Incoming First Year Students

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Entry Programs

MASP’s entry programs provide students a unique cohort experience emphasizing academic enrichment and the opportunity to build a supportive community of peers, faculty and staff in the College of Arts & Sciences. Each program offers content and resources designed to prepare CU students for their time at CU Boulder and provide an introduction to the MASP community. 

Please explore our two programs for incoming first year students below to see which one is tailor-made for you and to see how to apply.

Program for Excellence in Academics & Community (PEAC)

  What it is: 3-week residential Summer Bridge program and with its successful completion students receive a $1000 stipend and become eligible for MASP and its related participation scholarship of $2,000 per academic year for up to eight semesters. 

  Who is it for: Incoming first-year students
    When: July 12-August 1, 2025
  Priority Application Deadline: April 13, 2025

 

 

 

 

  

The Bound Programs: MASP's Divisional Community Cohorts

 

  What it is: Year-long academic and community building program for first-year students, grouped by their area of study (e.g., Natural Sciences, Social Sciences or Arts & Humanities). With its successful completion students receive $2000 participation stipend ($1000 in the Fall and $1000 in the Spring).  

  Who it is for: Incoming first year students

  When: Fall 2025/Spring 2026 

   Priority Application Deadline: April 13, 2025

    Final Application Deadline: June 23, 2025 

How To Apply

MASP Program Resources

All MASP students have access to the following resources:  

 

Faculty Advisor MASP Seminars Community Events and Opportunities Student Center & Study Space Free Printing & School Supplies
Faculty Advisor

Each MASP student will be assigned to a faculty mentor, who assists with academic planning, advising, and more.

MASP offers 1-credit seminars for current MASP students.

MASP hosts a wide range of community events every semester including informational sessions on different departments/clubs on campus, community building activities, and dialogue events.

MASP has a dedicated community space in Lucile Buchanan Building (LBB) on central campus. Our space is open to all MASP students and includes a computer room with free printing, a quiet study space, a larger meeting space, and acess to personal cubbies, a fridge and microwave.

All MASP students can print and pick up select school supplies for free at the MASP office.

Our Students on MASP

Our Students on MASP

“I think that the most valuable part of MASP is its sense of belonging for anyone who doesn’t fit the perfect image of a scholar that we grow up seeing. It’s the community that keeps me coming back.” 

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“[What I found helpful was] having a place that cares about me and wants to see me succeed not just academically and professionally but also in quality of life/happiness. Having this type of place made me feel valued which in turn allowed me to dedicate more of myself to my academics.” 

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 “[What I found helpful was] being able to have a close relationship with faculty. I always found a lot of comfort being able to go to [my mentor] if I needed anything.” 

CU LEAD Alliance

MASP is part of the CU LEAD Alliance, a unique set of academic learning communities whose students, faculty and staff are united to promote inclusive excellence. These “academic neighborhoods” build camaraderie and promote student success during the first-year and throughout students’ four years through a rich array of:

  • cohort experiences
  • participation scholarships
  • academic enrichment activities
  • community-building activities

*If you are interested in MASP but you are not entering or enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences, please explore the CU LEAD Alliance to find the program most suited to your journey.