Early College Program

/*! elementor – v3.20.0 – 13-03-2024 */
.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}

The Clarkson School: Early College Program

/*! elementor – v3.20.0 – 13-03-2024 */
.elementor-column .elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(–spacer-size)}.e-con{–container-widget-width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer{width:var(–container-widget-width,var(–spacer-size));–align-self:var(–container-widget-align-self,initial);–flex-shrink:0}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container{height:100%;width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer{height:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(–container-widget-height,var(–spacer-size))}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty{position:relative;min-height:22px;min-width:22px}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty .elementor-widget-empty-icon,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty .elementor-widget-empty-icon{position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;left:0;right:0;margin:auto;padding:0;width:22px;height:22px}

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)

Request Info

[sc name=”request-info-redirect”][/sc]

The Clarkson School Advantage

As a Clarkson School student, you’ll open yourself up to impactful experiences that are rarely found in a senior year of high school.

You will…

  • Complete the first year of college coursework during what would have been the senior year of high school and then either remaining at Clarkson to complete their undergraduate education or attending another institution.
  • Immerse themselves fully in the college experience, including joining campus clubs, playing sports, and participating in other activities.
  • Access incredible on-campus support, with a low student-to- advisor ratio and staff located in the same building as The Clarkson School residence hall.
  • Join a tight-knit, diverse student body full of like-minded peers and friends for life.
  • Stand out when applying to other institutions to complete their college education after TCS and receive assistance from expert staff during the application process.
  • Participate in unique opportunities such as hands-on research, project-based learning, real job experience through internships, employer networking, innovation competitions, travel abroad, and more.

Who Attends The Clarkson School?

The Clarkson School (TCS) is a selective early college program for high academic achievers who have progressed beyond their high school curriculum and are ready for a fresh challenge. Students will live in a special living and learning community that provides additional support for personal growth, academic achievement and professional development. Clarkson School students take the same courses as Clarkson University first-year students and enjoy the same unlimited access to athletics and recreation, the Student Success, Diversity and Inclusion office and clubs and activities.

What to Expect from The Clarkson School?

Attending The Clarkson School is similar to being a first-year student at Clarkson University. You will take a full course load and have the opportunity to join student clubs, academic and social organizations and sports teams. As opposed to the typical Clarkson University first-year experience, Clarkson School students live in their own residence hall with a dedicated staff of house advisors (HAs). This extra layer of support ensures that Clarkson School students make a smooth transition to college life.

About The Clarkson School

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.

/*! elementor – v3.20.0 – 13-03-2024 */
.elementor-widget-divider{–divider-border-style:none;–divider-border-width:1px;–divider-color:#0c0d0e;–divider-icon-size:20px;–divider-element-spacing:10px;–divider-pattern-height:24px;–divider-pattern-size:20px;–divider-pattern-url:none;–divider-pattern-repeat:repeat-x}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider{display:flex}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{font-size:15px;line-height:1;max-width:95%}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__element{margin:0 var(–divider-element-spacing);flex-shrink:0}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-icon{font-size:var(–divider-icon-size)}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider-separator{display:flex;margin:0;direction:ltr}.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator{align-items:center}.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:before{display:block;content:””;border-block-end:0;flex-grow:1;border-block-start:var(–divider-border-width) var(–divider-border-style) var(–divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-left .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-left .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-left .elementor-divider__element{margin-left:0}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-right .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-right .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-right .elementor-divider__element{margin-right:0}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-start .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-start .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-start .elementor-divider__element{margin-inline-start:0}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-end .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-end .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-end .elementor-divider__element{margin-inline-end:0}.elementor-widget-divider:not(.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_text):not(.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_icon) .elementor-divider-separator{border-block-start:var(–divider-border-width) var(–divider-border-style) var(–divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern{–divider-border-style:none}.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern.elementor-widget-divider–view-line .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider–view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider–view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern:not([class*=elementor-widget-divider–view]) .elementor-divider-separator{width:100%;min-height:var(–divider-pattern-height);-webkit-mask-size:var(–divider-pattern-size) 100%;mask-size:var(–divider-pattern-size) 100%;-webkit-mask-repeat:var(–divider-pattern-repeat);mask-repeat:var(–divider-pattern-repeat);background-color:var(–divider-color);-webkit-mask-image:var(–divider-pattern-url);mask-image:var(–divider-pattern-url)}.elementor-widget-divider–no-spacing{–divider-pattern-size:auto}.elementor-widget-divider–bg-round{–divider-pattern-repeat:round}.rtl .elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{direction:rtl}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-divider,.e-con>.elementor-widget-divider{width:var(–container-widget-width,100%);–flex-grow:var(–container-widget-flex-grow)}

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Exceptional effort deserves recognition: if your admission application shows promise, and you are accepted, you will automatically receive a financial aid package made up of awards totaling at least $30,000.

