Clemson University

Date: Jun 06 2004
Major: Physics (This Major's Salary over time)
I've spent a great deal of time considering how I feel about Clemson. The opinions of the students here are quite varied, ranging from completely fanatic to utterly apathetic. There are few if any that really dislike the place.

I think this range sums up the Clemson experience rather well. There are two types of people: the fanatical supporters and those that are disillusioned but have been overwhelmed by the shear “niceness” of the place to formulate any real complaints.
I think that perhaps people just feel comfortable at Clemson. I think this is a problem with the South in general. People are not inclined to move much - it’s the heat. As a result people cling to the familiar. This explains the excessive religiosity and overwhelming seas of orange on football Saturdays - very literally the school shuts down for football, I always found that a bit odd.

There are opportunities here. Some professors are exceptional - others often convince me that they have forgotten how to add. If you are at all motivated, you are very well received by the faculty, just don’t expect the same from your fellow students. If you enjoy feeling like a big fish in a large but shallow pond, then Clemson may be the place for you.
I certainly can understand its appeal. It can be a very attractive campus at times, when the charming original architecture blocks the view of the other shoebox-esque buildings. There is also nothing quite like the experience of “tailgating”, nothing quite as southernly hospitable, which of course means welcoming thy neighbor as long as they don’t wear the rival teams colors. There is also a healthy supply of southern belles to “ring” if that’s your thing.
The thing at Clemson that most disappoints me is its lack of liberal thought, its lack of passion, and its excess of people that could care less about anything (with the possible exception of inebriation.)
Clemson lacks the diversity in its location and student body to foster much personal maturation, but if you’re comfortable where you’re at then Clemson is for you.