University of Colorado Boulder

First-year admission

First-year applicants apply with the Common Application. Deadlines: Oct. 1 (spring), Nov. 15 (fall and summer early action) and Jan. 15 (fall and summer regular decision). Early action applicants hear by Feb. 1 and regular decision applicants by April 1. Admission uses a holistic review in which academic achievement is the primary factor: GPA recalculated on a standardized weighted 4-point scale, rigor of course selection relative to the school, and secondary factors such as activities, leadership and work. Applicants are strongly encouraged to meet the Higher Education Admission Recommendations (HEAR), based on a minimum recommendation of 17 courses, though not completing them carries no admission consequence.

SAT and ACT scores are not required; self-reported scores may be submitted and are considered if provided. Required materials: application, application fee ($65 domestic, $70 international; fee waivers available), a personal essay of 250-650 words, a short answer of up to 250 words on what you hope to study, one letter of recommendation and high school transcripts. College of Music applicants complete an additional application, a letter of reference and an audition.

Transfer admission

Transfer applicants use the CU Boulder Transfer Application with deadlines of Oct. 1 (spring), March 15 (summer and fall early notification) and June 1 (fall final). Requirements include an academic interest statement of up to 250 words, an optional academic history explanation, and the application fee. A high school transcript is waived for applicants with 24 or more college credits since graduating.

International applicants

International first-year deadlines match the domestic dates; international transfer deadlines are Oct. 1 (spring), March 15 (summer and fall early notification) and June 1 (fall final). English proficiency can be shown with TOEFL iBT 80 (pre-January 2026 scale) or 4.0 (post-January 2026 scale), IELTS 6.5, Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 180, PTE Academic 58, Duolingo English Test 115, IB SL English A 6 or HL 5, GCSE/GCE English B, AP English 4, SAT EBRW 580, ACT English 23 or WASSCE/WAEC English B3. Scores must be within two years of the start date. Alternatives are two years of full-time secondary study or 24 transferable credits at a university in a qualifying country. English scores are needed on file for scholarship consideration. A Form I-20 or DS-2019 is issued only after English proficiency is met and evidence of full financial support for first-year expenses is submitted. Applicants without scores may be eligible for conditional admission or the Pathway to CU programme.

Graduate admission

Graduate applicants hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution (or equivalent) with at least a 2.75 undergraduate GPA (2.00 = C); College of Engineering and Applied Science applicants need a 3.00 GPA, or 9 semester hours of relevant graduate coursework with at least a 3.25 GPA. Individual departments may set additional standards. Application materials include a personal statement, resume, unofficial transcripts from every institution attended and letters of reference. Deadlines are 10:00 pm MST and vary by program.

CU Boulder is based in Boulder, Colorado, at the base of the Rocky Mountains.

• Boulder campus (Boulder, CO): colleges, schools and research institutes, residence halls, Bear Creek Apartments, graduate housing, athletic facilities and stadiums, performance and museum venues.
• Statewide engineering access: students can earn a CU Boulder engineering degree in Gunnison (Western Colorado University) and Grand Junction (Colorado Mesa University) through partnerships.

Facilities include the University Libraries, the ATLAS Institute with 18 student lab spaces, the Sustainability, Energy and Environment Laboratory (LEED Platinum research lab), a zero-waste Division 1 stadium and athletic programme, and campus dining, safety and transportation services.