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First-Year - FAQs

If you are considering deferring to a different entry term, please read through our  Things to Know About Deferring  webpage.

Preparing for the Application

First-Year applicants:  Apply using the  Common Application .

First-Year applicants:  Apply using the Common Application.

You are a first-year applicant if you are currently in high school or you have graduated from high school but have not attempted any college courses since after graduating from high school or earning a GED. If you take college courses over the summer directly after high school graduation, you are still considered a first-year applicant.

Transfer applicants:  Apply using the CU Boulder Transfer Application and see the Transfer Application FAQs .

You are a transfer student if you have graduated from high school (or completed a GED) and earned a grade or W in at least one college course from a recognized institution at any point beginning the summer after your high school graduation.

To complete your application you will need:

• Permanent and mailing addresses for yourself and your parents or guardians
• College or school and major for which you will be applying
• The names, cities and attendance dates of any high schools and collegiate institutions you have attended or are currently attending
• All courses not currently posted on your high school or collegiate transcripts that will be completed before the term for which you are applying, including term/year, course title and department (also course number and credit hours for collegiate course work, if applicable)
• Activities, positions of leadership and academic honors received in high school 
• Most recent employers, hours worked per week and dates of employment (first-year applicants only)
• Parents’ occupation, place of employment and level of education

International

• The names, cities and attendance dates of any secondary schools and tertiary institutions you have attended or are currently attending
• All courses not currently posted on your high school or collegiate transcripts that will be completed before the term for which you are applying, including term/year, course title and department (also course number and credit hours for collegiate coursework, if applicable)
• Activities, positions of leadership and academic honors received in high school
• Most recent employers, hours worked per week and dates of employment (first-year applicants only)

The benefit of applying by the non-binding early action deadline is to give first-year applicants a guaranteed notification date. If you have chosen CU Boulder as one of your top schools and apply by the early action deadline, you will receive a notification of admission, postponement or denial by February 1. A completed application includes the Common App, high school transcripts, essays and letter of recommendation. Early action only pertains to summer and fall applicants; spring applicants have one deadline - October 1.

Yes. Because our decision is non-binding, you are still permitted to apply to other schools that use an early admissions program such as early action or early decision. Early action is for first-year applicants only.

No. The non-binding early action decision allows you to apply to and enroll at another school if you so choose. Early action only pertains to summer and fall applicants, spring applicants have one deadline - October 1.

First-Year applicants:  Complete the personal essay and writing supplement listed below.

Personal Essay (required, 250–650 words):  Choose one of the seven essays from the Common Application.

• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
• Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
• Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
• Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Short Answer Question:  (This short answer must be different written responses than what you provided for the Common Application essay)

• Required question (250 word limit) – Please share a bit more about your academic interests. What do you hope to study at CU Boulder? What has inspired your interests in this area? Or if you are undecided, what area(s) of study are you considering? Think about your prior/current coursework, extracurricular activities, work/volunteer experiences, future goals, or anything else that has shaped your interests.

Transfer applicants: Complete academic interest question listed below.

• Transfer Academic Interest (required, 250 word limt):  Please share a bit more about your academic interests. What do you hope to study at CU Boulder? What has inspired your interests in this area? Or if you are undecided, what area(s) of study are you considering? Think about your prior/current coursework, extracurricular activities, work/volunteer experiences, future goals, or anything else that has shaped your interests.

Yes. If you graduated high school after 1988, the Office of Admissions needs your final, official or unofficial transcript including your graduation date in order to complete your file and give you an admission decision. Transcripts should be sent by mail or electronically to [email protected] or uploaded to your application or status page. Transfer students should refer to the Transfer FAQ page .

If you apply with the intention of attending CU Boulder directly after you graduate high school, we do not require transcripts for any college work completed while you were in high school in order to review your application for an admission decision. However, if you are admitted, you will be required to submit official transcripts for all college work completed while in high school so we may review the work and, if applicable, award you credit.

If you are applying as a transfer student, you will need to submit unofficial or official transcripts for all completed college work, including college work completed during high school, in order to complete your application for an admission decision. process. If you submit unofficial documents, gain admission to CU Boulder and choose to attend, we will require official transcripts upon enrollment.

The Office of Admissions does not host interviews, but we would love to connect with you by phone, email or during a visit program to talk with you about CU Boulder or answer any questions. If there is something that you would like to explain in your application, we encourage you to use the essays to articulate information. Contact the Office of Admissions Service Center at 303-492-6301 to speak with one of our current students, contact your admission counselor or come see us at one of our campus visit programs .

As long as you did not permanently move away from Colorado after graduation, you may answer yes.

Completing the Application

If you have questions about how to complete CU Boulder’s application, please contact our office at 303-492-6301.

If you have questions about the Common Application, please follow the instructions on their website regarding how to receive support.

All materials must be received by our office by the deadline in order to be considered for that deadline.

A completed application consists of:

• Common Application
• $65 application fee, $70 for international students or approved fee waiver
• Official or unofficial high school transcripts*
• Common Application essay and short answer response
• One letter of recommendation

*Official transcripts can be sent electronically by the issuing institution to [email protected] . Unofficial transcripts can be self-submitted to [email protected] or uploaded to your status page. Transcripts written in a language other than English must be accompanied by a literal certified English translation.

No, you are not required to submit test scores. If you would like to have them considered, you should indicate this on your Common Application. To submit scores, you can self-report in the application, upload an unofficial score report to your application status page, or submit an official score report to CU Boulder.

The easiest and fastest way for your ACT and/or SAT scores to be received by CU Boulder is to self report them using your application status page. If you did not request your scores to be sent to CU Boulder when you registered for the exam, you will need to request an additional score report from either ACT or SAT.

