First-Year - Apply

We are thrilled that you are considering applying to CU Boulder! As you prepare your application, keep in mind these deadlines, requirements and next steps.

First-Year Application Deadlines

Oct. 1

Spring application deadline

Nov. 15

Fall and summer early action deadline

Jan. 15

Fall and summer regular decision deadline

First-Year Application Checklist

Required Materials for a Complete Application

First-year applicants apply using the Common Application.

The application fee is:

• $65 for domestic applicants
• $70 for international applicants

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 date of birth. We recognize that some students may face financial constraints in paying the application fee. If you submit an application fee waiver form, you might receive a waiver for documented hardships.

If you are eligible for an application fee waiver you can request one on the Common Application.

Complete the personal essay and a short answer question listed below.

Personal Essay (required, 250–650 words): Choose one of the seven essays from the Common Application.

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Short Answer Question: (This short answer must be a different written response from what you provided for the Common Application essay.)

• Required question (250 word limit): What do you hope to study, and why, at CU Boulder? Or if you don't know quite yet, think about your studies so far, extracurricular/after-school activities, jobs, volunteering, future goals or anything else that has shaped your interests.

CU Boulder requires one academic letter of recommendation. Your recommender must send the letter of recommendation. There is an option to add a recommender to the Common App, which will send a request for them to submit their letter, or you can ask your recommender to email your letter to transcripts@colorado.edu. Ensure your recommender includes your full legal name and date of birth at the top of all recommendation letters.

Transcripts can be official or unofficial. Please submit them directly to CU Boulder from the issuing institution for admission review. You can upload your transcripts to your application status page in the "upload materials" section, mail them or send them to transcripts@colorado.edu. CU Boulder will need official documents upon enrollment to verify credentials.

Please note: If you have not graduated and do not plan to graduate from high school, you must request an official copy of your certificate of high school equivalency and official GED, TASC or HiSET scores, plus an official transcript of any high school coursework completed.