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  Required Materials for a Complete Application

First-year applicants apply using the  Common Application .

The application fee is:

• $65 for domestic applicants
• $70 for international applicants

Payable online at the time you submit your application or by check or money order (made payable to the University of Colorado) after you submit your application. If submitting a check or money order, include your full legal name and date of birth. We recognize that some students may face financial constraints in paying the application fee. If you submit an application fee waiver form, you might receive a waiver for documented hardships.

If you are eligible for an application fee waiver you can request one on the Common Application.

Complete the personal essay and a short answer question 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 a different written response from what you provided for the Common Application essay.)

• Required question (250 word limit):  What do you hope to study, and why, at CU Boulder? Or if you don't know quite yet, think about your studies so far, extracurricular/after-school activities, jobs, volunteering, future goals or anything else that has shaped your interests.

CU Boulder requires one academic letter of recommendation. Your recommender must send the letter of recommendation. There is an option to add a recommender to the Common App, which will send a request for them to submit their letter, or you can ask your recommender to email your letter to [email protected] . Ensure your recommender includes your full legal name and date of birth at the top of all recommendation letters.

Transcripts can be official or unofficial. Please submit them directly to CU Boulder from the issuing institution for admission review. You can upload your transcripts to your application status page in the "upload materials" section, mail them or send them to [email protected] . CU Boulder will need official documents upon enrollment to verify credentials. 

Review International Transcript Requirements

Please note: If you have not graduated and do not plan to graduate from high school, you must request an official copy of your certificate of high school equivalency and official GED, TASC or HiSET scores, plus an official transcript of any high school coursework completed.

  Additional Required Materials

Applicants must also complete a College of Music application after their admission application has been submitted, provide a letter of reference and schedule an audition.

Visit the College of Music website for more information.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to supporting all students, including undocumented, DACA and ASSET-eligible students.

Visit the Admission Information for Undocumented Students page for more information.

In addition to our general admission requirements, all international applicants are required to meet a minimum standard of English proficiency . International students who do not meet this requirement may still be eligible for conditional admission.

If you were previously enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at CU Boulder and you want to reapply for a 2023 term, please visit the Admission Information for Readmit Students page for more information.

 Optional Materials

ACT and SAT scores are not required for first-year students, but you may provide self-reported scores if you would like us to consider them when reviewing your application. 

Review First-Year Student FAQs

Questions about applying to CU Boulder?

First-Year Applicant FAQs

What to Do After Submitting Your Application

While we process and review your application, regularly check your email and your application's status through your application status page. We will notify you if we need additional information.  

Check your application status.

After submitting your application, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to access your application status page . The page includes information on what we have received and what you need to do next.

When will I receive my admission decision?

First-year applicants who submitted and completed their applications by Nov. 15 will receive an admission decision by Feb. 1. First-year applicants who submitted and completed their applications by Jan. 15 can expect an admission decision by April 1.

Apply for financial aid and scholarships.

After you have submitted a complete application for admission, you can apply for financial aid and scholarships , even if you have not yet been admitted to CU Boulder. Learn about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CU Boulder Scholarship Application .

Admission Support for Students Affected by Recent Natural Disasters

We extend our support to any student who may have been affected by significant natural disasters and disruptions this year. We understand that such disruptions may make it challenging to submit applications, transcripts and letters of recommendation in time for CU Boulder’s regular decision deadline. We will waive the application fee and accept a nonacademic letter of recommendation from someone other than a teacher or high school counselor for students affected by a natural disaster.

To request an application fee waiver code, students should email  [email protected]  with the subject line “Application Fee Waiver Request – Natural Disaster.” The student will receive more information about a fee waiver through email.

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.

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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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Want to see your chances of admission at University of Colorado Boulder | CU Boulder?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

University of Colorado Boulder | CU Boulder’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Why this major short response.

What do you hope to study, and why, at CU Boulder? Or if you don‘t know quite yet, think about your studies so far, extracurricular/after-school activities, jobs, volunteering, future goals, or anything else that has shaped your interests.

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.

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.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

University of Colorado Boulder 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action: Nov 15

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15

You Have: 

University of Colorado Boulder 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1 essays of 250 words  

Supplemental Essay Type(s):   Why

What do you hope to study, and why, at CU Boulder? Or if you don’t know quite yet, think about your studies so far, extracurricular/after-school activities, jobs, volunteering, future goals, or anything else that has shaped your interests.

