Clarkson Trailblazers Program
Clarkson Trailblazers is a special first-year cohort program designed for newly accepted students who want to begin their college journey feeling informed, connected, and prepared. Through a mix of on-campus experiences, summer programming, and first-year community events, Trailblazers form strong connections with peers, faculty, and campus resources before their first semester even begins.
This program starts with an immersive April on-campus experience and continues with summer and first-year programming designed to help you transition confidently into life at Clarkson.
Why Join Clarkson Trailblazers?
Students who participate in our Clarkson Trailblazers cohort receive early access to resources, relationships and experiences that support a smooth transition into college.
Program Benefits
- Early Community Building
- Connect with fellow accepted students, meet mentors and campus leaders during an on-campus visit in April
- Form lasting friendships with other Trailblazers before the fall semester begins
- Participate in monthly virtual gatherings with your Trailblazers cohort, learning about campus resources before arriving on campus
- Academic Prep & Early Arrival
- Participate in Springboard Calculus, strengthening your academic foundation, at no cost (a $700 value)
- Move into your first-year residence early through Springboard, exploring campus and the local community
- Participate in special group activities before the rest of the incoming class arrives
- First-year Support
- Continue connecting with the Trailblazers community throughout the year
- Attend workshops, gatherings, and events designed to support your success at Clarkson
Trailblazer Basics
Summer Programming
During the summer leading up to your first semester, Trailblazers will participate in monthly virtual sessions via Zoom designed to build connections and prepare you for life at Clarkson.
These sessions will be facilitated by Trailblazers program coordinators, who will guide discussions, answer questions, and introduce students to helpful campus resources.
Topics may include:
- Preparing for college academics
- Getting involved on campus
- Navigating campus resources
- Meeting fellow Trailblazers
The goal is to ensure you arrive on campus already feeling connected and confident.
First-Year Community
The Trailblazers experience continues once you arrive on campus.
Throughout the first year, students will participate in:
- Monthly community gatherings
- Workshops focused on student success
- Opportunities to connect with campus resources
- Cohort events to maintain relationships formed during the program
Trailblazers staff will remain a consistent support system and help you connect with additional resources across campus.
Journey Into Clarkson Trailblazers Event
The Journey Into Clarkson Trailblazers (JICT) event is the official kickoff to the program. Participation in this event is required for students who want to be part of the Clarkson Trailblazers cohort during the summer and fall semester. Students who attend JICT are automatically enrolled in the Clarkson Trailblazers program for Fall 2026.
Spots are very limited, and registration must be completed no later than Sunday, March 29, 2026 in order to participate.
Dates: April 9–11, 2026
Important Event Details:
- All meals and transportation are covered by Clarkson
- Students will stay overnight in a Clarkson residence hall with supervision
- The event is for accepted students only
- Family members and chaperones may not attend
- Students must complete overnight participation paperwork before the event
Travel to Clarkson:
Clarkson will arrange and cover all travel costs for students attending the event.
Participants will:
- Travel by train from New York City, Albany, or Buffalo to Syracuse
- Board a Clarkson-provided bus from Syracuse to campus
- The return trip will follow the same route.
Our admissions team will coordinate all bookings and provide detailed travel information to participants in advance.
View Travel Details for:
To Clarkson:
8:45am: Your Arrival to Buffalo Depew Station
9:05am: Departure of Train from Buffalo Depew Station
11:28am: Arrival of Train to Syracuse Regional Transportation Center, Meet Clarkson University staff for lunch
1:30pm: Departure on Clarkson Bus to Potsdam Campus
4:30pm: Arrival to Clarkson University
From Clarkson:
11:30am: Departure on Clarkson Bus to Syracuse Regional Transportation Center
2:30pm: Arrival to Syracuse Regional Transportation Center
4:02pm: Departure of Train to Buffalo Depew Station
6:34pm: Arrival of Train to Buffalo Depew Station
To Clarkson:
7am: Your Arrival to New York Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station
7:15am: Departure of Train from New York Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station
12:57pm: Arrival of Train to Syracuse Regional Transportation Center, Meet Clarkson University staff for lunch
1:30pm: Departure on Clarkson Bus to Potsdam Campus
4:30pm: Arrival to Clarkson University
From Clarkson:
11:30am: Departure on Clarkson Bus to Syracuse Regional Transportation Center
2:30pm: Arrival to Syracuse Regional Transportation Center
2:51pm: Departure of Train to New York Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station
9:16pm: Arrival of Train to New York Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station
To Clarkson:
9:45am: Your Arrival to Albany-Rensselaer Train Station
10:10am: Departure of Train from Albany-Rensselaer Train Station
12:57pm: Arrival of Train to Syracuse Regional Transportation Center, Meet Clarkson University staff for lunch
1:30pm: Departure on Clarkson Bus to Potsdam Campus
4:30pm: Arrival to Clarkson University
From Clarkson:
11:30am: Departure on Clarkson Bus to Syracuse Regional Transportation Center
2:30pm: Arrival to Syracuse Regional Transportation Center
2:51pm: Departure of Train to Albany-Rensselaer Train Station
6:04pm: Arrival of Train to Albany-Rensselaer Train Station
To Clarkson:
1pm: Your Arrival to Syracuse Regional Transportation Center, Meet Clarkson University staff
1:30pm: Departure on Clarkson Bus to Potsdam Campus
4:30pm: Arrival to Clarkson University
From Clarkson:
11:30am: Departure on Clarkson Bus to Syracuse Regional Transportation Center
2:30pm: Arrival to Syracuse Regional Transportation Center