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How to Write the University of Colorado Boulder Essay 2018-2019

University of Colorado Boulder, also known as CU Boulder, is the flagship university of the University of Colorado system and one of the oldest public universities in the Southwest. UC Boulder is a large university, with more than 30,000 undergraduate students enrolled every year. Founded in 1876, the university has been home to 12 Nobel laureates and 20 astronauts. In addition to its academic prestige, their athletic teams have won numerous national championships, most notably in skiing.

Accepted students had an average SAT of between 1140 and 1370 and an ACT of 25-30. While CU Boulder is a less selective university, with an acceptance rate of 77%, the essay still plays a role in admissions. With the following guide, CollegeVine is here to help provide some tips on how to tackle this essay.

CU Boulder Application Essay Prompt

CU Boulder’s supplementary essay requires a response of between 250-650 words. This is a pretty wide berth, but overall it is best to stick to the longer end, in order to include as much detail in your response as possible.

As a vibrant community of learners dedicated to inclusive excellence, the students, faculty and staff at the University of Colorado Boulder seek to be open and respectful of contrasting beliefs and opinions. Every student has a unique life experience and a set of circumstances by which they are shaped and influenced. Your background may have been shaped by family history, cultural traditions, race, ethnicity, religion, politics, income, ideology, gender identity or sexual orientation.

Reflect on your unique background and tell us about a time when you had to relate to someone whose life experience was very different from your own. how did you approach the difference if put in a similar situation again today, would you respond differently if so, how.

There are three main points you want to get across in your response for this prompt: 1) how your background is unique, 2) how you related to someone else who is different from you and how you handled the situation, and 3) how you would react to the same situation today. Since the most important part of your response is the interaction between you and the other person, the bulk of your essay should be spent on points two and three.

However, it is still necessary to inform the admissions council of your unique background by devoting around a paragraph to discussing it. It is even more essential to convey the story you choose to tell effectively, and to end it with a brief, but comprehensive, overview of your current thoughts on your previous interaction.

Here, it is a good idea to comment on your growth as a person. Maybe you were inspired to interact with more people of different backgrounds through a service trip or time spent abroad. Talk about what you would have done differently in the situation you choose to describe, but also show how you’ve changed and matured since that encounter. Lastly, make sure to tie this into how you interact with others today, and how this will benefit you at UC Boulder.

How to structure your essay response:

• Point 1: Your Unique Background — this shouldn’t be just one characteristic, but a plethora of things that have culminated in your upbringing and development.
• Examples: You were adopted, your parents are significantly older than those of your friends, you have a disability, you’ve lived in the same house for all your life, you’ve moved often, or you had a full-time job all throughout high school.
• Point 2: The Story — discuss your interaction with someone different from you.
• Examples: “ I volunteered at my town’s local living center, and befriended an 88-year-old woman,” “During my sophomore year of high school, I participated in a student-exchange program, and spent a semester at a school in Warsaw,” “When I started babysitting my neighbor’s 11-year-old daughter, I had no idea that I would learn as much from her as she would from me.”
• Point 3: Personal Growth — reflect on the story from point two, focusing on what you would have done differently, and how the experience changed you.
• Examples: “I would have asked her more questions. What did she think the future would be like? What was her take on the war?,” “After that day, I decided I wanted to learn more about the immigration process. I signed up to help out at a refugee assistance center, helping recent immigrants improve their English skills.”
• Conclusion — tie your narrative to something specific at CU Boulder.
• Examples: “My time spent abroad, speaking a different language and really becoming integrated into the community, furthered my desire to study intercultural relations and inspired me to publish my own scholarship. The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program at CU will help make this possible,” “INVST Community Studies will give me concrete skills that can help me further help out the community around me.”

Final Comments

CU Boulder takes great pride in really making an effort to get to know its students. It provides holistic and comprehensive academic advising in order to personalize undergraduate students’ schedules. This commitment toward individual support means that CU Boulder faculty and staff really care about getting to know each student.

Your essay should show the admissions committee some of what distinguishes you from everyone else. It should also convey your passion, drive, and strength of character. In commenting on your growth, discuss what your plans are for the future. In writing of the interaction between you and another person, show your strengths and how you make up for your weaknesses. Infuse your essay response with details that will make the admissions committee want to get to know you better.

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

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University of Colorado Boulder Requirements for Admission

Choose your test.

What are University of Colorado Boulder's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into University of Colorado Boulder and build a strong application.

