It’s August 1, which means it’s college application time! Everything you’ve done and accomplished to this point was in preparation for the next step of your educational journey, starting with your college application. As the Common Application opens up for another year, we’re here to help you. 

Despite all the hype, submitting the application doesn’t have to be a daunting task. This process allows you to put together a curated masterpiece of your life’s work; an opportunity to show us your story in your own words. As admissions professionals, we’re looking to your application to give us an idea of what you’ve accomplished or the roadblocks you’ve encountered along the way. It’s important to imagine your application as a cohesive narrative of your academic and personal path. Check out this step-by-step guide that will help you navigate this process successfully—and without all the stress. 

Step # 1: Investigate! 

Start by asking yourself, “What’s important to me?” and take that a step further by exploring the college experience you envision for yourself. Write down a few goals or priorities for the next four years—and allow those to be a roadmap through your college search. Be sure to take advantage of the support system around you by connecting with your admission counselor, current students, alumni and faculty! We are here to help, and we’re happy to discuss any questions or worries you have about the application process. 

Pro-tip: Create a college specific email address for all college related communication! 

Step # 2: Start setting those calendar reminders! 

We know you’re super busy and in the midst of your senior year, and of course we want you to be able to enjoy this special time. But part of celebrating how far you’ve come is preparing for your next step! You’ll feel more relaxed and prepared if you have a solidified timeline and set milestones for yourself. Mark your calendar with a due date that is a few weeks ahead of the application deadline. Don’t forget to review all required documents and have them submitted by the deadline. This will ensure that you have the time to carefully review your application before you submit it to the admissions office. 

Step # 3: Make sure to take breaks. 

Don’t forget to take a step back from your application to breathe. Let someone else (or a few people) read through your application before submitting it to get a fresh perspective. Remember, this is YOUR story to tell, but having input from others can help catch any little errors that you may have overlooked. 

Step # 4: Flexibility is key. 

Every year, there are updates and changes to college applications, and this year has been no exception. Changes are being made at the college level to adapt to student circumstances. 

A few things to highlight within the 2025 application: 

• Test scores are optional for first-year students applying to CU �鶹ӰԺ. 
• Students are required to submit the Common Application Essay (word limit: 250-650) and a short-answer academic interest question (word limit: 250).
• We accept unofficial transcripts, which you’ll be able to upload directly to your application status page. 

We recommend reviewing the application checklist on the First-Year Application page to ensure that you’ve submitted all required materials for a completed application. When you’re happy with the final version and have made any necessary edits, it’s time to click “Submit!” Take a deep breath and take some time to admire what you’ve accomplished. 

No one can tell your story quite like you can. Regardless of where you end up, never forget how far you’ve come and how hard you’ve worked to get where you are. Be confident! Have faith in yourself, your application, what you’ve done and what’s coming next in your life. And remember, this is just the beginning! We will be hosting several in-person and virtual visit opportunities​ this fall to help you with your application and walk you through the admission process. 

Written by CU �鶹ӰԺ Office of Admissions

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You’ve already done the hard work. You’ve finished most of the classes. You’ve joined the clubs. You’ve played the sports. And now, you just have to tell us about it in your application. With this frame of mind, read on for a few tips to help you keep the ball rolling as we head into the busy holiday season!

1. Fight the urge to procrastinate! Here’s what happens: you wait until the week before the deadline to submit your application. You log in to the Common Application, and you realize, “I totally forgot about the short answer question! And I haven’t even requested my letter of recommendation yet!” And now you’re scrambling, and that’s just not good for anyone. So get started now! In order to consider you for admission, we need your application, your application fee or fee waiver request, your official high school transcripts, one short answer question and at least one letter of recommendation-- all submitted to us prior to the application deadline. Keep in mind that CU �鶹ӰԺ is now test optional so you have the freedom to send or not to send your SAT/ACT test scores.
    
2. Don’t forget to connect with your Admission Counselor. We are still here to answer any questions you may have at any point in time! We want to be able to help in every way possible and often times, students forget to use us as a resource. There are a lot of assumptions, myths and opinions about the application process, but we can provide you with the most accurate information. However, make sure that if you have questions about the application, you reach out to our office with plenty of time prior to the respective deadline. Find your counselor.
    
