colorado college supplemental essays
“Colorado College — Palmer Hall” by iagoarchangel | CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

Colorado College Supplemental Essays

Founded in 1874, Colorado College is a private liberal arts college located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The school is home to approximately 2,000 undergraduates. As part of the admissions process, students must complete 1-2 Colorado College supplemental essays. 

Colorado College Essay Prompts: Quick Facts

  • Colorado College Acceptance Rate: 16%. U.S. News ranks Colorado College #29 on the list of National Liberal Arts Colleges.
  • Colorado College Supplemental Essays Requirements:
    • 1 required 300-word essay
  • Colorado College Application: Students must submit their Colorado College application through the Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge. Make sure to have all of your Colorado College supplemental essays and other required application materials ready when applying. 
  • Colorado College Application Deadlines:
    • Early Decision I: November 1st
    • Early Action: November 1st
    • Early Decision II: January 15th
    • Regular Action: January 15th 
  • Colorado College Supplemental Essays Tip: There are two Colorado College supplemental essays, though one is optional. The Colorado College acceptance rate is highly selective, so your Colorado College supplemental essays should be authentic and personal to help you stand out among other applicants. 

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website. 

More details about Colorado College

Colorado College offers a unique course curriculum called the Colorado College Block Plan with over 40 Colorado College majors to choose from. Another major aspect that sets Colorado College apart from other schools is its setting, nestled in the Rocky Mountains. Many student organizations and extracurriculars center on skiing and rock climbing. In fact, Colorado Springs is considered one of the best college towns for students with a love for the outdoors and activities like hiking, biking, and fishing. Consider these things when planning out your extracurricular activities essays and how you might fit into the Colorado College community! 

What is the Colorado College block plan?

colorado college supplemental essays

Before we get into the Colorado College supplemental essay, let’s understand the pillar of the CC curriculum: the Colorado College Block Plan. The Colorado College Block Plan is the unique curriculum structure at Colorado College. Under the Block Plan, instead of taking multiple classes at a time, students study one class at a time. Each block lasts three and a half weeks. 

The Colorado College Block Plan is designed to allow students at Colorado College to focus on things that they really want to do. By taking one class at a time, which generally meets every weekday from 9 am to noon, students learn the curriculum deeply and are not distracted by other classes and assignments. One block at Colorado College is the equivalent of taking one semester’s worth of a class at another college. 

The idea of the Colorado College Block Plan is that having one class allows students to have the time to pursue their passions and interests outside of the classroom. 

Block Plan Basics:

  • Each block spans three and a half weeks, beginning on a Monday and ending on a Wednesday.
  • One block is equal to one semester of a class.
  • There are four blocks per semester and eight blocks per year. Students can also take classes during an optional Half Block in the winter and Summer Session during the summer.
  • Class typically meets 9 AM-12 PM Monday through Friday, with labs in the afternoon where applicable. However, professors can choose to schedule classes in whatever format best suits their classes’ needs. 

Students beginning their education at Colorado College will start with the First-Year Program (FYP). The FYP includes the first two blocks of the Colorado College Block Plan, critical inquiry seminar, and the first-year writing seminar. These blocks prepare students for the rest of their academic journey at Colorado College. 

Students have more than 80 Colorado College majors, minors, and specialized programs to choose from. Be sure to consider how the FYP and Block Plan will serve you and your education goals when writing your Colorado College supplemental essays. 

Now, let’s dive back into the Colorado College supplemental essays!

Does Colorado College have supplemental essays?

colorado college supplemental essays

Yes—there are Colorado College supplemental essays. 

The school requires one 300-word supplemental essay. The essay asks students to focus on an area that is a core part of the college’s values as a community. Then students must expand on how they will support that area when they’re on campus. We’ll get into the specific prompt shortly.  

Colorado College supplemental essays don’t give you a lot of space. Because the required Colorado College supplemental essay is short, it is important to be concise. Make sure every word counts in your Colorado College supplemental essays.

Colorado College Essay Requirements

Here are the Colorado College essay prompts:

Colorado College Essay Prompts:

Colorado College values creating an equitable, environmentally-conscious, and healthy community. Choose one of these areas – antiracism, sustainability, or wellness – and describe your experiences and the specific ways you plan to get involved in this area at CC.

This means that in addition to the personal statement on the Common Application, QuestBridge, or Coalition Application, you will need to complete one brief required supplemental essay.

Why the Colorado College supplemental essays matter

As we mentioned, the Colorado College acceptance rate is low. As such, the Colorado College supplemental essays can help you stand out. 

Each of the Colorado College essays lets you highlight what you’d bring to the Colorado College community. With only 300 words to tackle this prompt, every sentence counts. Each element of Colorado College essays should teach the Colorado College admissions team something new about you. 

Approaching the Colorado College supplemental essay

Colorado College asks students to write supplemental essays on three critical matters to their institution and community: antiracism, sustainability, and wellness. Here is exactly what their site says on each:

Antiracism

“Colorado College is committed to becoming an antiracist institution. We are working to break down systemic racism and foster an inclusive environment in which students, staff, and faculty of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives can thrive. With antiracism central to our mission, our students are better prepared to make meaningful change in the world.”

Sustainability

“We aspire to make CC a model for sustainability. 24 out of 30 academic departments offer at least one course that includes sustainability topics, we’re one of the top institutions in the country for water conservation, and our library is the largest net-zero academic library in the nation. We live our commitment to a thriving future.”

Wellness

“We recognize that there is no singular pathway to wellbeing, and empower students to envision and follow their own paths to wellness. Through a variety of resources designed to address physical, spiritual, and mental health while helping students develop skills in areas like stress management and building healthy relationships, we equip students to live healthy and fulfilling lives.” 

Understanding the importance of these areas by researching Colorado College’s stance on them is the first step to writing the Colorado College supplemental essay. Now, the prompt asks you to “choose one of these areas – antiracism, sustainability, or wellness – and describe your experiences and the specific ways you plan to get involved in this area at CC.”

First, you’ll need to choose the area that you have the most meaningful experiences with. How have you contributed to one of these causes? Use personal anecdotes and moments here to show your experience with one of these causes. Make sure it’s clear why it’s an important cause to you.

In the next part of the prompt, students must explain how they’d contribute to their chosen cause on Colorado College’s campus. You’ll need to do additional research in specific programs, clubs, or organizations that the college has in these areas. Admissions wants to understand how you’ll positively contribute to this area, essentially upholding the campus’ values.

When writing this essay, be genuine! Don’t mention clubs or programs that you have no intention of getting involved in. Use this opportunity to check out a campus offering that you might not have otherwise found. What do you actually want to get involved in on CC’s campus? And how will you contribute to the CC community?

It’s likely that one of these values even initially drew you to Colorado College. If so, that’s even better. Start with how you deeply align with CC’s values and it was what has them at the top of your college list! Just be sure to use personal experiences and stories when writing this essay. It’s a short essay; but, you still have plenty of words to hook the reader and craft a compelling narrative, all while answering the prompt.

Does Colorado College care about essays?

colorado college supplemental essays

In a word, yes—the Colorado College admissions team considers your Colorado College supplemental essays a key part of your application. 

The Colorado College essays allow you, as the student, to speak directly to the admissions team. So, your Colorado College supplemental essays serve as a way for you to convince admissions officers that you are a good fit for the Colorado College community. 

The prompt invites students to reflect and share on how they’ll contribute to one of the CC community’s most important causes. Basically, they’re looking to learn more about you and your values, and see how they align with the school’s.

Overall, the Colorado College admissions team considers the Colorado College supplemental essays a vital part of their review process. Online, you can find some advice and writing tips for applicants to scholarships at CC. While these tips directly address scholarship applications, the same advice applies for the regular Colorado College essays. 

More guidance on the Colorado College essays

First and foremost, writing a personal essay requires persuasive language that sells you to an admissions team. Your Colorado College essays should showcase you in the best possible light. Why do you belong at Colorado College? What do you bring to the table? Finally, what should the admissions committee know about you that isn’t clear from the rest of your application? 

For your Colorado College supplemental essays, keep the following writing tips in mind:

Be clear and concise

Clarity counts for more than creativity of vocabulary. Also, focus on quality over quantity — your essays are limited in length, so make every word count.

Draft, revise, repeat

Never turn in a first draft. Expect to revise multiple times. Most successful applicants revise drafts close to a dozen times in order to get a document that is dense with information yet reads effortlessly and engagingly.

Get feedback

Your essay will improve with each reading. Fresh eyes are always a beneficial addition to proofreading. 

How can I make my Colorado College essays stand out?

colorado college supplemental essays

To best prepare for the Colorado College supplemental essays, start early. You should be thinking about your Colorado College supplemental essays way before the application deadline. That way, you’ll have adequate time to write standout Colorado College essays and answer all parts of the Colorado College essay prompts. 

Organization can also make a huge difference as you approach the Colorado College supplemental essays. Make sure you plan out a timeline for the application process. Additionally, create an application checklist in order to manage your application’s components and deadlines. 

As you write your Colorado College supplemental essays, remember that your application is a persuasive document. Overall, your Colorado College essays should convince the admissions team why you are a highly qualified applicant who deserves admission to Colorado College. 

Your qualifications cannot simply speak for themselves. Instead, you have to make an argument about why you are the perfect fit for the Colorado College community. 

Colorado College Essays – 5 Takeaways

5 Takeaways for Writing Colorado College Essays

colorado college supplemental essays

1. Brainstorm

Do some research on Colorado College and its programs. Then, craft a list of programs related to the three areas mentioned in the prompt (antiracism, sustainability, and wellness). Hone in on a program, club, or organization that you would genuinely get involved in on campus. You’ll need to also have prior experiences in this area that should be mentioned and connected to as well. Use these programs and experiences to draft your Colorado College supplemental essays. 

2. Get personal and be specific

Admissions officers agree that the most crucial aspect of a successful essay is authenticity. The Colorado College supplemental essays give applicants the opportunity to express themselves. Remember, the Colorado College supplemental essays are the only component of your application that allows the admissions committee to see beyond your grades and extracurriculars. So, use the Colorado College essay prompts to highlight what makes you unique. 

3. Tell a story

The best Colorado College essays will have a solid introduction that grabs the reader’s attention. If appropriate, consider using a personal anecdote to begin your essay. However, make sure you choose a story that is relevant to your values and/or goals. 

4. Follow the word count

The Colorado College essays is 300 words. It is critical to follow the word count guidelines. The essay format guidelines are here for a reason, and application readers can be easily frustrated by a student’s failure to follow directions. Remember, the shorter the word count, the fewer ideas you will want to include. If you are only including one idea in your essay, make sure it is your strongest argument. 

5. Leave time to review your essays

When you think you have finished, be sure to proofread and edit. You will want to make sure you have answered and addressed all parts of the Colorado College essay prompts. Additionally, be sure to get input from others. Fresh eyes are always helpful, so ask several trusted sources to review your essay for grammatical errors and structural edits.

Want more guidance on the Colorado College essays? Colorado College offers a series of ten short videos with quick tips and advice from their admissions team on writing stellar Colorado College supplemental essays. Watch them all here

For one-on-one essay guidance, our experts at CollegeAdvisor can help you write the very best Colorado College essays and make your Colorado College application stand out. Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists.


This article was written by Bailey Bennett. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.