School location: Boulder, CO

This school is also known as: Colorado

Admissions Rate: 79.6%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at University of Colorado Boulder is 79.6% . For every 100 applicants, 80 are admitted.

This means the school is lightly selective . The school will have their expected requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores. If you meet their requirements, you're almost certain to get an offer of admission. But if you don't meet University of Colorado Boulder's requirements, you'll be one of the unlucky few people who gets rejected.

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University of Colorado Boulder GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.68

The average GPA at University of Colorado Boulder is 3.68 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.68, University of Colorado Boulder requires you to be above average in your high school class. You'll need at least a mix of A's and B's, with more A's than B's. You can compensate for a lower GPA with harder classes, like AP or IB classes. This will show that you're able to handle more difficult academics than the average high school student.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.68, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

University of Colorado Boulder hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to University of Colorado Boulder will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

University of Colorado Boulder SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1251

The average SAT score composite at University of Colorado Boulder is a 1251 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes University of Colorado Boulder Competitive for SAT test scores.

University of Colorado Boulder SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1180, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1380. In other words, a 1180 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1380 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

University of Colorado Boulder has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit .

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, University of Colorado Boulder will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and University of Colorado Boulder forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1180, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

University of Colorado Boulder ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, University of Colorado Boulder likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 28

The average ACT score at University of Colorado Boulder is 28. This score makes University of Colorado Boulder Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 25, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 31.

Even though University of Colorado Boulder likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 25 or below, you'll have a harder time getting in, unless you have something else impressive in your application.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 25 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

However, in our research, we found that University of Colorado Boulder does in fact offer an ACT superscore policy . To quote their Admissions Office:

Your highest scores are used in the admission decision. If you take the same test more than once, we combine your scores on each subsection to give you the highest overall score.

Superscoring is powerful to your testing strategy, and you need to make sure you plan your testing accordingly. Of all the scores that University of Colorado Boulder receives, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all ACT test dates you submit .

For example, say you submit the following 4 test scores:

Even though the highest ACT composite you scored on any one test date was 20, University of Colorado Boulder will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 20 to 32 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and University of Colorado Boulder forms your Superscore, you can take the ACT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your ACT score is currently below a 25, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the ACT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the ACT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

University of Colorado Boulder considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is lightly selective, you have a great shot at getting in, as long as you don't fall well below average . Aim for a 1180 SAT or a 25 ACT or higher, and you'll almost certainly get an offer of admission. As long as you meet the rest of the application requirements below, you'll be a shoo-in.

But if you score below our recommended target score, you may be one of the very few unlucky people to get rejected.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

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• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
• We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

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Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of University of Colorado Boulder here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Accepted, supplemental forms required
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement Required for all freshmen
• Letters of Recommendation 1
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $70
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes Audition for music program recommended for some freshmen

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office January 15

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language 3
• Social Studies 3

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes January 15 April 1
• Yes November 15 February 1

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 3100 Boulder, CO 80309
• Phone: (303) 492-6301
• Fax: (303) 492-7115
• Email: [email protected]

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in University of Colorado Boulder, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to University of Colorado Boulder.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than University of Colorado Boulder. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for University of Colorado Boulder, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for University of Colorado Boulder, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If University of Colorado Boulder is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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How to Write the University of Colorado Boulder Supplemental Essays: Guide + Examples 2023/2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• What are the University of Colorado Boulder supplemental essay prompts?
• How to write each supplemental essay prompt for CU Boulder
• Prompt #1: "Why major + Why us" essay

Want to get a better sense of what CU Boulder is looking for? You’ll find an extensive, by-the-numbers look at its offerings, from enrollment and tuition statistics to student life and financial aid information, on its Common Data Set . For deep insights into how this university envisions student success (and how it wants to grow and evolve), read its strategic priorities . Reading through this will give you a strong idea of CU Boulder’s values.

What is the University of Colorado Boulder supplemental essay prompt?

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. (250 words)

How to Write the Supplemental Essay for University of Colorado Boulder

How to write cu boulder supplemental essay prompt #1.

Think of this as two essays in one: a “Why Major” + a “Why us?” And while you can lean (pretty heavily if you want) into the “Why Major” part of it, since that’s the primary question in the prompt, it can be nice to show how you and Boulder will pair together well. So maybe consider devoting about half to two thirds of your word count to why you’ve chosen your major, then the rest on how you want to explore that field at CU Boulder. Note, though, that at 250 words max, you’ll have to be judicious in deciding which examples and details to explore.

