The article provides important information about the Colorado College Acceptance Rate to assist prospective students in their admission process.
Colorado College is a private liberal arts institution renowned for its distinctive Block Plan structure and its focus on outdoor education.
The school is Located near the Rocky Mountains. Instead of following a traditional semester or quarter system, the college employs The Block Plan, where students immerse themselves in one class for three and a half weeks.
This unique approach fosters more profound and intensive learning in the mornings, giving students the freedom to pursue their interests and engage in outdoor activities during the afternoons. If you find the idea of going deep into your studies while enjoying ample opportunities for outdoor experiences appealing, Colorado College might be the ideal college experience for you.
Continue reading to discover how to enhance your chances of gaining admission to this institution.
Contents
How Hard Is It to Get Into Colorado College?
During the 2020-2021 admissions cycle, Colorado College received a significant number of applications, totaling 10,257. Of these applicants, only 1,395 were accepted, resulting in a highly competitive acceptance rate of 13.6%. The early decision acceptance rate was relatively higher at 23.5%, with 311 out of 1,323 applicants being accepted. It’s important to note that Colorado College also offers a non-binding early action option.
While the overall admissions rates at CC may appear low, it’s essential to remember that these rates don’t necessarily determine your individual chances of acceptance. Your personal chances of admission can be better understood through our free chancing calculator.
This tool takes various aspects of your profile, such as grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, and more, into account to estimate your odds of acceptance and provide tips on enhancing your profile.
What is the Average Academic Profile of Accepted Colorado College Students?
1. Class Rank
Of the 32% of last year’s first-year students at Colorado College who submitted class rank, 73% graduated in the top 10% of their high school class, and 91% graduated in the top 25%.
2. SAT/ACT
Colorado College does not mandate the submission of standardized test scores as part of the application process. Students can choose whether or not to submit their scores, and this decision will not affect their chances of admission. However, if applicants decide to submit their scores, they will be taken into consideration during the evaluation process. In the previous admissions cycle, half of the incoming freshmen submitted SAT scores, while 43% submitted ACT scores. Among admitted students, the top 25% achieved scores higher than 1440 on the SAT and above 33 on the ACT.
3. GPA
Colorado College does not offer secondary school GPA information, but given that almost three-quarters of admitted students graduated in the top 10% of their class, you should aim to have all A’s.
What is Colorado College Looking for?
Colorado College thrives on the spirit of curiosity, adventure, and imagination. The perfect CC student is enthusiastic about communicating, debating, defending ideas, critical thinking, and active engagement. They should embrace the unique Block Plan structure, where they delve passionately into their classes for three and a half weeks. The college offers courses inspired by the diverse landscapes of Colorado and a robust global education program, aiming to attract students who will flourish in an environment of experiential and intensive learning.
How Colorado College Evaluates Applications
According to their 2020-2021 Common Data Set, CC considers the following factors “very important”:
- Course rigor
These factors are “important”:
- ===>Academic GPA
- ===>Application essay
- ===> Recommendations
- ===>Extracurricular activities
- ===> Interview
These are “considered”:
- ===>Standardized test scores
- ===>Character/personal qualities
- ===> Talent/ability
- ===>First generation
- ===>Alumni/ae relation
- ===>Geographical residence
- ===> State residency
- ===>Racial/ethnic status
- ===>Volunteer work
- ===>Work experience
- ===>Level of applicant’s interest
- ===> Religious affiliation/commitment
Discover your chances at hundreds of schools
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into Colorado College
1. Aim for all A’s while taking the most challenging classes available
Colorado College does not specify a specific minimum GPA requirement for applicants, but successful candidates generally demonstrate strong academic performance. Almost all of the enrolled first-year students from the previous year graduated in the top quarter of their high school class. Therefore, competitive applicants should aim to have mostly A’s in their courses. Colorado College values students who challenge themselves, so taking advanced honors, AP, or IB classes is highly encouraged.
For students with a lower GPA who are still in their freshman or sophomore years of high school, there are tips available to improve their GPA. However, for junior or senior students, it might be more challenging to increase their GPA significantly. In such cases, achieving a higher test score on standardized tests is recommended as a way to improve their Academic Index.
2. Write engaging essays and supplement responses
Apart from the mandatory essay in the Common Application/Coalition Application/Questbridge Application, Colorado College necessitates an additional supplement essay.
