Quick Guide to the University of Colorado Boulder

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by CU Boulder Admissions in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info.

 

What’s Covered

• Academics and Programs at CU Boulder
• Activities in Boulder
• Research Programs at CU Boulder 
• Study Abroad Opportunities 

 

Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky mountains, just 30 minutes west of Denver, is the beautiful city of Boulder, Colorado. Boulder was recently named the number one college town in America. In this post, we’ll give you a quick overview of CU Boulder so you can decide whether it’s the right school for you!

 

Academics and Programs at CU Boulder

 

The University of Colorado Boulder puts students first by having an 18:1 student to faculty ratio and by having fewer than 50 students in 85% of classes. 

 

Boulder takes pride in the programs they’ve created. They offer all the resources of top-tier research universities while maintaining a small college feel. Boulder has 8 different schools and over 4,000 courses to choose from. 

 

If you’re interested in getting involved outside of the classroom, Boulder has more than 525 clubs and organizations for you. If you don’t find a club that you like, you can make your own club! 

 

Activities in Boulder

 

Boulder is located in the heart of Colorado, where locals take their work-life balance very seriously. There are many things to do in and around Boulder. Beyond the residence halls is UC Boulder’s local ski hill Eldora mountain. It’s about a 45 minute drive, and in the winter Boulder offers a ski bus to transport students to and from the mountain. 

 

Further west of campus is Chautauqua park with many gorgeous trails for all levels. Many students in their first year live just 5 blocks from these trails. 

 

The University of Colorado Boulder also offers a world-class recreational center. This center has an ice skating rink, indoor rock climbing, and various pools including one shaped like a Buffalo.

 

Research Programs at CU Boulder 

 

At CU Boulder, learning often goes beyond the classroom. Students can participate in experiential learning, cross-disciplinary studies, and enrichment opportunities. Boulder’s collaborative workspaces, such as the Idea Forge and the campus startup hub bring students together and get their minds working.

 

There are 90 research centers on campus which include 11 research institutes. Over 900 faculty members, students, and staff are working on research projects at any given time. CU Boulder offers a special program to first-year students called UROP. This program makes it easy to look up various research projects that are already happening on campus and sign up to join them. UROP also enables students even as early as their first year to propose their own original research project and receive funding and mentorship for it. 

 

Study Abroad Opportunities 

 

Students at CU Boulder have a very global outlook on life. You can see this through the 400 study abroad destinations for every single major on campus. Boulder also hosts both an international festival each year and a conference on global affairs. 

 

There are over 40 concurrent programs offered, called BAMs (Bachelor’s-Accelerated Master’s programs). In just 5 years, you can get both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees at once. With so many majors and minors offered, you can customize your education at Boulder.

 

If you’re ready to apply, check out our guide on applying to CU Boulder!