"My CU-GARS experience showed me that Clemson was my next home away from home. I felt like I belonged and could thrive in the program. The entire weekend was intentionally designed for me to explore what it would look like to be a student in the program. I was actively engaged and supported throughout the entire process and though I was a prospective student, the current students treated me like I was another one of their classmates. Throughout the entire weekend, I was able to network with prospective students who were in the same boat as me; many of us applied to the same schools, but each of us shared the experience of going through the process together and that networking piece was very impactful. 

My PAW Pal provided guidance for me to get a better understanding of what it meant to be a student at Clemson while giving me the chance to explore campus on my own to see if Clemson was the best fit for me. One memory that made my CU-GARS experience memorable had to be when we were able to go up to the President's Suite in the Stadium where we heard from folks involved with the CU-GARS process and the faculty of the program. The faculty were so down to earth with us and that was so valuable in my experience in CU-GARS. Yes, the faculty were excited that we were considering Clemson's program, but they were even more excited that we wanted to enter the field of student affairs. That left me with a great feeling as we concluded the weekend. 

My piece of advice to prospective students would be to be engaged with folks you meet throughout this process but also give yourself the time and space to reflect on where your feet are. The graduate school search is daunting, and at points, it feels very overwhelming, and that is okay. The CU-GARS process gives you the chance to meet with students who were in your shoes a year or two years ago and that is something you want to take advantage of. We want to support you so that you can make the decision that feels right!"

Skylar Walder

Graduate Community Director for Lightsey Bridge

Clemson Home

"CU-GARS was 100% what sold me on this program and university. I remember the week before GARS being so busy with virtual interviews for other graduate schools, as well as interviews for a couple of fellowship jobs at my undergraduate university and feeling so overwhelmed. Clemson was the only interview weekend where I would be able to be in person and I was so nervous, especially as an out-of-state student. Luckily, I had a great Paw-Pal who put all my worries at ease. Being able to connect with a current student before I even stepped foot on campus was so helpful because it allowed me to be able to walk into a room full of people I didn’t know and have at least one premade connection. They were a great resource and helped me to really feel comfortable and confident before going into my interviews. 

One of my favorite parts of GARS was forming relationships with other students who would end up being a part of my cohort once we all arrived on campus. I highly recommend going to the socials and getting to know the other people being interviewed, as you never know who may become a part of your cohort, or even just a part of your network! Building connections early on helps make the process feel smoother as you can relate to other people who are also going through the same process as you. I also recommend talking to more of the current students, too! They will give you honest answers about what they enjoy about the program and can help you with any questions or concerns you may have.

While the whole weekend may feel overwhelming, I promise you it is worth it. The faculty and current students make it known that they are here for you throughout your graduate school journey. They want you to succeed just as much as you do, and they are so open about how much they love and care for this program. When you arrive for CU GARS, take it all in. Take the time to get to know everyone, ask any questions you may have, and explore the campus. I promise you that we want you here, and that you would be a great fit here. Know that we are all in your corner cheering you on!”

Ashley Sanfacon

Graduate Assistant of Employer Relations and Events 

Center for Career and Professional Development

"Attending CU-GARS is really what helped me make my final decision between the other grad programs I applied to. As someone who is naturally more reserved in new environments, I was anxious and stressed out leading up to the weekend about how I would compare to other prospective students. Once I got to campus, some of the worry went away because of how welcoming everyone was right off the bat. The faculty and current students went around introducing themselves to us & the conversations really felt as though we were catching up with old friends. By the end of the weekend, I felt reassured about the program and the Clemson community because at the core of everyone’s experiences was the shared passion of student affairs.  

PAW Pal 

I’m very thankful to my PAW pal because they supported me and answered any questions I had about Clemson. That weekend I kept to myself, but my PAW pal made sure to introduce me to some of their other peers who I hadn’t met yet and it helped me enter conversations without feeling awkward. They were transparent about the challenges they dealt with in the program and the resources they used to get through. The memory that stuck with me the most was the first night’s social where current students and prospective students could decompress from the day. We were all able to have fun playing Just Dance and have friendly debates over random food categories that took our minds off from interviewing the next day. Throughout interview day, the current students would check in on us and answer any questions we had because they were in our shoes a year or two ago.  

Advice  

Some advice I have for prospective students is to take in the experience and trust your gut feeling after CU-GARS. A lot of the weekend is social interaction, so make connections but also remember to take time to decompress on your own. Your PAW pal will remind you that however you want the weekend to look like, they’ll be there to support and guide you. If your preferred way to decompress is being on your own or at least in a quieter setting, take that opportunity to do so. After CU-GARS, take time to reflect on the connections you made, the program style, and any other deciding factors you feel are important to you. No matter the community you decide to join, whether at Clemson or a different institution, we are all just very excited to have more student affairs professionals enter the field!"

Karla Trejo

Graduate Assistant for Fraternity and Sorority Housing

Clemson Home

"My CU-GARS experience was for sure what convinced me about a career in student affairs and Clemson as my next step. When I applied to graduate programs, I was torn between student affairs and a few other career interests. I wasn’t sure yet if this was the field I wanted to fully commit to. But CU-GARS changed that. 

From the very beginning, my PAW Pal made me feel welcomed and supported. Knowing that I had someone to reach out to and rely on helped ease my nerves before I even arrived. Once I was on campus, I was struck by how receptive, kind, and encouraging everyone was. I felt comfortable being myself, and that sense of belonging made the whole experience less intimidating. 

One of the best parts of the weekend was connecting with other candidates, many of whom are now in my cohort. From those first conversations, I could tell I would find great people around here. Getting to know them during CU-GARS made it even easier to imagine myself at Clemson, surrounded by peers who would challenge and support me. 

During the interviews, I was impressed by how thoughtful and supportive the process was. The structure allowed me to showcase my strengths while also learning more about what Clemson had to offer. Instead of feeling like I was being “tested,” I felt like the current students, staff, and faculty were genuinely invested in helping me find the right fit. 

The defining moment for me came as I was leaving. At the airport, I called my dad and told him, “This is what I want to do.” CU-GARS had given me clarity: I knew I wanted to pursue student affairs, and I knew I wanted Clemson to be my next step. 

Looking back, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for CU-GARS. It definitely helped me clear my path and find what I wanted to do. I’m so grateful for my PAW Pal who made me feel comfortable, for the interviewers who supported me, and for the community that was so excited to welcome all of us with open arms.  

To anyone considering attending CU-GARS, I encourage you to take advantage of every opportunity. Connect with the other candidates, because they may soon become your greatest sources of support. Talk with faculty and staff not only during the formal panels, but also in the informal moments in between, they are genuinely excited to get to know you and answer your questions. Ask, listen, and engage with the people and the program as much as you can. CU-GARS is a chance to picture yourself as part of a community, and that makes all the difference. "

Julia Assis Azevedo 

Graduate Assistant for the Honors College

Clemson Honors College