CU Boulder's SAT code is 4841 and the ACT code is 0532.

For first-year applicants: One letter of recommendation is required to complete your application. Make sure you choose someone who can provide good insight into your character and your abilities as a student. If you choose to submit additional letters of recommendation, we suggest sending no more than two. Make sure you choose people who know you well and can talk about your strengths and how you will contribute to the CU Boulder community.

Official transcripts are mailed or sent electronically directly to us by the issuing institution or by the student if the transcript is still in its original sealed envelope. Unofficial transcripts can be used for the purpose of making admissions decisions. All credentials written in languages other than English must be accompanied by a literal certified English translation.

Note: Official transcripts sent via a third party to the student and then uploaded to the application status page are considered unofficial transcripts. 

Official transcripts can be sent to CU Boulder from your school by mail or electronically to [email protected] - we also accept unofficial transcripts uploaded to your status page or emailed to [email protected] . Mailed transcripts received by October 1 will meet the spring application deadline; received by November 15 will meet the first-year, non-binding, early action fall and summer deadline; received by January 15 will meet the first-year fall and summer application deadline. 

First-year applicants: Payable online at the time you submit your Common Application. We recognize that some students may be faced with financial constraints in paying the application fee. Waivers can be granted for documented hardships. Request an application fee waiver at the time of submitting your Common Application.

We extend our support to any student who may have been affected by significant natural disasters or other disruptions. We understand that such disruptions may make it challenging to submit applications, transcripts, and letters of recommendation in time for CU Boulder’s application deadlines. Please  contact your admissions counselor  explaining your situation and they will work with you to find a solution.

After Submitting the Application

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access your application status page. Your application status page will provide important information regarding the status of your application, such as if we are missing anything or if a decision has been made. If you applied through the Common Application, please allow 1-2 business days for your application to get into our system and to receive your application status page activation email.

No. Once you submit your Common Application, you will not be able to request a major change until after your application is complete and a decision is released. Note that your selected academic program has no impact on your admission to the University. We will consider you for admission to CU Boulder regardless of the major you apply to or whether you decide to change it later on.

You may be able to make some updates to your application in your status page . If you are unable to or have more specific questions, please reach out to your admissions counselor or contact us at  [email protected] .

First-year applicants: You can check your application status, as well as what we have and have not received, through your application status page. If you submit a required credential electronically, please give us at least two weeks to receive, process and update your checklist. If you submit a required credential by mail, please give us at least four weeks to receive, process and update your checklist.

In order for us to populate your checklist, we need at least four business days after you submit your application to review our systems and properly connect your documents with your application. If it has been more than four business days since you have applied, more than two weeks since you submitted a required credential electronically or more than four weeks since you submitted a required credential by mail, please contact our office at 303-492-6301 or  [email protected] .

If you submit a required document through the document upload feature on your application status page, please allow 15-20 minutes for your checklist to update. If you submit a required credential electronically, please give us at least two weeks to receive, process and update your checklist. If you submit a required credential by mail, please give us at least four weeks to receive, process and update your checklist.

We accept official test scores through the testing agency or if you have chosen to submit test scores but they still show as missing, you can upload an unofficial score report in your status page.

If you have requested that your transcript be sent to us, please give us four to six weeks to process and begin to evaluate your application and required credentials. If you have questions about what has been received after that amount of time has passed, please contact our office at 303-492-6301 or at [email protected]

• Dates (mo./day/yr.) of continuous physical residence in Colorado
• Dates (mo./day/yr.) of absences from Colorado of more than two months in duration within the past two years
• Dates (mo./day/yr.) of employment in Colorado
• Exact years for which personal resident Colorado income tax returns were filed
• Dates (mo./day/yr.) of active duty military service
• Dates (mo./day/yr.) stationed in Colorado
• Dates you/your family member have had a Colorado driver’s license or ID card (mo./day/yr.)
• Current Colorado driver’s license or ID card number
• Exact years of Colorado motor vehicle registration
• Current Colorado license plate number
• State in which currently registered to vote
• Dates (mo./day/yr.) of Colorado voter registration
• Dates (mo./day/yr.) of ownership of a home in Colorado that is your/your family member's primary residence.

We do not require first-time first-year students to submit a college transcript in order for us to make an admission decision. If you are admitted and confirm your intent to enroll, you must submit your official, final college transcript by July 1. Once you are admitted and confirm your intent to enroll, your transcript will be evaluated for transfer credit within two weeks of your final transcript being received.

First-year applicants:

• Fall and Summer: If you applied and all of your required materials were received in our office by November 15, you will receive notification by February 1. If you applied and all of your required materials were received in our office after November 15, but by January 15, you will receive notification by April 1.
• Spring: We begin processing applications for the spring term on a rolling basis after the October 1 deadline. After this date, please give us six to eight weeks to receive, process and begin to evaluate your application and required credentials.

Once we process your application and required credentials, we may find that additional credentials are needed in order to consider you for admission. Please submit these credentials as soon as possible so we may review your application and provide you with an admission decision. If you submit a required credential electronically, please give us at least two weeks to receive, process and update your checklist. If you submit a required credential by mail, please give us at least four weeks to receive, process and update your checklist.

It may mean that your application was not complete by November 15, or that we are still missing required material(s) from you before we can process your decision. Please check your application status page and contact the Office of Admissions at [email protected] if you have additional questions.

Your admission decision is also posted online. Applicants can check their status on their application status page.

It may mean that your application was not complete by November 15, or that we are still missing required material(s) from you before we can process your decision. Please check your application status page and contact the admissions office at [email protected] if you have additional questions.