Applying for financial aid is easier than you might think. The first step is to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  When submitting the FAFSA, please use Clarkson Federal School Code: 002699.  The FAFSA will allow us to check your eligibility for need-based federal, state and institutional funding. These awards are based on financial need and a strong potential for success.  Please note, if you would rather be considered only for Clarkson merit scholarships and awards, you do not need to submit the FAFSA. 


Read More

/*! elementor – v3.20.0 – 13-03-2024 */
.elementor-toggle{text-align:left}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title{font-weight:700;line-height:1;margin:0;padding:15px;border-bottom:1px solid #d5d8dc;cursor:pointer;outline:none}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title .elementor-toggle-icon{display:inline-block;width:1em}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title .elementor-toggle-icon svg{margin-inline-start:-5px;width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title .elementor-toggle-icon.elementor-toggle-icon-right{float:right;text-align:right}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title .elementor-toggle-icon.elementor-toggle-icon-left{float:left;text-align:left}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title .elementor-toggle-icon .elementor-toggle-icon-closed{display:block}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title .elementor-toggle-icon .elementor-toggle-icon-opened{display:none}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title.elementor-active{border-bottom:none}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title.elementor-active .elementor-toggle-icon-closed{display:none}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title.elementor-active .elementor-toggle-icon-opened{display:block}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-content{padding:15px;border-bottom:1px solid #d5d8dc;display:none}@media (max-width:767px){.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-title{padding:12px}.elementor-toggle .elementor-tab-content{padding:12px 10px}}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-toggle,.e-con>.elementor-widget-toggle{width:var(–container-widget-width);–flex-grow:var(–container-widget-flex-grow)}

The Clarkson School Admissions Committee requires each applicant to make the following a part of his or her admission portfolio.

Application
Please complete all sections of the application.  If you have any questions as you work through the application, please do not hesitate to contact us at 1-800-574-4425.

Essay
The personal statement should be approximately 250 – 300 words and provide the Admission Committee with a sense of you as an individual so that we may have the opportunity to get to know you better through your writing. You may describe a special interest, experience, or achievement that is important and meaningful to you.

Guidance Counselor Recommendation
As an applicant, you should speak with your guidance or college counselor about your interest in The Clarkson School. Your principal, head of school, or counselor should provide a recommendation and submit it with an official transcript of your secondary school coursework to date.

Transcript
The transcript of your secondary school work should be submitted directly from your school’s office. Admission to The Clarkson School is always conditional on the outcome of your final grades for the year, so an end-of-year transcript must be provided when available.

Test Scores
Test-Optional: SAT/ACT/PSAT Scores, if submitted the scores will be taken into consideration during the admissions process. We will also accept self-reported test scores. If you would like to submit your scores, and they are not reflected on your transcript, you should arrange to have them submitted to us. In order to have your test scores submitted directly from College Board for your PSAT and SAT’s please use the code: 2084. To have your test scores sent directly to us from ACT please enter code: 2698. 

Recommendations
In addition to the guidance counselor recommendation, you should arrange to have at least two (2) other recommendations sent from your teachers, or others who could speak to your academic and personal readiness for an early college program. Parents and guardians are encouraged to write a letter of support, as well. These personal recommendations are optional, but offer a unique, personal perspective of the applicant.

Deadline
The priority deadline is June 1.  However, completed applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with decision letters mailed within 5-7 business days once all required supporting application materials are received.   Please note, during the Clarkson School application review, all students will automatically be considered to apply for Clarkson’s Honors Program as spaces remain available.

Interview
All potential Clarkson School students are encouraged to visit the campus for an interview with School personnel. It is strongly recommended that a parent or guardian accompany an applicant for the interview. An interview, tour of campus, and classroom visit may be arranged by calling The Clarkson School Office at 1-800-574-4425.

Want to know more? Contact Us!

/*! elementor – v3.20.0 – 13-03-2024 */
.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=”.svg”]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}

Christopher Miner
Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions
cminer@clarkson.edu
315-268-1516

The Clarkson School
Clarkson University Price Hall
tcs@clarkson.edu
315-268-4425