How to Apply

Application Priority Dates and Admission Notification

Applications for degree candidates may be submitted beginning in August for the following spring, summer and fall terms. 

The university reserves the right to deny admission to applicants whose total credentials reflect an inability to assume those obligations of performance and behavior deemed essential by the university and relevant to any of its lawful missions, processes and functions as an educational institution.

Freshman Applicants

You can apply to CU Boulder using the Common Application. All students will be reviewed in the order their application file is completed (application is submitted and all required documents are received and official).

Spring Freshman Applicants

Spring applications are processed on a rolling basis. The Office of Admissions begins notifying applicants about admission decisions in October. Decisions are made approximately six to eight weeks after an application is complete. Full consideration is given to applications that are complete (including the application fee and all required credentials) by the October 1, 2016 deadline.

Summer and Fall Freshman Applicants

There are two admission notification periods for fall and summer 2017 candidates.

Non-Binding Early Action

Freshman applicants who complete their file by November 15, 2016, are guaranteed early action and will receive an admission decision on or before February 1, 2017. Students meeting the non-binding, early action deadline may be admitted, postponed or denied admission. Postponed students will receive an additional review and are strongly encouraged to submit additional academic information to strengthen their applications. Students who are postponed do not typically receive an admission decision until April 1, 2017. Early action students are not required to enroll at the University of Colorado Boulder, but must, if they choose to attend, confirm their intent to enroll by May 1, 2017.

Freshman Application Deadline

The freshman application deadline is January 15, 2017. Students may begin applying and completing their files in August. All applicants with completed files by January 15, 2017, will be notified of their admission decision no later than April 1, 2017. Students must, if they choose to attend, confirm their intent to enroll by May 1, 2017.

Transfer Applicants

If you have submitted a complete application (including test scores (if you have less than 24 college credit hours), transcripts (high school and college), personal statement and application fee) on or before the transfer application deadline (October 1, 2016 for spring, March 1, 2017 for summer, March 1, 2017 for fall early notification and June 15, 2017 for fall regular decision), you will receive an admission decision within six to eight weeks. Notifications begin rolling out on October 1, 2016 for spring applicants and March 1, 2017 for fall and summer applicants. We process applications in the order in which they are received. The earlier you submit a complete application, the earlier a decision will be made.

Complete an Online Application

Applicants should use the online application through their MyCUBoulder account at mycuboulder.colorado.edu or through the Common Application at www.commonapp.org.

For a student to be considered for admission, the Office of Admissions must receive a completed application, the application fee and all required credentials. Processing of an application will be delayed until all required information is received.

Application Fees

Nonrefundable Application Fee ($50/$70 for international students)

University of Colorado Boulder Application

Payable online at the time you submit your application or by check or money order (made payable to the University of Colorado) after you submit your application. If submitting a check or money order, include your full legal name and birth date. We recognize that some students may be faced with financial constraints in paying the application fee. Waivers can be granted for documented hardships if you submit an application fee waiver form.

Common Application

Payable online at the time you submit your application. We recognize that some students may be faced with financial constraints in paying the application fee. Waivers can be granted for documented hardships if you submit an application fee waiver form.

Students currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at another University of Colorado campus, who are applying to an undergraduate degree program on the Boulder campus, are not required to pay the application fee.

Required Credentials

Credentials or information sent by fax cannot be accepted as official documentation. Do not submit samples or photographs of design or artwork. A portfolio is not used for admission purposes and cannot be returned.

Official Transcripts

Official transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the issuing institution and must have the appropriate seals and signatures. Other transcripts are not considered official. Transcripts that are marked, for example, “student copy,” “issued to student” or “unofficial” are not accepted as official. Unofficial transcripts cannot be used for admission or transfer credit purposes.

