Home > Program Information

General Info | The Summer Experience | Academic Year Activities | Schools

Since 2002, The Emerging Scholars Program has made higher education a reality for students who have not seen college in their future. The mission of the Emerging Scholars Program at Clemson University is to enhance South Carolina’s economic prosperity by increasing the number of college graduates that come from economically disadvantaged areas and first generation families. Students are taught that knowing the basics in reading, writing and math are the most important factors in high school and college completion. These skills are emphasized throughout their participation in the program, along with more information on the basics of applying to any college or university. Even though the students attend summer sessions on the campus of Clemson University, the goal of college attendance is not limited to Clemson. The students are encouraged to apply and attend any college of their choice with an emphasis on schools in the state of South Carolina. All of this is done through two different components:

The Emerging Scholars Program targets students in five different high schools in the low country. According to the US Census Bureau, the average poverty rate for the five high schools is 25.6%, meaning 1 in 4 people are in poverty (income of $18,392 or less). This has huge implications for college attendance in these areas. According to Postsecondary Education Opportunity, college participation rates in families that make less than $36,539 is only 40.2%. This is compared to a 71.1% college participation rate in families with income higher than $64,109. This coupled with below average SAT scores makes it even harder for these students to find success in college.

The Summer Experience
PHASE 1: Rising high school sophomores attend a week long residential experience on the Clemson University campus. This week consists of team building, academic evaluations, college access information and collaborative learning experiences. The students take daily classes in reading, writing and math.

PHASE 2: Students return to Clemson for two weeks prior to their junior year. Reading, writing and math skills are reinforced and science classes are introduced. Students have more interaction with campus partners and are exposed to more college access information.

PHASE 3: Students return to Clemson for three weeks prior to their senior year. A simulation of a typical freshman schedule is introduced and students are enrolled in five different courses: English, math, social science, laboratory science and art. Students also begin work on their college applications. Seniors are also taken on a day college trip to Atlanta to visit Morehouse, Spellman and Clark-Atlanta.

back to the top

Academic Year Activities
Students who participate in the Emerging Scholars program also commit to academic year work and activities. College access workshops are held throughout the year at the USC-Salkahatchie campus in Allendale, SC. Students are also expected to complete exercises in student workbooks provided by the program. Throughout the year, Emerging Scholars staff meet with the students at their schools and host social activities in the area. The students are also given the opportunity to visit different college campuses throughout their junior and senior years.

Students are also taken on college trips during their junior and senior years. By the end of their three year program students visit the following universities:

USC-Columbia Benedict College College of Charleston Charleston Southern Winthrop Johnson C. Smith

USC-Aiken Paine College Morehouse Spellman Clark-Atlanta

back to the top