Clemson, SC

[Guest lanky]

What's the social and lifestyle seen here. I'm thinking of going for graduate school, but i still like to hang out on weekends ya know. From what I've heard, clemson is fairly close to athens, do most people just go there or vise versa?

[Guest Fox]

Hey guys, I am considering University of Clemson for a master program. I read all that I could about the place on the net! But any first hand information from some who has been there or is currently there or some SC guy will be of great help! Details about living expenses, social life, crime scene, general feel...the usual stuff! Thanks.

[MsTiaLia]

I am from SC, but not Clemson. My sister has spent a couple of summers at Clemson though and my mom said it is in the middle of NOWHERE! lol Seriously though, I think they saw cows. I had about 4 or 5 friends who went there for undergrad and they loved it. They never really said much about what there was to do there though. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

[pavement]

Clemson is in the middle of nowhere, but has a beautiful campus and outgoing undergrad community (they are big into sports). There isn't much to do in the town; couple of bars and mom and pop type places. Mostly there are just house parties going on and nothing as far as culture. Athens isn't exactly close, a couple hours. Greenville, SC is about 30 minutes away and has a lot more to do. Clemson is situated on Lake Hartwell, which is really nice. The campus is convenient to the mountains, but a car is definitely needed if you want to go anywhere outside of Clemson.

[thekidd]

I'm planning on going to Clemson University for a Phd and was wondering how the people are to international students. Is there allot of racism in South Carolina, because I have heard that the south is racist, and being an African student, I would want to know what I'm getting into though it wont stop me.

Any first hand information would greatly be appreciated. Any good and bad points or advice for international students going to Clemson or South Carolina in general. I heard that it is in the middle of nowhere, but that doesn't bother me much since i'm from a country in the middle of nowhere..lol

Also if I'm on a stipend, what should be the minimum amount of money I should arrive at the airport with. Is $1000 ok?

Thanks

[latte thunder]

On 3/21/2010 at 12:52 PM, thekidd said:

I'm planning on going to Clemson University for a Phd and was wondering how the people are to international students. Is there allot of racism in South Carolina, because I have heard that the south is racist, and being an African student, I would want to know what I'm getting into though it wont stop me.

Any first hand information would greatly be appreciated. Any good and bad points or advice for international students going to Clemson or South Carolina in general. I heard that it is in the middle of nowhere, but that doesn't bother me much since i'm from a country in the middle of nowhere..lol

Also if I'm on a stipend, what should be the minimum amount of money I should arrive at the airport with. Is $1000 ok?

Thanks

Hi,

I haven't attended Clemson, but I am also looking at a Graduate program there and just went down for a visit last week.

I'm also black and I was a little worried about racism too, but I didn't notice any. People of all colors seemed to be pretty friendly. The city of Clemson is also about 12% black so you won't be a rarity.

As far as money... I would bring more than that. I'm assuming you'll live off campus (There isn't much in the way of on campus housing) and that 1,000 will probably go pretty quick when you consider a security deposit, first month's rent, and utilities. Also, I think it's been said before on these forums, but you REALLY need a car. I was hoping to get by without one, but after visiting its pretty clear that a good car is a NECESSITY. Factor in driving costs too, closest grocery store I saw was about 15 miles out in Easly, SC. The city of Greenville is also 30 MILES away (they like to say 30 minutes but neglect to mention that its 30 HIGHWAY minutes). Take rising US gas prices into consideration and plan accordingly. Supposedly there is a free bus system, but with the milege involved in some of these trips you'll probaly feel more comfortable having your own transportation.

[clsmith1990]

I'm planning on going to Clemson University for a Phd and was wondering how the people are to international students. Is there allot of racism in South Carolina, because I have heard that the south is racist, and being an African student, I would want to know what I'm getting into though it wont stop me.

Any first hand information would greatly be appreciated. Any good and bad points or advice for international students going to Clemson or South Carolina in general. I heard that it is in the middle of nowhere, but that doesn't bother me much since i'm from a country in the middle of nowhere..lol

Also if I'm on a stipend, what should be the minimum amount of money I should arrive at the airport with. Is $1000 ok?

Thanks

Yeah, some "backwoods" parts of SC can be pretty awful, but Clemson and most all universities will treat you with equality and respect. I don't go to Clemson but I also go to school "in the middle of nowhere" and the international students are a big part of the social scene (well, the ones that want to be): Europeans, Asians, Africans, everyone.