Early action applicants will learn of their decision no later than February 1.

No. All applications are reviewed using the same admission criteria. Applicants who apply by the November 15 non-binding, early action deadline are not only guaranteed an early decision, but are also given the opportunity to strengthen their application if the Office of Admissions requests additional information. Visit our plan page  for more information regarding how applications are reviewed.

If you are student with a disability and would like to request services from Disability Services, you can submit documentation of your disability and request an intake and a Disability Specialist. Disability Services is located in the Center for Community, Suite 200, or by calling 303-492-8671 or emailing [email protected] . For more information, visit disabilityservices.colorado.edu.

The CU Boulder Scholarship Application becomes available on November 1. Once you have submitted your admission application, you are eligible to apply for CU Boulder scholarships. You do not have to be admitted to begin your scholarship application.  

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (including school code 001370) will be available for submission starting on October 1. We encourage you to submit your FAFSA as soon as possible. You can apply for financial aid before receiving a CU Boulder admissions decision. 

Official Advancement Placement (AP) scores must be sent to the Office of Admissions directly from the College Board. CU Boulder's CEEB/ETS code is 004841.

International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations, whether leading to a full IB diploma or to an IB certificate, often qualify students for advanced standing at CU Boulder. In general, credit is granted for approved IB examinations at the higher level with a score of four or better. Students admitted to the University of Colorado Boulder, who have graduated from high school having successfully completed an IB Diploma program, shall be granted 24 semester hours of college credit. This credit will be considered applicable toward degree requirements ONLY if approved by the college or school. Depending on the student’s degree program, some of the 24 credits may not be applicable towards degree requirements. No CU Boulder tuition will be charged for these credits and the 24 credits will only be granted if the student receives a score of four or better on an examination administered as part of the IB Diploma program. If the student scores less than four on each IB subject test, the credit hours granted shall be reduced accordingly. Official scores must be sent to the admissions office directly from the IB organization.

Please note: Scores should be sent once all tests are completed and scores are reported--usually at the end of the senior year and not in between your junior and senior year.

Visit www.colorado.edu/admissions/selection/credit for more information.

Prior to receiving an admissions decision and before the first day of classes for the initial application term, you may request to move your application to a future term (within one year), by using the term change form on your application status page. If you would like to withdraw your application, you may do so by using the withdrawal option available on the right-hand margin of your application status page.

After Receiving an Admissions Decision/Post admission

If you have not yet accepted your admissions offer and have decided not to attend CU Boulder, log into your application status page, click the 'Confirm your intent to enroll' form, and select 'I decline my offer of admission.'

If you have accepted your admissions offer and paid the $200 confirmation deposit, you can request to defer your enrollment for up to one year by using the term change form on your status page. If you are considering deferring to a different entry term, please read through our Things to Know About Deferring webpage.

If you have accepted your admissions offer, but have decided not to attend CU Boulder, and if classes haven't started, email [email protected] to request a withdrawal. Please be sure to include your full name, date of birth, and student ID in your email. If classes have started, you will need to submit a withdrawal form to the Office of the Registrar. Find out more about withdrawing here . 

Please note, if you cancel your application or withdraw before the third Wednesday of classes (i.e., you don't receive W grades on your transcript), you're no longer an active student. If you decide to come back to CU Boulder, you'll need to submit a new admission application.

Yes. To complete your student record, the Office of Admissions requires the submission of official final transcripts from all institutions attended. Failure to submit final transcripts will result in a hold that will prevent registration for your second semester. For transcripts to be considered official, they must be sent electronically or by mail directly to CU Boulder Admissions from the issuing institution. Official transcripts can be sent to CU Boulder from your institution by mail or electronically to [email protected] .

Understanding the Admission Decision

Congratulations on your admission to CU Boulder! Please log in to your application status page to confirm your intent to enroll. The confirmation deadline for the fall term is May 1. Students admitted to the summer term should confirm their intent to enroll as soon as they are ready, as summer registration for incoming students often opens in April.

Students in Exploratory Studies have demonstrated significant academic achievement and potential. While not directly admissible to the competitive degree program of application, students possess the skills necessary to succeed at CU. Exploratory Studies recognizes there are several pathways to disciplines such as business, engineering or design. Our advisors help students identify the pathway that best matches their goals, whether that be their original program of application or the discovery of a different option.

No. Students in Exploratory Studies will graduate from one of the seven colleges, schools or programs on the Boulder campus. University Exploration & Advising Center (UEAC) advisors work with first year Exploratory Studies students to develop academic pathways for more than 70 majors and to discover complementary co-curricular experiences that align with their interests.

Many students transfer to one of the degree-granting academic colleges and schools on campus after their first year or opt to continue with Exploratory Studies through their third semester.

We are currently updating our criteria for the automatic consideration scholarships. Please check the Office of Financial Aid website for more details: https://www.colorado.edu/scholarships/auto-consider/first-years 

If you are admitted and confirm your intent to enroll, your AP, IB or previous college course work will be evaluated to determine what credits will transfer to CU Boulder and how this will be applied to your degree. This process can take several weeks after you have confirmed your intent to enroll.

We continue to see record number of applications every year. Unfortunately, this results in us having many more qualified applicants than we are able to offer admission at this time. If you would like to accept your waitlist offer, please complete the Waitlist Request Form in your application status page .

You should accept your spot on the waitlist in your application status page for best consideration. We will not consider additional transcripts, letters of recommendation, or other items for waitlisted students.

Every year is different, and as we continue to review applications, our waitlist evolves and changes. In previous years, we have taken as few as 30 and as many as thousands off the waitlist. If you would like to accept your waitlist offer, please complete the Waitlist Request Form in your application status page .