This supplement essay provides an opportunity for applicants to showcase their strengths, character, eloquence in writing, and unique voice. It is a chance to express their passions and demonstrate what they can contribute to the vibrant campus community at CC. This essay serves as a direct platform to communicate with the admissions officers and make a strong impression about their fit for the college.
3. Cultivate at least one or two Tier 1-2 extracurriculars (find your “spike”)
Colorado College seeks students who will be enthusiastic about and compatible with the college’s dynamic, passionate, and inquisitive environment, emphasizing that learning extends beyond the confines of traditional classrooms. Your involvement in extracurricular activities will demonstrate your interests beyond academics and your active engagement with the world.
However, not all extracurricular activities carry the same weight in the application process. To be a strong contender, it is recommended that you have one to two “Tier 1” or “Tier 2” extracurriculars. These activities are likely considered more significant and impactful in showcasing your dedication, leadership, or talent.
===>Tier 1 activities are exceptional and rare, demonstrating outstanding talent, achievement, leadership, or merit. These activities are recognized at the national level and garner field-wide recognition, such as winning national awards, qualifying for prestigious international competitions, or starting a nonprofit with national impact.
===>Tier 2 activities are still impressive and showcase high levels of achievement and potential, but they are more common than Tier 1. Examples include holding leadership positions in student government at the school-wide level, winning regional competitions or awards, and gaining local recognition as a student-athlete or musician.
===>Tier 3 activities demonstrate sustained participation but may not necessarily showcase exceptional achievement. Many students include Tier 3 activities in their applications. These activities can involve holding minor positions in school clubs or being a member of a Varsity team.
===>Tier 4 activities are the most common and require the lowest level of entry. While they might not showcase particular dedication, they are still essential to include, especially when complemented by higher tier activities. Examples of Tier 4 activities include regular volunteering, general membership in clubs or organizations, or taking music or art lessons over an extended period.
4. Ask the right teachers for recommendation letters
Colorado College mandates a minimum of two letters of recommendation from teachers who have taught you in core academic subjects such as English, Math, Science, Social Studies, or Foreign Language. While additional recommendation letters are accepted, they are not obligatory. The college also recommends a counselor recommendation, though it is not required.
Due to its small size and high faculty-to-student ratio (10:1), Colorado College fosters close collaboration between students and professors both inside and outside the classroom. The average class size is around 15 students.
Letters of recommendation play a crucial role in the admissions process, as they offer valuable insights into your character and academic abilities. It is essential to choose instructors who know you well and can provide positive and insightful recommendations. Consider which teacher is likely to write the most compelling letter for you. To assist you further, you may refer to tips from CollegeVine to navigate this process effectively.
5. Apply Early Decision
Applying to Colorado College as an early decision applicant significantly increases your chances of acceptance, as the early decision acceptance rate stands at 23.5%, compared to 13.6% for regular decision applicants. Opting for an early decision allows you to demonstrate your strong commitment to CC and show that it is your top choice.
There are some drawbacks to consider when applying early. These include having less time to refine your application, limited financial aid package options, and the inability to explore other colleges if accepted. If you have a strong inclination towards CC but still want to keep your options open, the college offers both early decision (ED) and non-restrictive early action (EA) options.
With non-restrictive EA, you can submit your application early for earlier consideration without the obligation to commit in case of acceptance, giving you the opportunity to maintain flexibility in your college decision process.
How to Apply to Colorado College
Deadlines
Planning on applying to CC? Here are some dates to keep in mind for the 2021–2022 cycle.
| Application Timeline | Admissions Application Due | Notification Date |
| ===>Early Decision 1 | November 1 | Mid-December |
| ===>Early Action | November 1 | Late-December |
| ===>Early Decision 2 | January 15 | Mid-February |
| ===>Regular Action | January 15 | Mid-March |
Colorado College Application Requirements
Colorado College accepts applications through the Common Application, Coalition Application, and QuestBridge National College Match application. There is no preferred or advantageous application. Required materials include:
- All parts of your Common, Coalition, or QuestBridge application, including personal essay and application fee (option to request fee waiver)
- Writing supplement
- Official transcript from junior year, and eventually senior year mid-year and final report
- Two recommendation letters from teachers of core subjects (English or language arts, math, science, social studies, and foreign languages)
Optional materials include:
- SAT or ACT scores
- Additional recommendation letters
- Arts supplement
- Counselor recommendation (recommended)
