Transfer - Apply

Transfer applicants apply using the CU Boulder Transfer Application.

The application fee is:

• $65 for domestic applicants
• $70 for international applicants

Payable online at the time you submit your application or by check or money order (made payable to the University of Colorado) after you submit your application. If submitting a check or money order, include your full legal name and date of birth. We recognize that some students may face financial constraints in paying the application fee. If you submit an application fee waiver form, you might receive a waiver for documented hardships.

If you are eligible for an application fee waiver, you can request one on the CU Boulder Transfer Application.

Transfer Academic Interest (required, 250-word limit): What do you hope to study, and why, at CU Boulder? Or if you are still exploring, what area(s) of study are you considering? Think about your prior/current coursework, extracurricular activities, work/volunteer experiences, future goals, or anything else that has shaped your interests.

Optional Academic History Explanation (150-250 words): If there was a time when your academic performance in college was not up to your standards or capabilities, please feel free to send or upload an additional 150- to 250-word explanation of your short-term academic discrepancies, including any non-scholastic factors that may have impacted your academic performance. This is optional and not required.

This is used to verify your graduation date. You can submit your official or unofficial transcripts directly from the issuing institution, upload them to your application status page, mail them, or send them to transcripts@colorado.edu.

• If you submit unofficial transcripts for admission purposes, you will be required to submit official transcripts before registering for classes or receiving financial aid toward your bill. Official transcripts sent via a third party to the student and then uploaded to the application status page are considered unofficial transcripts.
• If you have completed 24 or more college credits since graduating high school, your high school transcript will be temporarily waived for the application process.
• If you have not graduated and do not plan to graduate from high school, you must request an official copy of your certificate of high school equivalency and official GED, TASC or HiSET scores, plus an official transcript of any high school coursework completed.

Note: 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. Official transcripts sent via a third party to the student and then uploaded to the application status page are considered unofficial transcripts.

We require transcripts from all colleges or universities you’ve attended during and after graduating from high school or secondary school, regardless of the length of attendance and whether or not you completed the courses.

An application file will not be considered complete if there is a partial transcript hold indicated anywhere on an incoming college transcript. Nor will a transcript hold be permanently released if there is any indication of a partial transcript hold on an official college transcript.

For admission review purposes, we prefer official transcripts but accept unofficial transcripts.

To submit official transcripts: Mail to CU Boulder or email records to transcripts@colorado.edu.

To submit unofficial transcripts:

• Scan one complete and compiled transcript for each institution you attended. Ensure:
  • It’s letter size (8.5 by 11)
  • Pages are in order
  • It includes the transcript legend (usually last page)
  • You mark out your Social Security number aside from the last four digits and that there are no other redactions, changes or alterations
  • The file size is no larger than 1.5MB
  • Pages are in order and right-side-up; upside-down or sideways pages will not be accepted
  • Pages are legible; secure PDFs and illegible scans are not acceptable
• You must include the transcript legend. Usually this is the back page of the transcript.
• Do not include any syllabi or extraneous documents in your compiled PDF(s).
• Do not upload a degree audit instead of an unofficial transcript, as this will not be processed. Only unofficial transcripts will be accepted.
• Upload each complete PDF on your application status page, or email them to transcripts@colorado.edu with your full legal name and student identification number from your application status page.
• Please refer to this guide for more information on the requirements we have for unofficial transcripts.
• You will be required to submit official transcripts before course registration and before financial aid can be applied toward your bill.

College of Music applicants must also complete the College of Music application, provide an additional letter of reference and schedule an audition.

Learn more from the College of Music and view their college specific application deadlines.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to supporting all students, including undocumented, DACA and ASSET-eligible students.

Visit the Admission Information for Undocumented Students page for more information.

In addition to our general admission requirements, all international applicants are required to meet a minimum standard of English proficiency. International students who do not meet this requirement may still be eligible for conditional admission.

If you were previously enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at CU Boulder and you want to reapply for a 2023 term, please visit the Admission Information for Readmit Students page for more information.

ACT and SAT scores are not required for transfer students, but you may provide self-reported scores if you would like us to consider them. We will consider scores official if you submit them electronically by the testing agency or if they are on your official high school transcript. CU Boulder's SAT code is 4841, and the ACT code is 0532.