Transfer Students
Colorado College welcomes transfer students from community colleges, public universities, private colleges, and institutions around the world. Students transfer to CC in search of an immersive academic experience, close relationships with professors, and the opportunity to learn through our distinctive Block Plan.
Transfer students may apply for fall or spring entry and can transfer up to 16 Colorado College units (equivalent to two years of study). Applications are reviewed holistically, with consideration given to academic achievement, college coursework, recommendations, involvement outside the classroom, and a student's reasons for transferring.
Whether you're seeking a liberal arts education, undergraduate research, study abroad, or a close-knit campus community, Colorado College offers the opportunity to continue your education at a new elevation.
Continuing Your Journey
At Colorado College, you'll build on the work you've already done while embracing new ways of learning through the Block Plan, collaborating closely with faculty, and exploring ideas in depth.Wherever your college journey began, CC offers the opportunity to take the next step with purpose.
Transfer Application Timeline
Our transfer application deadlines are:
October 15 for spring semester start. Decisions are released in early December
March 1 (Early Action) or May 1 (Regular Action) for fall semester start. Decisions are released on a rolling basis from mid-April through early June.
Deadlines for application submission and candidate reply are subject to change. Requests for extensions may be offered upon written request to admission@coloradocollege.edu.
Transfer Student FAQs
Yes. Colorado College welcomes transfer applicants from community colleges as well as four-year colleges and universities. Successful transfer applicants come from many different educational backgrounds and academic pathways.
Transfer students may transfer a maximum of 16 Colorado College units, which is equivalent to approximately two years of study. Students are expected to complete at least 16 units at Colorado College in order to earn a degree. One unit at Colorado College is typically the equivalent of four semester hours.
Not necessarily. Transfer credit is evaluated individually by the Registrar's Office. Courses must come from an accredited institution, meet Colorado College standards, and earn a grade of C- or higher to be considered for transfer credit.
Yes. Transfer students may receive need-based financial aid. No merit-based aid is available for transfer students.
If you are applying for financial aid, all documents—including the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and more—must be submitted by the application deadline. Your application is not considered complete until we receive all necessary financial aid documents. We recommend completing the FAFSA and CSS Profile at least two weeks prior to the corresponding deadline. Please visit our financial aid website for more information including information about our Financial Aid Policy.
For those transfer applicants who apply for financial aid during the admission process and are admitted, CC will meet their full eligibility for need-based financial aid. CC uses a combination of grants, federal loans, and work-study to fulfill a student's demonstrated need as assessed by the financial aid application.
Yes. Colorado College has a test-optional admission policy. Transfer applicants may choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application.
Yes. Transfer students can (and do!) participate in study abroad and off-campus study opportunities at Colorado College, provided they meet program requirements and work with advisors to ensure progress toward graduation.
Transfer students may declare any major or minor upon enrollment. However, because degree requirements vary, students should work closely with advisors to determine how transfer credits apply toward their intended program of study.
The answer depends on the number of transferable credits and a student's academic goals. All transfer students must complete at least 16 units (two years) of coursework at Colorado College before graduating.
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Transfer Application Requirements
There is no fee to apply to Colorado College. To be considered for admission, you'll need to submit the following items:
We only accept the Transfer Common Application for students seeking to transfer to Colorado College.
If you are applying for financial aid, a complete financial aid application (which includes the CSS Profile, the FAFSA, and supporting documents like tax returns and W-2s) is required for full admission consideration. Our financial aid deadlines match our admission deadlines for all rounds.
We require official copies of all of your secondary and higher education transcripts. If you have only completed a semester of college work, we will weigh your high school performance with heavier consideration. If you are finishing your second year of college, we will weigh your three graded semesters more than your high school experience.
If possible, please include a transcript which shows your current semester courses.
Although the Transfer Common Application allows you to self-report a copy of your secondary and higher education transcripts, we require an official copy of your college/university transcript in order to release a decision on your application. We invite you to self-report a copy of your transcript(s) which may allow us to start reviewing your application while we await the receipt of your official transcript. An official at your college/university must submit your official transcript to our Office of Admission (and can email it to admission@coloradocollege.edu). Please be sure to request copies of your transcript in advance of our application deadline to ensure time for your school(s) to process and provide your transcript(s).
