"My experience at CU-GARS confirmed to me that Clemson was where I was meant to call home. The faculty was extremely welcoming and supportive throughout a very stressful weekend, and I was so excited to meet other students who had the same interests and goals as I did! The current students were so approachable and answered my questions thoroughly and honestly. They were willing to share their experiences at Clemson so that I could make the right choice for me. My PAW Pal was a fantastic resource and provided support throughout the whole process. It was so nice to have a familiar face in the room when there was a sea of new ones! My favorite memory of CU-GARS was when we were allowed into the President's box in Death Valley. As this was the last day, we were all allowed to unwind a little and share some laughs with a great view of our field. 

One piece of advice I have for students going through GARS is to give yourself patience and the space you need to get through a lengthy interview day. I am usually a social butterfly, but I found that going on a walk by myself on campus (close enough not to get lost, of course), listening to music, or calling my family to update them on the day kept me calm and grounded throughout the day. Never be nervous to take the time that you need for you to be successful, and always trust the process!"

Hali Sanders

Graduate Assistant for Cooperative Education,

Center for Career and Professional Development

"CU-GARS was an amazing experience for me. Looking back now, I originally thought of the weekend as simply an opportunity to interview for assistantship positions, but it is so much more than that.  It was a chance to connect with current students and faculty, get to know other prospective students, and begin to see yourself at Clemson.  The current students and faculty allowed me to learn about the program but also helped me to get my mind off of the stress of the interviews.  They were super approachable and interested in getting to know me and my goals.  I could feel they really wanted me to thrive in my future!  One thing I always think of when I think back to CU-GARS is the opening ceremony.  This was the official start to the entire weekend.  We were able to socialize with current and prospective students, while hearing from some amazing speakers.  It really was the first moment that I could really see myself here at Clemson!

My piece of advice to prospective students during GARS is to not compare yourself to others and be confident!  You have done so many great things before you come to the weekend, as have the other participants coming for the weekend.  It can be super easy to get in your head and start to compare when people are talking about their experiences.  Remember those great things that you have done and be confident in them!  If you have been invited to the interview weekend, it means that the faculty believe that you can be successful here.  Take pride in that knowledge, and step into and through the weekend with that in mind!  And if that confidence is something you find yourself struggling with, talk to the faculty, your PAW Pal, or other current students about those feelings, so we can help to remind you of your greatness!"

Alan Elgin

Graduate Assistant for Supplemental Instruction & Academic Support

Bridge to Clemson

"When I think back on my CU-GARS experience  (Wow two years ago almost how the time fly’s) it was truly something magical. It was the time when things started to become “normal” again which at the time did not seem like that big of a deal. There were so many activities that they provided leading up to the in-person weekend. These items included meeting the faculty, meeting current students in different affinity spaces, and getting my CU-GARS PAWPal!!  My PAW Pal was luckily someone I already had a connection with and would talk on the phone with me and help me with anything I needed before getting to CU-GARS. My best experience with my PAW Pal was when I forgot a belt; she took me to the store to get a new one even though she was not required to. She also followed up with me at least once a week after CU-GARS ended to make sure I was doing ok and if I had any questions, which I appreciated dearly because it can be a hectic time especially when waiting to hear if you get an assistantship. The faculty, staff, and current students wanted to ensure that I succeeded that weekend and that everyone there welcomed me with open arms and loved to answer my questions. 

One piece of advice I will give to everyone is to be patient, wait and trust the process. My mentor, who I am still very close to, always told me that if I were meant to be somewhere, then it would all fall into place. It can be hard to sit around and wait or to have to choose where you want to pursue your degree.  But just know that if you know where you want to be then take advantage of every opportunity given to you. Make sure to make connections with the other prospective students as those will potentially become people in your cohort. Ask as many questions as you have for faculty staff and current students. Lastly, the biggest thing I can say is do not get discouraged if you do not immediately get an assistantship offer; you have until April 15th, and a lot can happen during that time. Pursuing graduate school can considerably impact not only what you do in the future but who you see yourself being. You definitely want to go somewhere where you can grow and have a fantastic experience and hopefully that is here. And one last thing--you’ve got this!!!"

Kaleb Scott

Graduate Community Director for Gressette and Mickel Hall, Clemson Home

“My CU-GARS experience was such an amazing introduction to both the Student Affairs program and Clemson as a whole! While I was nervous that the weekend would feel overwhelming and hectic, it turned out to be such a smooth process, and really allowed me to focus on connecting with the people that I was meeting, and on the interviews I was doing. I truly appreciated the focus that was placed on ensuring that the prospective students felt comfortable and welcomed throughout the weekend, and that attitude only continued after the weekend concluded. 

Getting to meet and hear from current students, faculty, employers, and other prospective students really made me realize how special of a place Clemson is, and how the Student Affairs program could shape me both personally and professionally. While I appreciated hearing about all of the opportunities that the program offered, it was the focus on the Clemson community and the traditions surrounding it that made the weekend so special. Getting a glimpse into the unique sense of connectedness and pride that comes with being a Clemson student helped me to visualize myself as a Clemson Tiger, and that feeling stuck with me throughout my graduate school decision process. I have never once had second thoughts about my choice to come to Clemson, and I give CU-GARS all the credit in making my first impression of Clemson such a meaningful one.” 

Erin Hassenstab

Graduate Assistant for Residential Learning

“I was so excited to be able to attend CU-GARS in-person last year when it was offered in a hybrid setting! Clemson was my top choice for grad schools, and to be given the opportunity to come to campus was amazing. From the moment I signed up to attend CU-GARS until I got my offer (and even until I arrived on campus), the staff and students at Clemson did everything they could to ensure I was supported and had everything I needed to be successful. I had to pay for my flight to attend CU-GARS, but the rest was completely covered including the ride to and from the airport! I was able to stay with a current student in the program which helped me learn more about what it was like to be a graduate student at Clemson, especially because he was currently in the role that I was applying for. My favorite moment in CU-GARS was getting to interact with the faculty on interview day and during a panel they conducted to help us fully understand everything about the program so we could make the best decision for ourselves.

One piece of advice I will give is to come ready to get out of your comfort zone! You should take the time to talk to as many people as you can while at CU-GARS so that you can get as much information as possible. The current grad students are happy to answer all of your questions and give you a holistic idea of what it's like to be a student in the program at Clemson. We are here to of course talk about Clemson, but we are happy to talk through any questions you have about other programs (what to look for, competing offers, etc.) because we want you to feel comfortable making the best decision for yourself. Lastly, you may come in with a set idea of exactly what you want to do but be open to other assistantships and opportunities! You may find that you have interests in multiple areas. Nonetheless, please know that we are all here to support you through the entire process! Good luck!!” 

Chris King

Graduate Community Director for Thornhill Village,

Clemson Home

Graduate Intern for CU-GARS