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Colorado State University was built on the belief that anyone who wants a university education should feel empowered to get one. We want your big ideas and dreams to come to life, no matter your background.
Your freshman application is a record of all the hard work you’ve put in so far, as well as a testament to what you still plan to do. Our hope is to learn more about who you are and how you’ll contribute to the Colorado State University community. Each year, we search for applicants with diverse backgrounds, skills, and perspectives to challenge and support one another on campus.
If you have questions before or during the application process, your admissions counselor is ready to help!
Apply as a domestic freshman if 1) you are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have DACA/undocumented status and 2) you’ve never attended college, or all your college credits were earned prior to high school graduation.
The best dates to apply for admission are based on the semester you want to start at CSU. The application opens August 1 each year for the following year’s semesters.
Freshman students typically start during the fall semester.
Early action date (non-binding)
Submit a complete application file by November 15 to receive full admission consideration and automatic scholarship review by January 15. Our early action date is non-binding, which means you don’t have to commit to CSU if you are accepted.
Regular decision date
Submit a complete application file by January 15 to receive full admission consideration and automatic scholarship review by February 28. After this date, applications for admission are considered on a rolling basis and scholarships may not be available.
While less common, some freshmen start in the spring semester.
Regular decision date
Submit a complete application file by November 1 for full admission consideration and automatic scholarship review. After this date, applications for admission are considered on a rolling basis and scholarships may not be available.
Starting in the summer session isn’t recommended for most freshmen, though it is essential for a small portion of students. Contact your admissions counselor for information and recommended dates to apply.
A complete application file consists of the Common App, which you will submit online, and the supporting materials listed below. You can submit these items in any order, and we will review your application once we receive all the required items.
All freshman applicants use the online Common Application to apply.
Freshman applicants must submit either a $50 application fee or application fee waiver . You will be prompted to submit your application fee or select a waiver when submitting your Common Application.
Fee waivers
What we call a “personal statement” is called the “personal essay” in the Common Application. You’ll be able to type OR copy and paste your essay into your application before submitting it. The length must be between 250-650 words. Check out some tips for guidance and inspiration.
Your essay is your opportunity to help us understand what makes you unique beyond your grades and transcripts. It will be reviewed during your admission decision; it is not a factor in scholarship decisions.
The prompts you choose from are:
While the personal statement allows you to address your strengths, passions, and goals, the academic explanation helps us better understand your academic background.
GPA below 3.0 or D/F grades
Many students experience dips or inconsistencies in their academic record. There are so many reasons why things can go off course, and we want to understand the full picture. Community disruptions such as COVID-19 and natural disasters can have deep and long-lasting impacts. If you need it, this space is yours to describe those impacts. We care about the effects on your health and well-being, safety, family circumstances, and education, including access to reliable technology and quiet study spaces.
The prompt you’ll see in the application is:
If your cumulative GPA is below 3.0/B- average (on a 4.0 scale), if you have any D or F grades, or if you are missing units in the recommended classes, this is your opportunity to explain. Tell us about the situation and/or what happened, what you did to fix it, and how your experience will help you be academically successful at CSU.
Gap year
Not every student goes through high school and directly on to college without a break. If this is you, we want to know more. Be sure to include information about what you have done during your time away from school.
The prompt you’ll see in the application is:
“Provide an explanation of any break or interruption in your education of a semester or longer since 9th grade (or equivalent). Examples include sitting out for a semester or longer during or between academic year(s), completing a gap year, or taking time off between high school and college.”
We do not require a letter of recommendation for admission or scholarship purposes. Recommendations, if submitted, are not given much weight in our review.
If you opt to submit a recommendation, you may do so through the Common Application or as a PDF or Word document attachment emailed to admissions@colostate.edu.
CSU does not require ACT or SAT scores. If you submit scores, they will be added to your application, but they will only be reviewed if you email us at admissions@colostate.edu to request that they be considered.
Even when requested, scores are not given much weight in the admission decision. Test scores are not used as the basis for declining an application or for consideration in the scholarship award process.
ACT or SAT results can be used for composition placement after admission.
