Claflin University - Orangeburg, South Carolina

Terrie W.

Paula Payton gave an absolutely amazing tour (on short notice) to the Sumter HS Black Heritage Club. She gave beneficial information and enthralling history. She answered all questions expertly and completely (and there were a lot of them). She was energetic and a joy. The students were excited to tour and even more excited with her tour on the bus ride home. As the chaperone I enjoyed the tour as well. I also now have great information to share with those unable to join us on the tour. I have a qualified contact (Paula Payton 😍) to share with anyone in need of more information than I can possibly retain. Much Love to Paula AND Claflin!

LaToya G.

Campus was beautiful as always! The students and faculty I passed were all very friendly! I'm a proud 2008 graduate!

Love

Awful experience. I was picked on by some lowlives. If I knew how stupid Beckford was, I would've let them have it; however, my scholarships are more important. All he did was look at me like I was stupid and dismissed me. I bet if a fight occurred, it wouldn't have ended that way. There is only so much a person can take. He noticed multiple students requesting room changes from those same individuals yet thought nothing of it. I guess no one except me saw the devil in them. I couldn't enjoy myself anymore and started skipping meals. They laughed, mocked, gaslighted, insulted, and yelled at me everywhere I went. Even blocking them on several platforms and wearing noise-cancelling headphones didn't help because they would only get louder and find other ways to contact me. Sleeping in my car seemed like a better alternative than being on campus. I spent many late nights alone in the cold just so I could have some peace, ruining my sleep schedule. It's crazy how some people will go great lengths to tear you down just because they want what you have. I was being asked if I was thinking about hurting myself, but what does it matter? I would just be another bereavement email that no one would read.

Whoever thought that placing transfer students in freshman dorms is an idiot. Even if I was given the choice to pick an upperclassmen dorm, no one answered my question about which buildings were which. It shouldn't matter if it's your first year there; if you transferred as an upperclassman, you should be accommodated as one. And I don't know why so many people think that when they come to college, they can still fight like they're in high school. You will get kicked out (better yet arrested).

Dorms aren't worth the price. Some people have complained about moldy curtains, broken closets, broken air conditioners, etc. Maybe I'm overreacting but I can't put up with having to worry about someone using my damn bar soap when they have their own and having the AUDACITY to leave pubic hair on it, partying late at night, leaving Marijuana shake on MY SIDE of the bathroom, not cleaning up after themselves, leaving trash in the common area days at a time which created a retched smell, etc. You're worried about looking cute and can't remember to flush the toilet... disgusting. I really wish more schools would give you access to your own bathroom and build THICKER WALLS because that was ridiculous. They say when you live in a dorm, it is your home away from home. It's more like hell away from home. If you can afford a place to yourself and commute to school, DO IT!

The dining hall food isn't worth it either (what a waste of nearly $3k). Even the salad bar isn't good at times! Sometimes, the food is undercooked or cold (from my experience). Heard several students suffered from food poisoning. Allegedly, one of the employees in the dining hall physically attacked a student. Some students mentioned how they were afraid to enter the dining hall after that. Regardless of who did what, it could have been avoided.

Heard complaints from many students about how public safety sucks. I believe it because one time I asked them for help and they told me to ask someone else.

If you want to attend an HBCU, I recommend looking elsewhere (maybe a school with more diversity). A school where the staff cares about the well-being of their students, not just some last-minute hirees that only care for a check. Some of them could care less about your experience. You can see right through their fake smiles.

I should've known that this wasn't the place for me when I noticed how terribly organized their open house was.

So much to say. Not enough space.

0/10 would never recommend.

Christine M.

Student move in day was as organized as could be. The students had to go through rapid COVID testing prior to moving in on campus. Once cleared the process began. Parking was a little challenging. But it was as good as it could be. We needed handicap parking and security was able to assist is with that and it made things more manageable for us.

Gwen J.

Daughter attended/graduated and the entire staff is supportive in whatever “Vision”, one may have! Her career has remained filled with great opportunities and upward mobility! Opportunities st CU are unlike any other HBCU I’ve seen or heard of! Small n personal with a dynamic array of choices! GREAT School!

Johnathan G.

As a parent of a student attending Claflin University I hate the day I ever agreed to her attending this HBCU. For the fees and lies these ppl tell, it is not even in a safe place. Shooting happens around the school more often than I care to mention and the officers handle it in an extremely irresponsible/ UNPROFESSIONAL way by urging caution (notice I say shootings) not canceling classes until further notice. Maybe bc it's a HBCU I'm not sure but I'm certain of this she will not attend anymore after this semester. I would not recommend this University to anyone it stinks and they have a horrible bed bug infestation. Babies please choose a safe University to attend so neither you or your parents have to worry we send you off to get an education not to get shot. In the meantime I pray for everyone's safety at Claflin University.