This prompt is asking you to: describe what you want to study, explain why you like it so much, and address how you cultivated this interest. The admissions officer reviewing your application will expect you to connect your intended major to some prior experience and/or passion. In other words, tell a story. Lucky for you, we would have advised you to start with an anecdote anyway. The essays that stick with us are the ones that jump off the page with concrete descriptions from real life. What interests you and why? How have you gone about learning more about your major? When did your interest begin? What will this degree allow you to do? How have you already explored your inclination? While you don’t need to narrow in on the exact moment you became interested in geology or music education, try to focus on one significant experience. And if you’re going in undecided, take some time to explore CU Boulder’s academic offerings and choose a few to highlight in your response. Admissions doesn’t expect you to have your whole life figured out just yet–but they do expect you to put time and energy into your response.  

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How to Write the University of Colorado Boulder Essay 2018-2019

University of Colorado Boulder, also known as CU Boulder, is the flagship university of the University of Colorado system and one of the oldest public universities in the Southwest. UC Boulder is a large university, with more than 30,000 undergraduate students enrolled every year. Founded in 1876, the university has been home to 12 Nobel laureates and 20 astronauts. In addition to its academic prestige, their athletic teams have won numerous national championships, most notably in skiing.

Accepted students had an average SAT of between 1140 and 1370 and an ACT of 25-30. While CU Boulder is a less selective university, with an acceptance rate of 77%, the essay still plays a role in admissions. With the following guide, CollegeVine is here to help provide some tips on how to tackle this essay.

CU Boulder Application Essay Prompt

CU Boulder’s supplementary essay requires a response of between 250-650 words. This is a pretty wide berth, but overall it is best to stick to the longer end, in order to include as much detail in your response as possible.

As a vibrant community of learners dedicated to inclusive excellence, the students, faculty and staff at the University of Colorado Boulder seek to be open and respectful of contrasting beliefs and opinions. Every student has a unique life experience and a set of circumstances by which they are shaped and influenced. Your background may have been shaped by family history, cultural traditions, race, ethnicity, religion, politics, income, ideology, gender identity or sexual orientation.

Reflect on your unique background and tell us about a time when you had to relate to someone whose life experience was very different from your own. how did you approach the difference if put in a similar situation again today, would you respond differently if so, how.

There are three main points you want to get across in your response for this prompt: 1) how your background is unique, 2) how you related to someone else who is different from you and how you handled the situation, and 3) how you would react to the same situation today. Since the most important part of your response is the interaction between you and the other person, the bulk of your essay should be spent on points two and three.

However, it is still necessary to inform the admissions council of your unique background by devoting around a paragraph to discussing it. It is even more essential to convey the story you choose to tell effectively, and to end it with a brief, but comprehensive, overview of your current thoughts on your previous interaction.

Here, it is a good idea to comment on your growth as a person. Maybe you were inspired to interact with more people of different backgrounds through a service trip or time spent abroad. Talk about what you would have done differently in the situation you choose to describe, but also show how you’ve changed and matured since that encounter. Lastly, make sure to tie this into how you interact with others today, and how this will benefit you at UC Boulder.

How to structure your essay response:

• Point 1: Your Unique Background — this shouldn’t be just one characteristic, but a plethora of things that have culminated in your upbringing and development.
• Examples: You were adopted, your parents are significantly older than those of your friends, you have a disability, you’ve lived in the same house for all your life, you’ve moved often, or you had a full-time job all throughout high school.
• Point 2: The Story — discuss your interaction with someone different from you.
• Examples: “ I volunteered at my town’s local living center, and befriended an 88-year-old woman,” “During my sophomore year of high school, I participated in a student-exchange program, and spent a semester at a school in Warsaw,” “When I started babysitting my neighbor’s 11-year-old daughter, I had no idea that I would learn as much from her as she would from me.”
• Point 3: Personal Growth — reflect on the story from point two, focusing on what you would have done differently, and how the experience changed you.
• Examples: “I would have asked her more questions. What did she think the future would be like? What was her take on the war?,” “After that day, I decided I wanted to learn more about the immigration process. I signed up to help out at a refugee assistance center, helping recent immigrants improve their English skills.”
• Conclusion — tie your narrative to something specific at CU Boulder.
• Examples: “My time spent abroad, speaking a different language and really becoming integrated into the community, furthered my desire to study intercultural relations and inspired me to publish my own scholarship. The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program at CU will help make this possible,” “INVST Community Studies will give me concrete skills that can help me further help out the community around me.”

Final Comments

CU Boulder takes great pride in really making an effort to get to know its students. It provides holistic and comprehensive academic advising in order to personalize undergraduate students’ schedules. This commitment toward individual support means that CU Boulder faculty and staff really care about getting to know each student.

Your essay should show the admissions committee some of what distinguishes you from everyone else. It should also convey your passion, drive, and strength of character. In commenting on your growth, discuss what your plans are for the future. In writing of the interaction between you and another person, show your strengths and how you make up for your weaknesses. Infuse your essay response with details that will make the admissions committee want to get to know you better.

