Applying for Admission to Colorado State University

For most students, senior year is the culmination of the college preparation process - time to apply for admission. Below is the application timeline most of our applicants follow. Please contact your student’s Admissions Representative if you have questions about the application process.

September

• Connect with your Admissions Rep at college fairs or school presentations. Get information about campus life, join our mailing list, and learn about admissions requirements and application procedures.
• Attend an on-campus visit program to learn about CSU’s Academic Programs, student services, and campus community. 
• Encourage your senior to take the ACT or SAT test early in the fall (for the first time or to improve on a previous test score).
• Ask your senior to meet with his/her school counselor to make college plans and review CSU’s admission standards and application deadlines.

October

• Encourage your senior to begin his/her personal essay and to request 2-3 recommendation(s) from counselors, teachers, and other individuals who know him/her well.
• Help your senior locate websites for researching scholarship opportunities. CSU’s Student Financial Services provides information about University-based scholarships as well as outside funding sources.

November

• Advise your student to apply for admission now. Though our priority application deadline is February 1, winter break may be more relaxed if the application is in early.
• Encourage your student to check the status of his/her application online. Applicants create an eID to access confidential information, including the real-time status of their application for admission.

December

• Remind your student to submit his/her application OR check the status of his/her application online. Applicants are expected to check online for any missing items. Submit missing items as soon as possible!
• Let your student know that decision letters are mailed within four weeks of receipt of the completed application for admission (it may take slightly longer during our peak application season).

January

• Take Note!! The priority application deadline is February 1. Applicants are encouraged to submit an application before this date, especially if they wish to be considered for merit-based scholarships.
• Make sure your student’s scholarship applications are progressing. Many scholarships have deadlines in December, January, and February.

February-March

• To be considered for merit-based scholarships, students must submit a completed application for admission by February 1 and be admitted and meet all eligibility criteria by March 1.
• Reassure your student that it’s not too late to apply to Colorado State University if he/she missed the February 1 priority deadline. After February 1 (but no later than July 1), applications are considered on a space available basis.
• Keep your student focused on completing scholarship applications with later deadlines. 

March-August

• Visit Admissions to review Steps for Admitted Students.
• Register for Orientation.
• Apply for Campus Housing. Encourage your student to communicate with his/her roommate regarding what to bring, likes/dislikes, and academic goals.
• Encourage your student to practice necessary life skills:
• Waking up to an alarm clock
• Doing laundry
• Setting up a schedule – managing multiple responsibilities and prioritizing
• Financial management – creating and living on a budget
• Scheduling appointments on his/her own
• Advocating for himself/herself in problem situations
• Making decisions without relying on others to step in
• Seeking out assistance and taking advantage of resources to support learning and development

Make plans to arrive on campus Thursday, August 16, 2012 for Ram Welcome: Experience CSU!