3. Always apply to your top choice of major. You may have heard that certain colleges and majors at CU �鶹ӰԺ are more competitive than others. That’s true, but it shouldn’t discourage you from applying to the major that you really, really want. Keep in mind that our review process is holistic, which means that we are looking at you as a whole person with something unique to contribute. None of our programs have minimum GPA or test score requirements to get in, so it is always worth swinging the bat. If it turns out that you aren’t competitive for your top pick of major right now, we will review you for general acceptance to CU �鶹ӰԺ. A “no” to your top choice of major isn’t necessarily a “no” to CU—it just means that you may have to prove yourself a bit more academically your freshman year before you get into your first pick of major. And who knows? You may discover a new major that you never considered before!
    
4. Check your email. When you submit your Common App to CU �鶹ӰԺ, you will get an email confirming submission. Always check your email! Can’t find it? Check your junk mail. It should be there somewhere. And if it’s not, give us a call at 303-492-6301 and we will send it again. That email will have important information about how to access your application status page where you’ll be able to track the progress of your CU �鶹ӰԺ application.
    
5. Start thinking about your next steps. Once you submit your application and its supporting documents, take a deep breath and congratulate yourself. You’ve completed the first big step towards becoming a Buff! But don’t stop there, review our first-year next steps. Now is the time for you to begin applying for scholarships, even if you haven’t received your admission decision yet! The Scholarship Application can be accessed through your application status page with most applications due between February 15 - March 15. And don’t forget to explore any other scholarships opportunities, too! You’ll also want to start thinking about where you might want to live on campus. Once you’re admitted and confirmed at CU �鶹ӰԺ, you can fill out your housing application as early as March. Explore some of your housing options.
    
6. Come spend some time with us! Spring is a great time to visit campus, and we have tons of options all semester. We offer half-day information sessions and tours, full day student experience visits, and even some Saturday programs! Not sure which visit is right for you? Check out your visit options.
    
7. Lastly, be optimistic! Regardless of how smooth your high school years were, as long as you are motivated and conscientious, you can have bright future at CU �鶹ӰԺ. Our holistic application review process ensures that no single grade or test score will prevent you from being admitted, so go ahead and apply!

The bottom line is that your college application is a chance for you to tell us the story of your high school career on your own terms-- so make the most of it! We’re looking forward to reviewing your application! 'Sko Buffs!

Written by CU �鶹ӰԺ Office of Admissions

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The college essay is your opportunity to communicate directly with the people reviewing your application. The admissions committees at the schools you apply to want to learn something about you, hopefully something that shows reflection and growth. When they are reading your essay, they are also trying to get a sense of how you see the world and how you operate in it. The essay is your space on the application in which you can highlight your writing style, your communication and critical thinking skills and your "voice."

3 tips to creating the college essay:

1. Give yourself enough time to work. You should brainstorm your essay idea and figure out how you want your essay to contribute to admissions committees' understanding of your application. You also want to work on a draft or two and get feedback on your drafts from a trusted source. It is very hard to do this work in a short amount of time.
2. Write what you think you should write, not what you think the admission committee wants to hear. Writing and reading essays are subjective experiences. You want to make sure that you create an essay that you are proud of and that you feel expresses your point. Remember - the more passionate you are about your subject, the more engaging it is for the reader.
3. Make sure the essay gives the reader a greater understanding of you – not about someone or something else. Oftentimes, when we try to describe what we value or what we care about, we do so by talking about someone or something that is a great example of those values and priorities. Be careful not to center the example in your essay and instead, explain why the example resonates with you.

This is a chance for you to share your voice. Review CU �鶹ӰԺ's essay prompts and the short answer question in the Application Checklist.

Written by CU �鶹ӰԺ Office of Admissions

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College application season is in full swing! It is good advice to start early on your college applications so that you can be sure to have all the required documents together and submitted well ahead of the deadline. One document that you’ll definitely want to begin preparing early is the Letter of Recommendation. Here you will find some tips and guidance on this important piece of the application.

Why do I have to submit a letter of recommendation?

At CU �鶹ӰԺ, we know there is so much more to you than just your GPA. You are a whole person! You have ambitions, drive, accomplishments and challenges. That is why we’re proud to employ a holistic review process when reading your application. This means the admissions committee carefully reads and considers every part of your application in order to make an admissions decision. The letter of recommendation is just one of the many ways we learn about you as an individual, and how you will contribute to our campus community as a Buff. It’s helpful to us to hear from someone in your academic environment about who you are and how you contribute to the classroom. Through this letter, we are able to glean more about your strengths, goals and character. 

So…who should write it?

