First-Year Students

Congratulations on your acceptance to CU Boulder! We are excited to have you join our Buff family and begin your CU journey. Make sure to complete these important steps before the semester begins.

We want to make sure you have a smooth transition to CU Boulder and are here if you need us!

Get Started     Advising and registration     Before arriving on campus     After arriving on campus  

Need to change your major?

Students wishing to change majors can log in to their CU Boulder Admissions Application Status Page. There, you will see an option to submit a major change request form. Please complete that form to be considered. Major changes are not guaranteed, and there are typically additional steps needed when requesting to change from one college or school into another. If you are requesting a second major change, please contact your admission counselor.

Spring 2025 Dates

  • Jan. 10: Undergraduate Student Orientation
  • Jan. 10: Graduate Student Orientation
  • Jan. 13: First day of classes
  • Jan. 14: Immunizations due
  • Feb. 13: Health insurance and Healthy Buffs Check-in due

Get Started

Activate IdentiKey

Your IdentiKey (your CU login name and password) is used to access online services and applications at CU Boulder. It typically takes three to five business days after you activate before you can access these services.

Deadline: Complete as soon as possible

Activate your IdentiKey 

Log in to your CU Boulder email

All CU Boulder faculty, staff and students receive a CU Boulder email account. We will use this account to communicate with you, so please use your IdentiKey to log in and start using it.

Deadline: Complete as soon as possible and check regularly

Log in to your CU Boulder email 

Complete the New Student Survey

Complete the New Student Survey and let us know what you think about CU Boulder, why you decided to come here and your expectations about your first semester.

Complete the survey

Financial Aid & Scholarships

The first step in the financial aid process is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and include CU Boulder’s School Code: 001370. After the Office of Financial Aid receives your FAFSA, they will be in contact with you.

Keep applying for scholarships! 

Campus Housing

Explore your living options to find the space that is right for you and check out all of our living experiences. 

The housing application is coming soon!

Complete the Online Experience

Complete the Online Experience, our virtual orientation program. You’ll learn more about health and wellness, advising, registering for classes and more. 

You must complete the Online Experience before you can register for classes.

Start the Online Experience

Submit your Buff OneCard photo

Your Buff OneCard serves as your campus identification and therefore you must submit your Buff OneCard photo. Depending on your student status and choices, it may also carry your meal plan, allow you to pay for laundry, access to your residence hall and more!

Deadline: Dec. 13, 2024

Submit your Buff OneCard photo

Check your Holds & To-Dos

CU Boulder assigns holds or to-dos to inform you of steps you may need to complete. A hold prevents you from taking some kind of action (such as registering for classes) until it is resolved. A to-do is a recommended action that certain students need to complete.

Deadline: Complete as soon as possible

Check your Holds & To-Dos 

Stay connected

Follow @CUBoulderLife on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Advising and registration

Complete your placement assessments

You are encouraged to complete placement assessments as soon as you can as results may impact registration.

Learn more and complete placement assessments 

Advising appointment

Connect with your academic advisor for questions about your first semester schedule, transfer credit and finding the academic path that is right for you. Be sure to complete the Online Experience before scheduling an appointment.

Watch this video about Buff Portal Advising 

Class registration

You must complete the Online Experience before you can register for classes. You do not have to come to campus to register. After completing the Online Experience, you will be able to choose a registration window.

Class registration opens Dec. 2.

Before arriving on campus

Submit final transcripts

Make sure to submit your final transcripts to the Office of Admissions. These must be submitted directly by your high school or previous institution.

Transcripts can be emailed to transcripts@colorado.edu.

Deadline: Complete as soon as possible

Submit your transcripts

Complete the health requirements

All students must complete health insurance, immunization and health questionnaire requirements before their first semester at CU. 

Deadline: Due dates vary

New student health requirements

After arriving on campus

Undergraduate Student Orientation

Join us for orientation! You'll learn about campus resources and meet other new Buffs.

Undergraduate Student Orientation is Jan. 10, 2025.

Learn more about New Student Orientation

Spring Welcome

Spring Welcome gives new students the opportunity to connect with fellow Buffs, faculty and staff, learn CU traditions and learn more about campus resources. 

Learn more about Spring Welcome

New Student Resources

Before the semester begins, be sure to check out New Student Resources to learn more about campus services, ways to get involved and important things to know about life as a Buff.

Find New Student Resources