Why Choose CU?

• CU comprises several different colleges and schools with multiple disciplinary choices, many with internationally-recognized programs. 
• The University confers all levels of degrees, from bachelor's to doctorates.
• The institution receives millions of dollars in funding from organizations like NASA, National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, National Endowment for the Arts and more.
• The campus has numerous collaborative interdisciplinary research institutes and centers.
• It employs all levels of researchers and teachers from undergraduates to tenured faculty.

 

• Thanks to the generosity of the Boettcher Foundation, the first Boettcher Scholarships were awarded in 1952. There were 350 applications back then for twelve scholarships–and seven of those original recipients attended CU!
• Later there were twenty scholarships distributed per year for deserving Colorado students. In the mid to late 1950s, the Foundation began to award forty students per year. Now they award 50 per year with a large percentage of awardees choosing CU Boulder. 
• Hundreds of Boettcher Scholars have chosen and graduated from the University of Colorado. ​
• In the mid-90s CU proposed to the Boettcher Foundation a new structure for its Scholars that would more formally provide mentoring, programming, support and collegiality for the students, dramatically shifting the Boettcher Scholarship at CU from a monetary award to a “community of scholars.”
• Over the decades, the Boettcher Foundation has supported numerous capital projects on campus: Wolf Law, the Visual Arts Complex, Jenni Smoly Caruthers Biotechnology Building, the Outreach Teaching Lab in ATLAS, College of Music facility improvements and various Leeds projects.

• In 2009, the Boettcher Foundation provided a substantial gift for the Professional and Academic Conference Endowment (PACE) to fill a demonstrated need for undergraduates to take the next step beyond research, scholarly and creative projects to presenting that work at professional conferences. Boettcher Scholar alumni donated a significant portion of the funds for development of the program.

• Our current students continue in the tradition of CU Boettcher Scholar alumni who were, and continue to be, actively engaged in their communities and in sustaining the legacy of the scholars at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

• Education Abroad—20,000 CU students have studied in more than 70 countries in CU Boulder-sponsored programs.
• Honors Programs—Highly engaged students have multiple options across the colleges and within departments to enhance their learning with smaller and more challenging coursework, research and creative theses, and other special programming.
• Leadership Development—CU students have myriad opportunities to formally study leadership through one of the Center for Leadership programs or to develop and practice leadership in numerous other contexts.
• Music Ensembles for non-majors--The College has numerous music ensembles open to students, by audition, regardless of major.
• Professional and Academic Conference Endowment (PACE)—PACE provides mentoring, support and funding for undergraduates to present research, scholarship or creative work at professional and academic conferences or exhibitions.
• Residential Academic Programs (RAPs) and other Living and Learning Communities (LLCs)—Students can choose to live in theme-based residence halls and/or living communities.
• Student Organizations-- Whether it’s environmental protection, artistic expression, social justice, or athletic competition that sparks your interest, CU has more than 450 recognized student organizations.
• Top Scholarship Office (TS)—The Top Scholarship Office assists students interested in applying for nationally competitive, merit-based scholarships, fellowships, and awards for undergraduate and graduate study.
• Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)—UROP funds undergraduates to partner with faculty on research and creative work in their fields.
• Volunteer Opportunities—There are hundreds of ways to serve local, regional and global communities. The Volunteer Resource Center is campus’s main source for volunteering.

• Basic Needs Center—The Basic Needs Center is the campus c(are collective, connecting students to essential resources when they need them most.
• Center for Inclusion and Social Change--The vision of the Center for Inclusion and Social Change is to provide high-impact, transformational community-building and educational programs to the CU Boulder community, and to nurture leaders grounded in the core concepts of intersectional identity development, diversity, equity and social justice.
• Counseling and Psychiatric Services—From confidential consultations with a counselor, telehealth workshops to support students in developing coping skills to manage stress, anxiety, and painful emotions, to screening appointments, CAPS are available for all CU Boulder Students.
• First-Generation Programs and Enrichment Office--The Office of First-Generation Programs and Enrichment provides support for both students in the First-Generation Scholars Program and the campus at large.

• Much like a domestic version of Education Abroad, in the CUinD.C. program students gain professional experience while living, working and studying in Washington, D.C.

Scholarship Services at CU's Office of Financial Aid, scholarshipadvisor@colorado.edu, can answer questions about the fifth-year tuition benefit for Boettcher Scholars enrolled in any of the graduate or Bachelor's-Accelerated Master's degree programs CU currently offers.

At CU-Boulder, Boettcher Scholars are part of the larger Undergraduate Enrichment Programs (UEP) community. Finding your path in a community of like-minded peers will help make the transition to college a little easier and enhance all of your time at CU. From individual meetings with the Boettcher Scholar Mentor to academic, social and cultural events, Boettcher Scholar student development is fully supported at CU. For those interested in research, scholarly or creative work, we work closely with Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program which offers a research workshop series. 

• Chautauqua Park—You’ll find silent films, concerts, a restaurant and, best of all, hundreds of acres of hiking trails at this jewel of a town park walking distance from the CU campus.
• Conference on World Affairs—For several decades CU has put artists, writers, musicians, politicians, journalists, intellectuals and policymakers in conversation with one another at the CWA. Students are essential contributors and planners to the events.
• CU Presents—Through a variety of venues, the campus community provides access to affordable theater, dance, music and other performances.
• Dushanbe Tea House—A gift from Boulder’s sister city, Dushanbe, Tajikistan, the teahouse is a work of art and a place to enjoy a meal or a cup of tea.
• International Film Series—Students can enjoy international, art, and cult films, plus visiting filmmaker series right on campus.
• The Pearl Street Mall—The Pearl Street Mall is a popular destination for visitors and residents alike.