The Clarkson School: Start Here…Go Anywhere
As the second oldest early college program in the country, we understand that some students are ready for college earlier than many of their peers. If the challenge of university academics sounds more appealing than simply returning to high school for 11th or 12th grade, we welcome you to explore The Clarkson School. We are one of just a handful of residential college experiences designed for younger students who are ready to start college early.
- Admissions (application process, financial aid)
- High School Diploma (options to obtain)
- Academics and Support (classes, professional advising, enrichment)
- Student Life (community, clubs, activities)
- Visit Us (campus tour, admission interview)
- FAQs (college credits, day in the life)
Why The Clarkson School?
You’re the type who likes a challenge — someone who excels when surrounded by others who push you to do more. Attending The Clarkson School gives you that chance. As the second-oldest early college program in the country, we’ve given thousands of high-achieving students the fuel they need to soar.
What to Expect
The Clarkson School isn’t “college lite.” Here, experience life as a Clarkson student, taking a full course load while participating in student clubs, athletic teams and academic and social organizations. Clarkson students love to solve problems by getting their hands dirty. Sometimes that means building a solar car; sometimes that means launching a business. You can, too.
Living in a residence hall with other Clarkson School students and a dedicated staff of House Advisors (HAs) makes your transition to college easier. Working closely with an academic advisor keeps you focused on the future.
About Clarkson
STUDENT BODY: ~4,600 students from 40+ states and 60+ countries; ~3,100 undergraduate students
LOCATION (for undergraduate study): Potsdam, New York
HISTORY: 1896 — Founded as the Thomas S. Clarkson Memorial School of Technology, a memorial to Thomas S. Clarkson, a Potsdam businessman and humanitarian. 1913 — Renamed Thomas S. Clarkson Memorial College of Technology — where we
got our chant, “Let’s Go Tech!” 1984 — Renamed Clarkson University to reflect status as a university with master’s and PhD programs in more than two fields.
PRESIDENT: David Heacock (Acting President and Trustee)
MASCOT: Golden Knight
COLORS: Green and Gold, after Thomas S. Clarkson’s favorite flower, the goldenrod
ATHLETICS: 2 Division I sports teams (men’s and women’s hockey); 18 Division III sports teams; 180+ club sports teams and intramural leagues
MILITARY: Army and Air Force ROTC programs
STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 12:1
PLACEMENT RATE: 97% in chosen field
AVERAGE STARTING SALARY: $64,384
ALUMNI: 46,000+
APPLICATION DEADLINES: Early Decision – December 1; Regular Decision – January 15
TEST SCORES: Optional for 2022 Admission; Self-reported
About Schools, Programs, Involvement, and Housing
SCHOOLS: Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries; Wallace H. Coulter School of Engineering; Institute for STEM Education; Institute for a Sustainable Environment; Earl R. and Barbara D. Lewis School of Health and Life Sciences; David D. Reh School of Business; School of Arts & Sciences; Graduate School
HONORS PROGRAM: Research-based option for students looking to pursue research even before the start of their first year in college; culminates in a senior thesis.
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT: 200+ clubs, organizations and teams to join on campus, including musical/performance, religious, political, hobby/special interest, volunteer/community service, Greek (9 fraternities, 4 sororities), athletic, academic/preprofessional, honor societies and Leadership development clubs.
CO-OPS & INTERNSHIPS: All Clarkson students have a professional experience before graduation. For the majority of students, this means a co-op or internship with a top company in their industry of interest.
GLOBAL/OFF-CAMPUS EXPERIENCES: 50+ partner institutions in nearly 30 countries plus three U.S. experiences: Trudeau Biomedical Scholars Semester; Adirondack Semester; Washington D.C. Semester; several Clarkson-led short-term trips throughout the year.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH: Clarkson is a nationally recognized research university with focus areas in Healthy Global Solutions, Computational and Data-Enabled Discovery, Advanced Materials Development and Next Generation Medicine and Healthcare. Any undergraduate student who wants to perform research with a faculty member has the ability to do so.
HOUSING: Discover Clarkson’s housing options here.
By The Numbers
65%
Of our student return to Clarkson for their sophomore year. You can also transfer most (if not all) of your credits elsewhere.
$30,000
Clarkson School students are eligible for all the same financial aid as other first-year students, including federal, state and University aid, such as grants, loans and scholarships.
Top 10%
Students in The Clarkson School are typically ranked at the top of their high school classes.
50+
Accredited degree programs in which you can start your studies.
The Clarkson School, a special division of Clarkson University, was founded in 1978 as an innovative educational opportunity. The School offers students an early entrance opportunity into college, replacing the typical senior year of high school with a challenging first year of college. It is one of the few college early admission programs in the country that provides a real community living/learning experience on a university campus.
Applying to The Clarkson School
The Clarkson School Admissions Committee requires each applicant to submit an application, an essay, transcripts and recommendations. Review all application requirements and financial aid information to get started.
Earning Your High School Diploma
The Clarkson School does not grant high school diplomas. If you want to earn one, you can work with your current high school to develop a suitable academic plan that satisfies your graduation requirements while studying at The Clarkson School. We will incorporate these requirements into your schedule here over the course of one or two semesters.
