Frequently Asked Questions

While we encourage students to apply early, if you are unable to complete your application by the non-binding Early Notification deadline of December 1, you should apply by the January 15 freshman application deadline.  All students who complete their application by the January 15 freshman application deadline will receive an admission decision on or before April 1.  We continue to take applications from freshmen until February 15 and transfers until April 1 for the Fall and Summer 2013 terms.  Applications will be processed in the order in which they are completed and it typically takes 6 weeks for your application to be processed once it is completed.

The non-binding Early Notification and the Freshman and Transfer Application deadlines are postmark deadlines.

The easiest and fastest way for your ACT and/or SAT scores to be received by CU-Boulder is to indicate that you want your scores sent to CU-Boulder on the day of the test. 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. Scores are also considered official if they are included on your high school transcript.

It is really in your best interest to take the test a few times. We have found that students that take the test a second time are more familiar with what to expect and have a better opportunity to increase their score.  The ACT and or SAT are required for all freshman and for transfer students who have completed fewer than 24 semester credit hours at the time of application.

We do not have a preference between the ACT and SAT, but we do require that students take one of them. However, we often recommend that you attempt each test at least once. Used in combination with your grades and rigor of curriculum, both have proven equally reliable in predicting academic success at CU-Boulder.

Letters of recommendation are not required, but do provide good insight into your character and your abilities as a student. If you choose to submit 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.

There are two required essay questions that must be submitted in order for your application to be considered complete.

Essay A (500 words maximum) The University of Colorado Boulder's Flagship 2030 strategic plan promotes exceptional teaching, research, scholarship, creative works, and service distinguishing us as a premier university. We strive to foster a diverse and inclusive community for all that engages each member in opportunities for academic excellence, leadership, and a deeper understanding of the world in which we live. Given the statement above, how do you think you could enrich our diverse and inclusive community and what are your hopes for your college experience?

Essay B (250 word maximum, choose ONE of the following topics)

• Who are the influential people in your life? How have they contributed to your development as a person?
• Briefly discuss how your family, school, neighborhood, and background have impacted your educational goals and aspirations.
• Discuss any events or special circumstances that have affected your academic record, as well as any adversities you have overcome.

You can check your application status through the 'Apply' tab on your MyCUBoulder account.

Official high school transcripts can be sent to CU-Boulder from your high school by mail or electronically to apply@colorado.edu. We also accept transcripts directly from your high school through Docufide.  Mailed transcripts postmarked by October 1 will meet the spring application deadline, postmarked by December 1 will meet the non-binding Early Notification fall deadline, postmarked by January 15, will meet the fall freshman application deadline and postmarked by April 1 will meet the fall and summer transfer application deadline.

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.

You can pay the application fee online with a credit card at the time you submit your application, or by mailing a check or money order to the Office of Admissions. Online payment is only available at the time your application is submitted. If you wish to pay with a credit card but have already submitted your application, please call the Office of Admissions at 303-492-6301. If you mail your application fee separately from your application, please make your check or money order payable to the University of Colorado and include your full name and birthdate.

International students only: If you do not pay the non refundable application fee on line at the time you submit your application, the application fee should be submitted in the form of an international money order or check drawn on a U.S. Bank, made payable to the University of Colorado, in the amount of $70 (U.S. funds). We cannot accept cash with your application. Important: print your full legal name and birth date on your check or money order.

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 cannot be used to complete your file. All credentials written in languages other than English must be accompanies by a literal certified English translation

A completed application consists of:

• Online application
• $50 application fee ($70 for international students)
• Official high school transcripts*
• Official college transcripts from each institution attended (if you have taken college course work)*
• ACT or SAT I scores (all freshman applicants and transfers applicants who have completed fewer than 24 semester credit hours at the time of application)
• Two short answer essay questions (one 500 words or less, one 250 words or less)

*Official transcripts can be sent electronically by the issuing institution to apply@colorado.edu.

You can confirm your intent to enroll through the 'Confirm' tab in your MyCUBoulder account.

It means that your decision letter is still in the mail or that your completed application and required materials were not postmarked by December 1. We mail official decisions via the U.S. Postal Service under a first-class rate and delivery time varies. Your admission decision is also posted online. Applicants can check their status in their MyCUBoulder account. We continue to take applications from freshmen until February 15 and transfers until April 1 for the Fall and Summer 2013 terms. Applications will be processed in the order in which they are completed and it typically takes 6 weeks for your application to be processed once it is completed.

