Ready? Set. Apply! Your need-to-know guide for the 2027 application season.
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: Set up your digital life for college applications. Create a dedicated email address for all college-related communication so nothing gets buried. Turn on portal notifications for every school you apply to. Many important updates (decisions, missing documents, scholarship info) will come through the portal first. And keep a folder, digital or physical, where you save copies of everything you submit.
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 staying informed is part of applying strategically. Here's what to know about the 2027 CU Boulder application:
- Test scores are optional for first-year students applying to CU Boulder.
- 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 make sure you’ve submitted all required materials before clicking “Submit!”
What happens after you hit submit?
Once you submit your application, you'll receive a confirmation email and gain access to your CU Boulder application status page. This is where you'll be able to track whether your supporting documents (transcript, letters of recommendation and any other required materials) have been received. Check it regularly in the weeks following your submission.
If you applied by the Early Action deadline of Nov. 15, you can expect to receive your decision by Feb. 1. If you applied by the Regular Decision deadline of Jan. 15, decisions are released by April 1. In the meantime, take a breath. You’ve done the work. We'll take it from here.
No one can tell your story quite like you can. Be confident in how far you’ve come and what’s ahead. And remember, this is just the beginning! We’ll also be hosting in-person and virtual visit opportunities this fall to help you through the process.
Written by CU Boulder Office of Admissions
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.
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