No, we do not rank our waitlist. We review applicants on our waitlist periodically based on space availability. If you would like to accept your spot on the waitlist, you should complete the Waitlist form in your application status page . This is the best way to indicate you are still interested in CU Boulder.

We will continue to review space availability throughout the spring, up until and even after May 1st. If space becomes available at any point, we will notify you via email and your application status page. We will provide all final decisions before July 1.

No, you are not able to appeal your waitlist decision. If you would like your application to still be in consideration should additional space become available, please complete the Waitlist Request Form to accept your spot on the waitlist. Accepting your spot on the waitlist is the best way to indicate you are still interested in CU Boulder, should space become available.

Yes, you can still apply for federal financial aid using the FAFSA; you do not need to be admitted to CU Boulder in order to do so. Most scholarships in the CU Boulder scholarship application close on March 15, but some opportunities may still be available. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid with questions: https://www.colorado.edu/financialaid/aid-prospective-incoming-freshmen

Yes! Please view our decisions definitions document that goes into detail about what all of our admissions decisions mean. If you have any further questions please contact your admissions counselor . 

Background Information - Criminal History

You will be required to submit the criminal history supplemental form which will be added to your application status page after you submit your application. You will also be required to upload your arrest report or other court documents with this form. Your criminal history information will undergo a specific review separate from the admissions review. More information about the Conduct Review process can be found at www.colorado.edu/policies/procedure-applicants-conduct.  

Any stalking, sexual assault and/or domestic violence offense needs to be reported no matter how long ago the incident took place. Any assault, kidnapping, voluntary manslaughter or murder charges within the past 5 years need to be reported. Please be as thorough as possible in your explanation.

Applicants who have a pending criminal charge OR who have ever been adjudicated guilty or convicted of assault, kidnapping, voluntary manslaughter or murder within the past 5 years OR who have ever been adjudicated guilty or convicted of stalking, sexual assault and/or domestic violence must disclose this information.

Applicants answering ‘yes’ to any of these questions will undergo an additional review by a committee to determine whether the applicant’s offense(s) should have an impact on their admission decision. Factors included in the review process include the nature and gravity of any conduct and whether it bears a direct relationship to a particular aspect of the applicant’s admission, the time passed since the occurrence, the age of the applicant at the time of the conduct and evidence of rehabilitation or good conduct provided by the applicant. For more information please visit our  Criminal and/or Disciplinary History Procedures page . 

The review process will be completed within a reasonable period of time and may generally take 2-4 weeks following the receipt of all necessary information. This timeline may be extended if additional information is pending from the applicant or third parties such as probations officers, law enforcement agencies, etc. or in other circumstance of good cause as determined by CU Boulder. If the timeline is extended, applicants will be notified of the updated timeline.

No. All applicants who have answered ‘yes’ to the criminal history questions are reviewed on an individual basis.

All applicants denied as a result of their criminal history information have the right to appeal this decision. For more information please visit our  Criminal and/or Disciplinary History Procedures page . 

It is required that all applicants disclose their background in the application. If a student is found to have provided inaccurate information on the application, they may be subject to disciplinary action – including revocation of admission and/or dismissal from the university – due to a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

All applicants are required to notify the Office of Admissions if this information changes after they submit their application for admission. You may contact the Office of Admissions at 303-492-6301 to discuss your options.

Background Information - Disciplinary History

You will be required to provide an explanation of your disciplinary history in the application for admission. After submitting your application, you may be asked to submit supporting documentation, like a disciplinary report or other documentation from your school. Your disciplinary history will undergo a specific review separate from the admissions review. More information about the Conduct Review process can be found at www.colorado.edu/policies/procedure-applicants-conduct. 

All explanations should include the approximate date(s) of the probation(s)/suspension(s)/expulsion(s), the sanctions issued (e.g., two-day suspension, five-day suspension, expulsion, etc.), and a description of the specific actions that led to the sanctions. Please note that it is important to describe the  specific behavior  that led to the sanctions. A description such as “I was suspended, because I broke school rules” is not sufficient. Incomplete descriptions will delay the processing of your application. 

Applicants answering ‘yes’ to the disciplinary history question will undergo an additional review by a committee to determine whether the applicant’s offense(s) should have an impact on their admission decision. Factors included in the review process include the nature and gravity of any conduct and whether it bears a direct relationship to a particular aspect of the applicant’s admission, the time passed since the occurrence, the age of the applicant at the time of the conduct and evidence of rehabilitation or good conduct provided by the applicant. For more information please visit our  Criminal and/or Disciplinary History Procedures page . 

The review process will be completed within a reasonable period of time and may generally take 2-4 weeks following the receipt of all necessary information. This timeline may be extended if additional information is requested or in other circumstance of good cause as determined by CU Boulder. If the timeline is extended, applicants will be notified of the updated timeline. 

All applicants denied as a result of their disciplinary history information have the right to appeal this decision. For more information please visit our  Criminal and/or Disciplinary History Procedures page . 

It is required that all applicants disclose their background in the application. If a student is found to have provided inaccurate information on the application, they may be subject to disciplinary action – including revocation of admission and/or dismissal from the university – due to a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. 

All applicants are required to notify the Office of Admissions if this information changes after they submit their application for admission. You may contact the Office of Admissions at 303-492-6301 to discuss your options. 

Conduct Information - Post -Admission Conduct Questions

Due to recent legislation in the state of Colorado, the conduct review process has been split into pre-admission and post-admission phases in order to allow greater access to education for applicants. The pre-admission questions you answered on the application were specifically targeted to certain offenses, while the post-admission questions are broader and will determine eligibility to participate in campus life. How you answer the post-admission questions will not affect your admission or your ability to enroll at CU Boulder.