If you have taken the ACT or SAT previously and are taking the test again in October, you must send in your previous scores to complete your application. Once your new test scores from the October exam are received, we will add that information to your application and consider that in the review process. When registering for the test, you must indicate that you want your scores sent to the University of Colorado Boulder so that we receive them as soon as the scores are available. If you are taking the ACT or SAT for the first time in October and still wish to be considered for the non-binding Early Notification deadline, you must complete the rest of your application by December 1 and we will begin the review of your application once your ACT or SAT test scores have arrived. On the day of the test you must indicate that you want your scores sent to the University of Colorado Boulder so that we receive them as soon as the scores are available. CU-Boulder's CEEB school codes are:  SAT - 4841 and ACT - 0532.

The easiest and fastest way for your ACT and/or SAT scores to be received by CU-Boulder is to indicate that you want your scores sent to CU-Boulder on the day of the test. 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. Scores are also considered official if they are included on your high school transcript.

Letters of recommendation are not required, but do provide good insight into your character and your abilities as a student. If you choose to submit 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.

There are two required essay questions that must be submitted in order for your application to be considered complete.

Essay A (500 words maximum) The University of Colorado Boulder's Flagship 2030 strategic plan promotes exceptional teaching, research, scholarship, creative works, and service distinguishing us as a premier university. We strive to foster a diverse and inclusive community for all that engages each member in opportunities for academic excellence, leadership, and a deeper understanding of the world in which we live. Given the statement above, how do you think you could enrich our diverse and inclusive community and what are your hopes for your college experience?

Essay B (250 word maximum, choose ONE of the following topics)

• Who are the influential people in your life? How have they contributed to your development as a person?
• Briefly discuss how your family, school, neighborhood, and background have impacted your educational goals and aspirations.
• Discuss any events or special circumstances that have affected your academic record, as well as any adversities you have overcome.

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.

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 cannot be used to complete your file. All credentials written in languages other than English must be accompanies by a literal certified English translation

A completed application consists of:

• Online application
• $50 application fee ($70 for international students)
• Official high school transcripts*
• Official college transcripts from each institution attended (if you have taken college course work)*
• ACT or SAT I scores (all freshman applicants and transfers applicants who have completed fewer than 24 semester credit hours at the time of application)
• Two short answer essay questions (one 500 words or less, one 250 words or less)

*Official transcripts can be sent electronically by the issuing institution to apply@colorado.edu.

No. The Office of Admissions does not conduct interviews with students, but we do answer any questions that students and their families may have during the admission process. Contact the Office of Admissions Call Center at 303-492-6301 to speak with one of our current students. You can also learn who your admission counselor is and contact them. Or, come see us at one of our campus visit programs.

If mailing first class, use:

University of Colorado Boulder
Office of Admissions
Regent Administrative Center 125
552 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0552

If mailing overnight or express mail, use:

University of Colorado Boulder
Office of Admissions
3100 Marine Street
Bldg RL 3 Suite A-122
Boulder, CO 80303-1058

The Office of Admissions is open Monday through Friday 9-5, summer hours 8:30-4:30

Phone: 303-492-6301 Fax: 303-735-2501

While we encourage students to apply early, if you are unable to complete your application by the non-binding Early Notification deadline of December 1, you should apply by the January 15 freshman application deadline.  All students who complete their application by the January 15 freshman application deadline will receive an admission decision on or before April 1.  We continue to take applications from freshmen until February 15 and transfers until April 1 for the Fall and Summer 2013 terms.  Applications will be processed in the order in which they are completed and it typically takes 6 weeks for your application to be processed once it is completed.

The non-binding Early Notification and the Freshman and Transfer Application deadlines are postmark deadlines.

We will begin releasing admission decisions (admission, postponement, denial, or a request for additional information) for students who meet the non-binding Early Notification deadline on December 2. All non-binding Early Notification decisions will be released by January 15.

No. All applications are reviewed using the same admission criteria. Applicants who apply by the December 1 non-binding Early Notification 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 admissions criteria page for more information regarding how applications are reviewed.

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.

No. The non-binding early notification decision allows you to apply to and enroll at another school if you so choose.

Early notification is for freshman applicants only. The benefit of applying by the non-binding Early Notification deadline is to give freshman applicants a guaranteed decision date. If you have chosen CU-Boulder as one of your top schools, you will receive a decision of admission, postponement, or denial by January 15.

Official high school transcripts can be sent to CU-Boulder from your high school by mail or electronically to apply@colorado.edu. We also accept transcripts directly from your high school through Docufide.  Mailed transcripts postmarked by October 1 will meet the spring application deadline, postmarked by December 1 will meet the non-binding Early Notification fall deadline, postmarked by January 15, will meet the fall freshman application deadline and postmarked by April 1 will meet the fall and summer transfer application deadline.

