Reviews

Colorado College is one of four colleges within the U.S. that teaches on the block plan. This innovative schedule means that students take one class at a time for three and a half weeks, in which time frame they gain four credit hours. The beauty of the block plan is that students get to put all of their focus and energy into one subject rather than juggling five or six as on the semester schedule. The block schedule allows for a very personal relationship between not only fellow students but also with professors. Within my first week at CC my profs. knew me by name and had talked to me personally about future plans for obtaining my major. While the block plan leaves little room for falling behind due to the immense amount of homework, the campus’s student learning facilities make it almost impossible to fail. For me, the Writing Center played a large part in my freshman year and provided constructive feedback and helpful tips during my first few essays. Also, because professors are only teaching one class at a time their door is always open when one of their students is struggling. While the block plan is very academically challenging it leaves space for even more academic and personal success.

Colorado College has literally become my second home. The campus’s small population (around 2,000) provides a very close-knit relationship between students regardless of their year (junior, senior, etc.) The block plan causes students to have a new “first day of school” every three and a half weeks. As intimidating as that sounds, students will walk into a new class and see so many familiar faces and have the opportunity to make even more friends every month! My personal theory is that because of CC’s size everyone knows everyone at least in passing! Starting from my prospective student visit I noticed how friendly everyone on campus is regardless of race, age, or gender (which is great considering CC is such a diverse school)! Having a campus nestled right into the heart of the Rocky Mountains provides students with the opportunity to spend a block break (a four day rest period after every block) hiking, skiing, camping, or doing a variety of other activities right in their backyard. In addition to these opportunities students at CC develop great time management skills between their homework and extra-curricular activities. The campus provides an outlet for an assortment of social clubs, networks, and sports teams that allows students to blow off a little steam after a long day of class.

The one major drawback of Colorado College is the cost. Being a highly ranked private liberal arts school (number 30 in the U.S. according to U.S. News College Ranking) the tuition runs fairly high. However, I believe that students receive a top education for every dollar spent. CC provides a great amount of financial aid varying from academic/athletic scholarships to work study grants which allow this highly priced educational dream become a reality for many.

Every fall and spring CC hosts an Open House event for prospective students. If you are considering attending this school I highly recommend you attend one of these two day visits. Prospective students are shown around campus and stay overnight in the dorms with current students, giving them a first-hand look into the night-life of a CC tiger. They are also given the opportunity to sit in during a class and get the feel of the fast paced block plan. My advice is to throw your nerves to the wind because the students and faculty at CC make it extremely easy to feel right at home.

During my freshman year I learned that Colorado College is sometimes called a “Camp School” due to the amount of students who participate in outdoor activities. It is not uncommon to meet a student who took a year or so off to hike the Appalachian Trail or do some soul searching out in the Artic. For me, I am not what you would call an “outdoorsy” kind of girl. During my New Student Orientation trip (a freshman four day service trip that occurs right before the start of fall term) it was my first time sleeping in a tent. However, the adverse interests among students allows every kind of person (outdoorsy or not) to participate in some new and exciting adventure. Students with a high interest in academics, who have the ability to handle a bit of stress on a weekly basis, and who are willing to step out of their comfort zone to gain as much as possible from the college experience are Tiger material!

Colorado College is somewhat unique in its approach to learning. Rather than being on the semester plan, where you take multiple classes simultaneously, we are on something called the Block Plan, means we only take one class at a time. The result: a super-focused, intense 3 and 1/2 week long class (4 per semester/ 8 per year) where we cover everything a traditional school does in a semester. Sounds tough, right? It is, but I absolutely love block. While it definitely isn't for everyone, the Block Plan is a great way to focus in on one subject at a time and become immersed in whatever you choose to study. I especially love language courses, where you are more or less immersed in the language, and you definitely learn a ton in a short period of time. For people like me that have a hard time juggling multiple classes at once, Block is definitely great.

I absolutely love being on campus. Part of the great atmosphere on Colorado College campus is perpetuated by a student body that is very accepting and open to people from different walks of life. This is definitely something they consider when looking at applications, and I think it is for the better in creating a climate where everyone can feel welcome and accepted for who they really are. When combined with minority student life on campus, this creates an awesome experience. In addition, there are so many events being put on by any number of groups at a given time that life on campus never gets boring, it seems that there is always a lecture or a dance or cultural festival that you just HAVE to go to. Shortly put: it's awesome.

While CC has a relatively high tuition (right now in the ~$40,000 per year including room in board), you definitely get a bang for your buck, especially considering that the college doles out considerable amounts of financial aid for current and incoming students. I think the greatest part in the bang for your buck category as compared to other colleges is the sheer amount of one-on-one time you get with your professor. With the average class size at about 14 students, you can always get a hold of your professor and get the feeling they actually care about your future, as opposed to just seeing you as another face in a huge lecture hall of hundreds of students. In addition, resources on campus for your success are more than abundant. Between the Writing Center, Quantitative Reasoning Center, Reference Desk, and tutors, your bases are covered regardless of what you are studying. You never have to worry about not being able to do well in class because if you take advantage of the available resources, you are almost guaranteed to succeed.

I would tell prospective students to be prepared to work, but also that it is a truly rewarding experience. On your application, don't give the answers you think they want you to give, because they'll see right through it. Be yourself and use the application to express yourself as much as possible, because CC truly is a place for people of all different walks of life. Enjoy writing the prompts and be original, because it will definitely help your personality to shine and let the admissions office know what you are all about.

Good for students that like procrastinating, believe it or not. (I like to think of CC as being a in a perpetual state of procrastination).

Great for students that have a hard time focusing on multiple subjects at once.

Also great for students that are more self-guided on their path to learning, as professors will expect you to take initiative to understand the things you don't understand through resources on campus and make sure that you are giving it your all.

CC is a great place to grow intellectually. The block plan, where you take one class for three and a half weeks and then get a four-day weekend before starting another class can be very intense, but it is great for learning material, especially in the social sciences. Furthermore, you get to know the professors on a personal level and interact with your classmates on a regular basis outside of class. I have had many great conversations with my peers in the hallways, dorms and cafeterias. Additionally, the block plan allows for month-long study abroad opportunities. The downside, however, is that because we only take four classes (blocks) each semester, you really must pick and choose your classes carefully--there is not a way to take an overload here. Additionally, it can be hard for students to adjust to the intensity of the block plan and high academic expectations.

The social life at Colorado College is adequate. I enjoy learning from my peers and spending time with them on block breaks. Furthermore, there are great service and extracurricular opportunities. However, I wish that the drinking and drugs scene was not as big as it is. Students here definitely have a work hard party hard attitude.

As a student who was not sure how I would pay for college, I am so blessed that CC offered me a generous financial aid package. For anyone who has the admission credentials, I would definitely apply and not let the money deter you as CC has great financial aid packages.

I would definitely suggest scheduling an overnight visit. You will get to experience both the extracurricular and academic life here. Furthermore, the information session may help you decide whether the block plan will serve your academic needs.

CC is great for self-motivated students who want an academic challenge without a lot of the competition seen at most other schools of similar academic standing. It is also great for those who are unsure of what they want to study and those who are willing to keep an open mind to the liberal arts experience.

Ever felt that you are being in too many directions at once? Does taking only one class at a time sound interesting? Want a five day break every month? Then Colorado College is totally your school.
We take one class at a time,through an intensive style called the block plan. Every 'block', which a month, you take one course which is equal to a semester of credit. Then you get a block break from noon on Wednesday through Sunday! Some would argue that is the best part of the block plan, but coupled with only having to concentrate on one that at time, this method of learning is perfect for those who feel stressed by taking many classes at once.
As a science major, I an also attest to the challenges of the of learning fast on the block plan. Lab courses can end up being a large time commitment but then again you are also done in only a month! But I have never faced a class that was not possible to do well in with the appropriate amount of work.
I have hands done learned more in my two and a half years at CC than all of high school put together.

The study body is another reason to consider CC. We are a small school, a little under 2000 students, but every single person here is amazing. CC students are friendly, easy going but also hard working. We get are work done, and maintain a high standard of learning at CC, but you will be hard put to find students who know how to play better than us. Extra curricular are wide ranging and very popular from inter tube water-polo to volunteering with wolf puppies to traveling to some of the best rock climbing sites in the country, we know how to expand our worlds.

CC is certainly expensive, no question but if you are looking for a high quality education through a liberal arts school, I say it is worth it. The block plan is not cheap to fund, we have a great student to teacher ration and with only one teacher per class at a time, expenses build up fast. CC also is always seeking the highest quality professors for the students. Every teacher I have had has been exceptional.
You are also receiving a lot of benefits beyond the classroom from free printing to school sponsored trips to career resources.

Come visit! Attend a class, stay with one of us and really get a feel for how CC works. I promise all CC students love having prospective students on campus to show around. Get a feel for how a normal day for a CC student is, we want you here!
Also when applying definitely give it your all on the essays. Admissions is caring more about your personal voice and expression than every before. Really think about what you would do if you had a month to explore any topic you wanted. Every student here at CC has something special that CC saw in them and we are not afraid to show it. So let your voice fly free and show off a little in your application.

-Those who like taking one class at a time
-Who work well under some pressure
-Who like to balance hard work with some serious playing
-Who want to explore and seek adventure
-Anyone who is excited about life!

Energetic
Quirky
Outlier

Don't come in expecting the basic everyday college experience, CC attracts a special kind of student so be excited and be Open-Minded.

The school is definitely rigorous and I've seen that in what my other classmates are doing. I just must have taken the classes that weren't as academically difficult.

Very clean dorms, very spacious, and they are co-ed so that spices things up a little bit.

Amazing food! Honestly like you're eating out every single day.

You can find a lot of activities to do for fun regardless of the slow city life. Great school for outdoorsy people and book worms alike.

CC's unique block plan creates an environment for superb in-depth study. At the end of each block I emerged with a solid understanding of the coursework and frequently found myself relating ideas from one block to another. Within the first couple of blocks, my writing, discussion and critical thinking skills dramatically improved!

Although CC can be challenging at times there is ample opportunity for fun on-campus and off. Every weekend the campus puts on events ranging from midnight breakfasts, themed dance parties, art exhibitions to distinguished speakers. Most students take advantage of CC's close proximity to Colorado Springs' downtown area for shopping and food and the mountains for outdoor pursuits. Even in-class, professors continually strive to share their enthusiasm for the coursework with their students through extended field-trips and even hosting dinners at their houses.

At CC you'll get an outstanding education well worth the cost. Everything from the close relationships with a dedicated staff and an outgoing student body to the distinctive block plan really creates an unmistakable sense of community and an unforgettable four-year experience.

1) Visit the college during the school year, 2) Imagine what kind of environment you can thrive in, and most importantly 3) People watch - watching how students interact with one another really gives you a good idea for what sort of people attend the school.

Those students who are adventurous, intellectual, outgoing, compassionate, outdoorsy and want an excellent education with lots excitement and fun will find it easy to fit-in at CC!

The school facilities, professors, and academic quality are all extremely nice. It is a very focused learning environment. The student-life is kind of limited and there's not that much diversity within the students.

Really consider what you want out of college. If small, focused, discussion based classes are for you, then this place is great. The student body is small, but not too noticeable. If you are not huge on sporting events and like outdoors activities and clubs then CC is great.

With the block plan, the academic rigor is relatively high daily. The load of homework is a bit more so it seems, and you have three hours of class everyday. It's an intense 18 days per course.

All dorms are pretty nice. Every dorm comes with a mini fridge and a microwave which is nice. Some first-year dorms are small.

Food is compatible for all types of eaters here-carnivores, vegetarians, and vegans. The food here has a ton of healthy and delicious options as well as anything a student desires. The food is good quality, too.

Outdoor activities, city life, and volunteer work.

This school has a ton of resources and spoils their students. They have help desks for almost all academic aspects, such as the writing center, and they are available to all students. The faculty and student ratio is nice, and there is always someone there and wanting to help you with anything. The school offers adjuncts which are half credit classes students can take in the afternoon outside of their block class.

The school provides movie nights and activities for almost any event and even random events. The school also hosts dogs and puppies most Tuesdays before fourth week of block Wednesdays for stress relievers.

Great for students who are very bright and want a small and focused learning environment. Great for students who love the outdoors! Everyone here is pretty active.

Clubs are very active in the school and always create activities and events for the school. A lot of the student life at CC are very involved and have fun in what they're doing.

Greek life is not like most traditional Greek life at bigger schools. The keep the same concepts but they also do a lot of volunteer work.

Campus safety is pretty high. Since the student body is small, the safety faculty seems to have a more personal relationship with the school. They really look out for the students. There is a campus safety system that provides rides for students around campus so they can get around safely 24 hours.

Colorado College is an amazing college. People are nice, you'll always run into someone you know, and there's always something to do.

Always send hand written thank you notes to the administration that you have contact with after visiting and after your interview. It won't make you accepted just because of that, but it helps because it shows that you have manners.

There are a mix of challenging classes and simpler classes. On the block plan, you're learning a semester's worth of information in 3.5 weeks which in itself is challenging. Colorado College is known for its academic rigor (second to the block plan), and it definitely lives up to its reputation.

Dorm life is nice, but like at many colleges, things get quite messy on the weekends. People are always nice to each other, and everything is overall wonderful.

There are many options on-campus and the quality is fairly good, but sometimes it gets quite repetitive in the more popular eatery on campus, Rastall. Because CC is downtown, there are many restaurants within walking distance that people go to as well.

There are a lot of things to do outdoors, and campus activities and many clubs puts together meetings, talks, and other social events. There's never a lack of activities on campus.

Colorado College is great for people who like an academic challenge, working to succeed, and people who like the outdoors. Not liking the outdoors isn't something that will make the experience any worse, but without the drive and desire for challenge, the experience can be less than great.

