If you are considering deferring to a different entry term, please read through our Things to Know About Deferring webpage.
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.
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 after your high school graduation.
What do I need to fill out my application?Domestic
To complete your application you will need:
International
To complete your application you will need:
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, deferral to Regular Decision 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.
Can I apply to other early action/early decision/early response schools along with CU Boulder?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.
If I apply by the early action deadline am I required to attend CU Boulder?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.
What are the essay questions?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.
Short Answer Question: (This short answer must be different written responses than what you provided for the Common Application essay)
Transfer applicants: Complete academic interest question listed below.
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 transcripts@colorado.edu or uploaded to your application or status page. Transfer students should refer to the Transfer FAQ page.
I am applying as a first-year student and I'm taking classes the summer after I graduate high school. Will this make me a transfer student?
As long as you come to CU Boulder the fall after you graduate high school, your summer classes will not make you a transfer student. However, if you take a break before coming to CU (e.g. graduate in spring, take summer classes, and don't come to CU until spring, summer or fall of the next year), you will be reclassified as a transfer student.
Do you require transcripts for college work completed while I was in high school?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.
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.
Are admissions deadlines 'postmarked' or 'received by' dates?All materials must be received by our office by the deadline in order to be considered for that deadline.
What is considered a complete application?A completed application consists of:
*Official transcripts can be sent electronically by the issuing institution to transcripts@colorado.edu. Unofficial transcripts can be self-submitted to transcripts@colorado.edu or uploaded to your status page. Transcripts written in a language other than English must be accompanied by a literal certified English translation.
Am I required to submit ACT or SAT scores?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.
How many letters of recommendation should I send?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.
What is considered an official transcript?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.
How do I submit my transcripts?Official transcripts can be sent to CU Boulder from your school by mail or electronically to transcripts@colorado.edu - we also accept unofficial transcripts uploaded to your status page or emailed to transcripts@colorado.edu. 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.
How can I pay the application fee?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.
I have been affected by a significant natural disaster or other extenuating circumstance, and will not be able to meet the Early Action Deadline. Can I have an exception granted?
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.
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.
Can I change my major after I submit my application?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.
I submitted my application but I have to make a change.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 admissions@colorado.edu.
I sent in my required documents. How do I know if you’ve received them?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.
I just applied but all my required credentials on my checklist are showing as missing, even though I have submitted some or all of them.
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 admissions@colorado.edu.
I have recently submitted an item that is missing on my checklist. When will my checklist be updated?
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.
My test scores are not showing as complete.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.
Why do I not see my high school transcript(s) listed on my checklist?If you have requested that your transcript be sent to us, please give at least four 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 admissions@colorado.edu
What info do I need to apply for in-state tuition?I completed college work while in high school. Will I need to submit a transcript? When will I know which credits transfer?
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.
My checklist is complete. How soon will I have my decision?First-year applicants:
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.
I am applying as a first-year student. If I did not get a decision by February 1, what does that mean?
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 admissions@colorado.edu if you have additional questions.
Your admission decision is also posted online. Applicants can check their status on their application status page.
I am applying as a first-year. If I did not get a decision by April 1, what does that mean?It may mean that your application was not complete by January 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 admissions@colorado.edu if you have additional questions.
Your admission decision is also posted online. Applicants can check their status on their application status page.
When will first-year early action decisions be released?Early action applicants will learn of their decision no later than February 1.
Is an application reviewed differently if it was received as part of early action?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.
How do I apply for scholarships and financial aid?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.
How do I report my Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credit?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.