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.

You can pay the application fee online with a credit card at the time you submit your application, or by mailing a check or money order to the Office of Admissions. Online payment is only available at the time your application is submitted. If you wish to pay with a credit card but have already submitted your application, please call the Office of Admissions at 303-492-6301. If you mail your application fee separately from your application, please make your check or money order payable to the University of Colorado and include your full name and birthdate.

International students only: If you do not pay the non refundable application fee on line at the time you submit your application, the application fee should be submitted in the form of an international money order or check drawn on a U.S. Bank, made payable to the University of Colorado, in the amount of $70 (U.S. funds). We cannot accept cash with your application. Important: print your full legal name and birth date on your check or money order.

No. The Office of Admissions does not conduct interviews with students, but we do answer any questions that students and their families may have during the admission process. Contact the Office of Admissions Call Center at 303-492-6301 to speak with one of our current students. You can also learn who your admission counselor is and contact them. Or, come see us at one of our campus visit programs.

CU-Boulder will begin releasing admission decisions to freshman fall applicants who met the non-binding Early Notification deadline on December 2. All students who meet the non-binding Early Notification deadline will receive an admission decision no later than January 15. Students who apply by the January 15 freshman application deadline will receive an admission decision on or before April 1. Transfer decisions for fall and summer terms and all decisions for spring term will be released on a rolling basis beginning in October.  We continue to take applications from freshmen until February 15 and transfers until April 1 for the Fall and Summer 2013 terms.  Applications will be processed in the order in which they are completed and it typically takes 6 weeks for your application to be processed once it is completed.

We will begin reviewing applications in September. Freshman decisions for fall and summer terms will not be released until December 2. Transfer decisions for fall and summer terms and all decisions for the spring term will be released on a rolling basis beginning in October. We encourage all students to apply early for their desired term.

If you are student with a disability and would like to request services from Disability Services submit documentation of your disability and request an intake and a Disability Specialist. Disability Services is located in the Center for Community, Suite 200. Phone: 303-492-8671. For more information visit the Disability Services homepage.

Students who have confirmed their intent to enroll are eligible to register for a summer orientation session beginning in April. At orientation, you will meet with your degree advisor who will go over any transfer credit that you have received from AP/IB exams or previous college work and will help you register for courses. All new incoming students are required to attend an orientation session the summer before courses start.
 

Once you have confirmed your intent to enroll and activated your identikey you can register for orientation at https://orientation.colorado.edu

Once you have been admitted, confirmed your intent to enroll, and activated your identikey, you can begin applying for housing. Learn more about your housing options here.

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. All students who are awarded transfer credit will be able to view their Transfer Credit Report in their MyCUBoulder account or will go over their transfer credit with their degree advisor at Orientation.
 

If you are student with a disability and would like to request services from Disability Services submit documentation of your disability and request an intake and a Disability Specialist. Disability Services is located in the Center for Community, Suite 200. Phone: 303-492-8671. For more information visit the Disability Services homepage.

Students who have confirmed their intent to enroll are eligible to register for a summer orientation session beginning in April. At orientation, you will meet with your degree advisor who will go over any transfer credit that you have received from AP/IB exams or previous college work and will help you register for courses. All new incoming students are required to attend an orientation session the summer before courses start.
 

Begin by applying for scholarships between December and the March 1 CU-Boulder scholarship deadline.  You do not have to be an admitted student to apply for scholarships. Once you have submitted your admission application you are eligible to appy for CU-Boulder scholarships. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (including school code 001370) before our April 1 priority date. You do not need to be admitted to CU-Boulder to apply for financial aid.

CU-Boulder participates in the Advanced Placement (AP) program of the College Board. Over one-third of Boulder's entering freshmen submit AP test scores each year. Official scores must be sent to the admissions office 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 4 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 if approved by the college or school. CU-Boulder tuition will not be charged for these credits. The credits will be granted, however, only if the student receives a score of 4 or better on an examination administered as part of the IB Diploma program. If the student scores less than 4 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.

You can confirm your intent to enroll through the 'Confirm' tab in your MyCUBoulder account.

While we encourage students to apply early, if you are unable to complete your application by the non-binding Early Notification deadline of December 1, you should apply by the January 15 freshman application deadline.  All students who complete their application by the January 15 freshman application deadline will receive an admission decision on or before April 1.  We continue to take applications from freshmen until February 15 and transfers until April 1 for the Fall and Summer 2013 terms.  Applications will be processed in the order in which they are completed and it typically takes 6 weeks for your application to be processed once it is completed.

