Frequently Asked Questions

Should I apply as a first-year or a transfer student?
Any applicant who has not yet graduated from high school (even having already earned AP, IB, or college credit) should apply as a first-year student. Any applicant who has been a regular status college student should apply as a transfer student. If you are somewhere in between, we urge you to call for clarification.

May I transfer to Colorado College in the spring semester of my first year in college?
Colorado College requires that you have completed a full semester of college work at the time of your application.

May I apply to spend just a year at your school and then go back to my original school?
Yes, but with such a limited number of spaces for transfers each year (often fewer than ten slots for January and around 30 slots for September), Colorado College gives preference to degree-seeking applicants.

How do you select transfer students for admission?
Transfer admission decisions are based on both objective and subjective criteria. While we do not require a minimum GPA, we do prefer applicants who have taken a rigorous load of liberal arts and sciences courses at their current college or university. We also give considerable weight to the applicant's writing ability, both in terms of technical writing skills and the sophistication of the thoughts and analysis expressed. We also consider the likelihood of the applicant's contributions to campus. Students who will bring unique talents, perspectives, or experiences are of interest to the Admission Committee. Ultimately, it is a selective process. In a given year, Colorado College typically receives more than 400 transfer applications, admits approximately 80 students, and enrolls 25 to 35.

Application Process

Do I have to send the Dean's Form from every college?
Yes. We will want the form from any school where you were a regularly enrolled student. We do not expect the dean to know you. The form is designed to ascertain your disciplinary record as well as your academic and financial standing at prior institutions. The form can be completed by whatever office maintains such records at the institution.

None of my professors know me; I've been away from school for awhile. Do I have to get recommendations from professors?
We encourage you to get recommendations from someone who has taught you recently and can speak to your enthusiasm for learning, work habits, and similar topics. While we prefer a professor, it can be a teaching assistant, a recent high school teacher, an employer, a minister, or even a co-worker.

Do I have to submit my high school records and test scores?
All applicants must submit secondary school records and test scores, even if you have been in college for two years or more.

If you have only attended a community college and were not required to take the SAT or ACT for acceptance or if you have been out of high school for over five years and have never taken the ACT or SAT, you are not required to take one of these tests for the first time. However, we prefer to see test scores for all applicants.

May I reapply to Colorado College?
Students can reactivate for a second admission cycle. If you are not offered admission at that time, you will not be considered in future admission cycles.

I'm reapplying. What should I submit?
If you submitted a complete application within the last six months (i.e., you applied for January admission and are now applying for September admission or vice versa), we will have your prior application and you need to submit only the following:
1. An update, in letter or essay form, on your activities and thoughts about Colorado College since you submitted the prior application
2. New official transcripts if you were in school this past semester (including final high school transcripts if your most recent application was as a high school student)
3. A newly completed "student information" section of the transfer application form (pages 7-9)
4. A new Dean's Form (if you were in school this past semester)

If you submitted a complete application between one and two years ago, we will have your prior application, but you still need to submit a completely new transfer application - with the exception of transcripts and a professor recommendation you submitted in your previous application.

If you submitted an incomplete application within the last six months or between one and two years ago, you need to submit the appropriate documents listed above in addition to those credentials that prevented your application from being complete initially.

If you submitted a complete application or an incomplete application two or more years ago, apply by submitting the entire application and all supporting documents again.

When will I hear about your decision?
Decisions about January transfers are mailed in early December. Decisions about fall transfers are mailed in April or early May. While we understand students may face earlier deadlines at schools other than Colorado College, the few spaces available make it extremely difficult for us to make an earlier decision.

If Admitted

When do I hear about transfer credit?
After admission, the registrar's office will review your transcript and a credit analysis will be sent to you prior to your enrollment deposit deadline. Four semester hours or six quarter hours are equivalent to one Colorado College block credit. The following are requirements for transferring credit:

1. The course must be substantially similar to a course currently offered by Colorado College.
2. You must have received, at minimum, a "C" or its equivalent in the course.
3. The course must be taught on-site at a college or university campus and not on a secondary school campus.
4. The course must be taught by college or university faculty.
5. If taken before secondary school graduation, the course must be above and beyond the minimum requirements for secondary school graduation.
6. The course must be completed during or after your junior year in secondary school. No credit will be awarded for work completed prior to your junior year.
7. If the course is taken before secondary school graduation, you must submit a letter from your secondary school counselor stating that the credit complies with all the previously mentioned conditions

When and how do I select classes?
Materials including registration instructions will be sent shortly after we receive your enrollment deposit. Since currently enrolled students will have already selected their classes, transfers typically choose classes on a space-available basis. The registrar believes that transfers are generally able to register for the classes they wish to take. You may also put your name on a waiting list for any class that is already full.

What about living on campus?
Housing is guaranteed for every student, provided housing contracts are delivered to the housing office when due. Only seniors, veterans, students living with their parents, and students 23 and older are automatically permitted to live off-campus.

Transfers are usually housed with students of similar academic standing (i.e., sophomores with sophomores). Fall transfers (typically 40 to 50 students) participate in orientation and often have a gathering at that point. There is a brief orientation for January transfers (typically no more than ten students).