High School Transcript

Students should request that their high school send an official transcript of all work completed, beginning with grade 9, directly to the Office of Admissions, regardless of the number of college hours the student has completed (if any) or the date at graduation from high school. Students who have attended more than one high school and whose most recent transcript does not include the complete high school record must submit official transcripts from each school. If any part of the high school record is missing from the transcript, the processing of the application will be delayed. Students who have not graduated and do not plan to graduate from high school must request an official certificate of high school equivalency and official GED scores, plus an official transcript of any high school work (grades 9–12) completed, to be sent to the Office of Admissions. All credentials written in languages other than English must be accompanied by a literal certified English translation.  Official transcripts must be sent to the Office of Admissions from the issuing institution either electronically (transcripts@colorado.edu) or by mail and must have the appropriate seals and signatures.

College Transcripts

Students should request that their official transcripts from each collegiate institution attended (except any campus of the University of Colorado) be sent directly from the issuing institution to the Office of Admissions. Be sure to include all institutions, regardless of the length of attendance, whether or not courses were completed and whether or not the record might affect admission or transfer credit. Also include any institutions attended during summers, interim terms and during high school. Failure to list and submit transcripts from all institutions previously attended before enrolling at CU-Boulder is considered to be a violation of academic ethics and may result in the cancellation of admission or dismissal from the university.

SAT or ACT Test Scores

Boulder requires SAT or ACT scores for admission. The ACT will be accepted with or without the writing test. SAT subject test scores are not required. Students should request that the testing agency submit scores directly to the Office of Admissions. CU-Boulder’s code for the SAT is 4841; the code for the ACT is 0532. Scores recorded on an official high school transcript are also acceptable. These scores must be submitted unless 24 or more semester hours of transferable college work have been completed at the time of application. Do not delay sending in the application and other credentials because college entrance test scores are not yet available. 

Results from SAT or ACT tests taken in December or later may be received too late to be considered for summer or fall admission of the same year.

For further information, consult a high school counselor, visit the SAT website at www.collegeboard.com, phone 609-771-7600 or write to the College Board (SAT), P.O. Box 6200, Princeton, NJ 08541-6200. Visit the ACT website at www.act.org, phone 319-337-1270 or write to ACT Registration, P.O. Box 414, Iowa City, IA 52243-0414.

Personal Essays

The University of Colorado Boulder requires freshman applicants to submit two short personal essays and transfer applicants to submit one personal statement. Applications without essays are considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. Personal essays are the best way for the Office of Admissions to learn about applicants as individuals and to evaluate a student’s academic performance within the appropriate context. There are no “correct” answers to the questions—responses should reflect the unique aspects and experiences of the applicant. The specific essay questions are available on the application.

Letters of Recommendation

One academic letter of recommendation will be required for all freshman applicants. Your full legal name should be included at the top of recommendation letters.

Optional Documents

Applicants may submit additional letters of recommendation if you wish, however, doing so is optional. Applicants may also choose to submit a résumé or list of cocurricular activies, work experience, leadership positions and awards.

College of Music applicants must also complete a College of Music application after their admission application has been submitted, provide a letter of reference and schedule an audition.

MyCUBoulder Account

MyCUBoulder (mycuboulder.colorado.edu) is a personalized electronic tool that all undergraduates may use to keep track of what needs to be done before they arrive on campus. Applicants should use their MyCUBoulder account to check their status, apply for scholarships and financial aid and take care of other pre-enrollment university business. Freshman applicants apply through the common application and transfer students apply through MyCUBoulder.

Where to Send the Application, Fee and Credentials

Unless otherwise instructed, mail all application materials to: Office of Admissions, Regent Administrative Center 125, University of Colorado Boulder, 552 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0552

Mailing Address

Applicants must keep their mailing address current at all times. It is used for mailings until the applicant arrives on campus. Notices are also sent to this address regarding admission, registration and orientation, as well as other information. If an address changes or is no longer valid, notify the Office of Admissions immediately at 303-492-6301.

Application Checklist

1. Online application for admission 
2. $50 nonrefundable ($70 USD for international students) application fee, payable online (if sending a check or money order, make payable to the University of Colorado; print student’s name and date of birth on check)
3. Official high school transcript
4. Official college transcripts (if applicable)
5. SAT or ACT test scores (if applicable)
6. Two personal essays (freshman applicants) or one personal statement (transfer applicants)
7. Letter of recommendation (freshman applicants only)
8. Résumé or activities list (optional)