To get you started, here’s a complete guide to the “Why Major'' essay . And here’s the full guide on how to write the “Why us?” essay . When you read through that one, pay close attention to the “Why Cornell” and “Why Penn” examples (our favorites).

And if the second part of the prompt (“if you don’t know quite yet”) really applies to you, then pay careful attention to the section of the Why Major guide above that talks through how to write a “Why Major” essay when you don’t know what you want to major in (yes, it is definitely still possible).

Action Items:

Read the “Why Major” guide. What mini-movie moments do you envision exploring? Note the prompt’s interest in exploring “what inspired your interests in this area,” specifically probing for “prior/current coursework, extracurricular activities, work/volunteer experiences, future goals, or anything else”—a long list that should give you lots of ideas on where to mine for content. Pro tip: Start with your Common App Activities List!

Reflect on what you want out of your college experience. Collect those insights using this chart . Identifying specific or niche interests and needs will help you find equally specific resources at CU Boulder and make your “we’re a perfect match” case (see more on this in the “complete guide” link above) more compelling. 

Spend at least an hour researching 10+ reasons why CU Boulder might be a great fit for you, mapping them out in the third column of the chart. 

Remember: The best “Why us?” pieces don’t celebrate how “x” school is the GREATEST SCHOOL OF ALL TIME. They’re more an explanation of why you and the school are the perfect match. Make sure to connect each of your Tech examples to your goals and interests. 

Create an outline that combines your mini-movie moments for the “Why Major” top, then outline the “Why us?” portion based on either Approach One, Approach Two (recommended), or Approach 3 (as explained in our “Why us?” guide).

This is a new prompt for CU Boulder, so we don’t have any examples specific to this school. But this essay, written for UT, offers a nice template for how to mash the “Why Major” with rich “Why us?” details.

Here’s a nice example essay, to illustrate how you can approach this prompt.

When I first learned about abstract algebra from brilliant.org, I was fascinated. I have been interested in math for as long as I can remember, but this experience shaped my interest in math as a career path. When I encountered Lagrange’s theorem, I was amazed by its generality and applications to number theory, and I really wanted to learn about the proof of this result. This inspired me to read more advanced texts, leading me to books such as Rotman’s Advanced Modern Algebra and Neukrich’s Algebraic Number Theory. I continued exploring these concepts at the Awesome Math Summer Program and The Ross Program. I developed an interest in cryptography because it provided me a way to use my abstract knowledge for something concrete and valuable. Cryptography inspired me to continue learning math because of the use of algebraic geometry and finite fields. At Boulder, I hope to take courses such as Algebraic Geometry and Theory of Rings to strengthen and expand my interests. I am also interested in finding a community of like-minded scholars at Boulder’s Math club QED. I hope to continue my interests in cryptography with MATH 4440 and use my knowledge in algebraic geometry to learn more about elliptic cryptography. These courses will allow me to gain the necessary knowledge to help me plan my career goals and possibly work in the field of cryptography, where I can help advance encryption methods.  — — —

Tips + Analysis:

Dive in. With 250 words, you don’t have a lot of space to meander. So while you can use a hook, we’d recommend keeping it pretty brief—probably a sentence, rather than a paragraph. And it’s fine to essentially not have one, or to use specific details about your journey as a hook: The essay above dives straight into his origin story, opening with a moment that set him on the course to becoming a mathematics superhero.

Show how you leveled up. In whatever way possible, it can be really nice in a “Why Major” essay to show how you have continued to grow and develop in your pursuit of a subject or field. One way we’ve referred to this is “showing curiosity with legs”—as in, showing curiosity is great, but it’s stronger to show how you then pursued that curiosity through really specific actions and details. Above, pointing out that he read “books such as Rotman’s Advanced Modern Algebra and Neukrich’s Algebraic Number Theory” then continued with various math programs nicely illustrates the depths of his exploration. And note that there can be other ways you show this kind of leveling up and pursuit of your interests—what actions can you share with a reader that can show how you have expanded your thinking and understanding?

Show how Boulder offers your next steps + how you’ll partner. The student above chose to make this a combo Why Major and Why Us (with the word count balance tilted almost two-thirds to the Why Major side). Notice that the second paragraph points to really specific aspects of what CU Boulder offers that will allow the student to continue leveling up—specific courses and communities that connect back to his primary interests, and how he and the school can partner together on his path forward. He has clearly taken some time to think about why he and the school belong together.

And here’s an essay, written for a very similar prompt for UT, that offers a nice template for how to mash the “Why Major” with rich “Why us?” details.