Not filling out the form on your status page will prevent a housing assignment from being released and will prevent you from registering for your second semester on campus. It will not prevent you from confirming your intent to enroll, applying for housing or registering for your first semester.

Excuse/visit verification forms are only issued when a student attends a formal program, hosted by the Office of Admissions. This includes in-person formalized programs, as well as virtual programs run by Admissions. An excuse/verification form may also be issued if a student officially meets with our counselor on duty, or admissions staff personnel, that are able to log the interaction on the student record.

Visit our  COVID-19 Information website  for information on the campus' mask policy, vaccine requirement and other public health guidance.

Undergraduate Admission Information For:

First-Year Applicants

First-year applicants are in high school, or have graduated from high school but have not taken any college courses after graduating or earning a GED.

Transfer Applicants

Transfer applicants have attended another college or university since earning their high school diploma or GED. Transfer applicants are looking to complete a bachelor’s degree at CU Boulder.

International Applicants

Undergraduate international applicants are students who need a visa to be in the U.S. Apply as a domestic student if you have a U.S. passport or green card.

Readmit Applicants

Veteran Applicants

Undocumented Applicants

CU Boulder counselors are here to help you through the application and answer any questions that may arise during the admission process.

Find Your Counselor

• Join Our Communication List
• Contact Admissions

The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. You may  view the list of ADA and Title IX coordinators  and  review the Regent policy .

As a student or prospective student at CU Boulder, you have a right to certain information pertaining to financial aid programs, the Clery Act, crime and safety, graduation rates, athletics and other general information such as the costs associated with attending CU Boulder. To view this information visit  colorado.edu/your-right-know .

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Writing the CU Boulder Admissions Essay

Written by Steve Fernandez-Brennan on October 6th, 2020

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Guide to Applying to University of Colorado Boulder

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by Maddie Harvey and Kate Stricklan in a CollegeVine Livestream. You can watch the full Livestream for more info.

What’s Covered:

Undergraduate admissions process, how cu boulder evaluates your application, final steps.

Are you interested in attending the University of Colorado Boulder ? As part of the illustrious University of Colorado system, CU Boulder is the state’s flagship university, home to a host of academic programs and a vibrant community.

If you’re applying to CU Boulder as a first-year undergraduate student, your first step is to complete the Common Application , available online via commonapp.org. Transfer students should use the transfer application at colorado.edu. Both applications open on August 1st.

After completing the application, you will submit it, along with your required documents and your application fee. This includes the application itself, one essay, two short answer questions, and a $65 application fee ($70 for international students).

Your high school should also send any official high school transcripts, along with college transcripts, if applicable. SAT and ACT scores are optional — it’s completely up to you whether you choose to submit them. You will also need to submit one academic letter of recommendation and a resume or activities list.

The first deadline is November 15, which is the Summer and Fall early action deadline. Then, January 15 is the Summer and Fall regular decision deadline for first-year students.

You can view the transfer deadlines, which differ slightly from first-year deadlines, on the school’s official website.

CU Boulder performs a holistic review of your application. The factors it assesses include the difficulty of your classes, your course load, your cumulative GPA — a positive, upward grade trend is helpful — any test scores that you choose to submit, and the strength of your current schedule. 

In terms of extracurriculars, they will look for any volunteer and work experiences that you’ve had, any leadership positions you’ve held, and unique talents in your background. 

They will also pay attention to any extenuating circumstances that you choose to share on your application. 

To see the status of your application, check your email for instructions on how to access the application status page. It’s important for you to put down an email that you have access to because of all of the important updates you’ll receive. Even your admission decision is going to be sent to the email that you have registered with your Common Application.

Remember there are many rewards to attending CU Boulder. The opportunities aren’t just limited to your years on campus — they extend far beyond graduation. 

Being a part of the community means joining a group of bold people doing bold things. Eighty-nine percent of CU Boulder graduates were employed or in grad school within six months of graduation, and 80% of graduates are accepted into their first-choice grad school. It’s an exciting place to be and grow!

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University of Colorado - Boulder Undergraduate College Application Essays

These University of Colorado - Boulder college application essays were written by students accepted at University of Colorado - Boulder. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.

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College Application Essays accepted by University of Colorado - Boulder

A counselor's camper anonymous, university of colorado - boulder.

As I drove up to Maine, I knew exactly where I was going, but I did not know what to expect. I was to spend my eighth summer at Wyonegonic Camps, but for the first time as an Assistant Counselor (AC). I had first arrived there as a nervous...

Finding the Woman In a Girl Lauren Allison Hirshowitz

I watched in admiration as the gentleman in front of me hoisted my fifty-three pound backpack onto his head and began nonchalantly hiking over jagged rock, leading me through the village of Dogbadzi, Togo, where I would live for the next two...

On Hockey and Being a Girl Linh Mai Nguyen

It was an ordinary game of floor hockey. My palms were soaked, my skin unbearably itchy. The droplets of sweat were rolling down my back. But I couldn’t pay any attention to that. The offensive player was approaching me with the puck, trying to...

Boulder Essay Anonymous

Though my high school does not have a Creed, I feel that if it did the Colorado Creed would fit perfectly. Henry M. Gunn High School breeds a caliber of student that is both intellectually hungry and incredibly compassionate. This is, of course,...

Acceptance Samantha Ann Goetz

Acceptance is a rare thing in today’s society. Growing up I have always been taught not only tolerance but also acceptance. One of the biggest things that sets me apart from many of the other students on the CU-Boulder campus is that my mother is...

