It鈥檚 August 1, which means it鈥檚 college application time! Everything you鈥檝e done and accomplished to this point was in preparation for the next step of your educational journey, starting with your college application. As the Common Application opens up for another year, we鈥檙e here to help you.听
Despite all the hype, submitting the application doesn鈥檛 have to be a daunting task. This process allows you to put together a curated masterpiece of your life鈥檚 work; an opportunity to show us your story in your own words.鈥疉s admissions professionals, we鈥檙e looking to your application to give us an idea of what you鈥檝e accomplished or the roadblocks you鈥檝e encountered along the way. It鈥檚 important to imagine your application as a cohesive narrative of your academic and personal path. Check out this step-by-step guide that will help you navigate this process successfully鈥攁nd without all the stress.听
Step # 1: Investigate!听
Start by asking yourself, 鈥淲hat鈥檚 important to me?鈥� and take that a step further by exploring the college experience you envision for yourself. Write down a few goals or priorities for the next four years鈥攁nd allow those to be a roadmap through your college search. Be sure to take advantage of the support system around you by connecting with your听admission counselor, current students, alumni and faculty! We are here to help, and we鈥檙e happy to discuss any questions or worries you have about the application process.听
Pro-tip: Create a college specific email address for all college related communication!听
Step # 2: Start setting those calendar reminders!听
We know you鈥檙e super busy and in the midst of your senior year, and of course we want you to be able to enjoy this special time. But part of celebrating how far you鈥檝e come is preparing for your next step! You鈥檒l feel more relaxed and prepared if you have a solidified timeline and set milestones for yourself. Mark your calendar with a due date that is a few weeks ahead of the application deadline. Don鈥檛 forget to review all required documents and have them submitted by the deadline. This will ensure that you have the time to carefully review your application before you submit it to the admissions office.听
Step # 3: Make sure to take breaks.听
Don鈥檛 forget to take a step back from your application to breathe. Let someone else (or a few people) read through your application before submitting it to get a fresh perspective. Remember, this is YOUR story to tell, but having input from others can help catch any little errors that you may have overlooked.听
Step # 4:鈥疐lexibility is key.听
Every year, there are updates and changes to college applications, and this year has been no exception. Changes are being made at the college level to adapt to student circumstances.听
A few things to highlight within the 2025听application:听
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Test scores are optional for first-year students applying to CU Boulder.听
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麻豆淫院 are required to submit the Common Application Essay (word limit: 250-650) and a short-answer academic interest question (word limit: 250).
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We accept unofficial transcripts, which you鈥檒l be able to upload directly to your application status page.听
We recommend reviewing the application checklist on the鈥�First-Year Application website鈥痶o ensure that you鈥檝e submitted all required materials for a completed application.鈥疻hen you鈥檙e happy with the final version and have made any necessary edits, it鈥檚 time to click 鈥淪ubmit!鈥� Take a deep breath and take some time to admire what you鈥檝e accomplished.听
No one can tell your story quite like you can. Regardless of where you end up, never forget how far you鈥檝e come and how hard you鈥檝e worked to get where you are. Be confident! Have faith in yourself, your application, what you鈥檝e done and what鈥檚 coming next in your life. And remember, this is just the beginning!听We will be hosting several in-person and virtual visit opportunities鈥� this fall to help you with your application and walk you through the admission process.听
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Written by CU Boulder Office of Admissions