There are some sororities and fraternities on campus, but they don't really command much attention.

Colorado College is an intensive, environmentally responsible college with only the most capable, involved students. It runs on a block program where students take one class at a time, totaling 8 blocks a year. The many opportunities include research opportunities, over 80 majors and minors, and a supportive learning environment.

When applying, students should search for fly out programs such as: Multicultural Open Houses because CC looks to diversify the community and this will get you noticed. In personal statements, write about yourself as a person and not a player in the competition for college acceptance. Lastly. it helps to apply early action to give yourself the upper hand among other talented applicants.

Colorado College ranks #29 on Forbes list nationwide for best Liberal Arts Colleges in the US. Each block is an intense 3 1/2 weeks where students are completely immersed in the material. Professors challenge every student equally expecting nothing but the best from them. The All Stars of High School ranks and standardized tests have met their match.

There are three Dorm Halls for freshman with incredible remodeled snazz. RA's are always on call to help a sister or brother out their first year around this neck of the woods. The best RLC's will throw banana split parties in your Hall Lounge and screen Jurassic Park. Fan of Breaking Bad? The dorm community watches a screening of it every Sunday night together! Its clean, friendly, and homey.

CC is the friendliest place for vegetarians, vegans, gluten free, and organic lovers. Processed and antibiotic meats are no where to be found. Rastalls Cafe as well as other dining places are strictly provided with local meats and produce from Colorado. The grub is healthy and delicious!

In the mountains, CC students love to go on hikes and climb Pike's Peak. With our very own rock climbing gym, it isn't hard to practice. There are clubs for almost any interest and hosted events every evening. Do you love eating meat? You can join Carnivore Club! How about ice skating? Sign up for lessons at CC's own Honnen Ice Rink! The possibilities are endless.

40% of CC students have received a full ride to attend. Everyone gets a fair deal at Colorado College with tuition donations from Alumni, friends, and parents of the community. Filling out forms beyond FAFSA will really help support your CC education funds. A beautiful campus to retreat to during and after class is a bang for your buck too.

Students looking for environmentally conscious communities, love the outdoors, and wearing tie dye all belong at CC. The community is welcoming to every personality as over 80% of students are out of state and bring new perspectives. Community Service is always meaningful for people who love to help out.

Greek Life at CC is like no other. It is a community where frats and sororities focus on improving on campus life and beyond with community service. Sororities are always so kind during fourth week handing out tea and candy for crazed students preparing for block finals.

There isn't a safer place than CC with the protection of campus safety. Feeling a little frightened to walk back to your place at night? No worries, Campus Safety is there to keep you safe and take you home. Everything from alerts, recovery of lost items, and a helping hand is provided by campus safety.

Colorado College has an amazing academic atmosphere. The people are friendly,and there are lots of fun things to do. People here like to work hard but also have fun.

1. Be prepared for any kind of weather! It has been 90 degrees one day, and then 45 degrees and raining the next. Bring a myriad of clothing items.
2. Bring a bike, scooter, or longboard! It makes it so much easier to get around!
3. Come and visit! I had no idea how much I liked this school until I came and visited. Please come and see us!

The Block Plan can be intense, I'll admit. But overall, it has not been too challenging for me. My class is definitely manageable- with about 2 hours of homework each night.

I absolutely love my dorm! I am in Slocum Hall, which was newly renovated. We have beautiful lounges, huge rooms, hardwood floors, a great community, and a great view of the mountains as well!

The food here is definitely good. They have a huge variety, and tons of options for vegans, vegetarians, and gluten-free eaters. There is a great variety here and the food is overall pretty good.

So many people here drink alcohol for fun. I do not drink or smoke at all, and have found it a little difficult to find people who feel the same way. However, there are tons of events planned-lectures, exhibits, dances, plays, and tons more! There really is a lot to do on campus and in downtown Colorado Springs!

Colorado College is very expensive. I am on financial aid, and it has been a little hard to manage.

Every year, the entire freshman class goes on a service trip before school starts! There are about 30 different trips that go out, and it was a blast! Everyone loves New Student Orientation, and it was a great bonding experience.

Anyone can find their place here. Seriously anyone. I see hipsters, druggies, preps, goths, nerds, and everyone in between.

I rushed a sorority this year! Kappa Kappa Gamma! Greek life is small, but it is there if you want it. Rushing was a bit intimidating, but overall lots of fun! The girls are all extremely nice, and it was hard for me to pick a house to join. It is a mutual rush- so the sorority does have to choose you. Not everyone made it, but I'm so glad I did!

I feel extremely safe on campus all of the time. I'm usually very cautious and afraid, but I never feel alone or unsafe.