Program Overview

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Introduction to Clarkson University

Clarkson University is a nationally ranked research university and the institution of choice for more than 3,400 enterprising, high-ability undergraduate and graduate students. Clarkson has strong undergraduate and graduate programs in engineering, business, and the arts and sciences.

About Clarkson

The university is located in Potsdam, New York, which offers the quintessential college town experience. Potsdam is home to two universities and is 2.5 hours north of Syracuse, NY, 4 hours northeast of Albany, and 6 hours north of New York City. The city is a gateway to the nearby major Canadian cities of Ottawa and Montreal. Students often visit the 6,000,000-acre Adirondack Park and Lake Placid, New York, the site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics.

Academic Highlights

• Majors in: Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, and Sustainable Environment
• One of every five Clarkson graduates is a CEO, president, senior executive, or owner of a company
• Research-intensive
• Top-Tier national university

Campus Life

• 100+ student-run clubs and organizations where students can easily find others who share their interests and hobbies
• Club sports are popular, including soccer, hockey, and ultimate Frisbee
• The 56,000-square-foot Student Center is located at the center of campus and offers spaces for students to meet up with friends
• The three-story atrium theater hosts lectures and live performances
• The setting lends itself to countless recreational activities, including hiking on the university's own 640-acre campus

Housing

All exchange students are guaranteed housing and are required to live on-campus. Exchange students are assigned apartment-style housing in either Woodstock Village, Riverside Apartments, or Townhouse Apartments. Students will be housed with a mix of other international students and American students to provide the best cultural experience. Each apartment includes basic furnishings such as beds, desks, built-in wardrobes, dressers, refrigerator, stove, and living and dining room furniture. Students are responsible for providing their own kitchenware, cookware, bedding, and linens.

How to Apply

To study at Clarkson University as an exchange student, one must be enrolled as a full-time student at one of the university's partner institutions. The application process starts with the home university submitting a nomination.

• Nominations for Fall Semester/Full Year: March 1 - April 15
• Nominations for Spring Semester: August 1 - September 15
• Application Deadline for Fall Semester/Full Year: May 1
• Application Deadline for Spring Semester: October 1

Detailed Information About Coming to Clarkson

As a nationally ranked research university, Clarkson is the institution of choice for more than 3,400 enterprising, high-ability undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in 50+ rigorous academic programs of study. The faculty are on the leading edge of research of international relevance. Across the institution and its campus locations across New York, faculty and students develop close, mentoring relationships and make lifelong connections that guide career success.

Semester Dates

• Fall Semester (semester 1): end of August through mid-December
• Spring Semester (semester 2): early January through mid-May

Application Dates

• Fall/Full-year: March 1 - May 1
• Spring: August 1 - October 1

Arrival Dates

• Fall 2026: August 19 and 20 (students cannot move into campus housing earlier than August 19)
• Spring 2027: January 4 and 5 (students cannot move into campus housing earlier than January 4)

Departure Dates

The residences will close by the morning after the last final exam. However, it is university policy that students leave within 24 hours after their last final exam.

Classes

• Exchange students may enroll in classes across disciplines provided they meet the prerequisites required
• Please refer to the guide below when making class selections
• Guest Catalog
• Incoming Exchange Student Guide to Selecting Classes

VISA Info

Exchange students are eligible to apply for a J-1 or F-1 Visa. The university will guide students through obtaining their visa, but they must know which type of visa they are applying for when filling out their application.

Health Insurance

All students at Clarkson University must carry US-based health insurance coverage. Students can purchase insurance through Clarkson University or through a private US health insurance policy. Travel insurance plans are not accepted.

Estimated Expenses

Exchange students do not pay tuition. They pay for their living expenses (housing and food) as well as other entertainment types (travel, books, incidental, health insurance) of expenses.

Application Requirements

To complete the application, students need:

1. The most up-to-date transcript in a PDF
2. A completed Certificate of Finances Form (COF) located within the application, saved as a PDF
3. Financial documents that support the amount specified in the COF
4. An English Ability Form, located in the application, or a PDF of TOEFL or IELTS scores
5. A PDF of a valid passport
6. Seven (7) classes that the student intends to enroll in while at Clarkson

Final Steps

Once the application materials are complete and accepted, students will be emailed a username, email address, and pin to set up their student account, as well as their acceptance letter. They will be assigned a "To Do" list, which includes:

• Student Health Documents
• Photo for the Student Identification Card
• Housing Contract
• AssessAbility Form
• SF Terms Agreement
• Health Insurance e-form

After setting up their password, students will have access to the university's intranet site, which will provide them with details for arrival, including making final class selections, pre-arrival shipping address, and more.