Robert B.

Claflin... I remember it as if it was just yesterday when I matriculated from the University. College days swiftly pass! Great school but unfortunately the city is not the most College integrated.
You will definitely get out of it what you put in both educationally and socially. It can definitely be a great stepping stone to a brighter future.

Jericha W.

This is the best HBCU in South Carolina. However, I dislike the city of Orangeburg. This city is full of crazy locals and criminals. It is very dangerous for young, female college students to walk the streets alone. Claflin University is a great academic institution in spite of the surrounding city. Also, the tuition is a little steep, but the university offers some scholarships.

Terrie W.

Paula Payton gave an absolutely amazing tour (on short notice) to the Sumter HS Black Heritage Club. She gave beneficial information and enthralling history. She answered all questions expertly and completely (and there were a lot of them). She was energetic and a joy. The students were excited to tour and even more excited with her tour on the bus ride home. As the chaperone I enjoyed the tour as well. I also now have great information to share with those unable to join us on the tour. I have a qualified contact (Paula Payton 😍) to share with anyone in need of more information than I can possibly retain. Much Love to Paula AND Claflin!

LaToya G.

Campus was beautiful as always! The students and faculty I passed were all very friendly! I'm a proud 2008 graduate!

Love

Awful experience. I was picked on by some lowlives. If I knew how stupid Beckford was, I would've let them have it; however, my scholarships are more important. All he did was look at me like I was stupid and dismissed me. I bet if a fight occurred, it wouldn't have ended that way. There is only so much a person can take. He noticed multiple students requesting room changes from those same individuals yet thought nothing of it. I guess no one except me saw the devil in them. I couldn't enjoy myself anymore and started skipping meals. They laughed, mocked, gaslighted, insulted, and yelled at me everywhere I went. Even blocking them on several platforms and wearing noise-cancelling headphones didn't help because they would only get louder and find other ways to contact me. Sleeping in my car seemed like a better alternative than being on campus. I spent many late nights alone in the cold just so I could have some peace, ruining my sleep schedule. It's crazy how some people will go great lengths to tear you down just because they want what you have. I was being asked if I was thinking about hurting myself, but what does it matter? I would just be another bereavement email that no one would read.

Whoever thought that placing transfer students in freshman dorms is an idiot. Even if I was given the choice to pick an upperclassmen dorm, no one answered my question about which buildings were which. It shouldn't matter if it's your first year there; if you transferred as an upperclassman, you should be accommodated as one. And I don't know why so many people think that when they come to college, they can still fight like they're in high school. You will get kicked out (better yet arrested).

Dorms aren't worth the price. Some people have complained about moldy curtains, broken closets, broken air conditioners, etc. Maybe I'm overreacting but I can't put up with having to worry about someone using my damn bar soap when they have their own and having the AUDACITY to leave pubic hair on it, partying late at night, leaving Marijuana shake on MY SIDE of the bathroom, not cleaning up after themselves, leaving trash in the common area days at a time which created a retched smell, etc. You're worried about looking cute and can't remember to flush the toilet... disgusting. I really wish more schools would give you access to your own bathroom and build THICKER WALLS because that was ridiculous. They say when you live in a dorm, it is your home away from home. It's more like hell away from home. If you can afford a place to yourself and commute to school, DO IT!

The dining hall food isn't worth it either (what a waste of nearly $3k). Even the salad bar isn't good at times! Sometimes, the food is undercooked or cold (from my experience). Heard several students suffered from food poisoning. Allegedly, one of the employees in the dining hall physically attacked a student. Some students mentioned how they were afraid to enter the dining hall after that. Regardless of who did what, it could have been avoided.

Heard complaints from many students about how public safety sucks. I believe it because one time I asked them for help and they told me to ask someone else.

If you want to attend an HBCU, I recommend looking elsewhere (maybe a school with more diversity). A school where the staff cares about the well-being of their students, not just some last-minute hirees that only care for a check. Some of them could care less about your experience. You can see right through their fake smiles.

I should've known that this wasn't the place for me when I noticed how terribly organized their open house was.

So much to say. Not enough space.

0/10 would never recommend.

Christine M.

Student move in day was as organized as could be. The students had to go through rapid COVID testing prior to moving in on campus. Once cleared the process began. Parking was a little challenging. But it was as good as it could be. We needed handicap parking and security was able to assist is with that and it made things more manageable for us.

Gwen J.

Daughter attended/graduated and the entire staff is supportive in whatever “Vision”, one may have! Her career has remained filled with great opportunities and upward mobility! Opportunities st CU are unlike any other HBCU I’ve seen or heard of! Small n personal with a dynamic array of choices! GREAT School!