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Mastering the University of Colorado Boulder Supplemental Essay: Expert Tips for 2024

Introduction to cu boulder's new essay prompts.

Applying to the University of Colorado Boulder for the 2024 admissions cycle? You'll need to tackle their supplemental essays. Specifically, CU Boulder asks:

"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 or fewer)

With a tight word limit, it's essential to craft a compelling narrative to stand out. Here's how to approach the CU Boulder supplemental essay effectively.

School-Specific Advice for Writing CU Boulder's Supplemental Essay

Understand what cu boulder values.

The University of Colorado Boulder looks for students who are passionate, curious, and eager to make a difference in their fields. Your supplemental essay is your chance to showcase these qualities. CU Boulder wants applicants who can demonstrate a clear connection between their past experiences and their future goals.

Detailing Your Study Interests

If you already have a defined academic interest, detail it with precision. For instance, if you aspire to study Environmental Science due to a long-standing passion for sustainability and climate action, explain how specific programs at CU Boulder will help you achieve these goals. Talk about coursework, faculty, and research opportunities that excite you.

Exploring Various Interests

Unsure about your major? That's perfectly fine! Reflect on your high school experiences, extracurricular activities, and jobs. For example, if you have participated in the debate team, volunteered at a local shelter, and worked part-time at a tech startup, discuss how these experiences have shaped your interests and values.

Tailoring Your Response for Impact

The key to writing an impactful essay is specificity. Highlight any unique programs or initiatives at CU Boulder that attract you. Mention facilities, such as the fantastic laboratories for aspiring scientists or renowned art studios for budding artists. Articulate how these resources will help you grow academically and personally.

Get Feedback

Before submitting your essay, seek feedback. Platforms like Sups AI can be invaluable. Sups AI has assisted over 10,000 students in getting admitted to top 50 colleges in the US. It offers excellent tools for brainstorming and getting actionable essay feedback, along with one-on-one chats with current CU Boulder students to give you insider insights.

Final Checklist

Have you clearly indicated why CU Boulder is the right fit for your academic and personal growth?

Have you provided specific examples from your past experiences?

Did you make a connection between your interests and CU Boulder's offerings?

Have you revised and sought feedback on your essay?

Tackling the CU Boulder supplemental essay might seem daunting initially, but with the right approach, you can craft an essay that truly stands out. Leverage resources like Sups AI to get comprehensive guidance, personalized feedback, and one-on-one support from current students. Good luck with your application!

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does university of colorado boulder require supplemental essays

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University of Colorado Boulder

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Application Process

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.

First-Year Applicants

Students can apply to CU Boulder using the Common Application.  Complete applications include transcripts, essays, a letter of recommendation, application fee and optional test scores.

Spring First-Year 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 Oct. 1 deadline.

Summer and Fall First-Year Applicants

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

Non-Binding Early Action

First-year applicants who complete their file by Nov. 15 are considered early action and will receive an admission decision on or before Feb. 1.

Students meeting the non-binding, early action deadline may be admitted, deferred to Regular Decision, or denied admission. Deferred students will receive an additional review and are strongly encouraged to submit additional academic information to strengthen their applications. Students who are deferred do not typically receive an admission decision until April 1.

Early action students are not required to enroll at CU Boulder, but should, if they choose to attend, confirm their intent to enroll by May 1.

Regular Decision Application Deadline

The first-year regular decision application deadline is Jan. 15. All applicants with completed files by Jan. 15 will be notified of their admission decision no later than April 1.

Students should, if they choose to attend, confirm their intent to enroll by May 1.

Transfer Applicants

If a student submits a complete application on or before the transfer application deadline, they will receive an admission decision within six to eight weeks. A complete application includes transcripts (high school and college), academic interest response and application fee.

Transfer Application Deadlines

  • Spring Term: Oct. 1
  • Summer Term: March 15
  • Fall Term Early Notification: March 15
  • Fall Term Regular Decision: June 1

Applications are processed in the order in which they are received and completed. The earlier a complete application is submitted, the earlier a decision will be made.

Where to Send the Application, Fee and Credentials

Materials that cannot be submitted electronically, may be mailed to:

Office of Admissions Regent Administrative Center 125 University of Colorado Boulder 552 UCB Boulder, CO 80309-0552

Email and Mailing Addresses

Applicants must keep both their email and mailing addresses current at all times. We use email to communicate with students before, during and after the admissions process.  The mailing address is used for mailings until the applicant arrives on campus. Notices are also sent to this address regarding admission, registration and New Student Welcome, 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

  • Online application for admission
  • $65 nonrefundable ($70 USD for international students) application fee, payable online (if a student cannot pay the fee online, contact the Office of Admission at at 303-492-6301 or at [email protected])
  • Unofficial high school transcript
  • Unofficial college transcripts (if applicable)
  • SAT or ACT test scores (optional)
  • Common Application essay and one academic interest response (first-year applicants) or one academic interest response (transfer applicants)
  • Letter of recommendation (first-year applicants only)
  • Résumé or activities list (optional)

Confirmation Procedures

All admitted students are encouraged to confirm their intent to enroll through their application status page as soon as possible after receiving their admission notification. If a student cannot confirm their intent to enroll through their application status page, they must contact the Office of Admissions at 303-492-6301 or at [email protected] .

Confirmation Deadlines

  • Summer: May 1
  • Fall: May 1
  • Spring: Dec. 1
  • Transfers: varies; see confirmation instructions on application status page

If students register for classes and then decide not to attend, they may be assessed tuition depending upon the circumstances. For spring and fall semester policies, visit the Office of the Registrar's Withdraw from CU web page; for summer, visit Summer Session's Withdrawal web page. Important policy differences exist for continuing students versus new, readmitted and transfer students.