As I Am Michael William Bell

Most people are surprised to find out that I am dyslexic. Of course, most people don’t know. It’s not that I am ashamed of it, just that I don’t like to tell people about my problems. It is hard to hide, however, when a teacher asks me to read...

Sandy's Lesson Michael William Bell

There is a special bond that forms between a dog and its owner. Sandy and I were no exception. That was why I wasn't really surprised when my mom told me the news. In a way, I already knew.

My family got Sandy when I was six, so she was a part of...

My Safe Haven Alyx Andra Horace

Ernest Hemingway once said, “I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen.” From going through twelve years of schooling so far, I’ve learned things far beyond the realm of the classroom setting...

The City of Dreams Anonymous

I’ve been to New York once in my entire lifetime. I was six years old and my father had to travel there on a business meeting, taking the rest of us along. I’m not particularly skilled in recalling events from numerous years ago, so when I reflect...

4N6 Anonymous

When I first heard of Forensics, I imagined a combination of Family Feud and a presidential inauguration. There I would stand – on a wide stage, a never-ending sea of people staring, and spotlights shining down. Imagine my surprise – and immense...

Swinging John William Brosler

“Climbers, at your marks!” shouted the Chilean official in his thick Spanish accent. The musty air filled my nostrils before I let out one last, shaky breath. I wasn’t really supposed to be here. Luck was the only thing that had gotten me to a...

Seasonal Comfort Anonymous

Here you find a wild Kirby in her natural habitat.

~ My hair still damp and smelling of chlorine, a product of summer’s first swim, I settle into the armchair’s cool leather embrace. Sipping iced coffee and gazing out the window I mentally prepare...

One More Fight Anonymous

I'm standing in the arena, facing my opponent. Hands on guard and ready to fight, fists clenched and sweat dripping down my fingers. In the distance, I hear the command, "fight!" The match has begun.

Sparring, kata, sweeps, hooks, and grabs had...

Connecting to Community Kaitlyn Oudt

Jessie trotted, dust plumes lifting around his hooves. I gripped the saddle’s hold bar, securing Jaidyn to the saddle with my forearm and keeping her feet in the stirrups. She flailed her arms, hurling the plastic red cup from her hand. It landed...

Food & Family Anonymous

“Food is the way to a man's heart.” This surprisingly sexist saying has always been a coveted motto among the women in my large Latino family. The number of times my abuela disclosed what she believed to be the secret to love to me is...

My favorite place Noelle Simon

When I was seven years old, I used to think my floor was made of hot lava or occasionally under siege by a pack of angry anacondas. So, at night when it was time for me to go to bed, I would have to take one giant leap to make it to the massive...

Reality Strikes Anonymous

July 19, 2012. On that day, 23 people lost their lives in a violent shooting. I was less than 100 miles away from this, sitting in the Cinemark Theater dressed up as Two Face as my friends and I waited eagerly for the same movie; unknown to me was...

That One Perfect Place Anonymous

My one place of contentment, in all of time and space, actually is a place where I am constantly moving. Literally. That one perfect, happy place for me is sitting atop the saddle of a horse. Although a saddle is not the most comfortable thing in...

Breathe Easy Anonymous

I took a breath and assured myself that everything would be all right. Looking up, I could see the sunlight breaking through the ripples, reaching me from the surface, breaking the sixty feet of water above my head. There was no sound, everything...

Carnegie Bound Tara Troiano

It is often thought that the fastest route to Carnegie Hall is practice. I would never discredit the importance of practice, knowing its vitality in my own vocal development, but I believe confidence is equally important to success for any...

No Pain, No Gain Anonymous

First, it was my leg. I was three years old, running around the grassy backyard in my sparkly purple leotard, quietly catching glances of my neighbors flying up and down from across the lawn. With a misguided confidence, I determined that I,...

Snowboarding Anonymous

It felt like I was flying and in control of where I wanted to go.

Expecting to spend most of my time on the ground, I surprisingly stayed on my feet loving every minute of this adventure.

Snowboarding has not only become a sport that I really...

The Dancing Kid Anonymous

Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han; Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han; Sui Tang Song, Sui Tang -

Suddenly, while I was singing the names of the ancient Chinese dynasties in preparation for my early morning Chinese class, I was interrupted by a flash of red and a blast of...

The Most Important Subjects Anonymous

All summer I had been speculating about the first day of high school, but not for the same reasons as my peers. While others were perfecting their “summer bods,” I was worried about one particular class and one particular teacher. As I took a...

Recent Questions about University of Colorado - Boulder

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CU Boulder | Nailing the College Essay

LIVE with Colledge | CU Boulder

There are so many college questions on parents’ minds these days.  What is changing in college admissions due to the coronavirus?  Should my child apply to more or fewer colleges?  What are advantages/disadvantages of going the test-optional route?   And how should my student use summer months to get ahead of the curve with their college essays?

If you are a parent of a rising senior with questions like these, don’t miss our  free LIVE Session  “Nailing the College Essay”  with Laurie Callaway, Assistant Director of Admissions for University of Colorado, Boulder on July 1 st , at 6:00 pm.

Laurie will discuss the Common Application essay and key elements admissions officers want to see in this critical piece of writing, as well as themes she looks for in the Boulder supplemental essay, which reads:

“At the University of Colorado Boulder, no two Buffs are alike.  We value difference and support equity and inclusion of all students and their many intersecting identities. Pick one of your unique identities and describe its significance.”

Whether your child has started their college essays or doesn’t seem to have a clue as to where to begin, our experienced consultants will design a tailor-made essay writing plan that works for any student.