If you have taken the ACT or SAT previously and are taking the test again in October, you must send in your previous scores to complete your application. Once your new test scores from the October exam are received, we will add that information to your application and consider that in the review process. When registering for the test, you must indicate that you want your scores sent to the University of Colorado Boulder so that we receive them as soon as the scores are available. If you are taking the ACT or SAT for the first time in October and still wish to be considered for the non-binding Early Notification deadline, you must complete the rest of your application by December 1 and we will begin the review of your application once your ACT or SAT test scores have arrived. On the day of the test you must indicate that you want your scores sent to the University of Colorado Boulder so that we receive them as soon as the scores are available. CU-Boulder's CEEB school codes are:  SAT - 4841 and ACT - 0532.

We will begin releasing admission decisions (admission, postponement, denial, or a request for additional information) for students who meet the non-binding Early Notification deadline on December 2. All non-binding Early Notification decisions will be released by January 15.

No. All applications are reviewed using the same admission criteria. Applicants who apply by the December 1 non-binding Early Notification 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 admissions criteria page for more information regarding how applications are reviewed.

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.

No. The non-binding early notification decision allows you to apply to and enroll at another school if you so choose.

Early notification is for freshman applicants only. The benefit of applying by the non-binding Early Notification deadline is to give freshman applicants a guaranteed decision date. If you have chosen CU-Boulder as one of your top schools, you will receive a decision of admission, postponement, or denial by January 15.

Begin by applying for scholarships between December and the March 1 CU-Boulder scholarship deadline.  You do not have to be an admitted student to apply for scholarships. Once you have submitted your admission application you are eligible to appy for CU-Boulder scholarships. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (including school code 001370) before our April 1 priority date. You do not need to be admitted to CU-Boulder to apply for financial aid.

Once you have been admitted, confirmed your intent to enroll, and activated your identikey, you can begin applying for housing. Learn more about your housing options here.

Students who have confirmed their intent to enroll are eligible to register for a summer orientation session beginning in April. At orientation, you will meet with your degree advisor who will go over any transfer credit that you have received from AP/IB exams or previous college work and will help you register for courses. All new incoming students are required to attend an orientation session the summer before courses start.
 

Once you have confirmed your intent to enroll and activated your identikey you can register for orientation at https://orientation.colorado.edu

Begin by applying for scholarships between December and the March 1 CU-Boulder scholarship deadline.  You do not have to be an admitted student to apply for scholarships. Once you have submitted your admission application you are eligible to appy for CU-Boulder scholarships. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (including school code 001370) before our April 1 priority date. You do not need to be admitted to CU-Boulder to apply for financial aid.

CU-Boulder's CEEB school codes are:  SAT - 4841 and ACT - 0532.

If you have taken the ACT or SAT previously and are taking the test again in October, you must send in your previous scores to complete your application. Once your new test scores from the October exam are received, we will add that information to your application and consider that in the review process. When registering for the test, you must indicate that you want your scores sent to the University of Colorado Boulder so that we receive them as soon as the scores are available. If you are taking the ACT or SAT for the first time in October and still wish to be considered for the non-binding Early Notification deadline, you must complete the rest of your application by December 1 and we will begin the review of your application once your ACT or SAT test scores have arrived. On the day of the test you must indicate that you want your scores sent to the University of Colorado Boulder so that we receive them as soon as the scores are available. CU-Boulder's CEEB school codes are:  SAT - 4841 and ACT - 0532.

It is really in your best interest to take the test a few times. We have found that students that take the test a second time are more familiar with what to expect and have a better opportunity to increase their score.  The ACT and or SAT are required for all freshman and for transfer students who have completed fewer than 24 semester credit hours at the time of application.

We do not have a preference between the ACT and SAT, but we do require that students take one of them. However, we often recommend that you attempt each test at least once. Used in combination with your grades and rigor of curriculum, both have proven equally reliable in predicting academic success at CU-Boulder.

Yes. CU-Boulder has partnered with u.select, a college planning and transfer credit resource. Create your u.select account today to see what courses will transfer to CU-Boulder.

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. All students who are awarded transfer credit will be able to view their Transfer Credit Report in their MyCUBoulder account or will go over their transfer credit with their degree advisor at Orientation.
 

CU-Boulder participates in the Advanced Placement (AP) program of the College Board. Over one-third of Boulder's entering freshmen submit AP test scores each year. Official scores must be sent to the admissions office 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 4 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 if approved by the college or school. CU-Boulder tuition will not be charged for these credits. The credits will be granted, however, only if the student receives a score of 4 or better on an examination administered as part of the IB Diploma program. If the student scores less than 4 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.