The confirmation deposits are used as registration deposits each semester as long as registration is completed by the published deadline. Once students have attended CU Boulder, the deposit (minus any fees or other charges owed) will be returned when they graduate. 

International Students

International students need to provide additional materials before they can accept their offer of admission and submit the $200 confirmation deposit. Students must complete the Next Steps Form found on their application status page. Once the Office of Admissions receives these materials they will review them to determine if they are sufficient.

Application Fees

Nonrefundable application fee ($65/$70 for international students), university of colorado boulder application.

Pay online when submitting the application or by check or money order (made payable to the University of Colorado) after submission. If submitting a check or money order, include the student's 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 the student submits 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.

Common Application

Pay online when submitting the 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 the student answers the fee waiver question indicating that one or more of the listed financial need criteria are met .

Required Credentials

Credentials or information uploaded by an applicant will be accepted as unofficial documentation . Do not submit samples or photographs of design or artwork. A portfolio is not used for admission purposes and cannot be returned.

Submission of Altered College Transcripts 

All students applying for admission to the University of Colorado Boulder are required to provide unofficial or official, unaltered transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended. Official transcripts are sent directly to the Office of Admissions by the former institutions and are in a sealed envelope. Digital transcripts sent directly from the institution to the Office of Admissions are also accepted. 

The submission of altered, falsified or counterfeit transcripts is strictly prohibited. Altered transcripts include:

  • forged signatures
  • tampered grades
  • any other modifications that are not in accordance with the issuing institution's official document. 

The University of Colorado Boulder reserves the right to verify the authenticity of submitted transcripts by contacting the issuing institution. Applicants found to have submitted altered or falsified transcripts may be subject to a range of possible disciplinary actions, including admission revocation, expulsion or revocation of course credit, grades and degree. 

Applicants who believe their transcripts were mistakenly identified as altered or falsified may have the opportunity to appeal the decision. The appeal process, including the required documentation and timeline, will be communicated to the affected individual.

Unofficial Transcripts

Transcripts can be official or unofficial and submitted directly to CU Boulder from the issuing institution for admission review. Transcripts can be uploaded to your status page in the "upload materials" section, mailed or sent to [email protected]. Official final transcripts are required upon enrollment to verify credentials.

Transcripts that are marked, for example, "student copy," "issued to student" or "unofficial" are not accepted as official.

Unofficial transcripts cannot be used to post transfer credit .

High School Transcript

All undergraduate degree-seeking students are required to have graduated from high school or received a high school equivalency prior to their first term of enrollment at CU Boulder regardless of their age at the time of application. Students should request that their high school send an official transcript of all work completed, equivalent to U.S. grade 9 , directly to the Office of Admissions, regardless of the number of college hours the student has completed (if any) or the date of graduation from high school.

Transfer applicants who have completed 24 or more semester hours of work after high school graduation at the time of application do not need to submit a high school transcript unless they enroll at CU Boulder.

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.

Official transcripts must be sent to the Office of Admissions from the issuing institution either via email to  [email protected] , via electronic transcript services (i.e Parchment,  or by mail and must have the appropriate seals and signatures. All credentials written in languages other than English must be accompanied by a literal certified English translation.

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 a violation of academic ethics and may result in the cancellation of admission or dismissal from the university.

SAT or ACT Test Scores (Optional)

ACT or SAT scores are not required for first-year students, but you may provide self-reported scores if you would like us to take your scores into consideration when reviewing your application.

CU Boulder's SAT code is 4841 and the ACT code is 0532 .

If a student would like their scores considered, they should indicate this on their Common Application. To submit scores, a student can self-report in the application, upload an unofficial score report to their application status page, or submit an official score report to CU Boulder.

The easiest and fastest way for a student’s ACT and/or SAT scores to be received by CU Boulder is to self report them using their application status page. If they did not request their scores to be sent to CU Boulder when they registered for the exam, they will need to request an additional score report from either ACT or SAT.

For further information:

  • consult a high school counselor
  • visit the SAT website , call 609-771-7600 or write to the College Board (SAT), P.O. Box 6200, Princeton, NJ 08541-6200
  • visit the ACT website , call 319-337-1270 or write to ACT Registration, P.O. Box 414, Iowa City, IA 52243-0414

Personal Essays

CU Boulder requires first-year applicants to submit one short personal essay and one academic interest response and transfer applicants to submit one academic interest response. 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 first-year applicants. The student's full legal name should be included at the top of recommendation letters.

Optional Documents

Applicants may submit additional letters of recommendation if they wish, however, doing so is optional. Applicants may also choose to submit a resume or list of co-curricular activities, 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, submit a music essay, provide a letter of reference and schedule an audition.

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University Of Colorado Boulder Admission Essay Writing Guide

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Application Guide

Essay examples, why cu boulder essay.

All college applications require you to submit a motivation letter that is more or else you promoting yourself, expressing your aspirations for future study plans, and how the program you choose will help you achieve your goals.

As part of your application to Colorado Boulder, you are required to respond to two essay prompts. Through the CU Boulder writing supplement essay, you have to bring out the best version of yourself, this being an opportunity for you to market yourself to the admission officers so that they will be able to see your worth and value.

For students writing an application letter for the first time, do not overthink it, or else you will end up trying too hard to impress the officials, thus coming off as a fake which is not what we are going for.

An outstanding CU Boulder application essay will guarantee you admission for graduate school and even for scholarships and for internship offered at the institution.

