materials are valid for one year. Should you wish to defer your admission beyond one year of the initial semester you indicated, you must submit a new application, supporting documentation, and the prevailing application fee. If you’re an international student, you should notify International Services when your program has granted your admission deferral.

  You may find more information on off-campus student services on the Division of Student Affairs Off-campus Student Services page and Clemson Online.