How to Apply

First-Year and Transfer Students

Incoming first-year and transfer students are welcome to start their CU Boulder careers in the summer.

Application requirements vary depending on your student category (e.g., first-year vs. transfer student). Be sure to verify on the CU Boulder Admissions website which additional materials are necessary to complete your particular application.

Student applications are reviewed in the order in which they are completed, which includes a submitted application and the receipt of all required documents.

The deadline for summer applications is Jan. 15 for first-year students and March 15 for transfer students.

Visit the CU Boulder Admissions page for more information, including application requirements and instructions for first-year applicants and transfer applicants. If you have additional questions or need help, contact the Admissions staff best suited for your situation. You can find your admissions counselor on the Find My Counselor page or email the Office of Admissions at admissions@colorado.edu or call 303-492-6301. Transfer students may also schedule a one-on-oneappointment with a Pre-Transfer Advisor to discuss CU Boulder degree requirements and how your transfer credits will apply toward specific degrees.

Graduate Students

If you're a new applicant for graduate study, you can find a list of degree programs on the Graduate School website. The list includes departmental contact information, along with information about requirements for admission. Please contact your department of interest directly regarding the availability of summer admission.

Non-Degree or Guest Students

If you're interested in taking CU Boulder summer classes, but aren't enrolled in a degree program on the Boulder campus, then you may consider applying to the university as a non-degree student.

Prospective non-degree students should be 18 years of age or older and have a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma to apply. If you're a high school student interested in the challenge of taking university classes, see the High School Students section for more information about taking summer classes at CU Boulder.

Non-degree applicants should complete and submit the Online Enrollment Application through the Division of Continuing Education. If you intend to take undergraduate summer classes—even if you already have a bachelor's or master's degree—make sure to choose "Undergraduate" as your status on the application. Otherwise, you will be charged the graduate tuition rate and will not be eligible to use the College Opportunity Fund.

Once your application is processed, you'll receive a welcome email that will include your CU login name and instructions to activate your IdentiKey.

If you're considering applying to CU Boulder as a degree-seeking student in the future and want to explore your academic options, or if you'd like more information about the non-degree application or enrollment process, schedule an appointment with a Continuing Education advisor or call 303-492-5148.

Scholarships Available 

Scholarships are available for non-degree students interested in taking summer courses at CU Boulder. You can apply for the Summer Session Non-Degree Scholarship through Continuing Education.