Leading E-Learning at Clear Careers, a startup helping students explore, experience, and expand their engagement in the professional world, and supplementing my schedule during quarantine with IBM's "AI For Everyone" and Harvard's CS50 led me to wonder what exactly is beneath the surface of a computer science degree and is it for me?  While it was intriguing to learn each emoji we tap and send so effortlessly is made up of patterns like this: 11111011000000010, I am fascinated and humbled by the human applications offered by AI. After further investigating AI, Cloud Computing, and the emerging field of Computational Sustainability, I feel driven to participate in the conversation around the responsible use of technology. With the knowledge gained from pursuing a CS concentration in Artificial Intelligence, Data Mining, and Machine Learning (ML), I hope to contribute to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal #4 “to ensure inclusive and equitable education for all” because education is empowering.  In CS50, Professor David Malan teaches that there is a right way, a wrong way, and a more efficient way to code. I believe a cloud-based school employing AI would enable students to discover unknown fields of study and classes they enjoy, increasing retention rates and making education equitable. What if students worldwide could choose Urban Economic Development instead of simply History?  Home to the world's largest academic supercomputer and the National Science Foundation's AI Institute focused on ML, at UT's Machine Learning Laboratory, I would be proud to work alongside other Longhorns to innovate a high quality, globally accessible educational platform.  — — —

Click deep when doing your school-specific research: This writer clearly explored the UT website, finding specific examples of classes, programs, and learning approaches that could help her realize her vision to “participate in the conversation around the responsible use of technology.” She not only envisions herself in UT’s programs and classes, she shares how they’d help her learn and grow—for example, by allowing her to contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal #4 (bonus points for specificity) and imagine a “cloud-based school” with AI technologies helping students “discover unknown fields of study and classes they enjoy.” Notice too how she dedicates more than half (144) of her 258 words on these UT specifics and still is able to clearly communicate her inspiration behind her interest in CS, and more specifically, AI. Try to incorporate 5-7 Why CU Boulder specifics in your essay, ideally 3-5 of which connect back to experiences you’ve had or skills you’ve built over time.

Showcase your values: Think about your college application as a whole, and your essays in particular, as an opportunity to convey not just your interests and goals but the core values that shape them. Why? Because it helps admission officials understand what motivates you, or in short, why you care. Don’t know what your values are? Take 5 minutes to do this Values Exercise , and weave your top 5-7 into your essay in a tangible but not overt way. In other words,notice how this student conveys a number of values—intellectual curiosity (wondering what’s under the surface of a CS degree), meaningful work (leading E-Learning at Clear Careers/wanting to contribute to that UN Sustainable Development Goal), hunger (supplementing her schedule during the pandemic with the IBM and Harvard courses), to name a few of the many sprinkled into this essay—without actually mentioning those values by name. This is where you’ll show rather than tell. Speaking of which ...

Use details to breathe life into your examples: You may have heard the advice, “Show, don’t tell.” We’re more in the “Show, don’t just tell” camp. For example, it’s perfectly fine to say you’re interested in a specific field—or as this student did in sharing that she’s “fascinated and humbled by the human applications offered by AI.” But she doesn’t stop there. She goes on to share why she’s captivated by AI, and what she hopes to do with knowledge in the field, like this: “After further investigating AI, Cloud Computing, and the emerging field of Computational Sustainability, I feel driven to participate in the conversation around the responsible use of technology. With the knowledge gained from pursuing a CS concentration in Artificial Intelligence, Data Mining, and Machine Learning (ML), I hope to contribute to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal #4 “to ensure inclusive and equitable education for all” because education is empowering.”

Want advice on dozens of other supplemental essays?

Special thanks to Luci for contributing to this post.

Luci is an audiophile and storyteller with a love of all things radio and writing. In the wild, you might catch her struggling through a NY Times crossword puzzle, snuggling her abnormally fluffy dog Oreo, or saying her favorite expression “cool beans.” Crosswords, cute dogs, cool beans. What more could you ask for?

Top values: Interpersonal connections | humor | openness to new experience

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Not sure if you should apply as a first-year or transfer student ? Let's start with this. Have you previously taken college classes? You may have heard the term concurrent enrollment. If your only college coursework was taken concurrently, which means while you were still enrolled in high school before you graduated, you're in the right place. Your application will be evaluated for admission as a first-year student.

General Admission

General admission applies to programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), the School of Public Affairs (SPA), and the College of Arts & Media (CAM), except for music.