If you want to get a better sense of what the university is looking for, you can access the school’s site for deeper insights into how the university envisions student success and how they want to grow and evolve this.

University Of Colorado Boulder Writing Prompts

At the University of Colorado Boulder, no two buffs are alike. We value difference and support equity and inclusion of all students and their many intersecting identities. Pick one of your unique identities and describe its significance.

This is a 250 words statement essay requiring you as the applicant to open up and express a part of you that is not as evident in other parts of your application. In other words, CU Boulder wants to know what makes you, you in regards to your beliefs, perspectives, and values — this doesn’t have to be all business; feel free to bring out your charisma and charm if that’s your style.

Since you can only choose one of your identities, make sure you go with the unique one, and make it as human as possible, allowing yourself to find strength in vulnerability. Demonstrate how this identity has shaped you and your worldview, how you have become comfortable with it, what lessons you have learned along the way, and how you hope to impact others.

Please share a bit more about your academic interests. What do you hope to study at CU Boulder? What has inspired your interests in this area? Think about your prior/current coursework, extracurricular activities, work/volunteer experiences, future goals, or anything else that has shaped your interests.

This is also a 250 words essay requiring you to share more about your academic interests. The goal here is to merge your past academic background with future career goals and what you are passionate about. Here, it would help if you thought about the major you will choose and why you chose it.

This section is where you showcase your knowledge and passion about your interests, how they developed and how knew this was what you wanted to be part of. Do not shy away from communicating your interests and fascinations and how you have worked towards gaining the required skills over time.

It is, however, a good practice — for bachelor and for masters degree — to do extensive research to find out as much as possible about the school and the program you are applying for. If there is limited information on the application portal, visit the University of Colorado Boulder website and other public pages for their applicants’ standard expectations, CU Boulder essay examples, and qualifications.

How to Structure Your Motivation Letter

For university applications, writing entrance letters might be overwhelming, and one may tend to deviate from the main points hence losing the relevance of the essay itself.

An introduction letter helps the admissions board understand you, what motivates you and why you this means a lot to you, you are allowing yourself to fully immerse yourself in the process of writing the CU Boulder supplemental essays ensuring you include all the information needed. This structure applies to all applications for college.

The following steps are essential in writing an admission letter:

Write an outline.

Before writing your letter, outline the contents clearly, and think critically about whether you need to include everything you’ve written down. Ensure you do not miss topics on why you want to join CU, choose a specific major, and how your skills and values will benefit the university.

Introduction

This is a brief introduction of yourself to the admissions officials. If possible, address them by name to personalize your letter.

The officials will be going through many applications, so make sure from the first few sentences of your letter you have captured their attention, thus encouraging them to read more; with that being said, ensure to include details of yourself and your achievements in this section.

In this section, you can now expound more about your passion, values, skill sets, and achievements. Remember, this motivation letter aims at convincing the admissions board why you are fit for the opportunity to be part of CU Boulder; use compelling facts to be persuasive, but at the same time, do not be tempted to a little white lie to spice things up, we are aiming for authenticity.

You want to leave the officials reviewing your application with a good taste in their mouths, so summarize your goals and request the board invite you for an interview or contact you for more information. Do not forget to thank them.

After all, is said and done, proofread your letter to make it more concise. Correct any grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and wrong formatting. You can request your teacher, parent, or a trusted friend to proofread your letter. This puts you in confidence knowing you have submitted a quality motivation letter.

Please take advantage of our online site, which has many CU Boulder supplemental essay examples that will help you have a great idea of how it should be written. If you are having any doubts about your writing skills, you can check out one of the many online writing services where you can buy a sample at a cheap price, or you could pay for one to be written from scratch.

Pointers for Writing CU Boulder Application Essay

The following tips will help your cover letter stand out:

1. Follow all Guidelines

Ensure the formatting, word count, font and size, and length that have been provided in the instructions are followed. If the institution has not provided the instructions, use the standardized guidelines such as Times New Roman or Arial size 12 font.

2. Use Simple Terms

Avoid using unnecessary jargon and use accessible language. Ensure the sentences are short and active that cannot be misinterpreted.

3. Write with Personality

Use your own voice as naturally as possible as you would speak to a friend. Uniquely express yourself because your interests, feelings, and perspectives are yours, and only you can write them as they should be. This essay is meant to make you stand out among thousands of applications, making it as enjoyable as possible.

4. Focus on your strengths

Focus more on your strengths rather than your weaknesses; this helps the admissions board to understand your value to the institution:

  • Faculties at The University
  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • Leeds School of Business
  • School of Education
  • College of Media, Communication, and Information

The student-faculty ratio at the University of Colorado Boulder is 18:1, and the school has 50.3% of its classes with fewer than 20 students.

The most popular majors at the universities are:

  • Business Management
  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • Visual and Performing Arts
  • Marketing and Related Support Services
  • Engineering

University Of Colorado Boulder History

The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in downtown Denver. Founded in 1876, five months before Colorado was even a state, CU Boulder consists of nine colleges and schools and offers over 150 academic programs. CU Boulder ranks 99th in National Universities, 58th in Best Colleges for Veterans, 169th in Best Value Schools, 343rd in Top Performers on Social Mobility, 42nd in Top Public Schools, 31st in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs, and 10th in Aerospace/Aeronautical program.

For students seeking admission at CU Boulder, they should know the admissions are more selective, with an acceptance rate of 84%. The University of Colorado Boulder considers a students’ GPA a significant academic factor. The average freshman retention rate is 87%, which indicates student satisfaction.

Apart from the academic requirements, the university also requires you to submit a CU Boulder application essay in your application. We have provided several CU supplemental essay examples on our website to help you get started on yours.

