CU Boulder's early action deadline is on November 15 and it's a great option for students who are very serious about CU Boulder. If we're at the top of your list, we highly encourage you to apply early action if you're ready. Early action at CU Boulder is non-binding. This means that a student is given full and holistic review for admissions, but if you are admitted, you are not obligated to come to CU Boulder. Knowing your decision early definitely has it's benefits. If you submit a complete application by November 15, you will hear a decision no later than February 1.
If you are accepted to CU Boulder, you simply have more time to decide where you'd like to attend university, it helps you to know your options sooner and helps make your last year of high school a little less stressful. You can start discussions with your family sooner, visit campus if you have the opportunity and even apply to housing earlier.
It's not a disadvantage, but the only challenge with early action is putting together a completed application in a shorter amount of time. This can be a positive as well, however, because it helps you get organized more quickly, research your options earlier and hear decisions from universities sooner.
It's not easier or harder to be admitted as an early action applicant or regular decision applicant. The requirements are the same. Each application, regardless of which deadline it was submitted to, will receive a full and holistic review. A holistic admissions review process takes into account a variety of primary academic factors and secondary factors as they relate to your ability to be successful in our competitive academic environment. While admission is competitive, you will be considered on an individual basis relative to a prediction of your academic success in the college to which you apply.
In order for students to apply early action, we're looking for a completed Common Application, high school transcripts (9-12 grade), two essays and a letter of recommendation submitted by November 15. Learn more about how to apply here:
We will require TOEFL or IELTS scores as proof of English proficiency, but that will be required after your admission decision has been made. Proof of English proficiency will be required for your student visa. Learn more about proof of English proficiency:
We do not require SAT or ACT scores from non-US citizens (unless you are graduating from a US high school). If you submit these scores, you will automatically be considered for our merit-based scholarships. Check out the scholarship types and requirements here:
We will accept new scores by the January 15 Regular Decision deadline and you can be considered for a scholarship with your newest super-score. Please contact your admission counselor when your new scores have been submitted to CU Boulder.
Early action is non-binding, so it will not impact your applications to other schools. You will still have the option to apply, gain admission and enroll at another school.
By applying early action, you will receive your admission decision early and will be able to decide if you'd like to attend CU Boulder earlier. The earlier you confirm your enrollment decision, the earlier you will be able to apply for housing.
Once we have reviewed your application and a decision has been made, you will receive an email stating that your status has changed on your application status page. You will need to log in to your application status page to read your decision.
For students who have been admitted and have chosen to come to CU Boulder, we use DHL to ship the acceptance letter and I-20. You can track your package from start to finish through DHL. We ship both documents several business days after you confirm your intent to enroll.
If you have any further questions please visit our find your counselor page or email us at intladm@colorado.edu