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

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You are considered a first year student (freshman) at CU Boulder if you have not enrolled at another college or university since graduating from high school. Application checklist: - Complete Common Application - Application fee - Personal essay - Writing supplements - Academic letter of recommendation - High school transcript of equivalency (official or unofficial) - SAT or ACT score (optional)

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Writing the CU Boulder Admissions Essay

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

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10/02/23 | CU Denver: This workshop will define the subtle differences between personal statements, directed application essays, and letters of intent. It will also discuss what should and should not be included in each, common mistakes, and addressing academic transgressions. The workshop will culminate with a few directed writing and brainstorming exercises in order to get participants thinking of ways to begin the essay and topics they can cover. 

Date: Monday, October 02, 2023

Time: 2:00 - 3:00pm

Location: City Heights Learning Commons, Room 2227 AND Via ZOOM

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Integrated Nursing Pathway

Earn Your Nursing Bachelor's Degree

The University of Colorado College of Nursing partners with local community colleges through the Integrated Nursing Pathway. This program facilitates a unique pathway for students to earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in nursing.

Currently, the program is offered through three local community colleges: the Community College of Aurora , the Community College of Denver , and Red Rocks Community College Arvada . This distinct program offers simultaneous application and admission to the local community college and the CU College of Nursing, as well as dual academic advising to support student needs and an early introduction to the role of the professional nurse in the context of quality and safety.

Eligibility and Selection

Program overview.

The Integrated Nursing Pathway is designed to increase access for community college students to baccalaureate nursing education. The program provides outstanding preparation for professional nursing practice. Students admitted into the Integrated Nursing Pathway will receive an exceptional education from a nationally recognized institution.

Please note: This program is intended for Colorado residents who complete the majority of their prerequisite courses in the Colorado Community College system .

Upon admission to the program, students take the first two semesters of classes at the Community College of Aurora, Community College of Denver, or Red Rocks Community College Arvada, receiving an associate degree. Then, students will complete nursing studies at the state-of-the-art CU College of Nursing, receiving a bachelor of science in nursing after two years.

The College of Nursing emphasizes the value of a diverse student population as a way of achieving excellence in practice that is reflective of the cultural diversity of health care recipients.

The following applicants are not eligible for the program:

• Licensed LPN
• Licensed RN
• Registered Psychiatric Technician (RPT)
• Prior Bachelor, Master or Doctoral degree holders

Expected Bachelor's Program Outcomes

• Display novice, professional nursing leadership qualities to promote quality and safe care.
• Engage in effective communication and collaboration in intra– and interdisciplinary teams across a variety of contexts.
• Provide socially just, ethical, and inclusive care to diverse populations across the continuum of care.
• Apply principles of healthcare informatics as a meaningful user of health information systems and technology.
• Reference relevant theoretical frameworks to improve patient and population health outcomes across a range of settings.
• Integrate evidence-based practice into patient-centered care using the nursing process across a range of settings.
• Articulate how policy, advocacy, finance and regulatory environments influence healthcare delivery

*30 Prerequisite Courses + 30 Program Courses = Associates in General Studies

Partnering Community College Programs

• Community College of Aurora
• Community College of Denver​
• Red Rocks Community College Health Sciences Campus

Application Requirements

Applications are submitted through Nursing’s Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS).

Please note: This program is intended for Colorado residents who complete the majority of their prerequisite courses in the Colorado Community College system. Additionally, during applicant review, the number of required INP program courses previously completed is considered (we do not recommend applicants take courses beyond the nine required INP prerequisites).

500 Word Essay

Within your NursingCAS application, you will be asked to upload a 500-word essay which responds to the following writing prompt.

• Given your personal background, describe your interest in nursing and what makes you special or unique?

Essay guidelines: the content of the essay will be used in the scoring/evaluation of your application. Essays needs to be written in 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced with one-inch margins.

Additional Requirements

A Career Caring for Others

CU Nursing student Madison Mey's adoption shapes her path to a healthcare career.

More about Madison »

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First-Year Students

First-year applicant checklist.

The preferred method of submitting documents is by emailing   [email protected] . Upon applying, you'll receive an invitation to the MyTCU Portal and may upload your essay , freedom of expression and resume online.

Continue Your TCU App

Continue Your Common App

Continue Your Coalition App

Continue Your ApplyTexas App

Pay Application Fee

TCU requires a nonrefundable $50 application fee.  (Waived for First-Generation applicants , students with an ACT/College Board waiver, students enrolled in the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program at their high school, or applicants who have been affected by a recent natural disaster )

Choose one  from any of the prompts provided by the TCU application, the Common Application, the Coalition Application or ApplyTexas. Only one essay submission is required.