The education you receive at CU Boulder is an excellent foundation that is going to stay with you even after graduation. The university cultivates a culture of comradery, support, spirit, and togetherness.

The university has a considerable number of alumni as Nobel laureates, film industry pacesetters, astronauts, athletes, journalists, lawyers, authors, Pulitzer Prize awards winners, and politicians as alumni. This goes to show how well-rounded and diverse students are.

Seeing how diverse and strongly rooted the values of CU Boulder are, it is very important to ensure the CU Boulder writing supplemental is perfect and will get the attention of admission officials in a way that will guarantee you admission into the college. Conducting your research on the institution, programs offered, extracurricular activities, and faculty will show how interested you really are. For professor information, you can visit the CU website and get all the information you need from their accreditations, projects they have been involved in, articles written, and research done as well.

Wishing you all the best as you write your CU Boulder application essay. Remember to check our site for all your need CU Boulder supplemental essay examples.

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does university of colorado boulder require supplemental essays

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

does university of colorado boulder require supplemental essays

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.

does university of colorado boulder require supplemental essays

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.

does university of colorado boulder require supplemental essays

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does university of colorado boulder require supplemental essays

does university of colorado boulder require supplemental essays

University of Colorado Boulder | CU Boulder

  • Cost & scholarships
  • Essay prompt

Want to see your chances of admission at University of Colorado Boulder | CU Boulder?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

University of Colorado Boulder | CU Boulder’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Why this major short response.

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.

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

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.

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?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

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?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

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?

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.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

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How to Write a Great Supplemental Essay

Zach Skillings

Zach Skillings is the Scholarships360 Newsletter Editor. He specializes in college admissions and strives to answer important questions about higher education. When he’s not contributing to Scholarships360, Zach writes about travel, music, film, and culture. His work has been published in Our State Magazine, Ladygunn Magazine, The Nocturnal Times, and The Lexington Dispatch. Zach graduated from Elon University with a degree in Cinema and Television Arts.

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Maria Geiger

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Student edits her college application supplemental essay on her cell phone

When it comes to your college application essay, there’s a good chance you’ll end up writing more than one. There’s your main personal statement, and then there’s supplemental essays. These are shorter essays required by some colleges and universities. To learn more about supplemental essays and the different types of prompts there are, keep reading. Or if you’d like to jump directly to our tips section , go right ahead!

Also see:  How to write a 500 word essay

What is a supplemental essay? 

Also known as school-specific essays, supplemental essays are additional pieces of writing required by some universities. They’re designed to give admissions officers a better sense of who you are and why you want to attend their school. Supplemental essays are shorter in length than your main personal statement. Word counts can range anywhere from 25 – 600 words, but most of the time they’re 250 words or less. Some colleges ask for just one supplemental essay, while others require several. 

Related:  How to format a college essay

The “why us?” question

Supplemental essays usually ask something along the lines of “why us?”, prompting students to describe why they want to attend a specific school. It’s a common question that you’ll see asked in various ways. Here’s a few examples from different schools: 

American University 
Barnard College
Boston University 
University of Chicago 
University of Michigan
Syracuse University 

Other essay prompt examples

While the “why us?” question is a common prompt, there are many others out there. Prompts may ask about your favorite book, your biggest inspiration, or something as off-the-wall as pie ( see UChicago ). Here’s a few examples of supplemental essay prompts from various schools: 

Yale University
University of Colorado – Boulder
Vanderbilt University
University of Chicago 
Wake Forest University
University of Georgia
UNC Chapel Hill

Tips for writing your supplemental essay(s)

1. be prepared for anything.

As you can tell by the examples above, supplemental essay prompts can ask you just about anything. That means you probably shouldn’t go in with any preconceived ideas of what you’re going to write about. Rather, be adaptable and willing to take on any question that comes your way. 

2. If you’re stuck, try freewriting 

If you get stumped by a certain prompt and you’re having trouble answering, do some freewriting exercises. Spend 10-15 minutes writing nonstop about whatever comes to mind when you think of the prompt. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or writing complete sentences. You can even use bullet points if that helps. When you’re done, review your writing and see if there’s anything you can elaborate on. You’re bound to find something that can be shaped into an essay.

3. Tailor your response to the school  

This one applies mostly to the “why us?” question. When answering this prompt, you should craft a response that touches on unique aspects of the specific school you’re applying to. Ask yourself what attracted you to the school in the first place. Was it a specific academic program? Was it the campus culture? What about the extracurricular activities ? Whatever the case may be, make sure you clearly indicate why you’re interested in the school and why you’d be a great fit. 

Also see:  Can you use the same essay for multiple colleges?

4. Choose a narrow focus 

Most of the time, you’ll need to find an angle that can be covered in about 250 words or less. That means now’s not the time to take a deep dive into complex topics like politics or race relations. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t still write about something meaningful. You may not be able to tell your entire life story, but you can probably find a specific aspect to focus on. Even if you’re allowed just 50 words, you should find a way to reveal something positive about who you are. Figuring out how to do that is key to writing a solid essay. 

5. Be concise 

Adopting a narrow focus is easier when you’re intentional with your writing. Since the word limit on supplemental essays is usually pretty low, you need to make every word count to get your point across. If you’re struggling to comply with the word limit, comb through your essay and eliminate every sentence, phrase, and word that doesn’t serve a purpose. If it doesn’t add to the story, cut it. 

6. Don’t repeat yourself

The whole point of supplemental essays is to provide a space for colleges to get to know you better. That means you shouldn’t simply recycle content from your main essay or other parts of your application. It’s fine to briefly mention something again, but make sure you’re adding something new that can’t be found elsewhere in your application. If you can write about something completely different, even better!

