University of Colorado Boulder

If you are applying to CU Boulder, the deadline for Fall 2023 admissions is January 15 and the application fee is $70.

CU Boulder Admissions Stats at a Glance

The following is an overiew of some of CU Boulder's admissions stats.

CU Boulder 2022	Admissions Statistics
Mean Unweighted GPA	3.7
Admitted Students in Top 10% of Graduating Class	26%
Mean SAT Score	1251
Admissions Test Policy	Test Optional
Applicants Who Submit SATs	32%
Applicants Who Submit ACTs	16%
Waitlist	Yes

University of Colorado Boulder Application Deadlines

These are the application deadlines for University of Colorado Boulder.

Application Type	Offered	Application Deadline	Notification Deadline
Early Decision I	Info Not Available	––	––
Early Decision II	––	––	––
Early Action	Yes	November 15	February 1
Regular Decision	Yes	January 1	––

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Applying Early to CU Boulder?

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University of Colorado Boulder may or may not offer early admission, however the school has not provided any application information. Check with CU Boulder directly for more information about early applications.

🗓️ The Early Action deadline is November 15. CU Boulder will release EA admissions decisions no later than February 1.

➡️ Discover a list of some top colleges that accept significantly more applicants during early decision or early action than during regular admission.

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More on University of Colorado Boulder Admissions

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Transferring to University of Colorado Boulder

It is moderately difficult to be admitted as a transfer student.

For Students Waitlisted to CU Boulder

CU Boulder has not reported data for waitlisted and admitted students.

What Does CU Boulder Look For in an Applicant?

Colleges consider a range of factors when determining who to admit for their next incoming class. Each college has a different way of determining which factors are they consider most important when choose which applicants to admit, and which to deny. When assembling your list of schools to apply to, you may want to consider your strengths and any possible weaknesses in your application, and apply to colleges that prioritize the areas where you shine.

Admissions Factors at CU Boulder

What does CU Boulder consider during the admissions process? Take a look at the list below to see which factors are most important during the admissions process.

Admissions Factor	Level
Academic GPA	Very Important
Rigor of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Character/Personal Qualities	Important
Extracurricular Activities	Important
Application Essay	Important
First Generation	Important
Recommendation(s)	Important
Talent/Ability	Important
Geographical Residence	Considered
Class Rank	Considered
Work Experience	Considered
Racial/Ethnic Status	Considered
State Residency	Considered
Standardized Test Scores	Considered
Volunteer Work	Considered

Make sure to check with CU Boulder for more information on admission factors.

CU Boulder 2022-2023 Application Requirements

To apply to CU Boulder, all applicants must submit the following items. Make sure to check in with CU Boulder's admissions department to confirm all application materials and requirements.

Area	Required	Recommended	Required for Some	Details (If Any)
Minimum High School GPA (On 4.0 Scale)		3
Other Requirements			√	audition for music program
Transcript(S) of College Record
Letter(s) of Recommendation	1
Written Essay or Personal Statement	√
Transcript of High School Record	√

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GPA and Testing

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What GPA Do I Need To Get Into CU Boulder?

Students admitted to CU Boulder have an average unweighted GPA of 3.7.

Out of all students that were admitted, 43% submitted a class rank. At CU Boulder 26% of students ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class in high school, 52% were in the top 25% and 83% were in the top 50%.

GPAs of Admitted Students

At University of Colorado Boulder, student GPAs fall in the following ranges.

GPA	Percent of Students
4.0 GPA	34%
3.75 and 3.99	20%
3.50 and 3.74	18%
3.25 and 3.49	14%
3.00 and 3.24	9%
2.50 and 2.9	5%
2.00 and 2.49	1%

This chart depicts the percentage of all enrolled, degree-seeking, first-time, first year (freshmen) students who had high school grade point average within the given ranges.

Note: Some schools choose not release this information. If you have any questions regarding missing numbers, be sure to reach out to CU Boulder directly.

About GPAs

Your high school grade point average (GPA) is a number that reflects your high school academic performance. A weighted GPA or an unweighted GPA are the two possible GPA scores considered by colleges.

An unweighted GPA is an average of your scores from each class on a four-point scale. Unweighted GPAs range from 4.0 to under 1.0. A weighted GPA considers your average grade and the difficulty of your classes. A weighted GPA boosts your average by adding extra points for honors or Advanced Placement courses.

Standardized Test Scores

CU Boulder looks at standardized tests scores during the admissions process.

CU Boulder is a test optional school. Test optional schools allow students to choose if they want to submit ACT or SAT scores with their applications or not.

In 2022, 32% of CU Boulder's first-year students submitted their SAT scores with their application. 16% of admitted applicants sent ACT scores.

What is a Good SAT Score for CU Boulder?

To be competitive with other CU Boulder applicants, you should aim to earn between 1180 and 1380 (or higher!) on the SAT. At CU Boulder 25% of admitted students scored higher than 1380 and 25% of scored lower than 1180, but the majority of students scored somewhere in between these two numbers.The mean composite SAT score for a CU Boulder student is 1251.

On the SAT Math Section, 25% of CU Boulder students scored 700 or higher and 75% of students scored 590 or higher. On the SAT Critical Reading section (formerly called the Verbal section), 25% of CU Boulder students scored 690 or higher, and 75% scored a 590 or higher.

What is a Good ACT Score for CU Boulder?

To be most competitive at CU Boulder, you should strive to earn between 25 and 31 on the ACT.

An ACT score of 31 means you fall in the 75th percentile for CU Boulder's admitted students. One out of every four students scored above a 31, and three out of four students scored lower than 31 on the ACT.

A 25 on the ACT is the 25th percentile for CU Boulder students. Only one out of every four students scored below 25.

Want To Bring Up Your ACT Score? Access ACT practice tests and study tips and see upcoming ACT test dates.

More Information on Transferring to University of Colorado Boulder

For transfer students, it is moderately difficult to get admitted to CU Boulder.

For transfer students wishing to start in the fall, the deadline to apply is June 1. Transfer applications are processed on a on a rolling basis as they are received.

Transfer students can enroll in CU Boulder during the following terms:

• Fall Term

• Spring Term

• Summer Term

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CU Boulder Admissions FAQs

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Can I defer my acceptance to CU Boulder?

✅ Yes, admitted students can defer their admission to CU Boulder.

Does CU Boulder accept transfer credits?

✅ CU Boulder accepts eligible transfer credits from accredited institutions. CU Boulder accepts:

• CLEP subject tests • DSST/DANTES

Does CU Boulder accept Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits?

✅ CU Boulder accepts International Baccalaureate credits (IB) credits and Advanced Placement (AP) credits.

Do I have to submit test scores to CU Boulder?

❌ No, CU Boulder is test optional, so it's up to you if you want to submit test scores or not. If your scores are higher than the school's average, you may want to send them. If your scores are average or below average, you may want not want to include them in your application.

What is CU Boulder's acceptance rate?

✅ CU Boulder has an acceptance rate of 80%.

What is the early decision acceptance rate at CU Boulder?

🟨 CU Boulder may or may not offer early decision. The school has not provided any information on early decision including ED acceptance rates.

Want To Learn More About CU Boulder?

To learn more about CU Boulder, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Tuition & Aid

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