Clemson University

Date: Sep 10 2010
Major: Computer Science (This Major's Salary over time)
I am a Computer Science major and all the assignments I've had have been tedious programming assignments utilizing old programming languages like C, old operating systems like Unix, and outdated projects. Computer classes are split between classroom lectures and labs. Some CS professors don't allow laptops in class. That's right, you're not allowed to use a computer in a computer programming class. I am a transfer student and my last school combined the lecture and lab portions of classes by having you work in classrooms equipped with computers. Every other transfer student I've talked to said their last school worked the same way. Not at Clemson. Also, my last school encouraged the use of IDE's when programming in C++ and Java, other transfer students have said the same thing about their schools. Not at Clemson. The assignment for Comp 102 is basically a giant graphics program called a ray tracer. When I talk to my buddies at my old school they all ask

What's a ray tracer?

I didn't know either so I had to google it and found out it's an outdated graphics programming method, but at Clemson it's state of the art. This school is so far behind the times it's disgusting. No classes in Game Programming, Artificial Intelligence, Web Programming, Computer Security, or anything else that's relevant to today. The professors are hit or miss, they are either excellent, or awful.

As for the social scene, there is none. Everyone is friendly, but if you live off campus you'll never make any friends at school. If you live on campus and you're not in a fraternity or sorority, you'll never speak to anybody other than your roommates. The Greek system owns this school. So if you don't want to pledge, don't bother coming here, because you'll never be more alone in your life. I've been here over a year, live off campus and don't belong to a fraternity, and I've never spoken to someone at this school for more than one minute. Seriously. It's that bad. I'm also a very social person and made friends easily at my last school. But here, if you don't have Greek letters on your shirt, you may as well not exist.

The town is small and most of the in state students leave during the weekend, but if you like the outdoors there's plenty to do, the school is built along a large lake and there's rowing and boating, and mountains nearby for biking and hiking. There are several bars close to campus that are usually packed on weekends, but if you're under 21 you'll just have to settle for sitting in your dorm surfing the internet. Parties are reserved for Greek students, so unless you pledge, you're not going. I wouldn't recommend this school unless you're from the south, or plan on joining a frat or sorority, because otherwise you'll feel invisible and out of place.