7. Be yourself 

As cliché as it sounds, the best thing you can do when writing is to be yourself. Remember that these essays are meant to give insight into your character, so use your authentic voice and let your personality shine through. If it helps, write as if you’re having a chat with a close friend or family member . 

8. Ask for editing advice 

Before you turn in your essay, ask someone you trust to give it a read. Even if you’re 100% sure you’ve corrected all spelling and grammar mistakes, a second pair of eyes never hurts. Just try to limit the number of people who read your essay to one or two. Seeking feedback from too many sources may cause your essay to stray from the original focus.

Additional writing resources

  • How to Write a 250 Word Essay
  • How to Write an Essay About Yourself
  • College Essay Primer: Show, Don’t Tell
  • How to Answer the Common App Essay Prompts

Additional college admission resources

If you’re working on your college applications, you’ve probably got a lot on your plate. Luckily, we’ve got resources to help you through every step of the college process. Our resources include a guide of how many colleges to apply to , how to find  safety, reach and match schools , and  when to submit your applications . We can help you fill out the Common App  activities  and  honors  sections, and  write a successful college application .

Once you hear back from schools, we can help you  interpret your financial aid award letter , write a  financial appeal , and  apply for scholarships . And even once you’re in college, you can check out our resources on  how to get involved on campus ,  how to save money , get a  work-study job , and  create a budget . Finally, don’t forget to be proactive in paying for your education! Apply for as many scholarships as you qualify for while you are eligible!

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CU Boulder Supplement

so I don't know what to write about. The question is: At the University of Colorado Boulder, no two Buffs are alike. We value differences and support equity and inclusion of all students and their many intersecting identities. Pick one of your unique identities and describe its significance. (650 words).

In my common app essay, I wrote about being a Mexican-American, so I don't want to write about that. I thought about writing about being part of the LGBT community, but I don't know about that because my counselors are looking that over for me and I am not out to them yet. Any advice?

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Colleges That Don’t Require Any Supplemental Essays

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  • Adelphi University
  • Alaska Pacific University
  • Albion College
  • Alma College
  • Baldwin Wallace University
  • Barry University
  • Bates College
  • Bay Path University
  • Beloit College
  • Bryant University
  • Butler University
  • Caldwell University
  • Capital University
  • Centenary College of Louisiana
  • Christopher Newport University
  • Clarkson University
  • Colby College
  • College of Saint Benedict
  • Concordia University Wisconsin
  • Cornell College
  • Cottey College
  • DePaul University
  • Elmira College
  • Gettysburg College
  • Grinnell College
  • Hanover College
  • Hellenic College
  • Hollins University
  • Hope College
  • Iona University
  • Juniata College
  • Kenyon College
  • Lyon College
  • McKendree University
  • Menlo College
  • Middlebury College
  • Northeastern University
  • Northern Vermont University Johnson
  • Northern Vermont University Lyndon
  • Ohio State University
  • Ripon College
  • Pace University
  • Pacific Lutheran University
  • Sacred Heart University
  • Salisbury University
  • Seton Hall University
  • Stevens Institute of Technology
  • SUNY Binghamton University
  • Susquehanna University
  • Temple University
  • Trinity University
  • Union College
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • University of Colorado Denver
  • University of Connecticut
  • University of Idaho
  • University of Missouri – St. Louis
  • University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  • University of New Hampshire
  • University of Rhode Island
  • Wesleyan University
  • Whitman College
  • Wilkes University
  • Woodbury University

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Below you will find important student policy information related to Continuing Education courses.

If you have questions about academic policies, do not hesitate to contact our Student Services team.

Academic Standing

Academic standing is a measure of a student’s academic success at CU Boulder based on CU GPA. Academic standing is processed in fall and spring terms, and considers all CU Boulder coursework, including both main campus and Continuing Education courses.

Non-degree Students

Non-degree students are subject to the Continuing Education academic standing policies. Students who fail to maintain a cumulative 2.000 GPA after completion of any semester will receive one semester of Academic Warning. During this semester the student may take Evening Credit, Online Credit, Applied Music, ACCESS, or Summer Session courses in an effort to reach a 2.000 cumulative GPA. If the student fails to receive a 2.000 cumulative GPA after the Academic Warning semester, the student will be placed on Academic Suspension. Students on Academic Suspension may only take Evening Credit, Online Credit, Applied Music, or Summer Session courses and must maintain a 2.500 term GPA or reach an overall cumulative of 2.000 in order to avoid Academic Dismissal. Students on Academic Dismissal are ineligible to enroll in any CU Boulder fall or spring coursework.

Continuing Education does not run academic standing at the end of the summer, and academic standing does not impact a student’s eligibility to enroll in summer coursework. Students who achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.000 at the end of the summer may return to taking courses during the fall and spring semesters.

Degree-Seeking Students

Degree-seeking students are subject to the academic standing policy outlined in the CU Boulder Undergraduate Catalog . Please see the Registrar’s Office website for more information, or schedule an appointment with an academic advisor to explore your options.

Consecutive Semester Withdrawal

Non-degree students in Continuing Education who withdraw from or drop two regular semesters in a row may have a dean’s stop placed on their registration. Summer Session is not counted as a regular semester. These students will not be permitted to enroll at CU Boulder before one full academic year has elapsed (not including their semester of withdrawal).

Petitioning for Exception to Deadlines and Policies

The petition process is designed to provide non-degree students who experience unavoidable, extenuating circumstances, the opportunity to waive a University policy that, if enforced, would result in unsatisfactory academic progress or financial consequences. A committee of Continuing Education staff reviews petitions on a regular basis. For more information, please contact the petition coordinator at [email protected] or 303-492-9881 . You can also watch our How to Petition Anything webinar to learn more.