For first-year applicants, we require one letter to be submitted with your application, and it should be academic in nature. Typically, this means it should come from a teacher or counselor at your high school. Consider the teachers or counselors with whom you have built strong relationships, and/or those that have seen you grow personally and academically over time. This may not be a teacher whose class you received an A for! Sometimes the most growth or the closest connection happens in a class in which you didn’t get the best grade.

Can I submit more than one?

You can submit additional letters of recommendation along with your application, if you would like. You may have another teacher, mentor, coach, supervisor or supporter out there who knows you in a different way, who can highlight other aspects of who you are. However, you do not need to send 10 or 20! More is not necessarily better, and at a certain point your letters won’t be giving us new or helpful information. We strongly suggest no more than three, although only one is required.

What should it say?

This is up to the recommender writing your letter. However, what we hope to learn about you are additional qualities, characteristics and/or achievements that may not be clearly distinguished in other parts of your application. Maybe Calculus is not your strong suit, but you went to tutoring every day after school or attended extra workshops to raise your grade from a C to a B. Maybe you were the only student in your grade to take AP Spanish. Or maybe you confided in a counselor about how to keep up with your schoolwork while dealing with a significant family situation. If there are things you don’t feel comfortable disclosing on your own, your recommender may be able to give us that context as well. Hearing directly from someone who can speak very specifically to your character, determination and ability to overcome challenges helps the admissions committee understand the full picture of who you are in order to make an informed admissions decision.

When should I ask my recommender to write a letter for me?

Now! As you might imagine, college application season is a very busy time for your teachers and counselors as well. They have many letters of recommendation to write and many different deadlines to meet, just like you – so do them a favor by asking well in advance (3-5 weeks) of the application deadline. However, if your school or your recommender has a different timeline or specific process they’d like you to follow, it’s in your best interest to do so. This will help ensure that a quality letter is written on your behalf, and that it reaches our office by the deadline. You do not want to be scrambling to get everything submitted in time or worrying about whether your recommender sent their letter to us! And of course, don’t forget to send your recommender a nice thank you note!

Written by CU �鶹ӰԺ Office of Admissions

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Beginning the process of transferring schools is an exciting time-- you’re embarking on the path towards the future you see for yourself, and that is incredibly empowering. We know that this transition can also seem a little mysterious and intimidating. We are here to assist. Your transfer admission counselors want to help you through this process from start to finish. The transfer application and college search process is a great chance for you to reflect on all that you’ve already accomplished while you prepare to continue your unique academic journey. The step-by-step overview below is intended to help you ensure a successful transfer.

1. Be prepared. It’s important to carefully review our transfer admission requirements, which can vary depending on the program you apply to. They’re key to gauging how competitive you are for admission. And keep in mind that you can submit transcripts from your high school and current institution before you submit your transfer application, so we encourage you to start early!
2. Understand your transfer credit. Begin by creating a . Transferology will allow you to view which of your credits are likely to transfer to CU �鶹ӰԺ, create a transfer plan and see any remaining core coursework for your desired degree program. You can even use Transferology to help plan which courses you want to take at your current school, prior to transferring. We also offer individual transfer application appointments for prospective transfer students. .
3. Ask for help if you need it! Contact your transfer admission counselor for more information and specific questions. We’re here to guide you through your transfer, so don’t hesitate to take advantage of our expertise. Each transfer student brings a unique background and educational experience to the table, so we look forward to getting to know you and developing your individualized transfer plan. 
4. Start planning. Check out our admission deadlines and build out an application calendar for yourself in order to help you keep track of the application timeline. Remember that we will need to see your grades in any prerequisite courses before making a final admission decision!
5. Go for it! Once you’re ready, it’s time to fill out that application and submit all the necessary materials! To apply for admission, visit our website and access the . Take care to ensure submission of transcripts from all colleges or universities you have completed courses at as well as a transcript from the high school from which you graduated (or last attended high school for GED earners). Your application will not be complete without each of these transcripts. 

We hope you take these steps and complete the transfer process. It is never too soon to begin preparing to apply. Remember, your transfer admission counselor is eager to help with any questions you might have. Our aim as a transfer admission team is to make your transfer process as transparent as possible. We want to give you as much information as soon in the process as we can so that you can make the best decision for your future. Good luck, and we hope to see you on campus soon!

Kim Diawara
Associate Director
Office of Admissions

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Early action. Early decision. Regular decision. Rolling admissions. If you are a senior in high school, you have undoubtedly heard these terms. But do you really understand the difference between them? There are a lot of myths surrounding these different decision deadlines that can leave students with misinformation about their application process. Today, we are debunking five common myths about applying under an early action deadline.

