First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on your acceptance to the University of Colorado Boulder. Your first task after being admitted should be to celebrate - we had a very academically competitive applicant pool this year. So go ahead, high five that teacher who wrote you a letter of recommendation, call family members to tell them the good news, and post your #Boulderbound photo to Instagram. You deserve a moment of celebration for this accomplishment.
Making sure that your eventual college of choice is the right fit for you is extremely important. You’ll be spending the next four years of your life on the campus you choose, so you want to make sure it feels like home. If you haven’t yet visited campus, this is your next step in determining your college fit. I’m sure you’ve checked out our beautiful photos on the website and social media, but pictures only go so far. All visit programs can be found on our Admissions Visit webpage, and I highly suggest looking into Admitted Student Day, which is on Saturday, April 6, 2019.
During your time on campus, you might want to consider factors that are important to you in your college choice, like size, community feel, distance from home, ease of getting around campus, and student life. Truly ask yourself, “Can I see myself as a student here?”
Another essential step you will want to take after being admitted is to explore more about your academic major and college. Your degree is a key step in determining your future career, so research the department you will be joining. What type of research goes on at the university? What sort of experience and projects do the professors bring with them? What types of classes are offered each semester? These are all questions you should be asking yourself if you are choosing between different programs.
If you are still undecided, that’s okay too! Check out the extensive list of majors and minors offered in Academic Colleges at CU Boulder. On campus, Academic Advisors help advise undecided students and assist them in navigating the process of exploring majors that interest them before making a final decision. So explore websites, reach out to staff and faculty in your academic program, and learn all you can about your choice of an academic program.
Keep in mind the traditional first-year student is only in class about 15 hours a week during the semester, so consider how you will spend your additional time, as you may want to discover more about how to get involved on campus. Student organizations are as diverse as our student population, ranging from clubs related to sports, outdoor activities, social justice, environmental protection, greek life, and academics. Think about what you do now in your free time, and research through our Center for Student Involvement if there’s a similar club at CU Boulder for you to join. College is all about community, so start looking around now to begin building lifelong friendships.
If you decide CU Boulder is your college home, let us know you are coming by confirming your intent to enroll. This $200 confirmation deposit begins the process of allowing you to apply for housing, activating your IdentiKey to log into your campus portal (if you haven’t already), and registering for your online orientation experience. During the spring you will also get additional information on financial aid and scholarships. Remember, the sooner you submit your confirmation deposit, the sooner you can start planning for your future as a Buff!
As a first-generation student myself, I remember being overwhelmed by the multiple steps I had to complete to start my first semester of college. Know that throughout this journey, you have an Admission Counselor here to help you every step of the way. You are taking steps towards improving your future, and although it is not always easy, it will be worth it when you walk across that stage to receive your college diploma in a few short years!
“Written by CU Boulder Office of Admissions”