Black and Gold Bash photo with ChipTransferring to a new university can be an exciting yet daunting endeavor. But how do you know which school is right for you? The University of Colorado Boulder excels in many different areas-- with 12 different research institutes, a top-rated school of business, and one of the nation’s most comprehensive music libraries, just to name a few. But what are the most important things to consider when selecting a university?  

Community and Inclusivity: Whether you are coming from a 4-year university, a community college or seeking to finish your degree after taking some time off, CU Boulder has a community that will embrace your unique life experiences and help you find where you belong. Inclusivity is a pillar of life at CU Boulder and students seek it out not only in their classes, but in their daily lives as well. More than 20% of our transfer student population comes from a military background. With amazing resources for all of our new transfer students, including our Office of Veteran Services, every student has the opportunity to succeed and feel included.  

College town feel: When deciding what university is best for you, you might want to think about the feel of the institution’s surrounding area. Some students seek a city feel with lively activity, while other students prefer the quaint feel of a close knit institution. At CU Boulder, you get to experience a little bit of both. Boulder was ranked the #1 college town in America by Business Insider for 2017! Your experience as a transfer student would not only allow you to experience what a true college campus feels like, but also enjoy the city of Denver less than an hour away. It really is the best of both worlds.

Transfer student population: CU Boulder currently has more than 4,200 transfer students within the University. With more than 2,000 new transfer students each year between the fall and spring semester, new transfer students will always have someone with whom they can relate. Student clubs help people connect on different levels of similarities and differences. An important student club for transfer students is our Non-Traditional Student Organization. Not every student experience entering a 4-year institution is the same, so making sure you have a group of people that you can seek out in times of difficulty or excitement is essential. Most students transferring are concerned with finding their way when they arrive at a new institution, but with organizations like NTSO available, no transfer student should be concerned.

I hope these ideas will help you to narrow down your college search! If you have questions about life at CU Boulder or want to learn more about all that we have to offer, we encourage you to connect with your admission counselor or attend a Transfer Information Session.

Best of luck!

Jennifer LongJennifer Glenn
Transfer Assistant Director
Office of Admissions
Jennifer.Glenn@colorado.edu