You will need to submit a document of your own creation that includes course descriptions for all college/university courses you have completed and/or are currently enrolled in. We recommend copying and pasting these directly from your institution's course catalog, which can typically be located on the registrar's website. Please refer to this college course description example and feel free to reach out to us with any questions.
Colorado College requires a completed copy of the College Official's Report to release a decision regarding admission. An official at your current institution must submit this to our Office of Admission.
If you are unsure of whom to contact at your current institution, we recommend contacting the dean of students, Office of the Registrar, or your faculty/staff advisor to identify the appropriate contact.
Accessing the College Report: The college report is an offline form within the Transfer Common Application platform. Applicants can access a copy in the common portion of the application in the supporting information section under 'Documents' or you can download a PDF copy.
The financial aid application consists of the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and supporting documents including tax returns and W-2s, and is only required if you are applying for financial aid. These materials are due along with your admission application, by our stated deadlines of October 15 for spring start and March 15 for fall start.
We require two academic evaluations/recommendations from two college/university professors. While we strongly prefer to have both recommendations from college/university professors, a recommendation from a high school teacher, high school counselor, supervisor, coach, and/or others would also be acceptable for the second recommendation. Letters of recommendation must be submitted by the recommender to our office; recommendations submitted by the students will not be counted as official.
When completing the Common Application, you will be required to provide contact information for at least one faculty recommender in order to submit your application. Other recommendations can be provided directly to admission@coloradocollege.edu if not submitted through the Common Application.
Additional recommendation letters from teachers, high school counselors, supervisors, coaches, and/or others are accepted.
In addition to the required personal statement, all transfer applicants will have the opportunity to complete one optional supplemental essay.
On Colorado College's Block Plan, students immerse themselves in one class at a time, fostering deep focus. In your optional supplemental essay, you will be asked to tell us about a time when you experienced deep focus in an academic or extracurricular setting.
Visit our Supplemental Essay page for the full question, tips, and further insights. Recommended length: 250 to 300 words.
Submitting SAT or ACT scores is completely optional at Colorado College, and has been since 2019. The majority of students enrolled at CC did not submit test scores during their application process.
If you choose to submit test scores, we'll only consider them if they strengthen your application. Scores that could negatively affect your chance of admission will not be considered. If you apply without test scores (or if your scores don't strengthen your application) we'll place greater emphasis on your academic performance.
Please visit our Test-Optional page for more information regarding our testing policy.
We offer virtual informational interviews with our Admission Ambassadors (current students). While not required, they are highly recommended and an excellent opportunity for you to ask your specific questions about Colorado College and our distinctive Block Plan.
If you're interested in the arts, we invite you to submit an optional art supplement in visual art, music, dance, theatre, creative writing, or film.
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Transfer Credit
Colorado College evaluates transfer applicants for admission using the college/university transcript(s) provided by the applicant. Upon preparing to offer admission, an evaluation of applicable transfer credit will be generated by the Office of the Registrar. This evaluation of transfer credits will be provided to the student upon admission.
Students will work with the Advising Hub and faculty advisors to determine major standing and requirements upon enrolling at Colorado College. Transfer applicants are able to declare any major or minor upon enrolling, though CC cannot guarantee successful degree completion within 16 blocks (see guidelines below) should all credits not transfer into a major.
- Colorado College accepts a maximum of 16 transfer units in total, which includes all AP, IB, and prior college credits.
- Language courses taken online will not complete Colorado College's all-college language requirement.
- One Colorado College unit is equivalent to four semester hours, or six quarter hours. Grades do not transfer to Colorado College and are not calculated into the Colorado College GPA.
- Credit can be awarded for liberal arts courses taken in disciplines not offered by CC upon review by the registrar. If approved, these courses will be awarded general elective credit.
- Students may receive credit for courses toward the general education and graduation requirements, but not all credits may transfer directly into a major/minor program.
