Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I pursue a liberal arts education?
There are lots of answers to this question, but the simplest one is this: a liberal arts education doesn't just prime you for the job market. It prepares you for life, for living in the world, and gives you breadth and depth to every dimension of your life. The college provides you with a foundation that will enable you to succeed in whatever vocation you choose, but also in every other area of life.
See Welcome to CC, Why It's Different, and After CC.
Can you explain the Block Plan and what a typical day is like?
The Block Plan is one class at a time, usually Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon. This lasts for three-and-a-half weeks (ending on the fourth Wednesday); students get a long weekend, and then it starts again the following Monday. This happens four times a semester, with two semesters a year, so the credits work out the same as a school on the semester system-just with a lot more intensity, depth and flexibility.
See The Block Plan and What's a Block.
Why is the Block Plan so unique? Why can't I find it at other colleges?
In a few words? It requires more of everyone involved: staff, faculty, and student. Teaching and learning under the Block Plan depend on students and faculty who are bright, disciplined, and actively engaged in education.
See Why It's Different.
How do courses under the Block Plan transfer in and out? Can I get credit for AP, IB, and other college courses?
Because the Block Plan, launched at CC in 1970, is a widely recognized scheduling system, students who choose to transfer from CC do not have difficulty receiving appropriate credit at the schools to which they are transferring. One block is equivalent to four semester hours or six quarter hours. The reverse goes for credit transferring to CC, but each department sets its own standards. Typically a 4 or a 5 on an AP exam, or a 6 or a 7 on an IB exam, will be worth credit.
Contact the Registrar's Office for more.
Does Colorado College have an honors program?
Because classes are small and all students have been selected through a competitive admission process, an honors program simply isn't necessary. All classes are rigorous and demanding. In fact, many senior-level courses are comparable to graduate-level courses.
What programs are available for students with disabilities, particularly learning disabilities?
For physical and learning disabilities, we provide reasonable accommodations on a case-by-case basis. In addition, all new construction incorporates significant modifications for physical disabilities. In the past, accommodations such as extra time, quiet locations for testing, and physical adjustments to rooms have been offered.
See Support Services and Accessibility Resources.
What additional academic services do you offer to students?
If students are having trouble with a course, we hope that they will go straight to the source - the professors who serve as your advisors and teachers. Professors are here for a reason - to teach - and most are very approachable and happy to help. There's a myriad of other resources, everything from peer tutors to paraprofessionals.
See Academic Resources & Services.
What are the general requirements?
First-year students are required to participate in a two-block First Year Experience, of which there are many choices. CC does not have a core curriculum, but we do have a distribution requirement. This means that while we expect students to have a breadth of experience in their curriculum, we do not specify particular courses. Students must declare their major by the end of their sophomore year and complete a total of 32 blocks for graduation.
What pre-professional programs are available?
Pre-professional advising is offered in the health professions and in law. There are cooperative programs with other schools in engineering, which require that students spend three years at CC pursuing a liberal arts foundation before transferring to one of four cooperative universities for two years of engineering. At the end of this 3-2 period, students receive two bachelor's degrees: one from CC and one from the engineering school.
Does the college help students find jobs?
Definitely. Our Career Center is an excellent resource for students as they look for employment opportunities during and after college. The Center provides individual career counseling, workshops in resume writing and interviewing, and also gives students access to resources on internships and employment.
See the Career Center page.
What security measures does CC employ? Where can I obtain statistics about safety?
Security should be a concern anywhere. We focus on educating students about risky and inappropriate behaviors. We also have escort, emergency phones, and whistle programs, as well as security patrols. Residence halls utilize a system of key card entries. Statistical crime reports are prepared annually by the college and may be requested from the Campus Safety Office.
See Campus Safety.
What majors does CC offer?
Our departmental offerings are on par with other liberal arts colleges. You could change majors many times without having to leave CC. Generally speaking, the most popular majors at CC are those that are popular nationally.
See the Majors and Minors.
What is the average class size?
The average class size is 16.3 students and classes are officially limited to 25 students unless there are two professors, in which case the limit is 32 (professors teaching classes in high demand very occasionally exceed this limit for the sake of accommodating students). CC's student to faculty ratio is 10:1.
What types of extra-curricular activities exist on campus?
Almost too many! With a number of varsity and club sports and more than 100 student-led organizations, CC's campus is bustling with life at every turn.
Who are your famous and most distinguished graduates?
A number of Colorado College alumni were tapped by President Obama for positions in his administration. They include: Former Colorado Senator Ken Salazar '77, secretary of the interior; Jane Lubchenco '69, head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Lori Garver '83, deputy administrator of NASA; Marcia McNutt '74; director of the U.S. Geological Survey Harris Sherman '64.
Additionally, Colorado College had a graduate, Aaron Gutierrez '08, serving as an intern in the office of legislative affairs at the White House. Gutierrez, who was born and raised in Pueblo, Colorado, graduated with a B.A. in international political economy and a minor in Spanish. A survivor of brain cancer, he was a Fellow at El Pomar Foundation, one of the largest and oldest grant-giving foundations in the Rocky Mountain West. At El Pomar, Gutierrez received firsthand experience in the nonprofit sector.
See more on the After CC page .
What are the college expenses?
Approximately half of the student body receives direct support from Colorado College in the form of financial aid or scholarships.
What does my tuition pay for?
CC is a private institution, and therefore not subsidized by the state. While our tuition may seem high, it is actually on the lower end for nationally known liberal arts colleges. Colorado College hires the best faculty, keeps class sizes extremely small, and has ample state-of-the-art facilities and equipment designated for undergraduate use only.