Students also have the right to appeal to the Dean of Continuing Education any decision made by the petition committee. Contact the Division’s petition committee at [email protected] for more information.

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  • Tips for Supplemental/Secondary Applications

Many schools will require you to submit a supplemental application, along with a supplemental application fee. Most supplemental applications require you to write additional essays. These essays give you a chance to explain why you think you are a good fit for that particular school.

You should complete each of your supplemental applications within two to three weeks of being prompted to do so. If you take longer, the schools may get the impression that you are not seriously interested in them. (Note: Supplemental applications are part of the reason why you should not apply to too many schools! It takes time to complete your supplemental application essays thoughtfully and carefully.) Our Pre-Application Google Sheet (see link posted on the main Preparing your Written Application Materials webpage) includes a secondary application tracking spreadsheet for your use.

Note: If your common application includes a "Program Materials" section that includes each school's supplemental essays, list just one school at first. Once you've completed the entire primary application, submit it so that you can get in the queue to have your coursework entries verified. You can then log back into the application and add your remaining schools so that you can take more time to respond to their supplemental essay prompts. 

(Many thanks to Candice Eisenhauer, Director of Health Professions Advising at Wheaton College, for her valuable contributions to this section!)

Tips for responding to supplemental essay prompts

Applicants to MD and DO programs: You can get started on pre-writing your supplemental essays in advance by referring to one of the following lists of supplemental essay prompts: 

  • Medical School Headquarters website
  • MedEdits website  (scroll down past all of the text on this page to find the list). 

Applicants to PA programs: 

  • PA Platform website

To our knowledge, no such lists exist for the other health professions.

Your goal here is to convey your understanding of what they stand for, how they train their students, and their philosophies.  

Research each school thoroughly by reading all of the information on their website and in your profession's reference guide. If you can also talk with admissions directors in advance by participating in a virtual fair, CU's annual Health Professions Expo, or by physically visiting the school, all the better -- take notes so that you can refer back to them when you are completing your supplemental applications.

  • Traditional vs. systems-based
  • Lecture vs. flipped classrooms vs. problem-based-learning
  • Special tracks that fit your interests, as demonstrated by your activity history (rural health, public health, global health, research, etc.)
  • Appealing aspects of their approach to clinical training
  • Support services available at that school, such as mentoring programs, assistance with test prep for licensing exams, or assistance with job placement
  • Student culture, especially any appealing opportunities to engage with their campus community (student groups, service groups, etc.)
  • Read the school's mission statement and explain how your strengths are in line with the school’s mission.
  • If you have talked with an admissions officer during a fair or have visited the school, say so and indicate what excited you about their particular program.
  • If you have spoken with one of their faculty members or current/former students and have learned more about their program that way, say so.
  • Find a copy of their latest newsletter so that you can talk about current events going on at that school. 
  • If you have family support in the area, you can mention that, but it shouldn't be the only reason you cite.
  • Likewise, if the location allows you to continue to engage in a favorite hobby for stress relief, you can also say so, but location should not be a primary part of your answer.

Think broadly about diversity. Diversity questions on supplemental applications typically are not only focused only on racial, ethnic, cultural, or socioeconomic diversity. You may find it helpful to refer to the figure on  this AAMC document on Holistic Review  for guidance on thinking about the many aspects of your background and identity that could help you contribute positively to the diversity of thought in professional school and your approach to caring for patients from a wide variety of backgrounds and belief systems.

When you talk about these aspects of your background and identity in this essay, share illustrative anecdotes and reflect upon the ways in which they have shaped you:

  • How have they impacted your awareness of certain factors and/or influenced the decisions you've made since then?
  • What did I learn?
  • What did I realize I need to get better at?
  • What changes have I made as a result?

Possible topics to include in this essay, if they apply to you:

  • Formal, long-term activities that gave you insight into social justice issues. 
  • Your experiences with a different culture, outside of the U.S.

Be aware: An essay prompt with this wording is not asking for you to discuss factors such as your religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, political beliefs, etc. Rather, they are interested in learning more about your  experiences or personality traits that relate to your suitability for a career as a clinician. 

Topics that fit here:

  • Any autobiographical information, including formative experiences that have shaped who you are today or influences that impacted your career goals (e.g., could include where you grew up, family circumstances, obstacles, health challenges, etc.), that you have not already mentioned elsewhere in your application.
  • Periods of lower-than-normal grades (but note that one or two Cs is not worthy of mention here)
  • Pattern of withdrawals from courses (again, one or two Ws is not enough to warrant mention here)
  • Leaves of absence from school, etc.

... The key is to provide an explanation , not an excuse . Explain what happened, what you learned from the experience, and what you are doing differently now to avoid a repeat of the situation. Take personal responsibility; do not complain about other people's actions.

Although you have probably listed all/most of your current activities on your common application, this prompt on a supplemental application is asking you to provide a summary of all of your current activities in one paragraph or so. As you write this paragraph,  state your rationale or  motivations  for being involved in each current activity. 

  • Any additional coursework to complete remaining prerequisites or to deepen your science knowledge
  • Current clinical/research/volunteer experiences
  • Current job (Note: It's okay to be working in an unrelated field so that you can pay your bills, but keep in mind that most jobs have some aspect that is relevant to your preparation for a clinical career. Wait staff in restaurants are using their interpersonal communication skills constantly, engineers must use their critical thinking skills, etc. Applicants to all types of professional programs may find it useful to review the AAMC's list of entry-level competencies for guidance on thinking about relevant skills you are using in your current work.