- For college study during secondary school, please see additional requirements listed under Advanced Placement credit. Courses taken in disciplines offered at Colorado College are evaluated by the registrar in consultation with department chairs or program directors. The department chair or program director is the final authority on credit earned in his/her discipline. If seeking credit for AP/IB/dual enrollment courses from secondary school, please provide official copies of the score report and/or transcript(s) along with your application.
- To earn credit at Colorado College, all transfer credit must come from a regionally accredited, degree-granting college or university (including community colleges), or a program preapproved by the CC Center for Global Education and Field Study. Online coursework follows these same standards.
- Courses must be substantially similar to Colorado College courses, and cannot duplicate, overlap, or regress from previous work.
- Course descriptions/syllabi for each course may also be requested in order to confirm credit for individual courses.
- Students who have completed work at other colleges and who wish to have this work credited toward a CC degree must have official transcripts from those colleges sent directly to the registrar at Colorado College.
- A letter grade of 'C-' or higher is required to earn transfer credit. 'D+' and below will not earn transfer credit at Colorado College. Courses for which a Pass or Satisfactory was earned at another college will earn credit at Colorado College ONLY if the college can provide verification that the student passed with a letter grade of "C-" or higher.
It's possible to complete CC's writing requirement with transfer work, but there are only a few options. Please visit the Writing Center webpage to find out more.
Credit evaluation will be measured against the General Education Program adopted in Fall 2020. Transfer students generally are waived of the requirement to complete the First-Year Program (FYP), though they may elect to enroll in an FYP course if desired.
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Welcoming You to the CC Community
Starting at a new college can feel like a big transition, but transfer students are an important part of the Colorado College community from day one.
Transfer students participate in New Student Orientation, where they connect with fellow students, learn about campus resources, and begin building relationships before classes start. Throughout orientation and beyond, you'll have opportunities to meet classmates, explore campus traditions, and get to know Colorado Springs.
As a highly residential college, Colorado College requires transfer students to live on campus for their first year at CC. Living on campus helps students quickly become part of the community, form friendships, participate in campus activities, and take full advantage of the collaborative learning environment that defines the CC experience.
Whether you're transferring from a community college, a public university, or another small liberal arts institution, you'll join a campus community that values curiosity, connection, and active engagement both inside and outside the classroom.
Opportunities for Transfer Students
Transfer students arrive at Colorado College with valuable experiences and perspective. From the moment they enroll, they have access to the same opportunities that make a CC education distinctive, and their diverse perspectives and experiences contribute to making CC a stronger and more thoughtful community.
Transfer students work alongside faculty on original research, pursue internships and career exploration through the Career Center, and participate in study abroad and off-campus study programs around the world. Many take on leadership roles in student organizations, community engagement initiatives, and campus employment. More than 70% of CC students study abroad and engage in an internship, and more than 90% experience field study—these numbers include transfer students.
The Block Plan allows students to dive deeply into their interests, whether that means conducting field research, presenting at academic conferences, collaborating with faculty mentors, or gaining hands-on experience through internships and experiential learning opportunities.
As they prepare for life after graduation, transfer students benefit from CC's individualized career advising, networking opportunities, and support for graduate and professional school applications. Colorado College graduates go on to pursue careers in a wide range of fields from finance to non-profit management and everything in between, and the majority go on to earn a graduate or professional degree from programs across the country and around the world.
At CC, transfer students do more than just continue their education—they become active participants in CC's vibrant intellectual community and take advantage of opportunities that prepare them for meaningful lives and careers.
Returning Students
In accordance with the college policy on leaves and withdrawals, students who are withdrawn from the college must reapply through the Office of Admission. However, in recognition of your prior status as a full-time student at Colorado College, there are fewer requirements. We also take into account your previous attendance at the college, including academic performance and disciplinary history; if you feel that these experiences do not reflect your current status as an applicant, please email us with additional context.
Requirements:
- Complete CC's Returning Student Application. This must be submitted by the transfer deadline.
- Send all transcripts from colleges you've attended, regardless of whether or not you intend to transfer the credit to Colorado College. We will acquire your most recent CC transcript from the Office of the Registrar.
- Complete any outstanding requirements for return stipulated by the Office of Student Life and the Dean of Students.