Colorado College
Colorado College, known for its unique academic calendar where students take one course at a time, was founded in 1874, two years before Colorado became a state. The college is located in Colorado Springs, south of Denver and at the base of the Rocky Mountains. The surrounding neighborhood is filled with homes on the National Register of Historic Places. CC’s campus is within driving distance of several ski resorts and national parks.
About 2100 undergraduates attend this selective institution with an admission rate of approximately 20%. The admissions team uses a holistic evaluation process considering each student’s academic work, writing, letters of recommendation, activities, personal interests and talents. Standardized test scores are optional and fewer than half of enrolled first-year students chose to submit their scores (median SAT 1320-1460, median ACT 30-34) for consideration. The average unweighted high school GPA typically ranges from 3.75 to 4.0.
For over fifty years, Colorado College has been known for its academic Block Plan. There are four blocks per semester, and students take only one course during each block, allowing for an intense and focused academic experience. Each course is three and a half weeks long and meets Monday through Friday from 9am-12pm. There is a “Block Break” after each block, with no classes from Wednesday at noon until Monday morning when the new block begins. Students are required to take classes on global culture, issues of inequality, foreign language, quantitative reasoning and natural sciences throughout their time at CC. First-year students take seminars during their first two blocks as part of the First-Year Program. The FYP also assigns students to a small cohort led by a student mentor who provides support throughout the year. Notable majors include geology, Southwest studies, political science, biology, environmental science and economics. Classes are small—75% have fewer than 20 students, and the student to faculty ratio is 10:1.
About 80% of students live on campus—there is a three year housing requirement. They live in a mix of traditional dorms, small houses and upperclass student apartments. Colorado College students can apply to live in one of the Living Learning Communities which focus on common interests or identities. These include: women, multicultural, pride and substance free communities.
Given its location, it's not surprising that outdoor activities are popular with CC students. Hiking, biking and rafting are favorite weekend activities. Students are encouraged to join the many campus clubs and organizations. About 10% of students participate in the Greek system. Highly anticipated annual events include the Llamapalooza Festival, Homecoming and Late Night Skates. The Tigers women’s soccer and men’s ice hockey teams both participate at the NCAA Division I level and fifteen other teams participate at the Division III level. There is a huge hockey rivalry with the University of Denver.
Who is Colorado College a great fit for?
Colorado College is a great fit for intellectually curious students who want to immerse themselves in their learning rather than juggle multiple classes at once. Its Block Plan appeals to students who enjoy discussion-based classes, close relationships with professors and hands-on learning through research, fieldwork, and travel. Located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, the college also attracts adventurous students who enjoy spending time outdoors.
Interesting Facts:
The Breaking Bread Program: Students and professors are encouraged to develop relationships outside of class. Professors invite students to dinners at their homes.
Colorado College’s first class in 1874 was open to both sexes and all races and had 25 students (13 men, 12 women).
CC was the first US college to implement a block plan and remains among only a handful of American institutions who operate their academic calendar in this way.
Marc Webb, filmmaker and director known for 500 Days of Summer and The Amazing Spider-Man duology, graduated from CC in 1996.
It was while teaching at Colorado College in the summer of 1893 that Katharine Lee Bates wrote “America The Beautiful”.
Peggy Fleming attended Colorado College while training for the 1986 Olympics, where she eventually won the only American gold medal in the games, for Ladies Singles Figure Skating.
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