How to Apply to Computer Science at Clarkson University: The 70-Credit Major and Required Professional Experience in the B.S. in Computer Science, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At Clarkson University (main campus in Potsdam, New York), undergraduate computer science is offered by the Department of Computer Science, leading to a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Here is what you need to know, based on Clarkson’s website, for students at high schools in China (including A-level, IB and AP students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. The degree and curriculum

• Credits: 120 credits to graduate. The major is 70 credits: 43 in computer science, 15 in mathematics and 12 in science. About 30 credits are free electives, enough for a minor or second major, and at least 18 credits go to Knowledge Area and University Course electives for the Clarkson Common Experience.
• University requirements: FY100 First-Year Seminar and UNIV190 The Clarkson Seminar, both in the first fall semester.
• CS core: Introduction to Computer Science I and II, Computer Organization, Advanced Programming Concepts in Java, Programming Languages, Algorithms & Data Structures, Automata Theory & Formal Languages, Software Design & Development and Operating Systems.
• Professional Experience: CS499 Professional Experience is required. Clarkson says nearly nine out of 10 CS majors have at least one internship.
• Mathematics: Calculus I and II, Foundations, Applied or Elementary Linear Algebra, and Probability & Statistics or Probability.
• Electives: three CS core electives from courses such as Computational Complexity, Parallel Programming, Compiler Construction, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Graphics, Computer Networks, Cryptography, Human-Computer Interaction, Database Systems and Computer Game Development, plus two from a wider list.
• Science: one two-course lecture/lab sequence in chemistry or physics, plus 4 more credits in biology, chemistry or physics.
• Research: the department describes itself as small and research-focused, with undergraduates working on computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing, virtual reality, robotics, cybersecurity, quantum computing and more.

2. Admission and changing major

• Separate thresholds: the pages read do not say whether computer science has its own cap or cut-off, or how current students change into it. This is not published; ask Admissions or the department.
• Review: the admissions FAQ says applications are read holistically, looking at course load, course type, recommendations and all four years of high school.

3. How and when to apply

• Application: the Clarkson First-Year Student Application or the Common App. First-year applicants are not charged an application fee for either.
• Deadlines: Early Decision December 1, Regular Decision January 15; the pages do not state an entry year. The deposit deadline is May 1.
• Materials: official high school transcript; a recommendation from a school counselor, principal or headmaster and a second from a core subject teacher; a personal statement of 250–650 words; SAT/ACT optional, with self-reported scores accepted. You may add a résumé, portfolio or project links.
• Scholarship timing: to be eligible for merit scholarships, your application and any scholarship submissions must arrive by January 15, or by December 1 for Early Decision.

4. Students at high schools in China

• Documents: an official secondary school transcript, mark sheets or national exam scores; if you have already taken graduation exams, send the result report. You also send two recommendations and English test results.
• Tests: SAT/ACT are optional for international applicants too, but Clarkson strongly recommends them. You may send unofficial scores when applying and official scores on enrollment.
• Gaokao: no Gaokao score requirement is published; check with international admissions.
• English minimums: TOEFL 4.5 (new scale), IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 115, PTE 56, Manchester Exam 360. The transfer page lists TOEFL 80 instead.
• English waivers: an SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing score of at least 550, or IB or A-level results. China is not on the country exemption list.
• A-level, IB and AP: if you have completed high school, school leaving exams such as A-levels are required. AP scores of 4 and 5 earn credit under Clarkson’s rules, and IB is graded on the 1–7 scale. No A-level or IB admission scores are published.

5. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver)

• English: Canada is on Clarkson’s list of countries exempt from English proficiency testing.
• Grades: no grade requirements are published for Canadian or BC curricula; check with Admissions.

6. Transfer students

• Application: the Clarkson Transfer Application or the Common App.
• Materials: the Dean of Students Recommendation Form (completed before enrollment); official transcripts from every college, with course descriptions if you studied outside New York State; a personal statement of 250–500 words; and a final high school transcript (required of all transfers). Recommendations are not required but are considered. With fewer than 24 credits, you also send your high school record, and SAT/ACT are optional.
• Deadlines: the pages differ. The admissions FAQ gives December 1 for spring and July 1 for fall, with rolling review; the international page says international transfer admission is rolling with no deadlines.
• Credit: email transfer admissions (tradmission@clarkson.edu) for a credit evaluation.

7. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-2027 cost of attendance (undergraduate page, for U.S. citizens and permanent residents): tuition $61,694, fees $1,370, housing (average) $10,840 and food $8,528, for direct costs of $82,432; with estimated books, personal and transportation costs the total is $86,556.
• International cost page: it is labeled 2024-2025 and lists a total of $82,432 (tuition and fees $63,064, living expenses $19,368), the same figures with a different year, so confirm with Clarkson. International students must show they can pay the full cost of attendance, excluding scholarships and loans.
• International scholarships: every admitted international undergraduate is considered for a partial scholarship with no extra application. Awards range from $5,000 to $40,000 a year based on your academic record and do not increase after the first year. Clarkson does not offer need-based aid to international undergraduates.
• Other awards: an $8,000 Early Decision Incentive Scholarship ($2,000 a year); a $1,000-a-year Clarkson Visit Scholarship for an official visit by December 1 (Early Decision) or February 15 (Regular Decision), with official virtual events counting; $2,000 a year for the Honors Program (priority deadline February 1); and the Presidential Fellowship, covering full tuition for four years for five students, with a separate application by February 1.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Take strong math and science, and line up recommendations from a counselor and a core subject teacher
• Prepare IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 115; an SAT reading and writing score of 550+ or IB/A-level results waive English; sending SAT/ACT is recommended
• Complete your application by January 15 to be considered for scholarships

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• No English test needed; confirm grade expectations with Admissions

Transfer students:

• Prepare course descriptions and the Dean of Students form; request a credit evaluation first

Sources: Clarkson University, B.S. in Computer Science; How to apply; Apply; International admission requirements; English proficiency exemptions; Undergraduate admissions FAQs; Transfer how to apply; Undergraduate tuition and costs; International undergraduate costs; International scholarships. Deadline pages do not state a year, and cost years are noted in the text. Check Clarkson for the latest details.