Several criteria indicate you're a strong candidate for general admission.

• Your GPA and test scores fall into or above our middle 50%
• You've completed all HEAR requirements
• You have no more than two MAPS unit deficiencies

Higher Education Admission Requirements (HEAR)

The state of Colorado Higher Education Admission Requirements (HEAR) apply to students graduating from high school in 2008 or later. The HEAR requirements are specific courses or units that applicants for admission should have completed by the time they graduate from high school. College courses taken while still in high school may be considered toward fulfilling these requirements.

High school course or unit requirements are different depending on graduation year.

Class of 2008 or 2009 

• Four years of English
• Three years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)
• Three years of social studies (including one year of U.S or World History)
• Three years of natural science (two of which are lab-based)
• Two years of academic elective

Class of 2010 or Later

• Four years of mathematics (three of which must be Algebra I or higher)
• Three years of social studies (including one year of U.S. or World History)
• One year of a single foreign language

​Minimum Academic Preparation Standards (MAPS)

The University of Colorado Minimum Academic Preparation Standards (MAPS) apply to students who graduated from high school in 1988 or later. Though completion of most MAPS requirements is expected by high school graduation, units not completed may be made up by taking specific CU Denver courses.

• Four years of English (at least two years of composition)
• Three years of mathematics (four years for business and engineering students)
• Three years of natural science
• Two years of social science
• Two years of foreign language (same language)
• One year of academic elective​

Still have questions? Admissions counselors have answers.

Appointments are strongly encouraged to ensure guaranteed time with an admission counselor. Walk-Ins are available during business hours, subject to admission counselor availability.

Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm

Ready to apply?

Student Commons Building

1201 Larimer Street

Denver, CO 80204

[email protected]

303-315-2601

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University of Colorado Boulder 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15

You Have: 

University of Colorado Boulder 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1 essays of 250 words  

Supplemental Essay Type(s):   Why

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.

This prompt is asking you to: describe what you want to study, explain why you like it so much, and address how you cultivated this interest. The admissions officer reviewing your application will expect you to connect your intended major to some prior experience and/or passion. In other words, tell a story. Lucky for you, we would have advised you to start with an anecdote anyway. The essays that stick with us are the ones that jump off the page with concrete descriptions from real life. What interests you and why? How have you gone about learning more about your major? When did your interest begin? What will this degree allow you to do? How have you already explored your inclination? While you don’t need to narrow in on the exact moment you became interested in geology or music education, try to focus on one significant experience. And if you’re going in undecided, take some time to explore CU Boulder’s academic offerings and choose a few to highlight in your response. Admissions doesn’t expect you to have your whole life figured out just yet–but they do expect you to put time and energy into your response.  

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Integrated Nursing Pathway

Earn Your Nursing Bachelor's Degree

The University of Colorado College of Nursing partners with local community colleges through the Integrated Nursing Pathway. This program facilitates a unique pathway for students to earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in nursing.

Currently, the program is offered through three local community colleges: the Community College of Aurora , the Community College of Denver , and Red Rocks Community College Arvada . This distinct program offers simultaneous application and admission to the local community college and the CU College of Nursing, as well as dual academic advising to support student needs and an early introduction to the role of the professional nurse in the context of quality and safety.

Eligibility and Selection

Program overview.

The Integrated Nursing Pathway is designed to increase access for community college students to baccalaureate nursing education. The program provides outstanding preparation for professional nursing practice. Students admitted into the Integrated Nursing Pathway will receive an exceptional education from a nationally recognized institution.

Please note: This program is intended for Colorado residents who complete the majority of their prerequisite courses in the Colorado Community College system .

Upon admission to the program, students take the first two semesters of classes at the Community College of Aurora, Community College of Denver, or Red Rocks Community College Arvada, receiving an associate degree. Then, students will complete nursing studies at the state-of-the-art CU College of Nursing, receiving a bachelor of science in nursing after two years.

The College of Nursing emphasizes the value of a diverse student population as a way of achieving excellence in practice that is reflective of the cultural diversity of health care recipients.

