Accepted Student Events
Congratulations, you're a Golden Knight!
We want you to experience life as a Clarkson student. We encourage you and your family to visit campus after you've been accepted through one of several options. From one-on-one personalized visits where you can tailor your day to your own interests, to Accepted Students Days, where you'll be surrounded by 200+ of your newest classmates, we've created a variety of events to meet all your needs.
2026 Accepted Student Event Calendar
A Day as a Knight Events
Dates: February 13, February 27, March 6, 2026 (Fridays)
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Clarkson University Potsdam Campus
Who Can Attend: This event is by invitation only. Students (and their family members) who have been accepted for Fall 2026 entry are invited to register and attend. Due to the personalized nature of these events, there will be limited capacity.
Overview: During this full day event, students will have the opportunity to be paired with a current Clarkson student to spend the day as a Golden Knight, attending classes and meetings, hanging out in our student spaces, having a meal, meeting new friends and faculty, and more.
While our student guests are shadowing, families are invited to join us for a day of activities and learning opportunities, including a current student panel, lunch with faculty, a chance to meet staff from 10+ support departments on campus, and an optional campus tour, and more.
See the full schedules for students and families below.
MAIN ACTIVITIES
10:30 - 10:45 a.m.
Check-In
Student Center
Stop by check-in to grab your materials for the day and a special Clarkson merch item!
10:45 a.m.
Meet Your Student Knight
Student Center
We'll do our best to pair you up with a student who is either in the same major, from the same geographic area, or who has the same interests as you!
11 a.m. - 3:30/4:30 p.m.
Student Shadowing Time
Various locations
Shadow your student host, including classes, lunch and social time (students may stay with hosts until 4:30 p.m. if they do not pre-register for the optional campus tour at 3:30 p.m.)
12 - 5 p.m.
Open House @ The Makerspace
ERC Makerspace
Visit the Dorf Makerspace to learn about the amazing physical creation tools available on campus and make a unique Clarkson collectible to take home!
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Optional Campus Tour
Starting from the Student Center
If you've never been to campus, or you need another look, join us for this optional traditional campus tour that will bring you to all major student life spots, academic buildings, residence halls and more.
MAIN ACTIVITIES
10:30 - 10:45 a.m.
Check-in
Student Center
10:45 a.m.
Say Goodbye to Your Student
Student Center
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Current Student Panel
Student Center Multipurpose Rooms
Learn more about Clarkson from a current student perspective in this panel led by our student affairs staff.
12 - 1 p.m.
Lunch with Faculty and Staff
Student Center Multipurpose Rooms
Enjoy a complimentary buffet lunch while chatting with Clarkson faculty and staff members, as well as other new parents!
1 - 2:30 p.m.
12x5 with Student Support Departments
Student Center Multipurpose Rooms
Meet staff and hear important information from several of our student support areas in a fun format where each gets 5 minutes to present! Represented groups will include: Student Success Center, Accessibility Services, Career Center, International Center, Campus Safety, Student Life, Residence Life, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Student Prototyping Machine Shop, Clarkson Ignite, Student Health and Counseling Center, and Institute for a Sustainable Environment.
2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Family Mix and Mingle with Snack and Coffee Break
Student Center Multipurpose Rooms
Grab a snack, a beverage and mingle with other future Clarkson families!
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Optional Campus Tour
Starting from the Student Center
If you've never been to campus, or you need another look, join us for this optional traditional campus tour that will bring you to all major student life spots, academic buildings, residence halls and more.
Accepted Students Days
Dates: March 28 & April 11, 2026 (Saturdays)
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Optional activities from 8 - 10 a.m. and 3 - 4 p.m.
Location: Clarkson University Potsdam Campus
Who Can Attend: Any student (and their family members) who has been accepted to Clarkson for Fall 2026 entry is eligible to attend.
Overview: If you're looking for excitement and celebration, these are the events for you! Accepted Students Days are our largest events of the year, hosting 200+ families each Saturday for a day of exploration and immersion. Each academic school hosts a two+ hour interactive session for you to get to know your school and major, 50+ student clubs are on hand to showcase our social offerings, current students and parents lead panels, and much more. The day has some personalization too - take a campus tour (or not!), have a one-on-one financial aid session, or attend special sessions for health sciences, Clarkson School, transfer and more.
Corporate Leadership Day
Friday, March 27, 2026
Clarkson University partners with top companies every spring to host Corporate Leadership Day for all accepted students. Companies participating for 2026 will be announced at a later date.
During this event, participants:
- learn about leadership from successful corporate staff who graduated from Clarkson.
- make new friends and network with alumni, staff and current students.
- spend an overnight on campus with a current student host (optional and limited).
- also attend Accepted Students Day the following day.
Please note that registration is required for Accepted Students Day if attending Corporate Leadership Day. Registration will only become available to students who are registered for the accompanying Accepted Students Day event. Space is very limited.
STUDENT SCHEDULE
12:30 - 1 p.m.
Check in and drop off overnight items to storage
Student Center MPRs
1 - 1:25 p.m.
Welcome from Corporate Leadership Staff & Icebreaker Activity
Student Center MPRs
1:25 - 2:30 p.m.
Group Games & Activities
Student Center MPRs
2:30 - 3 p.m.
Panel Discussion with Clarkson Students
Student Center MPRs
3 - 3:15 p.m.
Break - with snacks!
Student Center MPRs
3:15 - 3:45 p.m.
Group Games & Activities
Student Center MPRs
3:45 - 4:15 p.m.
Career Path Tips & Discussion
Student Center MPRs
4:15 - 4:30 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Student Center MPRs
4:30 - 5 p.m.
Meet Your Overnight Host!
Student Center MPRs
PARENT & FAMILY SCHEDULE
1 - 1:25 p.m.
Welcome from Corporate & Clarkson Leadership
Cheel Barben Rooms
1:30 - 2:15 p.m.
Clarkson Student Panel
Cheel Barben Rooms
2:15 - 2:45 pm
Snack & Coffee Break
Cheel Barben Rooms
2:45 - 3:30 pm
Corporate Leadership Panel
Cheel Barben Rooms
3:30 - 4:05 pm
Faculty & Staff Mixer
Cheel Barben Rooms
4:15 - 4:30 pm
Closing Remarks
Student Center Forum
CU Accepted Celebrations
We're coming to a city near you each spring! Join us for one of many evening dessert receptions across New York State and the Northeast. Meet faculty, staff and alumni, and get to know fellow Clarkson accepted students from your area!
2026 DATES WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN FEBRUARY 2026
Honors Program Overnights
Students accepted into Clarkson's Honors Program are invited to have an overnight experience on campus with a current Clarkson Honors student. Overnights align with other accepted students events taking place the following day. Come get to know other potential Honors students, play fun games, stay in the Honors LLC with current Honors student hosts, and get to know what Clarkson Honors is all about.
Dates and registration for our Honors Overnights 2026 will take place on:
Friday, March 27, 2026
Friday, April 10, 2026
This event is by invitation only. Students eligible for this experience will be able to register via email invitation or via their Golden Knight Gateway. Families will be required to complete additional paperwork before being able to check in for the event. We highly encourage all students participating in the overnight experience to also register for the accompanying general admissions accepted students events.