Myth #1: Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA) are the same thing.

While both ED and EA have deadlines that are often well before the Regular Decision (RD) deadline, the two terms have very different meanings and outcomes.

ED is binding, meaning that you have already agreed to attend the college if you are accepted. This is a great option for students who begin the application process already knowing which school is their first choice.

EA, on the other hand, is non-binding. This means a student can apply and hopefully be admitted to a number of schools early in their senior year, but are not forced to make a decision as to where they will attend until the national confirmation deadline of May 1. Students who choose ED have already made their decision to attend a school, while students who apply EA are simply submitting their application early in order to receive an earlier admission decision.

Myth #2: Applying EA makes your application more competitive.

For many universities, including CU �鶹ӰԺ, applicants meeting the EA deadline are given the same consideration as those meeting the RD deadline. Again, applying EA means that you are taking action early in order to learn your admission decision early; it does not necessarily mean that you are more likely to be admitted than an RD applicant. Now, some schools do report that there is a higher acceptance rate for the EA applications, but you will want to question individual institutions as to why this is. Does that school review applications submitted by the EA deadline differently than those that are received later? Or maybe it’s simply that students who apply early are statistically stronger applicants and therefore more likely to be admitted regardless of when they applied.

Myth #3: Applying early automatically makes your application look better.

This is a myth. If you began high school with some shaky academics, but then really started to pick up the pace in your junior year, the admission committee might request that you submit your mid-year grades during your senior year before making a final admission decision. This gives admission counselors a chance to see more of your improvements and academic capabilities, and with a holistic review process at CU �鶹ӰԺ, those academic improvements can speak volumes.

Myth #4: Merit scholarships are only available for students who apply early action.

This will absolutely vary by school, but the above statement is certainly a myth for students applying to CU �鶹ӰԺ. We actually hear this myth quite often when speaking with students and their families. We hope this post will clear it up a little for all prospective applicants. Students who submit all required application materials by either our EA or RD deadlines will automatically be considered for scholarships based on the strength of their admissions application.

Myth #5: All schools review applications the same way (this is more of a clarification than a myth).

All schools have their own unique admissions process nuances and styles. Keep this in mind when speaking to admission representatives at any college fairs that you might attend, and be sure to ask them the following questions:

1. Does your institution review applications differently depending on when it was submitted?
2. What advantages are there to applying early? Would applying later put me at a disadvantage?

College admissions offices will be very honest with you. It helps them just as much as it helps you.

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Transferability

1. Is the institution recognized by CU �鶹ӰԺ?
2. Is the course academic in nature?
3. Was the grad awarded a C- or better?

Applicability

1. Was the student's experience at the prior institution appropriately commnesurate with the experience of students in similar courses offtered at CU Boudler with respect to content, academic level, scope and relevance?
2. The course content is reviewed to determine if it matches the course content taught at CU �鶹ӰԺ.
3. If the course is not a direct equivalent to a CU �鶹ӰԺ course, does the course content fulfill another degree requirement?

“Will my credits transfer to CU �鶹ӰԺ?” This is a question that we, as CU �鶹ӰԺ transfer credit evaluators, hear several times a day. And yes, it is indeed one of the most important aspects of a prospective student’s transfer process, but there is more complexity to this question than you might think.

What is the difference between a course’s “transferability” and its “applicability?” Transferability simply means, “Does the course meet the established criteria to transfer to CU �鶹ӰԺ.” When we are trying to determine transferability of a course, we look at several factors.

1. Is the institution recognized by CU �鶹ӰԺ? In other words, what type of accreditation does the institution have and how does it compare to that of CU �鶹ӰԺ?
2. Is the course academic in nature (not technical, remedial or a physical education activity course)?
3. Finally, we look at the grade that was awarded. Is it a C- or better?

If the course meets this basic criteria, it will generally be accepted for transfer credit.

Next, each course that is deemed transferable to CU must then be reviewed for applicability towards degree requirements. This process is a little more complex and is done by the college/school that owns the discipline. Course descriptions are accessed and reviewed online, and from this information, the following decisions are made:

1. Does the course description include enough information to evaluate its academic content and rigor? If not, you will be asked to submit a course syllabus to us.
2. The course information is reviewed to determine if the course matches what is taught at CU with respect to content, academic level, scope and relevance. If it is determined that it does match, the course is updated to reflect the CU �鶹ӰԺ equivalent.
3. If it is determined that the course is not equivalent to a CU �鶹ӰԺ course, then it is reviewed to determine if its content is enough to fulfill a degree requirement, a general education requirement, a major requirement or an elective. If the course can be used to fulfill a degree requirement, it is encoded to reflect that specific requirement.

