PEAC FAQs

The Miramontes Arts & Sciences Program is an inclusive scholarship and academic enrichment program for traditionally underrepresented and/or first-generation college students in the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder.

The Program for Excellence in Academics & Community (PEAC) is an intensive 3-week residential academic program that prepares students for the university through 5 non-credit courses, along with a wide variety of fun community-building activities.

Please visit our Program Resources page.

• An intense curriculum that prepares highly motivated first year students for the rigor of a higher learning institution
• Participate in PEAC free of charge – all instruction, room and board, and activity costs are included
• Familiarize yourself with the CU Boulder campus and the abundant resources
• Engage in a number of community building activities and fun excursions
• At the conclusion of the program, students who complete PEAC receive a $1000 participation stipend and become eligible for MASP and its related participation scholarship and benefits
• Opportunity to meet friends and build a solid support system to help ease your transition to college and ensure success throughout your college career

Incoming first year students who succesfully finish PEAC will be invited to MASP.

Around 40 to 45 First Year Students entering the University of Colorado Boulder.

Apply to PEAC

The deadline to apply for PEAC Summer is early Spring.Please email masp@colorado.edu for more information.

Notifications are issued around early May. Upon notification, you will have one week to accept or decline participation.

Yes, we encourage you to apply to PEAC even if you haven’t made your final decision about attending CU Boulder.

Yes. The program is designed specifically for students matriculating into CU Boulder. Along with preparing for higher learning academics, one of the main benefits of PEAC is that it provides an in-depth focus on CU’s campus and resources to familiarize first year students prior to attending their first semester at CU Boulder. Therefore, you must be attending CU Boulder in the upcoming academic semester to participate in the summer PEAC.

No. PEAC is a time-intensive residential experience that requires students to have full availability for the length of the program, including weekends.

First year CU Boulder students who do not complete PEAC can apply to MASP as current CU students. However, you would have to wait to apply until you are enrolled in the Fall. If accepted, you are eligible to receive the scholarship after attending our weekend bridge program, LINC.

First year CU Boulder students who do not complete PEAC can apply for LINC as a current CU student. However, you would have to wait to apply until you are enrolled in the Fall. 

It is free for students to participate in PEAC! The cost of room, board, activities, and instruction are all included upon acceptance into the PEAC.

No, travel expenses to CU Boulder are not included with the program; however, the participation stipend ($1000) may help to cover some of these costs.

Yes. Upon completion of the program, each student receives a $1000 participation stipend.

The stipend is issued as a check addressed to the student.

The stipend is issued as a check after completion of the program at PEAC graduation.

No. PEAC is a time-intensive residential experience that requires students to have full availability for the length of the program, including move-in weekend.

No. The stipend is issued as a check to be used at your discretion and can be used on anything of your choice.

The criteria for completing PEAC is participating for the entire three weeks. While every student receives grades and specific feedback from instructors, these do not dictate whether you complete the program. Successful completion is determined by your presence and participation in the whole experience.

The classes you take during PEAC are predetermined, and every student takes the same classes. We offer a diverse number of classes for students of all majors and interests. This year, we are offering Natural Science, Quantitative Reasoning, Social Science, Humantities, and Written Communication. These courses mirror the General Education requirements of the College of Arts & Sciences.

No. While students will receive grades and instructor feedback from the classes they take during PEAC, these classes are intended to prepare students for the workload of a college class and give them a look at some basic information in the subject. These grades will not count for credit or go on the student’s official transcript, partially due to the time constrictions of PEAC and also to help the students “practice” before attending in the fall.

PEAC classes are intended to show students a realistic, hands-on experience of a college class before they attend in the fall. The failing grade will not go on your official record and your MASP mentor will guide you through the process of creating an academic plan to get you on track for your first semester.

No worries! PEAC is an opportunity to experience college first-hand and will help guide you towards your future field of study by exposing you to a diverse number of course subjects.

PEAC Community-Building Activities

• Whitewater River Rafting
• Challenge Course
• Trip to Brainard Lake
• Shakespeare Festival
• Fiske Planetarium
• Ice Cream Social
• Local Activities: Volleyball, Frisbee, Soccer, Yoga, and More

Yes. All PEAC students are required to live on campus for the entire three weeks, including weekends. Room and board (in a CU Boulder residential hall, including a meal plan) is included free of charge.

Upon acceptance to PEAC, you will receive a roommate questionnaire that asks about your living preferences. You will be matched with a roommate of your gender that most closely matches your living preferences and interests.

While some students have ended up living alone due to the layout of the residence halls in the past, this is a completely random selection process and you will most likely end up living with a roommate.

Yes, parents are welcome to visit campus during the program and with director’s notice, students are able to leave campus with their parents for dinner, shopping, etc. during allotted free time.

PEAC is a time-intensive residential experience that requires students to have full availability for the length of the program, including weekends. While students cannot leave for the entire weekend, they may request off-campus leave during free-time (any time there isn't a scheduled activity). All students must return to campus for mandatory activities. Exceptions will be made on a case by case basis (religious, medical, etc.) 

No. PEAC is a time-intensive residential experience that requires students to have full availability for the length of the program, including weekends.

No. PEAC is a time-intensive residential experience that requires students to have full availability for the academic responsibilities of PEAC.

No. Students may not have overnight guests regardless of their relation to the student.

No. Your PEAC residential assignment is separate from your residential assignment for the Fall semester.