To RSVP for our LIVE Session with CU Boulder, click  HERE .

To learn more about how we might help your child make the most of their essay writing this summer, click  HERE  to schedule a free phone consultation.

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Colledge Talk | Parental Units Part II: The Essay

University of Vermont 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action/Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15

You Have: 

University of Vermont 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1 essay of 500 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Community , Oddball

UVM has come up with five very different prompts to help you show admissions a little bit more about who you are and what matters to you. So pick whichever question suits you and take this unique opportunity to speak to admissions in your own voice!

The optional essay is a chance for us to get to know you better — a wonderful way to share your interests while demonstrating your creativity. Please answer one of the five questions:

1) why uvm.

When all else fails, there’s always the classic Why essay. And we say this with praise! The why essay is not a fallback option, but it is a great choice for applicants who don’t feel inspired by the other prompts, or who just feel more inclined to plead their case in a more straightforward way. The secret to a successful why essay is research, so take some time to explore the school website or even visit campus and get to know all that UVM and Burlington have to offer. Jot down everything that excites you! When you have a solid list in hand, consider how it connects to your own interests and goals. Perhaps you’ve been wanting to find a way to lower your carbon footprint, and you see a lot of potential in studying Environmental Sciences at UVM and shopping at the Burlington Farmers Market. Just remember that the goal is to share something new about yourself, not to rattle off a list of facts about the school! Talk about your interests, goals, and dreams so admissions can understand what a UVM education will mean to you.

2) Established in Burlington, VT, Ben & Jerry’s is synonymous with both ice cream and social change. The “Save Our Swirled” flavor raises awareness of climate change, and “I Dough, I Dough” celebrates marriage equality. If you worked alongside Ben & Jerry, what charitable flavor would you develop and why?

Who doesn’t love ice cream? Our mouths started watering just reading this prompt. Like with all Oddball prompts, admissions just wants to give you the opportunity to get creative and think outside the box. UVM is going a step further this year by also asking you to talk about an issue that is dear to your heart. Don’t get too caught up in crafting the perfect blend of sweet and salty; instead,  start by choosing the social issue that you’d like to raise awareness for and/or celebrate and then break down the elements and see if they relate to tastes. Let’s say your topic is wanting to close the gender pay gap. Maybe it’s called “82% Vanilla” (since, in 2022, it was reported that women make 82% on the dollar that men make on average) and it features a mostly vanilla base with a topping of chocolate fudge and cherry swirl that represent the 12% women deserve to reach equal pay. WIth a thin layer of crispy bruléed sugar on top to symbolize the glass ceiling that needs to be broken! There’s really no wrong way to answer this prompt, so long as you are being creative, true to yourself, and revealing new information about an issue that is important to you.

3) UVM is a community that celebrates the unique identity of every student, faculty and staff member. Tell us how your identities have shaped the ways you interact with the world.

We all wear many hats, and UVM wants to hear about the ways in which your intersecting identities have shaped you. You’ll want to go beyond the standard “I’m a daughter/student/athlete” here and, instead, mine your life for other roles you play. Perhaps you’re a Vietnamese midwesterner foodie who can whip up fresh spring rolls with cilantro and shrimp for lunch and a steamy green bean casserole for dinner. How has cuisine and culture played a role in your identity and worldview? Maybe you’re a body-positive performer living with a physical disability who knows a thing or two about standing out in a crowd. How have the ways you move through the world and take up space impacted the way you interact with your surroundings? However your identities merge, get specific and explain what it’s like to be you and what the world looks like through your eyes.

4) From the Green Mountains to Lake Champlain to our campus, UVM students are inspired by our location to think about their relationship to the environment. What does your relationship with your environment look like?

Calling all nature lovers! Do you feel a profound connection to this planet we call home? Then this prompt is for you. UVM is proud to exist among mountains, forests, and farms in Burlington, Vermont, and admissions wants to learn more about what the environment means to you. Whether you’ve always been the outdoorsy type—spending weekends camping, ice skating, or fishing—or you’re a city gal excited to study somewhere where you can bike, hike, and kayak all in one day, take this opportunity to elaborate on how your environment inspires you. Are you hoping to major in Environmental Studies? Do you like to sit in the woods, meditating on the breeze in the trees and how connected all living things are? Does nature ground you? Your experience with the environment is personal, and if you feel comfortable, admissions would like to hear about it in your own words.

5) If you could pick one song to be the soundtrack of your life, what would it be? What is your connection to the song?

“Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey…Alright, fine, maaaybe that song is a bit cliché at this point. But don’t underestimate the first few songs that pop into your head. You don’t have to say that your soundtrack song would be “Requiem” by Mozart or something by Enya to impress admissions here (unless you really feel that way, and, if that’s the case, rock on 🤘). Be true to yourself. Maybe the soundtrack of your life would be “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen, because A) you’ve been itching to explore the world since you could walk and B) you and your sister sing-scream it at the top of your lungs anytime it comes on in the car. Or perhaps your song would be “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys 🔥 because you’re a tenacious competitor who has always had the fire in her belly. Whichever song you choose, be sure to include a brief explanation of your selection that reveals your personal connection to it, as well as new information about your interests or personality.

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Common app personal essay.

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

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Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

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How Deion Sanders' son ended up declaring bankruptcy: 'Kind of stunning’

Big questions raised in bankruptcy case of colorado football safety shilo sanders, son of colorado's coach.

As a 24-year-old college football player at the University of Colorado, Shilo Sanders has quite a problem on his hands:

Bankruptcy.

More than $11 million in debt.

And now there are court proceedings that question his wealth and where he’s keeping it .