The following applicants are not eligible for the program:

• Licensed LPN
• Licensed RN
• Registered Psychiatric Technician (RPT)
• Prior Bachelor, Master or Doctoral degree holders

Expected Bachelor's Program Outcomes

• Display novice, professional nursing leadership qualities to promote quality and safe care.
• Engage in effective communication and collaboration in intra– and interdisciplinary teams across a variety of contexts.
• Provide socially just, ethical, and inclusive care to diverse populations across the continuum of care.
• Apply principles of healthcare informatics as a meaningful user of health information systems and technology.
• Reference relevant theoretical frameworks to improve patient and population health outcomes across a range of settings.
• Integrate evidence-based practice into patient-centered care using the nursing process across a range of settings.
• Articulate how policy, advocacy, finance and regulatory environments influence healthcare delivery

*30 Prerequisite Courses + 30 Program Courses = Associates in General Studies

Partnering Community College Programs

• Community College of Aurora
• Community College of Denver​
• Red Rocks Community College Health Sciences Campus

Application Requirements

Applications are submitted through Nursing’s Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS).

Please note: This program is intended for Colorado residents who complete the majority of their prerequisite courses in the Colorado Community College system. Additionally, during applicant review, the number of required INP program courses previously completed is considered (we do not recommend applicants take courses beyond the nine required INP prerequisites).

500 Word Essay

Within your NursingCAS application, you will be asked to upload a 500-word essay which responds to the following writing prompt.

• Given your personal background, describe your interest in nursing and what makes you special or unique?

Essay guidelines: the content of the essay will be used in the scoring/evaluation of your application. Essays needs to be written in 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced with one-inch margins.

Additional Requirements

Out of the Comfort Zone: Zhane Conner’s Journey

CU Nursing student took the long and steady road to earning her BSN degree.

Read more about Zhane »

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AMCAS - Applying to Medical School

CU School of Medicine requires all prospective students to apply through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) based in Washington, DC.

The AMCAS on-line application usually opens in early June. Normally there is a three to four week delay before the school receives the application from AMCAS due to transcript verification. Students are encouraged to apply  EARLY . 

Degree and Coursework

The CUSOM requires that students have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited* college or university prior to matriculation, other than those that have received a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D.) degree without having first obtained a baccalaureate degree. 

The CUSOM recognizes that the experiences and undergraduate academic experience of our applicants varies greatly. We encourage applicants to explore a diverse, interdisciplinary, and balanced undergraduate education, encompassing the necessary foundational knowledge in the biomedical sciences and humanities. Students need to be adequately prepared in the scientific underpinnings of modern medicine and understand the psychosocial elements that are critical to its practice. 

Accordingly, students should provide evidence to demonstrate competencies in the life sciences, social sciences, physics and mathematics, based on the AAMC-HHMI Scientific Foundations for Future Physicians and AAMC-Behavioral and Social Science Foundations for Future Physicians . These competencies, representing the cumulative knowledge, skills and commitment to scholarship needed to undertake training as a future physician, can be met through traditional and/or interdisciplinary courses of study in an accredited institution of higher learning, or by other educational, employment, service, or life experiences. 

Competitive applicants should demonstrate in-depth competency in each of the following areas of study, as reflected by their academic achievements and letters of recommendation.   

Biology: Applicants should demonstrate an understanding of molecular and cellular biology, genetics, and the principles underlying the structure and function of organ systems and the regulation of human physiology.   

Chemistry/Biochemistry: Applicants should demonstrate competence in the basic principles of chemistry as it pertains to living systems, and knowledge of how biomolecules contribute to the structure and function of cells and organs.   

Mathematics/Statistics and Physics:  Applicants should demonstrate competence in the basic principles of physics and mathematics underlying living systems and must be able to apply quantitative reasoning, statistical principles, and appropriate mathematics to describe or explain phenomena in the natural world. A basic understanding of statistics or biostatistics is required to comprehend the quantitative aspects of medicine and biomedical research.   

Social Sciences and Communication: It is important that applicants demonstrate competence in the humanistic understanding of patients as individuals and members of families, communities, and society. Applicants should be aware of factors that influence individual, community, and societal decisions regarding health and health care delivery. Applicants are required to be able to speak, write, and read English fluently.   

Students are encouraged to consider additional coursework in biochemistry, computer sciences, genetics, humanities, and social sciences.     AP and CLEP courses, as well as online courses, are viewed with a degree of comparability to college courses, as long as the U.S. accredited degree-granting institution includes these credits on their transcript as fulfilling certain institutional requirements. Students who have AP or CLEP credit in the basic sciences are encouraged to take upper level courses in these areas. Courses taken abroad are treated comparably to traditional courses if these credits are included on the transcript of a U.S. accredited degree-granting institution.   

*An accredited college or university is one that is accredited by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Coursework done internationally can fulfill prerequisites if they have been verified by a credentials evaluator, such as World Education Services, Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, etc. 