But a word of advice for SC: just be on your guard if you are in sketchy, impoverished places with a mostly white population. Or just avoid them entirely.

[clsmith1990]

Just a general bit about Clemson: a few people already touched on it but I cannot stress enough how cool Greenville, SC is for SC city. It's 40 minutes from me and I go about every weekend, so that's where to go to get a dose of culture/social life. Great restaurants, coffee shops, beautiful park, fun bars!!

[ILuvPsych2013]

Hi everybody!

I was wondering if anyone has been through or knows anything about the Industrial/Organizational Psychology Ph.D program at Clemson. Any feedback on the program or the area in general? I am married with two small children, so I am looking for places to live that are inexpensive and safe.

Thanks!

[mathpharmgrad]

Hi everybody!

I was wondering if anyone has been through or knows anything about the Industrial/Organizational Psychology Ph.D program at Clemson. Any feedback on the program or the area in general? I am married with two small children, so I am looking for places to live that are inexpensive and safe.

Thanks!

I don't know anything about your program but I do know Clemson. Clemson is a college town in the truest sense of the word. It's a safe area but it's not meant for families. Bar scene is the main thing going on there. Renting an apartment anywhere in Clemson or Central will mean noisy neighbors. I might recommend Seneca. Its a 15 min. commute (20 tops if you're on the far side of town) with a little more going on, access to some shopping, and more activities on the weekend for families. Anderson is a small city also about 20 mins from Clemson, although the downtown area doesnt seem too safe to me. Greenville is a really nice city, lots to do, 45 minute drive to Clemson. Never heard about too much crime in Greenville. I moved to Clemson from NY so rent/groceries/gas seemed cheap to me everywhere! As a young woman living alone, crime seemed fairly low in general. Like I said, only time I felt uncomfortable was in certain parts of Anderson, never in Clemson or elsewhere.

[ILuvPsych2013]

I don't know anything about your program but I do know Clemson. Clemson is a college town in the truest sense of the word. It's a safe area but it's not meant for families. Bar scene is the main thing going on there. Renting an apartment anywhere in Clemson or Central will mean noisy neighbors. I might recommend Seneca. Its a 15 min. commute (20 tops if you're on the far side of town) with a little more going on, access to some shopping, and more activities on the weekend for families. Anderson is a small city also about 20 mins from Clemson, although the downtown area doesnt seem too safe to me. Greenville is a really nice city, lots to do, 45 minute drive to Clemson. Never heard about too much crime in Greenville. I moved to Clemson from NY so rent/groceries/gas seemed cheap to me everywhere! As a young woman living alone, crime seemed fairly low in general. Like I said, only time I felt uncomfortable was in certain parts of Anderson, never in Clemson or elsewhere.

Thank you so much for that information! It is very helpful. Of course I have tried to look at all possible info online, but there's nothing like getting info from someone who knows the area! I appreciate the feedback and will do some looking in the areas you mentioned.

[process chemist]

Clemson is a pretty homogenous place (mostly white). I spent an entire summer there and I could not get a hair cut the entire summer (I am african american). You will have to probably drive to Greenville where there is alot going on. Greenville is about 30 min. drive from Clemson, and has a beautiful downtown. The area is pretty tolerant, however parking is horrendous. Every student has to park their cars in the football parking lot.

[LCBucky]

The state of South Carolina is not as bad as people make it out to be. Yeah, it's got its 'sketchy' or hick parts, but Clemson as a city and a university is a great place.

[sacdude]

Guys,

I did my grad school from Clemson, and I am originally an international student as well.

Few notes-

1) First of all, there is no racism whatsoever! You are in a beautiful university township, where there are people from every country you can name. So the atmosphere is quite diverse (this depends on the programs per se). There is definitely more diversity in the non-engineering grad programs and labs.

2) For weekend hang outs, yes definitely it is not like a HUGE HUGE university town like say Ann Arbor or Gainsville, but it is self sufficient in its own way. Fall season rushes by with all the sports happening and the various Frat parties , Homecoming, etc etc. It definitely is a HUGE football town. So tailgating and football related parties is a given, whether tigers win or loss. In spring as well, you have numerous events going on thank s the various grad and undergrad student organizations. The other advantage of it being smaller compared to other univ towns is that its cheap, especially the off-campus housing!

But a car would definitely help, if you want to drive all the way to Atlanta (2 hrs) or Greenville (1hr) for a weekend hangout. If you are looking for a good mix of fun, good acads, and fitting budgets, Clemson is not a bad place at all.

