Freshman Applicants

Students are freshman applicants if they are currently enrolled in high school, or if they have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent and have not enrolled in a college or university since graduation.

Admission Criteria

Many factors are considered in evaluating students’ applications for admission to CU-Boulder. Although academic performance in high school (high school GPA and the quality of course work) is the most important indicator of success, other factors are also considered. These include students’ college entrance test scores (either the SAT or ACT), the trend in their grades, the extent to which the minimum academic preparation standards (MAPS) are met, their personal essays, and the potential contributions they may make to the campus community. For information on MAPS, see MAPS table in this section.

Applicants whose records reflect nontraditional grading systems, unusual curricula, or high school equivalency through the GED test will receive individual consideration and are urged to apply.

College Entrance Tests

Applicants should take a college entrance test late in their junior year or early in their senior year of high school. CU-Boulder requires either the SAT or the ACT for admission consideration. The ACT Writing Test is not required for CU-Boulder admission consideration. The highest scores are used in the admission decision. If the same test is taken more than once, the scores are combined on each subsection to give the highest overall score. SAT subject test scores are not required. For more information, see the How to Apply for Undergraduate Admission section.

ALEKS Mathematical Skills Assessment

A solid grounding in basic mathematics is assumed for most CU-Boulder introductory science, engineering, business, and social science courses. The questions in the ALEKS assessment helps students determine their level of preparation for many introductory courses, specifically so their likelihood of having a successful experience is enhanced. An ALEKS exam score is a prerequisite for many courses. This means a student cannot enroll in one of these courses unless he or she has taken the ALEKS exam and obtained the minimum required score for a particular course. Therefore, it is very important that students take theri time and complete the assessment carefully, as it will affect the courses in which they may enroll. Because many colleges preregister students in required courses, it is highly recommended to complete the placement prior to June 1. Waiting to take the exam may make it difficult to get a student's necessary courses.

For further information, vist the Division of Academic Affairs at www.colorado.edu/academicaffairs/AVCUEaleks.html or go to the Office of Orientation at orientation.colorado.edu/sites/default/files/ExplainingALEKSPrereqs_Web.pdf.

Minimum Academic Preparation Standards (MAPS)

Students who graduated from high school in 1988 or later are expected to have completed courses that meet certain minimum academic preparation standards (MAPS) before enrolling at CU-Boulder. Students who attended a non-U.S. high school for two years or more are not subject to MAPS. Any MAPS deficiency will be considered during the admission review process. The MAPS for specific CU-Boulder colleges and schools are listed in this section.

Students may be admitted to CU-Boulder even though they have not met all the MAPS requirements. If that is the case, they are required to complete the appropriate MAPS courses once enrolled, and the credits may be applied toward graduation. All MAPS deficiencies must be completed prior to graduation from CU-Boulder. Students may also complete missing MAPS course work at other colleges or universities, through approved credit-by-examination programs, or by testing out through the appropriate foreign language department.

Policies Concerning MAPS Deficiencies

The policies of the Boulder campus with respect to completing MAPS course work after enrollment are as follows.

Appropriate missing MAPS course work is generally included in the hours for graduation.
All course work toward fulfillment of the MAPS must be taken for a letter grade.
It is strongly recommended that students enroll in and complete at least one MAPS course each term, beginning in the first term of enrollment, until such time as all MAPS are completed. This policy applies to new freshmen, transfer students, and students transferring from other academic units on the Boulder campus and from other campuses of the university. Some colleges or schools may impose a sanction if the student does not complete one course per semester toward meeting MAPS deficiencies.
All students who first enroll in one academic unit at CU-Boulder and subsequently transfer to another unit are required to meet the MAPS specified for the new unit, irrespective of their completion of MAPS units in their previous college or school.
Students in double-degree programs must meet MAPS requirements of both degree-granting units.
Students must consult with a CU-Boulder academic advisor (or read their college or school’s academic publications) to determine which specific courses may be used to meet a MAPS requirement.

Also review the MAPS table.

Advanced Placement

CU-Boulder participates in the Advanced Placement program of the College Board. More than one-third of Boulder’s entering freshmen submit Advanced Placement (AP) test scores each year. Official scores must be sent to the admissions office directly from the College Board for both first-year students and transfer students. For a guide to specific equivalencies, refer to the AP table. For more information, write or call:

AP Exams, P.O. Box 6671, Princeton, NJ 08541-6671
609-771-7300 or toll free 888-225-5427
aphighered.collegeboard.org

International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma programs provide preuniversity study. IB examinations, whether leading to a full IB diploma or to an IB certificate often qualify students for advanced standing at CU-Boulder. In general, credit is granted for approved IB examinations at the higher level with a score of 4 or better.

Students admitted to the University of Colorado Boulder who have graduated from high school having successfully completed an International Baccalaureate Diploma program shall be granted 24 semester hours of college credit. Students should check with their college or school to determine if or how the earned college credit applies toward degree requirements. No CU-Boulder tuition shall be charged for these credits. These credits shall be granted, however, only if the student receives a score of 4 or better on an examination administered as part of the IB Diploma program. If the student scores less than 4 on any IB subject test, the credit hours granted shall be reduced accordingly.

An official copy of the diploma with test scores must be sent to the admissions office directly from the IB organization. For a guide to specific equivalencies refer to the table below. For more information on test administration, write or call:

International Baccalaureate Organization, 475 Riverside Drive, 16th floor, New York, NY 10115
212-696-4464
www.ibo.org

For the most current information on how CU-Boulder evaluates IB credit, visit admissions.colorado.edu/undergraduate/apply/freshman/credit. Also review the IB Table.