First-Year Students
Your most important task to complete is signing up for a New Student Orientation in June and July. You will receive the same information, support and access to fall classes if you attend a virtual or in-person orientation. At your orientation, you will get to meet your academic advisor, learn more about your first year and register for classes. Sign up for a New Student Orientation through Buff Portal.
Note: Please be sure to bring a device to New Student Orientation that you can use to register for classes.
Complete your Online Experience
You will need to have the Online Experience completed in order to register for fall classes. Write down and bring any questions you may have to the New Student Orientation.
Academic advisors empower our students to become active, intentional and engaged members on their educational journey.
We provide accessible and inclusive information and resources to support the needs of our students. As such, our commitment to our students is founded on the values of inclusivity, empowerment and critical thinking to ensure our students are heard, respected and capable. At the end of their academic journey, we encourage our graduates to apply their unique strengths as they venture confidently into the world and pursue their goals.
New first-year students should meet with their assigned first-year advisor for any advising-related needs during their first two semesters.
Connect with Advisors
Advisors serve as partners in your college experience. We'll help you establish your academic goals, and understand what your academic options are as you progress through any majors and secondary areas of study. Your role as a student is to engage with us. Come prepared to discuss your experiences and academic goals. We'd love for you to partner with us so we can help you reach your full potential. Prepare for your meeting with us by reviewing the Buff Portal Advising student user guide .
First-Year Advising
The following majors are not required to take any placement exam: Communication, Information Science, Journalism, Media Production, Media Studies or Strategic Communication. Students may choose to take a placement test to enroll in advanced math, science or language courses that require a placement score. It is possible to complete CMDI requirements for the listed majors without taking any advanced coursework in students’ first year.
The following Environmental Design programs are required to take a writing and math placement exam: architecture, landscape architecture, product design and sustainable planning.
Incoming Student Summer Tasks
The following action items are designed to help you stay on track and feel confident as you prepare for the start of the school year. Work through the action items below from May through August.
Placement tests are not required.
If your major is Communication, Information Science, Journalism, Media Production, Media Studies or Strategic Communication, no placement tests are required. If you're in another major, check with your college or advisor to confirm.
Submit Transfer Credits
If you have taken dual enrollment classes in high school or have earned college credits from an institution other than CU Boulder, make sure to submit your final official transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Official transcripts are mailed or sent electronically directly to the Office of Admissions by the issuing institution or by the student if the transcript is still in its original sealed envelope.
Transcripts can be emailed to transcripts@colorado.edu or mailed.
Once your scores are processed:
- Log in to Buff Portal.
- Run a Degree Audit.
- Check your Transfer Credit Report to verify your credits.
- Use this info to plan your fall course registration.
Deadline: Complete before you attend your New Student Orientation. Please allow 3-5 weeks for processing.
Note: If your expected transfer credits are not processed when you attend your orientation, be sure to bring a list of the courses/tests you took so your advisor can offer the best guidance.
If you have successfully completed and passed AP and/or IB Exams, submit your official scores to earn college credit through CU Boulder.
- Request official score reports from the College Board (AP) or IB Organization.
- Send them directly to the CU Boulder Office of Admissions.
- Once processed, your credits will appear in your Transfer Credit Report in Buff Portal.
- Check the AP/IB Equivalency Charts to see how your scores apply.
Deadline: Complete before you attend your New Student Orientation. Please allow 3-5 weeks for processing.
Note: If your expected transfer credits are not processed when you attend your orientation, be sure to bring a list of the courses/tests you took so your advisor can offer the best guidance.
Want to change your major?
- Submit a major change request via your application status page.
- Allow up to four weeks for processing.
- If not approved, you'll remain in your current major.
- Contact us with questions about this process.
Deadline: Complete before you attend your New Student Orientation. Please allow 3-5 weeks for processing.
Attend an optional drop-in meeting with your advisor.
- Starting May 24, you can view your advisor’s schedule and view appointment times in Buff Portal Advising. Optional drop-in hours will be offered over the summer.
- Remember that all the information you need to register for fall classes will be provided during your New Student Orientation session—advisors will be present to answer any questions at that time!
Explore Your Housing Options
Visit the CU Boulder Housing webpage for:
- Housing process timelines
- Room selection details
- Move-in preparation
- FAQs and contact info
Deadline: Work through the housing action item from May through August.
- Use a planner or calendar to keep track of deadlines
- View the Academic Calendar for important dates
- Check your CU Boulder email and Buff Portal regularly for updates. Instructions on how to access and log into email.
- Reach out to your advisor or New Student and Family Programs with any questions.
Contact Information: Email welcome@colorado.edu or call or text 303-492-4431.
First Year and Second Year at CMDI
New first-year students should meet with their assigned first-year advisor for any advising-related needs during their first academic year.
When meeting with your first-year advisor, students are encouraged to consider the following:
- Explore a variety of areas of study, learn about events, academic opportunities, etc.
- Collaborate on a degree planning guide to include your academic goals.
- Ask your advisor if there are ways to incorporate your other interests into the plan you create.
- Create a class list of possible courses to take future semesters. Continuing students register for classes on their own and during their assigned enrollment appointment.
After the first year at CU is complete, continuing students will transition to a major—or upper division—advisor for future academic support.
Students will stay with this advisor through the remainder of their time in CMDI. Advisor transitions for continuing students take place at the end of May. Check your assigned advisor in Buff Portal Advising! When connecting with your new disciplinary advisor, students are encouraged to consider the following:
- Secondary Area of Study
- Long-term planning and graduation timeline
- Clubs, organizations and Education Abroad
Academic Coaching cultivates a steadfast partnership between coaches and students to support their individualized learning and growth process, contributing to a transformational student experience. Are you interested? Fill out this form and an academic coach will be in touch →
We:
- Support students to develop critical thinking and academic skills.
- Challenge students to deepen their self-awareness.
- Encourage confidence in academics and self.
- Facilitate an iterative and actionable goal setting process.
- Trust and empower students to take ownership of their college and life journey.
Academic coaching is a complementary service to academic advising. Academic coaches work in collaboration with advisors to provide targeted support to students.
- Through a partnership with students, academic coaches help students develop critical thinking and academic skills, while facilitating a goal setting process to support student’s personal and academic development.
- Academic advisors help students navigate their education, create plans to maximize their academic programs, and support students from a holistic perspective.
Student Counseling Services
Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) offers confidential, on-campus mental health and psychiatric services for a variety of concerns such as academics, anxiety, body image, depression, relationships, substance use and more. All services are remote this semester.
Screening appointments can be scheduled through the patient portal. This is the first step for all clinical services.
Attend group advising workshops to learn important skills and information for your program while connecting with your peers! Students are expected to attend group advising sessions before scheduling one-on-one meetings with their assigned advisor. Each workshop includes a required presentation followed by optional working time for individual planning. Workshops are offered both in-person and virtually, and all sessions are held in Mountain Standard Time (MST). Be sure to add your selected workshop to your calendar!
Workshop format
- Required Presentation: 30 minutes
- Optional Individual Working Time: 45 minutes
During the workshop, you will:
- Learn essential tools and skills for class registration.
- Plan potential spring schedule options.
- Get answers to your registration and enrollment questions.
Attend a Registration Lab for support for spring registration! These drop-in hours are first-come, first-serve. This time is appropriate for quick and timely questions. Drop-ins cannot be reserved in advance. Show up by using the Zoom link via Buff Portal Advising to enter the waiting room. Students will be seen in the order that they arrive. There can be a wait, so please have your questions and Student ID number ready! All appointments are in Mountain Standard Time (MST).
Please try to have access to a computer and the internet during your appointments.