Students must take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), with the oldest exam accepted no more than three years prior to matriculation year. For example, applicants applying for July 2023 matriculation must have MCAT results from January 2020 - October 2022. If the applicant takes the MCAT multiple times, the Admissions Committee will use the best one time composite score.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants are required to obtain letters to support their candidacy for admission. We require three to five letters, or a committee summary letter; letters can come from a faculty member, clinical experience, research experience, or a current job as the letter transmits cogent information about the applicant’s work. Obtaining a letter from the employer who you are working with during the application year is highly recommended.

Evidence of a successful engagement in a post-college experience is considered a valuable addition to other letters that also may be part of your file.

Some colleges offer a pre-medical advising system and the committee writes letters for their students. A committee letter is sufficient to meet the medical school letter of recommendation requirements.

All letters must be transmitted electronically through AMCAS’ application process. Please visit the AMCAS website for further information on how to apply and submit letters of recommendation,  Letters of Rec FAQ ​ . We strongly recommend that letters not be from family friends or others who know the student only peripherally.  

Secondary Application

​​​Upon receipt and verification of the AMCAS application, the Office of Admissions will email eligible applicants the link to our Secondary Application that is to be completed online and submitted by November 30, 2023.

The secondary application consists of:

• Secondary application processing fee – fee is non-refundable (fee is waived for FAP eligible applicants)
• Required CUSOM essays
• Optional essays of interest in the Fort Collins Branch, Colorado Springs Branch, Rural Program, or combined MD-MS in Aerospace Engineering Sciences
• CASPer and Duet test results

Completed secondary applications are forwarded to the admissions committee who perform a holistic review of applications and invite select applicants for an interview. Interview invitations are distributed from roughly August through February.

CASPer and Duet

All applicants applying to the University of Colorado School of Medicine  are required to complete an online suite of assessments (Acuity Insights, formerly Altus Suite), to assist with our selection process for the 2023-2024 Application Cycle.

Casper and Duet are a standardized, two-part online assessment of non-cognitive skills, interpersonal characteristics,  and personal values and priorities  that we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program. These data will complement the other tools that we use for applicant review and evaluation.  

• Casper:  an online situational judgment test (SJT)
• Duet:  an online value-alignment assessment  

Register for  Medicine (UME)  ( CSP-10111 - U.S. Medicine)

Application Fee Payments and Fee Waivers

Students invited to complete the secondary application must submit an application processing fee of $100 with the secondary application. An application fee waiver will be grantedto applicants who received approval from the AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP). The secondary application fee is non-refundable.

Technical Standards for Admission

Applicants for admission to the School of Medicine and continuing students must possess the capability to complete the entire medical curriculum and achieve the degree. In addition to successfully completing all courses in the curriculum, students must be able to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of patient care.

Technical Standards for Admissions

Admissions contact information.

• Jeffrey SooHoo, MD, MBA Assistant Dean of Admissions 
• Karina Goodwin, MA Admissions Manager
• Lamar Cherry, BA ​Senior Admissions Specialist 

Location Building 500, First Floor Mailing Address: 13001 E. 17th Place Mailstop C292 Aurora, CO 80045 Phone: 303-724-6407 Fax: 303-724-8028 Email:  [email protected]

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MBA Application Process

You are here.

Please take your time, follow all instructions detailed below carefully, and make sure your application for the Full-Time MBA program contains all requirements before you finalize your submission.

All applications must be submitted using the Leeds School of Business application portal . We recommend that you bookmark the portal web page. You will visit it frequently as you complete the application process.

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Application Deadlines

You may apply during any application review each year. However, we encourage you to apply early. Leeds has rolling admissions for all MBA and MS programs. International students must submit by the Final International Deadline. Domestic applications will be accepted after the Final Domestic Deadline on a space available basis. 

Please call 303.492.8397 or email  [email protected]  to contact an admissions advisor.

Application Checklist

* Recommendations should come from peers, supervisors, or mentors who are familiar with your professional accomplishments and character. **Confirmed students must provide Official Transcripts for all institutions within the first term of the program

A Complete Application Includes the Following Items:  

Transcripts

Upload an unofficial transcript from each collegiate institution you have attended into the online application form. This includes community colleges, study abroad, summer sessions, and extension programs regardless of the length of attendance, whether or not courses were completed and whether or not you believe the record will affect your admission. These unofficial transcripts must include all courses and grades, must be issued in the original language and be accompanied by certified English translations when applicable. If you are offered admission, one official transcript for each university attended will be required prior to your enrollment in the first semester.