How did it even reach this point?

According to court filings by his attorney, it’s primarily because Sanders − son of Colorado coach Deion Sanders – didn’t show up for a civil trial in Texas in March 2022. But the case raises other questions about that, including why he didn’t have an attorney looking out for him back then and whether Sanders can use the bankruptcy court to erase that debt as desired.

In an effort to find some answers to that and more, USA TODAY Sports contacted bankruptcy law and civil procedure experts for their insight. Records obtained by USA TODAY Sports also show the Dallas County court in question had trouble finding where to send Shilo Sanders any notice of the trial that he missed, leading him to suffer a $12 million civil default judgment as a result, followed by his bankruptcy filing last October.

“There are parts of this story that make no sense to me,” University of Texas law professor Mechele Dickerson said.

Is Shilo Sanders in this trouble because he missed a court date?

In a way, yes. But it all stems from an incident in 2015, when Sanders allegedly assaulted a security guard at his high school when Sanders was just 15. The security guard, John Darjean, said he suffered permanent injuries as a result and then sued Shilo Sanders for damages in June 2016.

But the case dragged on in court for years. Shortly before it finally went to trial in March 2022, the court in Dallas County, Texas noted that it had “no updated mailing address for defendant Shilo Sanders.” The court attempted to send a trial notice to Shilo Sanders in February 2022, but sent it to his old address in South Carolina, more than a year after he had transferred to Jackson State in Mississippi .

He didn’t show up for the trial after not receiving a notice for it. So the court accepted Darjean’s version of events without Shilo Sanders there to dispute it − entering a $12 million default judgment against Sanders in favor of the security guard. That debt then led Shilo Sanders to file for bankruptcy last year in an effort to get it discharged .

Didn’t he have an attorney looking out for him?

He did before April 2020, but his attorneys asked to withdraw from the case after that. They said in court records that they were “informed by (Shilo) Sanders that he is unwilling or unable to continue funding the defense of this case.”

If he had kept an attorney on the case, that attorney would have likely received any trial notices to help him avoid such a giant default judgment.  They then could have disputed the allegations in court, as Shilo Sanders and his father had done previously through their attorneys in the case.

“In April 2020, Shilo, an undergraduate college student at the time, could no longer afford the attorney fees he was incurring in the protracted litigation with the Plaintiff,” Shilo Sanders’ bankruptcy attorney said in a court filing from February. “As a result, Shilo’s attorneys withdrew in April 2020, leaving Shilo unrepresented in the action.”

His current attorney also said Shilo Sanders didn’t know about the $12 million judgment until last year. And that's puzzling to Dickerson, the law professor.

“I have to say it’s kind of stunning given the wealth of the father that there wasn’t a lawyer involved advising them that you can’t just kind of ignore a lawsuit,” Dickerson said.

Did Deion Sanders know about the case?

Yes.  Shortly before Darjean filed his lawsuit in 2016, Deion Sanders called Darjean’s allegations a “crock” and said the security guard was a “grifter.” Deion Sanders also previously was named as a defendant in Darjean’s lawsuit and was accused of negligence as a parent. In 2017, Deion Sanders walked out of a deposition in the case because he didn’t like the questions he was being asked, according to a filing by Darjean’s attorney.

“After approximately three to five minutes of being deposed, the Defendant, Deion Sanders abruptly stood up refusing to answer any further questions and left the deposition room and site without the consent of Plaintiff’s counsel and Defendant’s counsel,” the filing stated.

Deion Sanders later won a summary judgment ruling against Darjean that got the claims against him removed in January 2019. Shilo Sanders then left to play college football at South Carolina that year as a freshman with Darjean’s lawsuit still pending against him.

Can Shilo Sanders just erase the debt in bankruptcy court?

That’s what he wants. But it’s not so simple because Darjean is fighting it and trying to collect on that judgment.

“People are allowed to discharge debts in bankruptcy to give relief to the honest but unfortunate debtor,” said Angela Littwin, a bankruptcy expert and law professor at the University of Texas.

However, there are exceptions to this. One involves “willful and malicious injury.”

“If the bankruptcy court takes Darjean's version of events as true or finds that they are true, then the willful and malicious exception to discharge may apply,” Littwin said.

Shilo Sanders’ attorneys didn’t immediately return messages seeking additional comment.

What's next?

Shilo Sanders' attorneys recently used bankruptcy court proceedings to dispute Darjean’s allegations about what happened in 2015, when Darjean said he was trying to confiscate Sanders’ phone at school.

Sanders’ bankruptcy attorney said in a court filing from February that the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services “found that the Plaintiff (Darjean) acted with unreasonable and unwarranted aggression, exceeding the amount of force warranted and appropriate for a school security officer, and that there was `Reason to Believe that the fifteen year old child, Shilo Sanders, was inappropriately disciplined by the [Plaintiff] security guard at his school.’”

That’s the kind of evidence that would have helped Shilo Sanders at trial in 2022. Now the question is whether it’s too late and he’ll be burdened by a massive debt.

"We obviously reserve all rights to raise and argue any facts and evidence, regardless of whether it was briefed or argued about in the state court proceeding (in Texas), in order to litigate the discharge issue in bankruptcy court," one of Shilo's attorneys wrote in March to Darjean's attorneys.

After joining Colorado as a graduate student, Shilo Sanders was Colorado’s leading tackler in 2023. He had a gross income of $193,713 in 2023, up to when he filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Colorado in October, according to his filing. He is entering his final college season this fall and is expected to play in the NFL after that.

The University of Colorado said Shilo and Deion Sanders declined comment.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer . Email: [email protected]