Q: How much does it cost to attend CU at Colorado Springs.
A: Fulltime student (12-15 hrs) Tuition, books and student fees will
     cost approximately $4,000 per year (in-state). If you plan to live
     on campus it will cost approximately $10,000 per year (in-state).
    
Q: How many students attend CU – Colorado Springs?
A: In the 2003/2004 school year, there were approximately 7620 students.

Q: Is there on campus housing?
A: Yes, but apply early because of the high demand for our housing. 

Q: Is your campus diverse?
A: 18% are minority students

Q: How many students are from out-of-state?
A: 7% of CU – Colorado Springs students are from out-of-state.

Q: Do students work while going to college?
A: Most students do, even if only for a few hours a week. There are work-study and hourly jobs available on campus too. Contact the office of Student Employment (262-3454) if you are interested in finding a job either on or off campus.

Q: What are the admission requirements for CU – Colorado Springs?
A: Admission requirements are competitive. Students must fall into the dark blue area on our admissions graph. As well, students must meet the Regent’s Minimum Academic Preparation Standards (MAPS). These standards include 4 years of English (2 of which must be in composition), 3 years of college preparatory mathematics, 3 years of natural science (2 of which must be laboratory sciences), 2 years of social sciences, 2 years of the same foreign language, and at least one additional academic credit.

Q: What are the average ACT or SAT scores and GPA of entering freshmen?
A: Typically the mid 50% of all new freshmen have a high school class rank between the 50 percent and the 85th percentile, a HS GPA from 2.9-3.7, ACT composite scores from 20-26, or SAT combined scores from 950-1180. Please take a look at the admissions graph to see where you fall. 

Q: What if I fall below the average admissions criteria, but am still interested in applying to CU-Colorado Springs? How can I strengthen my admissions packet?
A: Helpful Hints:
      1. If you are an ethnic minority student, first generation student, or an
          economically or academically disadvantaged student, contact the
          CU Opportunity Program for more information at (719) 262-3647.
      2. If you fall in one of the above groups, make sure to check "Yes"
          when answering the question on your application for admission,
          "Are you applying through the CU Opportunity program?"
      3. Take the ACT or SAT at least twice.
      4. Write a personal statement/essay explaining why you are
          interested in attending CU-Colorado Springs, and why you would
          make a good candidate for admission.
      5. Attain letters of recommendation to include in your admission
          packet.

Q: I am a junior in high school. How soon can I apply?
A: Students may apply for admission approximately 1 year in advance.  We begin accepting Fall applications on about Sept 10, Spring applications on about Jan 20 and Summer applications on about June 20 for the following year.

Q: How do I obtain Colorado residency?
A: A student under 22 years of age is generally NOT permitted to establish Colorado domicile and BEGIN the 12 month waiting period to achieve in-state status. Upon turning 22, a student may establish Colorado domicile and THEN go through the 12 month waiting period. They may then seek in-state tuition the first term that begins after their 23rd birthday. Domicile does not begin merely by residing in Colorado. For more information please contact either Jim Tidwell at 262-3385 or Steve Ellis at 262-3380.

Q: What is the student/faculty ratio?
A: 17:1. This is an excellent ratio that provides more one on one interaction between professors and students.

Q: Are professors accessible?
A: Professors all have at least two hours a week available for students, but many professors offer more hours, email addresses, office phone numbers, and sometimes even his or her home phone number in case you cannot make office hours.

Q: What is the average class size?
A: The average class size is 30 students. This is usually larger for freshmen level classes and generally becomes smaller for upper division classes. This number also varies depending on your college and your major.

Q: What is my college?
A: There are 5 colleges within the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs: Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences, College of Business and Administration, College of Education, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences.

Q: Does UCCS offer Master's Degrees?
A: Yes. After completion of an undergraduate degree, students can choose from the following graduate programs: applied mathematics, basic science, communication, computer science, education, engineering, geography, history, nursing, psychology, public affairs, and sociology.  There are Ph.D. programs in  Engineering and Geropsychology.  For more information on graduate school, please visit web.uccs.edu/gradschl.  

Q: Do Teaching Assistants teach classes?
A: Usually they do not. Graduate Teaching Assistants teach recitation sessions. Recitation sessions meet after the professor’s lecture to further discuss what was learned. Teaching Assistants are there to encourage discussion and give students a chance to ask more questions about what they are learning.

Q: Can I double major?
A: Yes. Please contact the Student Success Center for more information at 262-3260.

Q: Where do I find information about internships?
A: Check with your College’s secretary to get you to the right person for your major. Also check with the Student Employment (262-3454) office on campus.

Q: Are there honors programs?
A: Yes, but they are departmentally specific, so please check with the department for specific information.

Q: How many students graduate and go on to law school, graduate school or medical school?
A: The paths that UCCS graduates take are as diverse as the programs that we offer. If you graduate with a strong GPA and have had some internship or work experience, then your chances of being accepted into a graduate program are good.

Q: Do you have "pre" programs like pre-med or pre-law?
A: Yes. We offer multiple "pre" programs.  It is important to note that the "pre" programs are not majors.  For example, if you were planning on doing pre-med your major could be Biology.

Q: Are there opportunities for me to study abroad?
A: There isn't a study abroad program at UCCS, however many of our students do take advantage of study abroad programs through another university and have it apply to their degree here.

Q: How many undergraduates decide to go on to graduate school?
A: About 28% of our graduates attend graduate school within 18 months after graduating.