The prompts below are for applicants using the TCU application. Applicants using Common App, ApplyTexas or Coalition should use the prompts within their application.

Essay Information

TCU is a selective university, and our Admission and Scholarship Committees review thousands of applications each year. The essay tells us a great deal about our candidates and allows for expression of writing skills, organizational skills, creativity and imagination. The essay should be 300-500 words in length . Feel free to be serious, humorous or somewhere in between. Compose your essay on one of the following topics.

• At TCU, our mission statement is very important to us. “The mission of Texas Christian University, a private comprehensive university, is to educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the global community through research and creative activities, scholarship, service, and programs of teaching and learning offered through the doctoral level.” This is integrated into all aspects of the TCU experience. If you were to write a mission statement about your life, what would it be and how does this mission direct your life and goals?
• Tell us about the most significant person, experience, or circumstance which has shaped your life thus far. How has he, she, or it influenced your character? How might you use what you have learned to achieve your goals?
• Those we call great will usually point to some failure in their lives as a pivotal moment leading them to their successful path. Tell us about a time in your life in which failure propelled you toward success.
• In her best-selling novel The Secret Life of Bees , TCU alumna Sue Monk Kidd wrote, “The hardest thing on earth is choosing what matters.” What matters to you?

The Counselor evaluation/recommendation form (or secondary school report) must be submitted directly from the school official. We cannot accept this form from the applicant. The form may be submitted in the following ways:

• School-supported systems such as Naviance Parchment TREx Slate.org SCOIR Common App Coalition for College MAIA Duolingo
• Emailing [email protected]
• Faxing 817-257-7268
• Mailing to TCU Office of Admission TCU Box 297013 Fort Worth, TX 76129

The Teacher evaluation/recommendation must be submitted directly from the school official. We cannot accept this form from the applicant. The form may be submitted in the following ways:

TCU is test-optional through 2025. Learn more on the Frog Blog .

TCU College Board code is 6820 and ACT code is 4206, but we welcome self-reported scores e-mailed to  [email protected] . Be sure to provide your score on each section or a screen shot of your score report.

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 80
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5
• Duolingo English Test score of 110
• Completion of at least three years at a high school or college where English is the language of instruction
• Completion of at least 24 hours of transferable academic credit (including English composition) from a college in the U.S.
• English testing may be waived for applicants with strong SAT or ACT scores

Download PDF  

• Freedom of Expression Page  TCU values individuality and believes that students are more than just a GPA and test score. To help us get to know you even better, consider this opportunity to further express yourself. The only limitations are the boundaries of your imagination. Please submit an essay, poem, work of art or a URL that showcases another side of you.
• Apply to the Early Admission Masters Program
• Apply to the John V. Roach Honors College/Chancellor's Scholars Program An application to the John V. Roach Honors College is required for consideration for both entrance into the honors college and for the Chancellor's Scholars Program . The deadline to apply for the Chancellor's Scholars Program is November 15. Applicants who submit after that date will not be considered for the full-tuition scholarship, but will still be considered for the John V. Roach Honors College.

Dates & Deadlines

If you wish to be reviewed early based on transcripts through your junior year, you must have your application postmarked by November 1. Nonbinding notification by January 1.

If you are a candidate for the Chancellor’s Scholarship, it is highly recommended that you apply by the November 1 deadline, or shortly thereafter.

If you wish to be reviewed early for a binding decision based on transcripts through your junior year, you must have your application postmarked by November 1. You, your counselor, and your parent must sign this document demonstrating an understanding that an admission decision to TCU is contractually binding. Binding notification by January 1. Admitted students must pay their deposit by January 15.

Students applying Early Decision I who intend to apply for Financial Aid must also submit the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE in order to complete their application. 

If you wish to include your fall semester/trimester grades, you must have your application postmarked by February 1. Notification by April 1. All students who apply by the Regular Decision will be considered for scholarship.

Applications received after February 1 will be considered on a space-available basis.

If you wish to be reviewed for a binding decision but missed the Early Decision I deadline, you may apply Early Decision II by submitting a completed application by February 1. You, your counselor, and your parent must sign this document demonstrating an understanding that an admission decision to TCU is contractually binding. Binding notification by March 3. Admitted students must pay their deposit by March 15.

Students applying Early Decision II who intend to apply for Financial Aid must also submit the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE in order to complete their application. 

AP/College Credits

Through several methods, above-average students may earn academic credit for college-level learning. College credits can be helpful if you're pursuing:

• A dual concentration
• Double majors or double degrees
• A combined undergraduate and master's program
• An early graduation

You can qualify for advanced credit with:

• Dual Enrollment for college courses completed during high school or the summer
• Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams