boulder supplemental essay examples

Writing the CU Boulder Admissions Essay

Written by Steve Fernandez-Brennan on October 6th, 2020

• essay prompts ,
• supplemental essays ,
• writing college essays ,

amet, adipisicing elit sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt?

Follow these pre-application steps to help your student stay on track for admissions success., related resources.

Read | Posted on June 28th, 2024

Why NOT to use AI in Your College Essays

Read | Posted on November 17th, 2023

Are Optional College Essays Really Optional?

Read | Posted on November 6th, 2023

4 Tips for Writing the University of California Essays

Browse categories.

• Applying For Financial Aid
• Choosing The Right College
• College Admissions Consulting
• College Applications
• College Coach Mentionables: News & Events
• College Entrance Exams
• College Essays
• College Loan Advice
• College Visits
• Finding Scholarships
• How To Pay For College
• Meet a College Finance Expert
• Meet An Admissions Counselor
• Uncategorized

Interested?

Call 877-402-6224   or complete the form for information on getting your student started with one of our experts.

Mastering the Art of Boulder Supplemental Essays

Image Source: unsplash

Introduction

Boulder supplemental essays play a crucial role in the college application process. These essays provide applicants with the opportunity to showcase their unique qualities, experiences, and perspectives that set them apart from other candidates. Admissions officers at the University of Boulder carefully review these essays to gain deeper insights into an applicant's personality, values, and potential contributions to the campus community. Therefore, it is essential for prospective students to approach these supplemental essays with diligence and care.

The University of Boulder offers a variety of essay prompts for applicants to choose from. Each prompt allows students to demonstrate their writing skills while providing a glimpse into their personal lives. When selecting the right essay prompts, it is important for students to consider their strengths, passions, and experiences that align with each prompt. By choosing prompts that resonate with them personally, students can effectively convey their authentic voice and capture the attention of admissions officers.

In addition to selecting the right essay prompts, structuring and organizing the supplemental essays effectively is key to creating a compelling narrative. Students should begin by outlining their main ideas and supporting arguments before diving into the writing process. This will ensure a clear and logical flow of thoughts throughout the essay. It is also important for students to pay attention to word count limits and stay within them while still conveying their message effectively.

Furthermore, using specific examples and anecdotes can help bring life to the essays. By sharing personal stories or experiences that highlight their character traits or accomplishments, applicants can create a more engaging and memorable essay. Additionally, incorporating research or knowledge about the University of Boulder's programs or initiatives can demonstrate genuine interest and dedication.

AdmitGPT: Your Personal College Admissions AI Assistant

Get tailored college recommendations, essay feedback, interview prep, and more.

Selecting the Right Essay Prompts

When it comes to writing Boulder supplemental essays, selecting the right essay prompts is crucial. The prompts you choose will determine the direction and focus of your essays, so it's important to choose wisely. Here are some tips to help you select the most suitable essay prompts for your application.

Firstly, take the time to carefully read through all the available essay prompts. Consider each prompt individually and think about which ones resonate with you the most. Look for prompts that align with your interests, experiences, and values. Choosing prompts that genuinely interest you will make the writing process more enjoyable and result in a more authentic and compelling essay.

Additionally, consider how each prompt allows you to showcase different aspects of your personality or achievements. It's a good idea to choose a mix of prompts that allow you to highlight different strengths or experiences. This will give admissions officers a well-rounded view of who you are as an applicant.

Furthermore, consider the uniqueness and specificity of each prompt. Avoid choosing generic or broad prompts that could apply to any applicant. Instead, opt for prompts that require you to delve deeper into specific experiences or challenges you have faced. This will help your essays stand out and demonstrate your ability to reflect on personal growth and learning.

Lastly, don't be afraid to think outside the box when selecting essay prompts. Sometimes, unconventional or less popular prompts can lead to truly unique and memorable essays. If a prompt sparks your curiosity or makes you think creatively, it may be worth exploring further.

By following these tips for selecting the right essay prompts, you can ensure that your Boulder supplemental essays are engaging, meaningful, and reflective of who you are as an individual. Remember, these essays provide an opportunity for admissions officers to get to know you beyond your academic achievements, so choose prompts that allow you to showcase your personality and experiences effectively.

Structuring and Organizing the Essays

When it comes to structuring and organizing your Boulder supplemental essays, there are a few key strategies that can help you create a cohesive and compelling narrative. First and foremost, it's important to carefully read and understand the essay prompts before you begin writing. Take note of any specific requirements or guidelines provided by the university, such as word limits or formatting instructions.

Once you have a clear understanding of the prompts, consider how you can best showcase your unique experiences, skills, and perspectives. Think about the overarching theme or message you want to convey through your essays. This will help you determine which anecdotes or examples to include in each essay.

As you start writing, it's helpful to create an outline or roadmap for each essay. This will ensure that your thoughts flow logically and coherently throughout the piece. Begin with a strong introduction that grabs the reader's attention and clearly states your main argument or point of view.

In the body paragraphs, provide evidence and examples to support your main argument. Use specific details and vivid language to paint a picture for the reader and make your essays memorable. Consider using storytelling techniques to engage the reader and bring your experiences to life.

Additionally, be mindful of transitions between paragraphs and ideas. Smooth transitions help guide the reader through your essays and create a seamless reading experience.

Finally, wrap up each essay with a thoughtful conclusion that summarizes your main points and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion; instead, reiterate your main argument in a concise manner.

By following these strategies for structuring and organizing your Boulder supplemental essays, you can effectively convey your unique qualities and demonstrate why you are an ideal candidate for admission. Remember to revise and edit your essays multiple times to ensure clarity, coherence, and error-free writing. Good luck!

In conclusion, mastering the art of Boulder supplemental essays is crucial for prospective college students. These essays play a significant role in the application process and can greatly impact an applicant's chances of admission. By following the tips provided in this blog post, students can effectively navigate through the essay prompts and showcase their unique qualities and experiences.

Selecting the right essay prompts is essential to crafting impressive supplemental essays. Students should carefully consider each prompt and choose the ones that align with their strengths, interests, and values. This will allow them to authentically express themselves and provide admissions officers with a deeper understanding of who they are as individuals.

Once the prompts have been selected, structuring and organizing the essays becomes paramount. Students should start by outlining their ideas and creating a logical flow for their essays. They should ensure that each paragraph contributes to the overall theme or message they want to convey. Additionally, using specific examples and anecdotes can help make their essays more engaging and memorable.

In summary, writing impressive Boulder supplemental essays requires careful thought, planning, and execution. By understanding the importance of these essays in the application process, selecting suitable prompts, and effectively structuring their content, students can maximize their chances of standing out among other applicants. It is important for prospective college students to take advantage of this opportunity to showcase their unique qualities and experiences that make them an ideal fit for the University of Boulder. With these strategies in mind, students can confidently tackle their supplemental essays and present themselves in the best possible light to admissions officers.

Cracking the Code of Crafting College Supplemental Essays in 2023

Decoding the Secrets of Harvard's Supplemental Essays for 2023-2024

Unraveling the Mysteries of Johns Hopkins' Supplemental Essays for 2023

Unleashing Your Potential: Conquering Stanford's Supplemental Essays for High Schoolers

Unlocking Success: Navigating UCB's Supplemental Essays for High Schoolers

24/7 writing help on your phone

To install StudyMoose App tap and then “Add to Home Screen”

University Of Colorado Boulder Admission Essay Writing Guide

Application Guide

Essay examples, why cu boulder essay.

All college applications require you to submit a motivation letter that is more or else you promoting yourself, expressing your aspirations for future study plans, and how the program you choose will help you achieve your goals.

As part of your application to Colorado Boulder, you are required to respond to two essay prompts. Through the CU Boulder writing supplement essay, you have to bring out the best version of yourself, this being an opportunity for you to market yourself to the admission officers so that they will be able to see your worth and value.

For students writing an application letter for the first time, do not overthink it, or else you will end up trying too hard to impress the officials, thus coming off as a fake which is not what we are going for.

An outstanding CU Boulder application essay will guarantee you admission for graduate school and even for scholarships and for internship offered at the institution.

If you want to get a better sense of what the university is looking for, you can access the school’s site for deeper insights into how the university envisions student success and how they want to grow and evolve this.

University Of Colorado Boulder Writing Prompts

At the University of Colorado Boulder, no two buffs are alike. We value difference and support equity and inclusion of all students and their many intersecting identities. Pick one of your unique identities and describe its significance.

This is a 250 words statement essay requiring you as the applicant to open up and express a part of you that is not as evident in other parts of your application. In other words, CU Boulder wants to know what makes you, you in regards to your beliefs, perspectives, and values — this doesn’t have to be all business; feel free to bring out your charisma and charm if that’s your style.

Since you can only choose one of your identities, make sure you go with the unique one, and make it as human as possible, allowing yourself to find strength in vulnerability. Demonstrate how this identity has shaped you and your worldview, how you have become comfortable with it, what lessons you have learned along the way, and how you hope to impact others.

Please share a bit more about your academic interests. What do you hope to study at CU Boulder? What has inspired your interests in this area? Think about your prior/current coursework, extracurricular activities, work/volunteer experiences, future goals, or anything else that has shaped your interests.

This is also a 250 words essay requiring you to share more about your academic interests. The goal here is to merge your past academic background with future career goals and what you are passionate about. Here, it would help if you thought about the major you will choose and why you chose it.

This section is where you showcase your knowledge and passion about your interests, how they developed and how knew this was what you wanted to be part of. Do not shy away from communicating your interests and fascinations and how you have worked towards gaining the required skills over time.

It is, however, a good practice — for bachelor and for masters degree — to do extensive research to find out as much as possible about the school and the program you are applying for. If there is limited information on the application portal, visit the University of Colorado Boulder website and other public pages for their applicants’ standard expectations, CU Boulder essay examples, and qualifications.

How to Structure Your Motivation Letter

For university applications, writing entrance letters might be overwhelming, and one may tend to deviate from the main points hence losing the relevance of the essay itself.

An introduction letter helps the admissions board understand you, what motivates you and why you this means a lot to you, you are allowing yourself to fully immerse yourself in the process of writing the CU Boulder supplemental essays ensuring you include all the information needed. This structure applies to all applications for college.

The following steps are essential in writing an admission letter:

Write an outline.

Before writing your letter, outline the contents clearly, and think critically about whether you need to include everything you’ve written down. Ensure you do not miss topics on why you want to join CU, choose a specific major, and how your skills and values will benefit the university.

Introduction

This is a brief introduction of yourself to the admissions officials. If possible, address them by name to personalize your letter.

The officials will be going through many applications, so make sure from the first few sentences of your letter you have captured their attention, thus encouraging them to read more; with that being said, ensure to include details of yourself and your achievements in this section.

In this section, you can now expound more about your passion, values, skill sets, and achievements. Remember, this motivation letter aims at convincing the admissions board why you are fit for the opportunity to be part of CU Boulder; use compelling facts to be persuasive, but at the same time, do not be tempted to a little white lie to spice things up, we are aiming for authenticity.

You want to leave the officials reviewing your application with a good taste in their mouths, so summarize your goals and request the board invite you for an interview or contact you for more information. Do not forget to thank them.

After all, is said and done, proofread your letter to make it more concise. Correct any grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and wrong formatting. You can request your teacher, parent, or a trusted friend to proofread your letter. This puts you in confidence knowing you have submitted a quality motivation letter.

Please take advantage of our online site, which has many CU Boulder supplemental essay examples that will help you have a great idea of how it should be written. If you are having any doubts about your writing skills, you can check out one of the many online writing services where you can buy a sample at a cheap price, or you could pay for one to be written from scratch.

Pointers for Writing CU Boulder Application Essay

The following tips will help your cover letter stand out:

1. Follow all Guidelines

Ensure the formatting, word count, font and size, and length that have been provided in the instructions are followed. If the institution has not provided the instructions, use the standardized guidelines such as Times New Roman or Arial size 12 font.

2. Use Simple Terms

Avoid using unnecessary jargon and use accessible language. Ensure the sentences are short and active that cannot be misinterpreted.

3. Write with Personality

Use your own voice as naturally as possible as you would speak to a friend. Uniquely express yourself because your interests, feelings, and perspectives are yours, and only you can write them as they should be. This essay is meant to make you stand out among thousands of applications, making it as enjoyable as possible.

4. Focus on your strengths

Focus more on your strengths rather than your weaknesses; this helps the admissions board to understand your value to the institution:

• Faculties at The University
• College of Arts and Sciences
• Leeds School of Business
• School of Education
• College of Media, Communication, and Information

The student-faculty ratio at the University of Colorado Boulder is 18:1, and the school has 50.3% of its classes with fewer than 20 students.

The most popular majors at the universities are:

• Business Management
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Visual and Performing Arts
• Marketing and Related Support Services
• Engineering

University Of Colorado Boulder History

The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in downtown Denver. Founded in 1876, five months before Colorado was even a state, CU Boulder consists of nine colleges and schools and offers over 150 academic programs. CU Boulder ranks 99th in National Universities, 58th in Best Colleges for Veterans, 169th in Best Value Schools, 343rd in Top Performers on Social Mobility, 42nd in Top Public Schools, 31st in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs, and 10th in Aerospace/Aeronautical program.

For students seeking admission at CU Boulder, they should know the admissions are more selective, with an acceptance rate of 84%. The University of Colorado Boulder considers a students’ GPA a significant academic factor. The average freshman retention rate is 87%, which indicates student satisfaction.

Apart from the academic requirements, the university also requires you to submit a CU Boulder application essay in your application. We have provided several CU supplemental essay examples on our website to help you get started on yours.

The education you receive at CU Boulder is an excellent foundation that is going to stay with you even after graduation. The university cultivates a culture of comradery, support, spirit, and togetherness.

The university has a considerable number of alumni as Nobel laureates, film industry pacesetters, astronauts, athletes, journalists, lawyers, authors, Pulitzer Prize awards winners, and politicians as alumni. This goes to show how well-rounded and diverse students are.

Seeing how diverse and strongly rooted the values of CU Boulder are, it is very important to ensure the CU Boulder writing supplemental is perfect and will get the attention of admission officials in a way that will guarantee you admission into the college. Conducting your research on the institution, programs offered, extracurricular activities, and faculty will show how interested you really are. For professor information, you can visit the CU website and get all the information you need from their accreditations, projects they have been involved in, articles written, and research done as well.

Wishing you all the best as you write your CU Boulder application essay. Remember to check our site for all your need CU Boulder supplemental essay examples.

Save to my list

Remove from my list

• TUTORING & TEST PREP
• TALK TO AN ADVISOR

A Conversation on Mental Health: How Parents and Guardians Can Support Their Students in High School for Success in College

Recent posts, subscribe here, more expert advice, how to write the “academic interests” supplemental essay.

If you’re a senior starting to work on supplemental essays for college applications this fall, it’s likely you’ve encountered some version of this question: what do you want to study, and why?

Before you dive in, it’s important to understand what the question is asking (I know this seems like a duh, but stay with me). Like we discussed here , the way this question is asked reveals a lot about both the school itself and the way you should approach it. For some schools – many liberal arts colleges and universities where it’s relatively easy and encouraged to switch majors – this question is usually phrased as what you want to learn more about. Responses to questions like these should zing with curiosity. For others – more siloed universities where you apply into a particular college and into a specific major – this question is often asked to reveal how much thought you’ve put into your major of choice, both in how you’ve prepared for it and what you hope to do with it in the future.

For some students, if the way the question is asked makes it tough to answer, it may be a sign that the college itself isn’t the right fit. But for most students, it’s more about not knowing where to start. If you’re stuck with how to approach this style of question, this blog post is for you.

First, much like with the “why us?” supplemental essay, it’s important to know what style of question you’re answering. Once you figure that piece out, the essay is much easier to write. This question usually is asked in one of three ways:

1) Why major?

This is the most straightforward version. It’s typical of schools where you’re applying more directly into a specific major, and they want to hear how you’ve decided on that pathway. Classic examples of this one are Purdue, UT Austin, MIT, Carnegie Mellon, and the University of Southern California.

Sample : Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections.

2) What do you hope to study?

This is a more open-ended version of the question above. It invites you to share multiple academic pathways, perhaps if you’re undecided or see many roads ahead for yourself. CU Boulder, U Penn, and Pomona all ask a version of this question.

Sample : Please share a bit more about your academic interests. What do you hope to study at CU Boulder? What has inspired your interests in this area? Or if you are undecided, what area(s) of study are you considering? Think about your prior/current coursework, extracurricular activities, work/volunteer experiences, future goals, or anything else that has shaped your interests.

3) Intellectual curiosity

This is a popular question for liberal arts colleges or any college that celebrates intellectual discovery and exploration (ie, where changing your academic pathway, or exploring many interests, is easy or encouraged). Some schools that ask this type of question are Yale, Stanford, Tufts, Barnard, and Haverford.

Sample : The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning.

As you approach this topic, it’s important to remember that while you can be undecided (except for schools that ask that first question), you can’t be uninterested . Colleges want to hear your curiosity in these responses. It’s very likely you’ll change majors or pathways in college (frankly, it’s what most American colleges are built to encourage). But what leads to academic success is a spark of an interest, so make sure you’re demonstrating those sparks. Here’s how.

4 Tips on How to Write This Well  

1)   Share honest stories about yourself and how you became interested in these subjects.

Origins of interest sound like this:

"I've never seen my father angrier than the day I took our family television apart just to see how it worked. I was 12 years old, and Monday Night Football was just about to start.  It wasn't the first time I'd done something like that, but it was the first time I wasn't able to put something back together quickly. It took me three hours, but I did it, just in time for my dad to see his beloved Giants lose. I never made that mistake again, but I've also never stopped trying to learn how things work." 

The development of interests sounds like this:

"My junior year of high school, I volunteered to lead a fundraiser to send our soccer team to Europe to compete in a tournament. And while I enjoyed organizing the car wash and the donation drive and the now much maligned "shrimp-a-thon" (Sizzler doesn't mean it when they say, "All you can eat shrimp,” by the way), what I really enjoyed was crafting personal emails to ask for donations, and writing the regular update newsletters I sent to people who were supporting us, and updating the travel blog I wrote during our stay in Europe. Every day, I thought about new ways to share our story with people who might be interested. Yes, we raised money. But we also raised interest. People who had never cared about our team started caring. We developed a following of loyal supporters, and 18 guys who had never been to Europe finally got to go because of it. That experience was the first time I started to understand the power of the well-written word."

2) Pick stories that show you enjoying what you’re learning.

"I truly enjoy working on complex math problems. There is no better feeling than persisting through difficult formulas and eventually working out the right answer." 

"My friends and I are the only people I know who have fights about math. Not physical fights (none of us are tough enough for that), but arguments. We spend a lot of our lunch hours sitting at what we call the ‘coolest table’ working through problem sets for the “Math Club,” and you’d be surprised how worked up we get about it. But I love it. I love that I can sit at a table with some of the smartest people at my school and argue about the best way to solve a complex math problem. And the best part is, nobody is ever angry when they’re proven wrong. We love math too much to be mad when someone shows us a faster, better way to solve the problem.”

3) If the question is asked as “why major” (sample question #1) or “what are your academic interests?” (sample question #2), then tie these interests to your future college plans.

Imagine yourself studying and learning in a particular college. Do you see a clear picture in your mind? Have you really investigated your chosen major? Have you looked at what classes are required, what will be expected of you, and what types of students seem to flourish there? And when you're answering those questions, how much of what interests you is specific to this school? If the question is more open-ended (version #2), you can paint a picture of multiple pathways – perhaps dabbling in music and biology or using their core curriculum to help you decide on psychology or political science.

4) If the question is like sample question #3 (intellectual curiosity), stay open-minded and get nerdy!

Remember that your answer to this style of prompt doesn’t necessarily have to align with your potential major choice. We’ve seen great responses to this question that nerd out about Spanish literature from future physics majors, or the paradoxes of time from future English majors. Don’t box yourself into writing about your intended major pathway necessarily. Think instead of what has made you truly excited about learning in the past – whether it’s when you connected the dots in a murder mystery and explored the interplay of psychology and creative writing, or that time you went down a rabbit hole about parallel universes and never got out. These responses should sparkle with inquisitive excitement.  

For more on supplemental essays, make sure to check out our thorough overview here of how to crush supplemental essays, the Collegewise way. 

About Us:  With more than twenty years of experience, Collegewise counselors and tutors are at the forefront of the ever-evolving admissions landscape. Our work has always centered on you: the student. And just like we’ve always done, we look for ways for you to be your best self - whether it’s in the classroom, in your applications or in the right-fit college environment. Our range of tools include  counseling ,  test prep ,  academic tutoring , and essay management, all with the support of our proprietary platform , leading to a 4x higher than average admissions rates. 

Recommended Articles

College applications without essays: do they exist?

5 College Essay Examples & What to Avoid

How to Write a College Transfer Essay

Subscribe to email updates.

• Tutoring & Test Prep
• Our Counselors

© 2024 Collegewise. All Rights Reserved. Privacy

• Search All Scholarships
• Exclusive Scholarships
• Easy Scholarships to Apply For
• No Essay Scholarships
• Scholarships for HS Juniors
• Scholarships for HS Seniors
• Scholarships for College Students
• Scholarships for Grad Students
• Scholarships for Women
• Scholarships for Black Students
• Scholarships
• Student Loans
• College Admissions
• Financial Aid
• Scholarship Winners
• Scholarship Providers

Student-centric advice and objective recommendations

Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.

Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here .

How to Write a Great Supplemental Essay

Zach Skillings is the Scholarships360 Newsletter Editor. He specializes in college admissions and strives to answer important questions about higher education. When he’s not contributing to Scholarships360, Zach writes about travel, music, film, and culture. His work has been published in Our State Magazine, Ladygunn Magazine, The Nocturnal Times, and The Lexington Dispatch. Zach graduated from Elon University with a degree in Cinema and Television Arts.

Learn about our editorial policies

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

When it comes to your college application essay, there’s a good chance you’ll end up writing more than one. There’s your main personal statement, and then there’s supplemental essays. These are shorter essays required by some colleges and universities. To learn more about supplemental essays and the different types of prompts there are, keep reading. Or if you’d like to jump directly to our tips section , go right ahead!

Also see:  How to write a 500 word essay

What is a supplemental essay? 

Also known as school-specific essays, supplemental essays are additional pieces of writing required by some universities. They’re designed to give admissions officers a better sense of who you are and why you want to attend their school. Supplemental essays are shorter in length than your main personal statement. Word counts can range anywhere from 25 – 600 words, but most of the time they’re 250 words or less. Some colleges ask for just one supplemental essay, while others require several. 

Related:  How to format a college essay

The “why us?” question

Supplemental essays usually ask something along the lines of “why us?”, prompting students to describe why they want to attend a specific school. It’s a common question that you’ll see asked in various ways. Here’s a few examples from different schools: 

Other essay prompt examples

While the “why us?” question is a common prompt, there are many others out there. Prompts may ask about your favorite book, your biggest inspiration, or something as off-the-wall as pie ( see UChicago ). Here’s a few examples of supplemental essay prompts from various schools: 

Tips for writing your supplemental essay(s)

1. be prepared for anything.

As you can tell by the examples above, supplemental essay prompts can ask you just about anything. That means you probably shouldn’t go in with any preconceived ideas of what you’re going to write about. Rather, be adaptable and willing to take on any question that comes your way. 

2. If you’re stuck, try freewriting 

If you get stumped by a certain prompt and you’re having trouble answering, do some freewriting exercises. Spend 10-15 minutes writing nonstop about whatever comes to mind when you think of the prompt. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or writing complete sentences. You can even use bullet points if that helps. When you’re done, review your writing and see if there’s anything you can elaborate on. You’re bound to find something that can be shaped into an essay.

3. Tailor your response to the school  

This one applies mostly to the “why us?” question. When answering this prompt, you should craft a response that touches on unique aspects of the specific school you’re applying to. Ask yourself what attracted you to the school in the first place. Was it a specific academic program? Was it the campus culture? What about the extracurricular activities ? Whatever the case may be, make sure you clearly indicate why you’re interested in the school and why you’d be a great fit. 

Also see:  Can you use the same essay for multiple colleges?

4. Choose a narrow focus 

Most of the time, you’ll need to find an angle that can be covered in about 250 words or less. That means now’s not the time to take a deep dive into complex topics like politics or race relations. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t still write about something meaningful. You may not be able to tell your entire life story, but you can probably find a specific aspect to focus on. Even if you’re allowed just 50 words, you should find a way to reveal something positive about who you are. Figuring out how to do that is key to writing a solid essay. 

5. Be concise 

Adopting a narrow focus is easier when you’re intentional with your writing. Since the word limit on supplemental essays is usually pretty low, you need to make every word count to get your point across. If you’re struggling to comply with the word limit, comb through your essay and eliminate every sentence, phrase, and word that doesn’t serve a purpose. If it doesn’t add to the story, cut it. 

6. Don’t repeat yourself

The whole point of supplemental essays is to provide a space for colleges to get to know you better. That means you shouldn’t simply recycle content from your main essay or other parts of your application. It’s fine to briefly mention something again, but make sure you’re adding something new that can’t be found elsewhere in your application. If you can write about something completely different, even better!

7. Be yourself 

As cliché as it sounds, the best thing you can do when writing is to be yourself. Remember that these essays are meant to give insight into your character, so use your authentic voice and let your personality shine through. If it helps, write as if you’re having a chat with a close friend or family member . 

8. Ask for editing advice 

Before you turn in your essay, ask someone you trust to give it a read. Even if you’re 100% sure you’ve corrected all spelling and grammar mistakes, a second pair of eyes never hurts. Just try to limit the number of people who read your essay to one or two. Seeking feedback from too many sources may cause your essay to stray from the original focus.

Additional writing resources

• How to Write a 250 Word Essay
• How to Write an Essay About Yourself
• College Essay Primer: Show, Don’t Tell
• How to Answer the Common App Essay Prompts

Additional college admission resources

If you’re working on your college applications, you’ve probably got a lot on your plate. Luckily, we’ve got resources to help you through every step of the college process. Our resources include a guide of how many colleges to apply to , how to find  safety, reach and match schools , and  when to submit your applications . We can help you fill out the Common App  activities  and  honors  sections, and  write a successful college application .

Once you hear back from schools, we can help you  interpret your financial aid award letter , write a  financial appeal , and  apply for scholarships . And even once you’re in college, you can check out our resources on  how to get involved on campus ,  how to save money , get a  work-study job , and  create a budget . Finally, don’t forget to be proactive in paying for your education! Apply for as many scholarships as you qualify for while you are eligible!

Start your scholarship search

• Vetted scholarships custom-matched to your profile
• Access exclusive scholarships only available to Scholarships360 members

Scholarships360 Recommended

10 Tips for Successful College Applications

Coalition vs. Common App: What is the difference?

College Application Deadlines 2023-2024: What You Need to Know

Trending now.

How to Convert Your GPA to a 4.0 Scale

PSAT to SAT Score Conversion: Predict Your Score

What Are Public Ivy League Schools?

3 reasons to join scholarships360.

• Automatic entry to our $10,000 No-Essay Scholarship
• Personalized matching to thousands of vetted scholarships
• Quick apply for scholarships exclusive to our platform

By the way...Scholarships360 is 100% free!

University of Colorado Boulder | CU Boulder

• Cost & scholarships
• Essay prompt

Want to see your chances of admission at University of Colorado Boulder | CU Boulder?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

University of Colorado Boulder | CU Boulder’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Why this major short response.

What do you hope to study, and why, at CU Boulder? Or if you don‘t know quite yet, think about your studies so far, extracurricular/after-school activities, jobs, volunteering, future goals, or anything else that has shaped your interests.

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

Skip to Content

Other ways to search:

• Events Calendar

3 Tips to Creating the College Essay

3 tips to creating the college essay:

• Give yourself enough time to work. You should brainstorm your essay idea and figure out how you want your essay to contribute to admissions committees' understanding of your application. You also want to work on a draft or two and get feedback on your drafts from a trusted source. It is very hard to do this work in a short amount of time.
• Write what you think you should write, not what you think the admission committee wants to hear. Writing and reading essays are subjective experiences. You want to make sure that you create an essay that you are proud of and that you feel expresses your point. Remember - the more passionate you are about your subject, the more engaging it is for the reader.
• Make sure the essay gives the reader a greater understanding of you – not about someone or something else. Oftentimes, when we try to describe what we value or what we care about, we do so by talking about someone or something that is a great example of those values and priorities. Be careful not to center the example in your essay and instead, explain why the example resonates with you.

This is a chance for you to share your voice. Review CU Boulder's essay prompts and the short answer question in the Application Checklist .

Written by CU Boulder Office of Admissions

• Application Tips

The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. You may  view the list of ADA and Title IX coordinators  and  review the Regent policy .

As a student or prospective student at CU Boulder, you have a right to certain information pertaining to financial aid programs, the Clery Act, crime and safety, graduation rates, athletics and other general information such as the costs associated with attending CU Boulder. To view this information visit  colorado.edu/your-right-know .

Apply for Admission

Visit Campus

Support CU Boulder

• Safety & Health Services
• COVID-19 Information
• Campus Communications
• Emergency Alert System
• New Student & Family Programs

Getting Around

• Campus Events
• Parking & Transportation
• Visit Information

Information for

• Faculty & Staff
• Journalists

Initiatives

• Business & Industry Collaborations
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Free Speech
• Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• Public & Outreach Programs
• Sustainability
• Understanding Your Cost of Attendance

Get the Reddit app

Join the A2C Discord!

r/ApplyingToCollege is the premier forum for college admissions questions, advice, and discussions, from college essays and scholarships to college list help and application advice, career guidance, and more.

CU Boulder Supplement

so I don't know what to write about. The question is: At the University of Colorado Boulder, no two Buffs are alike. We value differences and support equity and inclusion of all students and their many intersecting identities. Pick one of your unique identities and describe its significance. (650 words).

In my common app essay, I wrote about being a Mexican-American, so I don't want to write about that. I thought about writing about being part of the LGBT community, but I don't know about that because my counselors are looking that over for me and I am not out to them yet. Any advice?

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Write the Colorado College Essays 2023-2024

Colorado College has one supplemental essay, which gives you the choice between three different prompts. The first asks you to describe a time your perspective was changed, the second concerns your potential to work towards a more racially just world, and the third is about your fit with CC’s Block Plan.

Regardless of which prompt you choose, you want to make sure your response highlights your personal strengths, and overall potential as a CC student. In this post, we’ll break down each one, so you can be sure you’re putting your best foot forward.

Read these Colorado College essay examples to inspire your writing.

Colorado College Supplemental Essay Prompts

On Colorado College’s Block Plan, students immerse themselves in one class at a time, fostering deep engagement and courageous conversations with peers and professors. We embrace diverse perspectives, encouraging students to think differently. 

Please choose from one of these prompts. To learn more about why we are asking this question and how you can best craft a thoughtful response, review our website for context and insight. (300 words) 

• Option 1: Tell us about a time where you learned from an experience that challenged your perspective. 
• Option 2: Provide one or two specific examples from your life that demonstrate your potential to advance CC’s commitment to antiracism. 
• Option 3: Describe how your personal experiences with a particular community make you a student who would benefit from Colorado College’s Block Plan.

Tell us about a time where you learned from an experience that challenged your perspective. (300 words)

Brainstorming Your Topic

Your college community will likely be much more diverse than your high school one, so you want to show CC admissions officers that you’re prepared to navigate a variety of perspectives, even ones that oppose your own. Although the phrasing of this prompt is somewhat general, Colorado College does have specific things they’re looking for. Namely:

• What in particular about this experience challenged your perspective, and
• What your reaction was–how did you feel, and did you change your perspective at all as a result of this experience?

Perhaps your mind immediately goes to a heated conversation you had with one of your male friends who feels that the #MeToo movement is just about seeking attention. That kind of intense debate about a highly divisive topic can absolutely work here, but if nothing along these lines comes to your mind, that’s also okay. A more lowkey moment can also work, so long as it was still a learning experience for you.

For example, maybe your parents are opposed to visible tattoos in the workplace, while you have a few teachers with tattoos and don’t see what the big deal is. Or perhaps you think ChatGPT poses fundamental risks to our safety and security, but one of your friends who’s an aspiring software engineer sees only the potential benefits.

We all have these kinds of “tame” disagreements all the time, but that doesn’t make them less significant. If anything, highlighting a more ordinary conversation you had may show CC admissions officers that you not only are able to have your perspective challenged in big, flashy ways, but go about your daily life always looking for ways to become more informed, which is a trait any college will find attractive.

Finally, if you’re feeling bold, you can go for an unconventional, outside-the-box approach here. You could write about a passionate discussion you had with a friend about which Taylor Swift album is her magnum opus. Or you could write about how you grew up being indoctrinated into believing Peyton Manning is the greatest quarterback of all time, but eventually evidence to the contrary became overwhelming and you had no choice but to admit it is in fact Tom Brady.

Although you’re definitely putting yourself out on a limb with this kind of topic, mixing up your tone and showing a more “human” side of yourself, that will never show up on your resume, can in fact be a great way of making your application feel more complete. However, unconventional approaches also carry more risk if not executed well, so if you’re not confident you’ll be able to pull it off, stick to a more standard approach, as you can still write a phenomenal essay without doing anything unusual.

Tips for Writing Your Essay

Your response should include two things. First, a description of the particular perspective you’re focusing on, and the encounter(s) that challenged it. Second, and even more importantly, an explanation of what you learned from this experience.

In describing the encounter, you want to make sure your readers understand in some detail what the source of the disagreement was. In other words, what is the real cause of the argument? For the tattoo example, perhaps what you were really debating with your parents was standards of professionalism that you see as antiquated. Or maybe it was the clash between self-expression and being part of something bigger than yourself. Whatever the case, getting to this deeper level of the conversation will show CC admissions officers you’re able to think critically about a topic, and not just stay at surface level.

Once you’ve explained what the disagreement was, you want to explain how it played out, and ultimately what you learned. The most important things here are honesty and a clear connection to the story you have just told. If your big takeaway just reads as a platitude, along the lines of “I still think tattoos in the workplace are okay, but I now understand the importance of understanding other perspectives,” you’re going to lose your readers, because admissions officers at any college have read literally tens of thousands of essays saying that exact same thing.

Rather, take this general lesson and contextualize it within your particular story. For example, you could say: “To me, ink on someone’s skin is just another accessory, but my parents made me realize that there are accessories I find inappropriate for the workplace, like overly large or flashy jewelry. So, while I still think tattoos are okay, I now understand that there’s always more nuance to an opposing perspective than I initially think.”

The general idea is the same with these two examples, but the second one is much more personal, and thus CC admissions officers better understand how this oft-repeated refrain, about the importance of listening, has tangibly impacted this student’s perspective.

Finally, honesty is also crucial here. If you try to force in a takeaway that you think CC admissions officers “will want to hear,” your essay will feel awkward and disjointed. Obviously, be tactful–you don’t want to say your parents are idiots and still living in the Stone Age, even if that is how you felt after the tattoo conversation. But if you genuinely felt their opinion was just wrong, it’s okay to say that, so long as you do it respectfully and show that you still learned something from the discussion. For example:

“As the conversation went on, I was surprised to realize that my parents’ points weren’t doing anything to sway me. I understood what they were saying, but for perhaps the first time in my life, I felt completely confident in taking a stance that directly opposed their own. While we still agree far more often than not, this discussion showed me that, as I get older, it’s okay to develop and stick to my own opinions, without the influence of my parents or anyone else.” 

Although the student’s mind wasn’t changed at all, they still demonstrate a nuanced understanding of how opinions are formed, and of how your perspective on the world changes as you move through adolescence into early adulthood, which speaks well of their potential to thrive with the independence higher education gives you.

Mistakes to Avoid

Make sure you don’t end up focusing too much on the debate itself, at the expense of explaining what you learned from it. The details of one side versus the other really only matter to the extent that they allow your readers to understand what separates the two. Remember, CC admissions officers mainly want to see how you react to disagreement, which means diving into a side tangent about how your dad once had a coworker with a large, poorly done dragon tattoo isn’t all that relevant. Stay on topic, and in any college essay, regardless of what you’re writing about, the real topic is always ultimately you .

Provide one or two specific examples from your life that demonstrate your potential to advance CC’s commitment to antiracism. (300 words)

The first thing we want to note here is that the way colleges factor race into their admissions decisions will be different this year, following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn affirmative action in June. Schools can no longer consider a student’s racial identity alone, but they are allowed to consider it as part of a student’s overall background and life experiences, specifically in the context of the essay. 

If your racial identity is important to you, this prompt is a great opportunity to explain a bit more about how it’s shaped you, as otherwise CC will be legally unable to think about it as they make a decision about your application.

Even if you are not a person of color, you can still respond to this prompt, of course. You just want to make sure that you take care to use a thoughtful tone, and don’t frame your contributions to the antiracism movement in a way that could come across as naive or worse, self-absorbed. The movement needs everyone, of course, but you want to be sure to show that you recognize your role is different from that of people of color.

Regardless of your racial identity, once you decide this prompt is the one for you, note that this is not the common “Diversity” supplement, although there is some correlation. So, your focus should be less on your identity, and more on the tangible actions you have taken to combat racism. Of course, there may well be overlap between the two, but make sure the actions are there, as that’s the core of what this prompt is getting at.

“Action” doesn’t necessarily mean participating in protests or writing to your local congressperson to encourage her to support antiracist bills. Those things absolutely work, but just because you haven’t done something on that scale doesn’t mean you haven’t helped work towards an antiracist future. Lots of small steps, when added all together, matter just as much as one big one.

Maybe you live in a homogenous, mostly White town, but you have made an effort to read books and watch documentaries on the lived experiences of people of color, as well as the history of racism in the United States, to develop at least a broad understanding of race relations. Or perhaps you are African American, and during a creative writing summer camp, your final project was a collection of poems focused on your struggle to find empowerment in your identity, and you were touched by how thoughtfully your peers engaged with your work.

As long as your actions show that you are genuinely committed to the antiracism movement, you can write a strong response centered around them. The scale doesn’t matter–what does is your authentic investment in a more just future.

Once you have a few examples of antiracist actions you’ve taken, you’re ready to start writing. In your response, the key is to highlight “your potential to advance CC’s commitment to antiracism.” What this means is that you don’t just want to describe what you’ve done in the past. You also want to explain what you’ve learned from these experiences–whether that’s a particular skill, perspective, or way of thinking–and how those lessons will help you make Colorado College’s campus more inclusive and equitable.

For example, maybe the student with the poetry collection talks about how this experience showed him the power of art as a conversation starter, and how at CC he hopes to join the B-Side Arts Collective, a student organization that seeks “to make all forms of art more accessible to historically marginalized students at CC.” In joining this group, he hopes to both continue sharing his own stories and learn from students who are marginalized for reasons other than race. 

You don’t absolutely have to include some specific club or other resource at CC to write a strong response, but 9 times out of 10, your essay will be stronger if you make this explicit link between your past experiences and your potential future at CC. After all, the job of an admissions officer is to imagine how you’d fit into their school’s culture and community, and what makes that job easier than you doing it for them, and explaining exactly how you hope to get involved in antiracism efforts at CC?

You also want to make sure your takeaways from your past experiences are thoughtful and personal. If you say that participating in a Black Lives Matter protest made you want to run for president so that you can just sign bills that eliminate institutional racism, you may come across as overly idealistic, or naive about the complexity of the issue. 

A better approach would be explaining that, while protesting was empowering, it also made you realize that any demonstration, no matter how large, won’t change anything if the people in power aren’t paying attention. So, at CC, you hope to take political science courses like “PS210: The Law & Social Justice” and “PS213: Leadership and Governance” to acquire a better understanding of how individual action can be most effective.

There isn’t really anything glaring you need to be on the lookout for, as this prompt has quite a narrow focus and thus should keep you on track. Just make sure that the essay is ultimately about you. Racism is something you probably have strong, potentially painful feelings about, but you don’t want your essay to turn into an op-ed about the evils of racism. 

Write that piece another time. But because this is a college essay, the point is to teach admissions officers about who you are. So, you want to be sure that you’re not just focusing on racism, but also showing which skills or personality traits you’ve developed as a result of your commitment to fighting this evil, so that CC admissions officers see how prepared you are to make their campus a more equitable place.

Describe how your personal experiences with a particular community make you a student who would benefit from Colorado College’s Block Plan. (300 words)

This is essentially a “Why Us?” prompt, asked through the framing of the Block Plan specifically. There’s also an extra layer of nuance with CC’s request that you use a particular community you are a part of as a jumping off point. Because this prompt is essentially two in one, we recommend that you allow yourself ample time to brainstorm, so you aren’t trying to make connections in a rush without thinking through them fully.

First, ask yourself honestly why you are interested in the Block Plan. Why, rather than applying to any of the thousands of colleges with a more conventional academic schedule, are you drawn to this highly unusual system? There is no one right answer here, but you want to make sure you’re being specific–just “it sounds fun/cool” won’t teach CC admissions officers anything about your potential fit within their campus community. 

Here are some examples of how you might answer this question:

• You enjoy exploring a topic from every angle, and hate the feeling that you have only a partial understanding of something
• You like making interdisciplinary connections, but feel you need to first have a solid foundation in each topic on its own, which can be hard to acquire if you’re already fast-forwarding to potential links between them
• For a slightly different angle, you get bored easily, no matter how interested you are in a topic initially, so you think the opportunity to switch focus completely every few weeks would be the perfect way to keep you fully engaged in your studies

Next, you want to think about how your interest in Colorado College relates to the features that define some community you’re a part of. For example, maybe you’ve been part of a neighborhood book club with your mom since you were a kid, and each month you read two books about the same topic, to ensure you consider that topic from at least a couple of different perspectives. This community has clearly helped you develop the value listed in the first bullet point above.

If you’re feeling stuck, take a step back, and think generally about experiences you’ve had that have helped you develop the features of your personality that make you attracted to the Block Plan. “Community” is a broad word, so even if something like a book club doesn’t immediately come to mind, that’s okay. 

For example, maybe the student described in the third bullet point starts thinking about how they’re a part of seven different fantasy football leagues, because when they only had one team, they didn’t feel challenged enough, and so they would end up making unnecessary changes just out of boredom. A fantasy football league is absolutely a kind of community! Don’t worry that it doesn’t seem “impressive” enough. Admissions officers know you’re more than a transcript and an activities list and a bunch of essays, and acknowledging your more “human” side can actually go a long way towards rounding out your application.

Because this prompt has two prongs, one focused on the Block Plan and one focused on a community you’re a part of, you want to make sure you do your brainstorming thoroughly before you sit down to start writing. If you only have a vague sense of why you’re drawn to the Block Plan, or pick a community randomly that doesn’t really connect to your interest in the Block Plan, this essay will prove incredibly difficult to write.

On the other hand, if you have already thought comprehensively about both the Block Plan and one of your communities, as well as the connection you see between the two, actually writing the essay should be fairly straightforward, as it’ll just be a matter of figuring out the right phrasings and overall structure to communicate your points.

The main thing to keep in mind is: show, don’t tell. What this means is you want to give your reader enough detail that they can paint their own picture of who you are and how the Block Plan would help you thrive, rather than you just stating things factually for them. 

For example, you don’t want to just say “I get bored easily, as evidenced by the fact that I have seven fantasy football leagues, and I think the frequent changes with the Block Plan will help me stay engaged in my college coursework.” That’s quite dry, and not all that engaging to read.

Instead, describe how your mind always comes alive at the end of August as you consider the innumerable possibilities for how your teams could come together across your seven leagues, and how much you enjoy reacting to the curveballs of injuries, trades, and unexpectedly high or low performers. Then, connect that energy to your excitement about getting to switch your intellectual focus completely every few weeks, as all of a sudden you’ll have an entirely new “league” to get to know in just a short amount of time. 

This approach is not only more detailed, and thus more informative, it’s also simply more fun. Remember, admissions officers read applications all day long, so they’ll appreciate you going out of your way to inject some extra life into yours.

As noted above, this prompt has two layers, which means a strong response will need to address two different strands and then intertwine them to create an essay that feels like a single, cohesive unit. This is hard to do, especially with limited space, so if you’re not sure you’ll be able to make it work, or you try to start brainstorming but hit a wall, don’t beat yourself up. The beauty of option prompts is you have, well, options , and there’s no shame in pivoting to one of the other options here, as they are more direct and one-track.

Where to Get Your Colorado College Essay Edited 

Do you want feedback on your Colorado College essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Colorado College Supplemental Essays

Founded in 1874, Colorado College is a private liberal arts college located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The school is home to approximately 2,000 undergraduates. As part of the admissions process, students must complete 1-2 Colorado College supplemental essays. 

Colorado College Essay Prompts: Quick Facts

• Colorado College Acceptance Rate : 14% . U.S. News ranks Colorado College #27 on the list of National Liberal Arts Colleges.
• 1 required 200-word essay
• 1 optional 250-word essay 
• Colorado College Application : Students must submit their Colorado College application through the Common Application , Coalition Application , or QuestBridge . Make sure to have all of your Colorado College supplemental essays and other required application materials ready when applying. 
• Early Decision I: November 1st
• Early Action: November 1st
• Early Decision II: January 15th
• Regular Action: January 15th 
• Colorado College Supplemental Essays Tip : There are two Colorado College supplemental essays, though one is optional. The Colorado College acceptance rate is highly selective, so your Colorado College supplemental essays should be authentic and personal to help you stand out among other applicants. 

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website. 

More details about Colorado College

Colorado College offers a unique course curriculum called the Colorado College Block Plan with over 40 C olorado College majors to choose from. The Colorado College ranking by Forbes is #96 among the Top Colleges of 2022. 

A major aspect that sets Colorado College apart from other schools is its setting, nestled in the Rocky Mountains. Many student organizations and extracurriculars center on skiing and rock climbing. In fact, Colorado Springs is considered one of the best college towns for students with a love for the outdoors and activities like hiking, biking, and fishing. Consider these things when planning out your extracurricular activities essays and how you might fit into the Colorado College community! 

Does Colorado College have supplemental essays?

Yes—there are colorado college supplemental essays. .

The school requires one 200-word Why Colorado College essay. Additionally, there are optional Colorado College supplemental essays—one 250-word essay, to be precise. The second Colorado College supplemental essays prompt asks you to discuss one of your extracurriculars. 

The Colorado College supplemental essays don’t give you a lot of space. Because the required Colorado College supplemental essays are short, it is important to be concise. Make sure every word counts in your Colorado College supplemental essays.

Colorado College Essay Requirements

Here are the Colorado College essay prompts:

Colorado College Essay Prompts:

1. why do you wish to attend colorado college and how would the block plan serve your educational goals (200 words; required), 2. please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (250 words; required).

This means that in addition to the personal statement on the Common Application, QuestBridge , or Coalition Application, you will need to complete one brief required supplemental essay . We also recommend that you complete the second of the Colorado College essay prompts. 

Why the Colorado College supplemental essays matter

As we mentioned, the Colorado College acceptance rate is low. As such, the Colorado College supplemental essays can help you stand out. 

Each of the Colorado College essays lets you highlight what you’d bring to the Colorado College community. With only 200-250 words per essay, every sentence counts. Each element of your Colorado College essays should teach the Colorado College admissions team something new about you. 

What is the Colorado College block plan?

The Colorado College Block Plan is the unique curriculum structure at Colorado College. Under the Block Plan, instead of taking multiple classes at a time, students study one class at a time. Each block lasts three and a half weeks. 

The Colorado College Block Plan is designed to allow students at Colorado College to focus on things that they really want to do. By taking one class at a time, which generally meets every weekday from 9 am to noon, students learn the curriculum deeply and are not distracted by other classes and assignments. One block at Colorado College is the equivalent of taking one semester’s worth of a class at another college. 

The idea of the Colorado College Block Plan is that having one class allows students to have the time to pursue their passions and interests outside of the classroom. 

Block Plan Basics:

• Each block spans three and a half weeks, beginning on a Monday and ending on a Wednesday.
• One block is equal to one semester of a class.
• There are four blocks per semester and eight blocks per year. Students can also take classes during an optional Half Block in the winter and Summer Session during the summer.
• Class typically meets 9 AM-12 PM Monday through Friday, with labs in the afternoon where applicable. However, professors can choose to schedule classes in whatever format best suits their classes’ needs. 

Students beginning their education at Colorado College will start with the First-Year Program (FYP). The FYP includes the first two blocks of the Colorado College Block Plan, critical inquiry seminar, and the first-year writing seminar. These blocks prepare students for the rest of their academic journey at Colorado College. 

Students have more than 80 Colorado College majors, minors, and specialized programs to choose from. Be sure to consider how the FYP and Block Plan will serve you and your education goals when writing your Colorado College supplemental essays. 

How to write the Why Colorado College essay

Like many other colleges, Colorado College requires a Why Colorado College essay. The prompt for the first of the Colorado College supplemental essays asks students to explain their interest in CC and in the Block Plan. 

You’ll likely write “why this college” essays for many schools on your list. These prompts require you to describe specific reasons why you would like to attend a school and how you may contribute to the community. For Colorado College, you are asked to explain why you are interested in attending Colorado College and how their unique curriculum will impact your goals. 

Before you begin writing your Why Colorado College essay, learn more about the school. A strong why this college essay requires research. So, learn more about specific aspects of Colorado College that align with your educational and career goals. You should want to be just as good of a fit for the school as it is for you.

For example, let’s say you are a student who wants to study out West, making the Rocky Mountains your playground. If your passions are skiing and rock climbing and the Block Plan offers a suitable education for your needs, Colorado College may be the right fit for you. Use these passions and interests to your advantage when answering the Why Colorado College essay prompt.  

Finding your priorities

As you begin your college search, you should look for schools that meet all of your needs. Once you have a list of potential schools, do some research on each school and their requirements. Learn all that you can about each program so that you can submit a well-informed and persuasive application. 

Part of your Why Colorado College essay may address what you want to major in and why. Like choosing a college, choosing a major is a big decision. When choosing from the Colorado College majors, you should consider what interests you, what career you think you would enjoy, and what subjects you were drawn to in high school. However, note that you won’t be tied to the major you select on your application. 

For inspiration on writing your Why Colorado College essay, check out this guide to Why This College Essay Sample.  

Approaching the extracurricular activities essay

The second of the Colorado College essay prompts is optional. However, writing this optional essay can help set you apart from other applicants. So, you should complete the second of the Colorado College essays. 

Once again, here’s the second of the Colorado College essay prompts:

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (250 words)

The second of the Colorado College supplemental essays allows you to showcase who you are outside of the classroom. You can choose to discuss any extracurricular you’ve pursued: school-sponsored activities, sports, community activities, independent activities, or work experiences. Overall, you should make sure you choose an extracurricular activity that is meaningful to you. 

When you are writing about your extracurricular activities for college, you will want to provide specific details about the type, length, and responsibilities of your involvements. If you’re unsure where to start, try making a list of all the extracurricular activities you have participated in. Write down the role you had in this activity, how much time you spent doing it, and what you learned because of this involvement. This will serve as an outline when you go to write your essay about extracurricular activities. 

Here is an easy four-step plan that can help you write a stellar extracurricular activities essay: 

Four-step plan for outstanding extracurricular activities essays, 1. choosing the right extracurricular or work.

You want to make sure that the activities you write about demonstrate your passion and dedication. These qualities will impress admissions officers. 

2. Brainstorming personal details

Make sure you are personable and vulnerable in the stories you tell and anecdotes you choose to share. Tell a story that allows the reader to see you beyond your accomplishments on paper and demonstrate how you would enrich campus life. 

3. Drafting an essay

Although you are limited to 250 words, your first draft can be longer than that. It is always better to start with more information and narrow it down than to not have enough in the first place! 

4. Editing and revising

It is crucial that you submit an essay that is grammatically sound and structurally cohesive. Have another set of eyes proofread your work before you submit your Colorado College essays. 

If you’re looking for some extracurricular activities essay examples, you can check out our CollegeAdvisor guide to extracurricular activities essays! 

Does Colorado College care about essays?

In a word, yes—the Colorado College admissions team considers your Colorado College supplemental essays a key part of your application. 

The Colorado College essays allow you, as the student, to speak directly to the admissions team. So, your Colorado College supplemental essays serve as a way for you to convince admissions officers that you are a good fit for the Colorado College community. 

Overall, the Colorado College admissions team considers the Colorado College supplemental essays a vital part of their review process. Online, you can find some advice and writing tips for applicants to scholarships at CC. While these tips directly address scholarship applications, the same advice applies for the regular Colorado College essays. 

More guidance on the Colorado College essays

First and foremost, writing a personal essay requires persuasive language that sells you to an admissions team. Your Colorado College essays should showcase you in the best possible light. Why do you belong at Colorado College? What do you bring to the table? Finally, what should the admissions committee know about you that isn’t clear from the rest of your application? 

For your Colorado College supplemental essays, keep the following writing tips in mind:

Be clear and concise

Clarity counts for more than creativity of vocabulary. Also, focus on quality over quantity — your essays are limited in length, so make every word count.

Draft, revise, repeat

Never turn in a first draft. Expect to revise multiple times. Most successful applicants revise drafts close to a dozen times in order to get a document that is dense with information yet reads effortlessly and engagingly.

Get feedback

Your essay will improve with each reading. Fresh eyes are always a beneficial addition to proofreading. 

How can I make my Colorado College essays stand out?

To best prepare for the Colorado College supplemental essays, start early. You should be thinking about your Colorado College supplemental essays way before the application deadline. That way, you’ll have adequate time to write standout Colorado College essays and answer all parts of the Colorado College essay prompts. 

Organization can also make a huge difference as you approach the Colorado College supplemental essays. Make sure you plan out a timeline for the application process. Additionally, create an application checklist in order to manage your application’s components and deadlines. 

As you write your Colorado College supplemental essays, remember that your application is a persuasive document. Overall, your Colorado College essays should convince the admissions team why you are a highly qualified applicant who deserves admission to Colorado College. 

Your qualifications cannot simply speak for themselves. Instead, you have to make an argument about why you are the perfect fit for the Colorado College community. 

Colorado College Essays – 5 Takeaways

5 takeaways for writing colorado college essays, 1. brainstorm.

Do some research on Colorado College and its programs. Then, craft a list of reasons why Colorado College interests you and narrow your points down to no less than three strong arguments. Use these reasons to draft your Colorado College supplemental essays. 

2. Get personal and be specific

Admissions officers agree that the most crucial aspect of a successful essay is authenticity. The Colorado College supplemental essays give applicants the opportunity to express themselves. Remember, the Colorado College supplemental essays are the only component of your application that allows the admissions committee to see beyond your grades and extracurriculars. So, use the Colorado College essay prompts to highlight what makes you unique. 

3. Tell a story

The best Colorado College essays will have a solid introduction that grabs the reader’s attention. If appropriate, consider using a personal anecdote to begin your essay. However, make sure you choose a story that is relevant to your values and/or goals. 

4. Follow the word count

The Colorado College essays are 200 to 250 words. It is critical to follow the word count guidelines. The essay format guidelines are here for a reason, and application readers can be easily frustrated by a student’s failure to follow directions. Remember, the shorter the word count, the fewer ideas you will want to include. If you are only including one idea in your essay, make sure it is your strongest argument. 

5. Leave time to review your essays

When you think you have finished, be sure to proofread and edit. You will want to make sure you have answered and addressed all parts of the Colorado College essay prompts. Additionally, be sure to get input from others. Fresh eyes are always helpful, so ask several trusted sources to review your essay for grammatical errors and structural edits.

Want more guidance on the Colorado College essays? Colorado College offers a series of ten short videos with quick tips and advice from their admissions team on writing stellar Colorado College supplemental essays. Watch them all here . 

For one-on-one essay guidance, our experts at CollegeAdvisor can help you write the very best Colorado College essays and make your Colorado College application stand out. Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists.

This article was written by Bailey Bennett. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

Personalized and effective college advising for high school students.

• Advisor Application
• Popular Colleges
• Privacy Policy and Cookie Notice
• Student Login
• California Privacy Notice
• Terms and Conditions
• Your Privacy Choices

By using the College Advisor site and/or working with College Advisor, you agree to our updated Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy , including an arbitration clause that covers any disputes relating to our policies and your use of our products and services.

Colorado College 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Guide

Early Action/Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15

You Have: 

Colorado College 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1 essay of 300 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Community, Diversity

On Colorado College’s Block Plan, students immerse themselves in one class at a time, fostering deep engagement and courageous conversations with peers and professors. We embrace diverse perspectives, encouraging students to think differently.

Please choose from one of these prompts (and respond in 300 words or fewer). to learn more about why we are asking this question and how you can best craft a thoughtful response, review our website for context and insight., 1) tell us about a time where you learned from an experience that challenged your perspective..

Admissions wants to know about a time when your beliefs were challenged and you grew as a result of the experience. Maybe you were made aware of a bias you didn’t know you had or, perhaps, you experienced something powerful that altered your worldview. This first option may be the most challenging of the three prompts because it requires a great deal of self-awareness and introspection. A successful essay will showcase your humility, intelligence, and adaptability. Maybe you volunteered at a shelter with your church youth group and realized there are many more shades to the unhoused epidemic than you had previously thought. Perhaps your best friend’s mom went through cancer treatments last year and you stepped in to tutor them to get their grades back up, upending your previous dichotomy of “good” and “bad” students. How did your perspective change? What did you learn about yourself, your peers, or the world? Don’t limit yourself to stories about conflict and don’t worry about being right or wrong. The most interesting essays will focus on small, personal moments that have shaped the way you see the world.

2) Provide one or two specific examples from your life that demonstrate your potential to advance CC’s commitment to antiracism.

This prompt is perfect for the activists among you; if you have already taken part in demonstrations, protests, canvassing, or other large-scale activism, great! For those of you who haven’t, but still feel called to this prompt, think about the word “potential.” What aspects of your personality, values, or experience would prime you to be actively antiracist at CC? Perhaps you act in allyship every time you challenge microaggressions when they arise in your predominantly white community. Maybe you come from a multiracial family and have been struck by your effortless code-switching, prompting you to think more deeply about race in America and how you can effect positive change. Whether you write about activism, challenging someone’s outdated opinions, or personal introspection, make sure you do some research on CC’s commitment to antiracism and tailor your response to demonstrate how you will further their agenda on campus. 

3) Describe how your personal experiences with a particular community make you a student who would benefit from Colorado College’s Block Plan.

This essay is a combination of a Why and a Community Essay. CC’s unique Block Plan allows students to focus on one course at a time rather than taking many simultaneous classes per semester. This prompt is asking you to explore exactly how this curriculum—among CC’s many other assets—will benefit you specifically. Make sure you research the Block Plan on the school’s website to see how you would best take advantage of its possibilities. Then think about how your personal experiences, with a community you belong to specifically, will make you particularly poised to benefit from the Block Plan. Maybe you did a summer internship at a physics lab with fellow STEM students, which ignited your passion for quantum mechanics, and you can’t wait to dive into this with all your focus. Perhaps your Tae Kwon Do community taught you a love of martial arts, culture, and Korean language, and CC’s Block Plan will empower you to design your own interdisciplinary course of study across these fields. The community you choose to write about can be anything—your family, a sports team, a school club, a friend group, a nationality—the choice is yours! Just make sure you tell a specific, personal story that illustrates how your experiences with this group relate to your future studies at CC.

About Kat Stubing

View all posts by Kat Stubing »

Submit your draft for an expert's review!

Contact us for information on rates and more!

• I am a * Student Parent Potential Partner School Counselor Private College Counselor
• Name * First Last
• Phone Type Mobile Landline
• Street Address
• Address City State / Province / Region Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czechia Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Macedonia Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Sweden Switzerland Syria Arab Republic Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania, the United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Türkiye US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands Country
• Which best describes you (or your child)? High school senior High school junior College student College grad Other
• How did you find CEA? Internet Search New York Times Guidance counselor/school Social Media YouTube Friend Special Event Delehey College Consulting Other
• Common App and Coalition Essays
• Supplemental Essays
• University of California Essays
• University of Texas Essays
• Resume Review
• Post-Grad Essays
• Specialized Services
• Waitlist Letters
• Private School Essays
• General College Counseling
• School list with priorities noted:
• Anything else we should know?
• Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

School Stats:

• Agnes Scott College
• Alvernia University
• American University
• Amherst College
• Babson College
• Bard College
• Barnard College
• Baylor University
• Bennington College
• Bentley University
• Berry College
• Bethany College
• Bishop’s University
• Boston College
• Boston University (BU)
• Bowdoin College
• Brandeis University
• Brown University
• Bryn Mawr College
• Bucknell University
• Butler University
• California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
• California Lutheran University
• Capitol Technology University
• Carleton College
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Catawba College
• Centre College
• Chapman University
• Claremont McKenna College
• Clark University
• College of Mount Saint Vincent
• College of William and Mary
• College of Wooster
• Colorado College
• Colorado School of Mines
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Culver-Stockton College
• D'Youville University
• Dartmouth College
• Davidson College
• Drexel University
• Duke University
• Earlham College
• Elon University
• Emerson College
• Emory University
• Flagler College
• Fordham University
• George Mason University
• Georgetown University
• Georgia State University
• Georgia Tech
• Gonzaga University
• Harvard University
• Harvey Mudd College
• Haverford College
• Hillsdale College
• Hofstra University
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Illinois Wesleyan University
• Indiana University Bloomington
• Ithaca College
• Johns Hopkins University
• Kalamazoo College
• Lafayette College
• Lehigh University
• Lewis and Clark College
• Linfield University
• Loyola Marymount University (LMU)
• Lynn University
• Macalester College
• Malone University
• Manchester University
• Marist College
• Mary Baldwin University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Meredith College
• Monmouth College
• Moravian University
• Morehouse College
• Mount Holyoke College
• New York University (NYU)
• North Park University
• Northwestern University
• Occidental College
• Oklahoma City University
• Olin College of Engineering
• Pepperdine University
• Pitzer College
• Pomona College
• Princeton University
• Providence College
• Purdue University
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Rice University
• Saint Elizabeth University
• Santa Clara University
• Sarah Lawrence College
• Scripps College
• Seattle Pacific University
• Smith College
• Soka University of America
• Southern Methodist University
• St. John’s College
• Stanford University
• Stonehill College
• Swarthmore College
• Syracuse University
• Texas A&M University
• Texas Christian University
• The College of Idaho
• The George Washington University
• The New School
• Trinity College
• Tufts University
• Tulane University
• University of California
• University of Central Florida (UCF)
• University of Chicago
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Colorado Boulder
• University of Florida
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• University of Maryland
• University of Massachusetts Amherst
• University of Miami
• University of Michigan
• University of Minnesota
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Oklahoma
• University of Oregon
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Richmond
• University of San Diego
• University of San Francisco
• University of Southern California (USC)
• University of Tulsa
• University of Vermont
• University of Virginia (UVA)
• University of Washington
• University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Vanderbilt University
• Vassar College
• Villanova University
• Virginia Tech
• Wake Forest University
• Washington and Lee University
• Washington University in St. Louis
• Wellesley College
• Williams College
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)

Want free stuff?

We thought so. Sign up for free instructional videos, guides, worksheets and more!

One-On-One Advising

Common App Essay Prompt Guide

Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

• YouTube Tutorials
• Our Approach & Team
• Undergraduate Testimonials
• Postgraduate Testimonials
• Where Our Students Get In
• CEA Gives Back
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Graduate Admissions
• Private School Admissions
• International Student Admissions
• Common App Essay Guide
• Supplemental Essay Guide
• Coalition App Guide
• The CEA Podcast
• Admissions Stats
• Notification Trackers
• Deadline Databases
• College Essay Examples
• Academy and Worksheets
• Waitlist Guides
• Get Started