Q: Is tutoring available on campus?
A: Yes, we have five free tutoring centers on campus available for students. You can contact any of the Excel Learning Centers: The Science Learning Center (262-3689), The Math Learning Center (262-3687), The Language Technology Lab (262-3690), The Center for Excellence in Oral Communication (262-4770), or The Writing Center (262-4336).

Q: Are there services for students with disabilities?
A: Yes. Our Office of Disability Services is located on the first floor of Main Hall or you can call 262-3354.

Q: What services does the Health Care Center provide?
A: Many professional services are provided by the Health Care Center, including: evaluation and treatment of illnesses, health problems and injuries. Examples include: illness care, minor injury care, pregnancy test, blood pressure check, limited medications, annual gynecologic exam, 'PAP' smears/breast screen, cholesterol screening, smoking cessation, select lab testing, first aid, hernia or prostate check, free brochures on health related topics, immunizations, birth control information and supplies, STD screening and treatment, disorders (weight, nutrition, and eating), referrals to specialists as appropriate, X-RAY access, relaxation and stress management, Meningitis Vaccine, and sports physicals.

Q: Does the university provide childcare?
A: Yes, at our Family Development Center. Please contact at 262-3483 for more information. Also, our new library has a parent/child study room with an area for children to play with toys or watch TV.

Q: How new is the Housing Village?
A: The Housing Village was built in 1996 and is home to 600 students. The rooms are very nice and have many of the luxuries that you might be leaving at home. All rooms have a bathroom that you would share with at most three other students. You have the option of having a roommate, suite mates or living by yourself in a single private room. All rooms come with free basic cable and each student gets his or her own phone line with voice mail. The rooms are also equipped with an Internet/Ethernet connections for each student. The cost of the Internet/Ethernet connection is included in the overall room cost for the year.

Also check out our new apartment style housing, the Alpine Village apartments. This housing will accommodate 300 additional students and will be available Fall semester, 2004.

Q: How is the food?
A: Sodexho manages our food service. Students tell us that we offer the best college food that they’ve had. We have many options so that there is something for everyone.

Q: How do I get around campus? How do I get around the city?
A: To walk from one end of campus to the other takes about 10-12 minutes. We also have a campus shuttle that picks up at varying location every 10-15 minutes.  Many students have vehicles but we do have a public bus system that makes a stop at the university. Any student that wishes to bring a car to campus is able to do so.

Q: Are freshmen required to live on campus?
A: Although it is not required that freshmen live on campus, it is highly recommended. Studies show that students that live on campus do better in school. Also it gives you a chance to meet people and make friends quickly.

Q: Is off campus housing available?
A: Please contact our Student Success Center at 719-262-3260 for information about off campus living or check for postings on the bulletin boards around campus. Students are always looking for off campus roommates.

Q: Is the campus safe?
A: Yes, statistically speaking it is. The University takes proactive steps to ensure student safety, and we have our own University police on campus. There are "blue light" emergency call boxes across campus, specifically in the parking areas. There is also an escort security service that walks and drives students if they do not want to walk alone. This service is available 24 hours a day. Please take a look at our Crime and Safety annual report for specific information. This report is available by calling 719-262-3144 or 1-800-900-UCCS X3144.

Q: Does UCCS have NCAA athletics?
A: Yes, we have NCAA Division II athletics, Mountain Lion Athletics.

Q: What athletics are offered?
A: For men: basketball, soccer, golf, tennis, cross-country, and track.
For women: basketball, volleyball, tennis, softball, cross-country, and track.
For more information, please call 1-800-990-UCCS X8227 or 719-262-8227.

Q: If I want to play competitive sports, what are my options?
A: We have intramural sports, club sports, and intercollegiate varsity sports. In club and varsity sports we compete with other colleges and universities, whereas intramural sports are organized teams within the University. For more information on intercollegiate athletics call 262-3601 and for club sports call 262-3448.

Q: How far away are the ski resorts?
A: The closest resort is about 50 miles away. The average drive is about 2 – 3 hours from CU – Colorado Springs.

Q: Is it easy to get involved?
A: Yes, with our more than 60 clubs and organizations. Contact the Student Government Office (262-3470) for information about a specific club. We also have the Campus Activities Board that sponsors campus events such as guest speakers, comedians, casino night and many others. You can contact them for more information at 262-3128.

Q: What is the average freshman course/work load?
A: The average freshman course load is 12 to 15 credit hours. Many students choose to have jobs and tend to work between 10-15 hours a week.

Q: Why is there so much construction going on?
A: Eighty percent of the acreage that the university owns is undeveloped, so you can see that the university has a lot of opportunity for expansion. Most recently, our University Center was expanded, and we built our new $28 million El Pomar Center, which houses the library. Our new library is almost triple the size of our old library. The new library has seating for 1,300 students, has 33 group study rooms, 3 teleconferencing rooms, and 280 personal computers. Recently, Main Hall was  renovated. The university also recently finished renovating Cragmor Hall while construction on new dorms will be finished in time for the Fall semester 2004.

Q: What is there to do in Colorado Springs?
A: We are glad that you asked. Many students enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, skiing or mountain biking. There are many restaurants and clubs in downtown Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs is the home of the Air Force Academy, the Olympic Training Center, Garden of the Gods, and, of course, Pikes Peak. Please visit www.springsgov.com to see what is going on right now or call 1 800 DO VISIT for a complimentary visitors guide.

Q: What is the population of the Colorado Springs Metro Area?
A: Approximately 500,000

Q: Does the university have a ROTC program?
A: Yes, we have Army ROTC. Please call 262-3236 for more information.

Last updated 3/25/04