[ClemsonJoy]

I don't know anything about your program but I do know Clemson. Clemson is a college town in the truest sense of the word. It's a safe area but it's not meant for families. Bar scene is the main thing going on there. Renting an apartment anywhere in Clemson or Central will mean noisy neighbors. I might recommend Seneca. Its a 15 min. commute (20 tops if you're on the far side of town) with a little more going on, access to some shopping, and more activities on the weekend for families. Anderson is a small city also about 20 mins from Clemson, although the downtown area doesnt seem too safe to me. Greenville is a really nice city, lots to do, 45 minute drive to Clemson. Never heard about too much crime in Greenville. I moved to Clemson from NY so rent/groceries/gas seemed cheap to me everywhere! As a young woman living alone, crime seemed fairly low in general. Like I said, only time I felt uncomfortable was in certain parts of Anderson, never in Clemson or elsewhere.

I actually would disagree with this almost entirely.

For one, Seneca is very sketchy -- often more so than Anderson. You've to remember both these towns are basically shopping areas, anderson more so than Seneca (seneca is more of a dying/older economic center, where as Anderson is still growing) Most houses you find listed for cheap online are going to be in the less than favorable areas, too.

Clemson is very family friendly if you know the right areas. My father in law works at Clemson, so my husband and his siblings grew up here. If you want somwhere cheap to live, there are places (dependent upon your definition of cheap) within the town, away from students. If you need any help in that regard, feel free to message me.

Personally I love Clemson. It is a bit overwhelming being around SO MANY students sometimes, since the town is here because of the university. Still, you are close enough to Seneca, Anderson, and Greenville that it's easy to get away from them, and enough to do. Besides, the student body as a whole relatively friendly.

[ClemsonJoy]

Guys,

I did my grad school from Clemson, and I am originally an international student as well.

Few notes-

1) First of all, there is no racism whatsoever! You are in a beautiful university township, where there are people from every country you can name. So the atmosphere is quite diverse (this depends on the programs per se). There is definitely more diversity in the non-engineering grad programs and labs.

2) For weekend hang outs, yes definitely it is not like a HUGE HUGE university town like say Ann Arbor or Gainsville, but it is self sufficient in its own way. Fall season rushes by with all the sports happening and the various Frat parties , Homecoming, etc etc. It definitely is a HUGE football town. So tailgating and football related parties is a given, whether tigers win or loss. In spring as well, you have numerous events going on thank s the various grad and undergrad student organizations. The other advantage of it being smaller compared to other univ towns is that its cheap, especially the off-campus housing!

But a car would definitely help, if you want to drive all the way to Atlanta (2 hrs) or Greenville (1hr) for a weekend hangout. If you are looking for a good mix of fun, good acads, and fitting budgets, Clemson is not a bad place at all.

Racism and also acceptance of LGBT seems to be a big question on here in general -- I just have to say that, I think the degree of acceptance/tolerance is going to be highly dependent upon your program/area on campus you will be. In architecture, no one seems to care. We've several gay/lesbian students who, honestly, I didn't know where/didn't care were and don't care know that I know. This is fairly universal, I'd say.

[mis-dreavus]

It looks like I'm going to graduate school in Clemson, so I'm hoping I can get some answers about the town and where to live. I really have no idea where to start, other than that I'd like to live somewhere fairly new. Anyone have any ideas? 

[mk-8]

Bumping this because I'm wondering if anybody has had experience with any particular apartments and if they could recommend any. Thanks!

[DanaMA]

How's Clemson these days? Especially post Trump. I'm an international student considering Grad school at Clemson and a bit worried about the culture there.

[Psych1st]

Hello! I'm moving to Greenville in May and I will be attending Clemson. My program is in both towns so I'll be commuting and experiencing both places. I was wondering if anyone has any up to date advice or recommendations? 

[MentalSkillsRM]

12 hours ago, Psych1st said:

Hello! I'm moving to Greenville in May and I will be attending Clemson. My program is in both towns so I'll be commuting and experiencing both places. I was wondering if anyone has any up to date advice or recommendations? 

Hey! When I read that your program was split between Greenville and Clemson, I got curious and clicked on your profile. It looks like you're set up to attend the CMHC program too? Very cool! I'm also planning on moving down in the next few months, however, I'm leaning towards being closer to the main campus. Anyways, I'm also unfamiliar with the area, so for anyone on the site who has recommendations on what to do or where to live I'm all ears!