Official US/domestic transcripts must be sent electronically, directly from the institution, to us to be considered official. When you order your transcripts, send them directly to [email protected] and we will match them to your application. Transcripts uploaded by you (the applicant) will not be considered official.

Test Scores

The Leeds School of Business requires all Full-Time MBA  to take the  Graduate Management Admissions Test  (GMAT - GMAT code: 11S-Z2-95,  Download Free GMATPrep  Software ) or the GRE General Test  (GRE - GRE code: 4841   ). We do accept the GMAT Focus Edition. Test scores are valid for up to five (5) years. If you have taken the GMAT or GRE test more than one time, your highest test score will be used in the admissions evaluation.

We are test score optional for all MS programs and the PT-MBA programs: Evening MBA, Hybrid MBA, and Executive MBA programs. 

Limited test waivers are available for FT-MBA with the submission of a test waiver essay (Details Below).

The Test Waiver Essay should be no more than 750 words and should address the following two areas:

• Describe the academic you: Describe how you will succeed in your graduate studies by including examples such as previous test scores, academic records, or quantitative and analytical strengths you possess. 
• Describe the personal you: While academic/quantitative skills are important for success, providing the admissions committee with information on your study skills, ambitions and determination is also important.  Share any skills and successes relating to your professional background.

English Language Proficiency Tests

The Leeds graduate programs are rigorous both quantitatively and qualitatively and an excellent command of written and spoken English is essential. Applicants who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree in the United States within two years of submitting their application or whose native language is not English must submit English Proficiency test scores for evaluation. Applicants should request that the scores be reported directly to the University of Colorado Boulder. 

We will accept the following tests of language proficiency:

• * TOEFL  ( iBT ): A required minimum score of 80+ with a preferred score of 100. TOEFL code 4841 (*TOEFL required for MS Accounting & Taxation)
• IELTS : A required minimum score of 6.5+ 
• Duolingo :  A required minimum score of 120+  (on the 160 point scale)

Citizens of the following countries  are exempt from the language requirement: Australia, Belize, Botswana, and Canada (residents of Quebec must submit scores unless they earned a degree from McGill University). The Commonwealth of the Caribbean, Ghana, Great Britain, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe.

Recommendations

One letter of recommendation is required but two can be submitted One should be from a person who has supervised or managed your work, a supervisor, or a person with whom you have a professional relationship (i.e. co-worker, colleague, client, vendor, etc.). Recommenders should be able to evaluate your potential to lead and manage others, personal qualities, interpersonal skills, and professional accomplishments. Recommendations are submitted online as part of the application.

Applicants are required to submit the following essay:

In an essay no longer than 750 words, address the following questions:

• What are your career aspirations, professional development goals, and passions?
• How will your background, values, academics and leadership skills enhance the experiences of your fellow MBA students during your studies?
• Why is Leeds your choice?

Applicant Interview (MBA Programs Only)

The interview is the final and most insightful piece of the MBA application process. Because a holistic review is quintessential for our program in molding the strongest and most diverse cohorts of leaders, the interview allows the committee to dive deeper into the applicant’s business acumen, goals, and aspirations in this program. The interview is conducted with either the Director, Associate Director, Assistant Director or a current MBA student. You must interview via Zoom unless you are on active duty on a US Military Base and/ or work in a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF). There is no interview requirement for MS applicants.

Application Fee

A non-refundable application fee of $70.00 USD is required. Application fees may be paid by credit card, and applications will not be reviewed without payment of the fee. Do not send cash. Application fees are not refundable. We only waive the application fee for active-duty US military personnel, US military veterans, and CU Boulder campus alumni. We do not provide application fee waivers for any other candidates. 

Applicants are required to submit a copy of their current resume or Vita. Word, RTF or PDF files only. Your resume is used for your MBA interview.

Contact the Graduate Programs Office

Leeds School of Business University of Colorado Boulder 995 Regent Drive UCB 419 Boulder, CO 80309-0419 303.492.8397 [email protected]

How the Online Application Works  

First, create an account for yourself using the Leeds School of Business application portal or the button below. We recommend that you bookmark the page. Once created you are easily able to work on assemblying the application components as your time permits. 

Simply add to your application as items are completed, the system will retain all information which can be edited as needed before the final submission.

Whether you take just a few days, weeks or longer, you are able to work on your application until all areas are completed. When you are ready, simply submit your application for review!

Apply Today!