This type of question is typically optional. Consider the following topic areas:

  • Information about new relevant experiences that you have started this summer.
  • Information about your background that you haven't mentioned elsewhere, particularly if this aspect of your background has informed your strengths, motivations, or goals.
  • Tell them more about what you do for fun and why you find it meaningful. This type of approach will help the reader get a sense of you as a real person and may help interviewers connect with you based on mutual interests.

However, if you really feel that you have nothing significant to add here, then do not feel pressured to write something trivial.

This essay needs to demonstrate that you have done your due diligence in learning about the work of an osteopathic physician. Review all of the information posted on this AACOM webpage and watch the two short videos posted on that page. Also read all of the information listed in this chapter of the Osteopathic Medical College Information Book .

When you answer this question, provide supporting examples from your shadowing experiences with an osteopathic physician. 

Do not say that you are applying to osteopathic programs this year because you applied to M.D. programs last year but didn't get in. (Is it crazy that we need to say this? Maybe, but admissions committees at D.O. schools see this type of answer all the time !)

Prompt: The autobiographical essay should be an account of the applicant's life history and experiences. Please note this is not a personal statement or a statement of reasons for applying to PA school.

Advice: Respond to this prompt in the same way you'd respond to the "Tell me about yourself" question at an interview. 

First, some guidelines:

  • It is  not  the same question as, “Tell me why you want to be a ______.”
  • For each item on this list, identify the top 2-3 reasons why you find it motivating/rewarding.
  • Now look through your lists of reasons. What are the common themes that keep coming up?
  • Mentoring/coaching others : TA, summer camp counselor, sports coach, volunteer at crisis hotline
  • Problem solving : working on my car, doing research,  crisis hotline
  • Creativity : cooking, doing research, explaining concepts to students as a TA
  • Building/maintaining community : sports, church

Tips for structuring your answer:

  • You can begin by sharing a bit about your background: where you were raised, where you went to school, etc.
  • If your upbringing had a profound effect on your reasons for wanting to become a clinician or has informed how you want to approach your future work, succinctly share this information.
  • Aim to convey your top 3-4 themes you identified above.
  • As always, your writing will be richer and more memorable if you tell several little illustrative stories within the essay.

Answers to common questions about supplemental applications

Great question! Please do not wait. Many schools track how long it takes for each applicant to send in their secondary application. Due to the aggressive timing of the rolling admissions process, the best strategy is to continue to proceed full-steam-ahead with the application process, even while you are waiting for your test score. This means completing and submitting each secondary application  within two to three weeks of receiving it.  If you are slow to return a school's secondary application, that school may assume—correctly or incorrectly—that they are not high on your priority list, which can hurt your chance of getting an interview.

Many professional schools automatically send all applicants a secondary application. Many others, however, conduct an initial screening of common applications before sending out secondary applications (think of this as a courtesy; they aren’t asking everyone to spend extra time and money on a secondary application). 

Bottom line: Expect to receive an initial flurry of secondaries. The rest will trickle in more slowly as schools conduct their initial screenings of the common applications.

Although it will be tempting, avoid using the exact same essay in response to multiple schools' supplemental essay prompts. The wording is usually a little different, so you must be vigilant in making sure that you are responding to each specific prompt.  

Be incredibly careful when re-using essays to make sure you do not include the name of the wrong school!

If a secondary application asks for information that strikes you as redundant, remember that they probably have a good reason for asking you to provide that information again now. Do not write, “See Primary Application” and do not simply copy-and-paste the information you provided in your common application. Instead, take a fresh approach to providing the information they are asking for in this section. They probably put high value on that information and want it provided here in an easy-to-reference way.

No, but it should look like a professional photo - you should be dressed as you intend to be dressed for your interviews. The lighting should be good, the background neutral. The main focus should be your face. Remember, admissions committees use these to remember you after your interview. Look at the photo you plan to send and ask if it shows you the way you want them to remember you.

Here is the strategy we recommend:

  • Answer the specific prompt that you are given. Although many prompts are similar from school-to-school, there are usually distinctive elements in each one that require a tailored response.
  • When you write your secondary essays, assume that the reader already knows what you've told them in your common application. At the majority of schools, your application reviewers will read your entire application file at once (e.g., personal statement, experiences, and secondary application essays).
  • Engage in thoughtful, authentic self-reflection
  • Utilize the power of specific examples and anecdotes so that your responses are unique to you. Although the themes you raise may be common among many other applicants, the examples and anecdotes you share will be yours alone. 
  • If you find yourself saying that you are interested in something or that something happened, look for opportunities to develop it further by sharing "whys" and "hows": Why did you get involved?  Why does something specifically interest you? How did you go about dealing with a certain situation? How would you like to make use of the opportunities a school offers to its students?
  • This is NOT a sales pitch! Do not try to force a pre-determined impression on the schools. Rather, answer their specific questions in a thoughtful, authentic way, sharing illustrative examples and stories where space allows.
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  2. Mastering the University of Colorado Boulder Supplemental Essay: Expert

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  3. How To Write The Cu Boulder Supplemental Essay

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  4. How to Respond to the 2023/2024 University of Colorado Boulder

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  1. Stanford 2023-24 Prompts Guide

  2. How Do You Write Great Supplemental Essays?

  3. Writing The "Why This College?" Essay

COMMENTS

  1. First-Year

    Learn about the application process, deadlines, requirements and materials for first-year applicants to CU Boulder. Find out how to check your status, apply for financial aid and scholarships, and get support if affected by natural disasters.

