Visiting Campus & Other questions- Considering Accepting Class of 2028

Colleges & Universities University of Colorado
,
1

Our son got accepted to IUT. He is willing to work hard so he can transfer to Engineering school (BME).
We are from the Virginia area. We are all UMD Alumni. We don’t have any idea about CU. Our son is the one who decided he wanted to apply.

Questions:
Tours: There are 2 options:
Admitted Buff Days
Admitted Student Day
Since he is not committed (we’re waiting on a couple of other colleges’ decisions) What option would be best if we fly out from the East Coast? Our goals are to maximize our time to learn about the school including the engineering program, housing, research while studying, and social life.

Housing & food:
We heard after the freshman dorms finding an apartment on campus is tough. How is the campus food? Please share your experience.

OOS Tuition:
We’re waiting to hear back on the scholarship. If he receives zero scholarship, what should we expect as average tuition including housing? Online calculator for OOS is giving us 2 different numbers.

Safety:
We’re reading mixed reports about Boulard being a party school and around the campus crime. Please help us and share your experience.

Greek Life/Social:
UMD being close to DC we know that there are bars and ample options including a vast variety of clubs and Greek life. What should we know good/bad would love to hear.

Thank you so much. We truly appreciate your time and support.

2

I think visiting campus - the thing that matters most is when can you get there.

We took a regular tour. It was enough for my daughter to love it.

The admit days are great of course - more rah rah, sell sell but some do meet people. But if it wrecks your schedule or budget to get there, then - it’s not worth it. The important thing is to be there - walk the campus, stop kids or adults and talk, get comfortable. If it’s organized great but if not or it’s just the info session tour, do it anyway - and set up a meeting with an advisor to talk about what you want.

When we were there, we were told by the guide that many kids live - actually where our hotel was. Broomfield. Obviously many live in Boulder and I’m sure you can google and find off campus places and costs -if you don’t hear back from folks. My daughter goes to a high price school in regards to real estate. For one kid we paid $700 a month but for the other $1300 plus. I don’t know where Boulder will be - but certainly not on the cheap level. A lot also will depend on proximity though - my $1300 is a two minute walk to the library. Maybe I’d be paying $1K if 20 minutes away. And then some kids bunk up, etc. to lower costs…but I’m sure you can google CU Boulder off campus. I put a link below for you - I’m sure there are others.

As for scholarships - can’t speak for this year, but in the past, the most common was $6,250 a year or as they call it $25K. They do fix tuition for all four years so that helps with budgeting.

Here is their COA page. If you look at engineering (there’s a surcharge), they show just for tuition, room and board, and books. $63,530 on campus. Of that $17K is room and board. So not sure if that’d be less, equivalent or more off campus. You might ask some kids when you get to campus.

Their COA doesn’t include miscellaneous or travel $, etc. or greek fees etc. - but you’d almost certainly be $60K+ even with scholarship if it’s the typical $6250 a year.

I’ll let others answer the remaining - but crime will be - in most urban/like cities. You might look at city crime reports as well - not just campus.

Overall - CU draws a lot of wealthy from OOS and it’s a popular school - so it’s not on the lower side when it comes to overall costs. Denver and its surrounds are extremely “hot” right now - and the school takes advantage.

Best of luck.

Costs for Undergraduate Students | Bursar’s Office | University of Colorado Boulder

University of Colorado at Boulder Off-Campus Housing & Apartments | ForRentUniversity

2 Likes
3

I believe if he is not yet committed, they would do Admitted Student Day, whereas Admitted Buff Days are for those who have committed. I believe the Admitted Student Day is a much more comprehensive school overview.

Off campus housing is very expensive. You should definitely check out prices and take that into consideration.

I’m assuming you mean Boulder. While it has a reputation as a party school, it is a big enough school that there are also plenty of people who don’t party. My niece went there and is a very serious, non-partier and got a great education. I’d consider it a safe area.

There is Greek life for those who want it and plenty to do both on and off campus. Especially for those who love to explore the outdoors.

2 Likes
4

Thank you so much :pray:

5

Thank you so much

6

Admitted Buff/Student days are great if the time and budget work out, but I agree that a campus tour can give you an overall feel of the place. Our daughter had toured and was already planning to go, so we didn’t return that spring. I know they filled up quickly, though, so if you are planning to attend, you should decide as soon as possible.

Sorry, pressed save too soon! Our daughter absolutely loves CU, but it is expensive generally, and unlike tuition, housing increases every year. That being said, as someone mentioned above, the engineering school tuition and costs are higher than the first year will be on the IUT track. Regarding housing, if you want to walk to campus, you’ll pay for the privilege. Our daughter won’t have a car next year, so we paid up. Like most markets, I think, leases tend to be 12 months instead of 9, and not everyone is able to sublease their places during the quieter summer months.

As far as safety, our daughter hasn’t felt unsafe. I know there is theft (bikes, especially unlocked, that sort of thing), but I’d say it’s similar to the majority of large college campuses.

There are plenty of things to do at CU including bars, restaurants and lots of parties. The frats really seem to vary in terms of what recruitment is like. Some seem pretty over the top to me, some seem fairly low key. As far as I can tell, though, the parties are generally open – you don’t have to be a member to show up. Then again, I have a daughter, not a son, so I’m speaking from her experience! :wink:

Feel free to PM me if you have additional questions.

2 Likes