Academics

Rion Holcombe Is Going to Clemson: WATCH a College Applicant With Down's Syndrome Get The Best News of His Life (VIDEO)

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When Rion Holcombe received a letter in the mail from a school, his mother turned the camera on, because her son has Down's syndrome and the letter was from Clemson University.

Susan Holcombe posted the video of her son opening and reading the letter that would tell him if he was accepted to the Clemson LIFE Program designed for students with intellectual disabilities. Spoiler: he got in and his reaction is priceless.

After appearing to skim over the letter, Holcombe's father helps his son with the wording.

"What's that first word right there?" the dad asks Rion. "It says 'congratulations.'"

At that point, Rion begins to put the pieces together, widens his eyes and realizes he is going to be a college student.

"I got accepted?" he said excitedly as his father continues to read the letter's good news.

Holcombe will begin the program in the fall semester of 2014 and his first day will be Aug. 17 with 14 of his peers.

"This is an amazing two-year program for a small number of young adults with special needs. This isn't a program in which one can earn a degree," Susan said in a statement. "Right now, Clemson is one of five universities in SC with a LIFE program. I love that kids like Rion get to experience college life and this type of independence. Proud of my alma mater!"

According to Clemson LIFE's website, the program is designed for students with intellectual disabilities to better acclimate themselves in their community. The program may not give out a degree, but it will help its students discover who they are and what they want to do, develop social skills and even seek jobs and internships.

The site identifies this as their purpose: "The mission of the Clemson LIFE Program at Clemson University is to provide a coordinated course of study that includes career exploration and preparation along with self-awareness, discovery, and personal improvement through a framework of courses, job internships, and community participation."

Needless to say, Rion plans to accept Clemson LIFE's invitation.

"You're going to be a college student," Susan told her son. "You're going to be a Clemson Tiger."

Below: watch Rion's application video, also uploaded by his mother, Susan.

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