  2. 2024-25 University of Colorado Boulder Supplemental Essay Guide

    University of Colorado Boulder 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide. No Time To Lose! The University of Colorado Boulder Deadline Countdown is on: Early Action: Nov 15. Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15. We can help you draft in time for submission!

  3. First-Year

    Find answers to common questions about applying to CU Boulder as a first-year student, including deadlines, requirements, scholarships, and more. Learn how to prepare, complete, and follow up on your application, and what to do after receiving a decision.

  4. Ready? Set. Apply! Your need-to-know guide for the 2025 application

    Test scores are optional for first-year students applying to CU Boulder. Students are required to submit the Common Application Essay (word limit: 250-650) and a short-answer academic interest question (word limit: 250). We accept unofficial transcripts, which you'll be able to upload directly to your application status page.

  5. How to Write the University of Colorado Boulder 2024-2025 Supplemental

    The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) has introduced its new essay prompting requirements for the 2024-2025 application cycle, challenging applicants to articulate their academic interests and personal experiences in a clear and concise manner. To get you started on the right path, let's delve into the prompts and strategies for ...

  6. How to Write the University of Colorado Boulder Essay 2024-2025

    Learn how to write a compelling "Why This Major" essay for CU Boulder, a public research university in Colorado. Find tips on how to frame your story, show your academic background and goals, and align your interests with the major.

  7. How to Respond to the 2023/2024 University of Colorado Boulder

    Learn how to respond to the 2023/2024 University of Colorado Boulder supplemental essay prompt, which asks about your academic interests and why you chose their college. Get tips on how to showcase your skills, values, and community involvement in 250 words.

  8. How to Write the University of Colorado Boulder Supplemental Essays

    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.

  9. Mastering the University of Colorado Boulder Supplemental Essay: Expert

    Understand What CU Boulder Values. The University of Colorado Boulder looks for students who are passionate, curious, and eager to make a difference in their fields. Your supplemental essay is your chance to showcase these qualities. CU Boulder wants applicants who can demonstrate a clear connection between their past experiences and their ...

  10. University of Colorado Boulder Application Requirements

    4. **Letters of Recommendation**: CU Boulder does not require letters of recommendation for admission consideration, but they will accept up to two letters if you choose to submit them. These can be added via the Common Application or sent directly to the school. 5. **Personal Essay**: You'll need to submit a personal essay within your application.

  11. Application Process

    Learn how to apply to CU Boulder as a first-year or transfer student, and find out the deadlines, fees, credentials and confirmation procedures. You can use the Common Application or the online application for admission, and submit optional test scores and essays.

  12. CU Boulder Supplemental Essay?

    CU Boulder does have a supplemental essay as part of their application process. This essay is intended to provide more insights into your personality, interests, and goals beyond what's covered in your main personal statement. It's an opportunity for you to stand out and show the admissions committee who you are as a person, as well as a student.

  13. What We Look for in Your Application

    Learn how CU Boulder evaluates your academic, personal and extracurricular information holistically and in context. Find out what questions we ask ourselves and what we hope to learn from your essays, transcripts, recommendations and test scores.

  14. University Of Colorado Boulder Supplemental Essay Prompts Writing Guide

    The University of Colorado Boulder considers a students' GPA a significant academic factor. The average freshman retention rate is 87%, which indicates student satisfaction. Apart from the academic requirements, the university also requires you to submit a CU Boulder application essay in your application.

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

    Learn how to write a compelling essay for the University of Colorado Boulder supplemental application. Reflect on your unique background, a time when you interacted with someone different, and how you grew from the experience.

  16. University of Colorado Boulder

    Learn about the essay topics and requirements for University of Colorado Boulder | CU Boulder's application. Choose from seven options to showcase your voice, story, and interests in 650 words or less.

  17. How to Write a Great Supplemental Essay

    Learn what supplemental essays are, why they matter, and how to write them for different colleges and universities. Find tips, examples, and prompts for various types of supplemental essays.

  18. CU Boulder Supplement : r/ApplyingToCollege

    CU Boulder Supplement. Supplements. so I don't know what to write about. The question is: At the University of Colorado Boulder, no two Buffs are alike. We value differences and support equity and inclusion of all students and their many intersecting identities. Pick one of your unique identities and describe its significance. (650 words).

  19. Supplemental Essay Guide 2024-25

    Find out how to approach the supplemental essay prompts for Boston College and other colleges in the 2024-25 application cycle. CEA's experts break down the prompts and provide tips and examples for each school.

  20. First-Year

    Learn how to apply to CU Boulder as a first-year student and what factors are considered in the holistic admission review process. Find out the academic rigor, test scores, essays, recommendations and other requirements for different majors and colleges.

  21. Colleges that Don't Require Supplemental Essays

    Temple University is one of the colleges that don't require any supplemental essays in addition to the personal statement. See the full list of schools that you can apply to without writing extra essays on CEA's website.

  22. 3 Tips to Creating the College Essay

    Learn how to write a compelling college essay that showcases your voice, reflection and growth. Review CU Boulder's essay prompts and short answer question in the Application Checklist.

  23. Policies

    Academic standing is a measure of a student's academic success at CU Boulder based on CU GPA. Academic standing is processed in fall and spring terms, and considers all CU Boulder coursework, including both main campus and Continuing Education courses. Non-degree Students

  24. Tips for Supplemental/Secondary Applications

    Many schools will require you to submit a supplemental application, along with a supplemental application fee. Most supplemental applications require you to write additional essays. These essays give you a chance to explain why you think you are a good fit for that particular school. You should complete each of your supplemental applications within two to three weeks of being prompted to do so ...