Ultimately, our goal for the process is to recognize your previously completed work, apply the credits as effectively as possible and set you up for success at CU �鶹ӰԺ!

Need more information? We offer individual transfer admission appointments to prospective transfer students who have not yet applied, which will allow you to discuss a plan for your transfer to CU. Schedule a transfer admissions appointment.

Alternatively, if you are interested in transferring credit to CU �鶹ӰԺ we encourage you to create a account to view your transferable credit, create a transfer plan, and/or see any remaining coursework for your desired degree program.

Find out more information about the transfer credit process. Or, if you have specific questions related to transfer credit, please feel free to email us at TCHelp@colorado.edu.

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Deciding which college to attend involves many factors, but it’s worth the time and effort to find the best fit for you. With innovative academic courses and student-centered programming, CU �鶹ӰԺ is an excellent choice. If you are in the process of making a decision and considering CU, here are a few things that make us exceptional and unique. 

A world-class education 
You can be assured that as a Buff, you’ll be getting a world-class education. We offer over 3,900 courses in 150 different fields of study, and we encourage our students to explore their interests by taking courses across academic disciplines and forging their unique educational journey.

Clubs, sports, community and more
College is not just about academics, and CU offers plenty of ways to get involved, meet new friends and find a close-knit community on campus. 

Whether you are interested in politics, outdoor activities, artistic expression, social justice, athletic competition or more, there’s a student organization for that. Can’t find a group that matches your interests? Start one of your own! The Center for Student Involvement (CSI) is here to support student groups with the resources to plan events, raise funds and grow. 

There are also many other ways to get involved outside of student organizations: 

• Join intramural or club sports with Recreation Services.
• Give back to your community through the Volunteer Resource Center. 
• Lead sustainability efforts through the Environmental Center.
• Find community at the Center for Inclusion & Social Change.
• Join your hall council.
• Attend . 

With so many options, there’s sure to be a place to feel at home!

We care about your well-being
One of our top priorities is to help students succeed in their academic journey at CU �鶹ӰԺ, and we know that your well-being is crucial to your success. From having nutritious and convenient food on campus, to encouraging healthy relationships with peers, to finding mental health support-- we are continuously enhancing our services so you can do your best academically. 

Health and Wellness Services offers a range of services on campus to support CU �鶹ӰԺ students' holistic health and wellness. Between recreation services, medical care, counseling, nutrition, advocacy services and more, Health and Wellness Services is here to keep you healthy so you can succeed at CU and beyond. 

Eating well is our passion
Healthy eating is easy at CU with award-winning  and nutritional support services.  CU provides a wide variety of selections and options that can accommodate almost anyone, including those with food allergies and vegetarian, kosher and halal diets. When you’re not sure what is healthy, our dietitians can map out a personalized plan for you.

As part of our mission to lead the way in sustainability, we have a 3,000 square foot greenhouse at the Village Center. Using aeroponic towers to grow fresh produce, CU will have one of the only university greenhouses in the country attached to a dining center - giving you a true farm-to-table experience!

We want you to find your calling 
College is a time to push your boundaries, explore different interests and build a variety of skills to serve you well into the future. We take that to heart and provide many opportunities so you can not only pursue a degree, but also find your calling in life. One place you can do this is at the CU Startup Hub. This makerspace comes with virtual reality equipment, 3D printers, sewing machines and more to create a prototype or test out a new idea and make your dreams a reality.

Career Services is also your one-stop shop for everything related to your future. Whether you are in your first year or final year at CU, there are steps you can take with the College to Career Pathway to get you closer to your future career. You can discover your strengths, explore different career options, find support with preparing resumes, practice for interviews and meet with industry professionals at career events. We firmly believe that if you start here, you can roam anywhere!

Buff pride
We can talk all day about the many different things that make CU �鶹ӰԺ a wonderful place, but the most important part is Buff pride. Becoming a Buff doesn’t just mean you are going to receive a world-class education—it means you are joining a community of smart, dedicated and inspiring individuals that will define your college years and support you throughout the rest of your life.

Becoming a Buff is a huge decision, but we hope this information has made it a little bit easier. If you decide to come to the University of Colorado, welcome to the family! We can’t wait to meet you.

“Written by CU �鶹ӰԺ Student Affairs”

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