University of Colorado Boulder Top Questions

Describe the students at your school.

Tianna

My classmates are fit, active, environmentally conscious, and beautiful.

Corinna

My classmates are approachable and outgoing which allows making friends to be that much easier.

Naghmeh

They are smart.

Jackie

Younger classmates fresh out of high school still have a "clique" mentality; upperclassmen are more accepting.

Mengqin

Generally, they are all kind and hard working.

Zachary

The students at CU are fun-loving, eco-friendly, artistic individuals that would love nothing more than to meet someone new and make another friend. We share common interests and love being here in Boulder.

Jessica

There are so many different types of people at this school that it is easy to be who you want. Obviously there are negative people everywhere in the world, but this is a very easy place to be whoever you want. I have met a lot of gay students at this school and they are very open about it. For the most part, students at this school come from families with a decent amount of money, since it costs a lot of money to go here, but there are scholorships, so there are some students who come from families that aren't as well off. Students wear all kinds of different styles to class. Some students wear sweats, some where business casual, some wear hats with panda bears on them.

Jessica

There are so many different types of people at this school that it is easy to be who you want. Obviously there are negative people everywhere in the world, but this is a very easy place to be whoever you want. I have met a lot of gay students at this school and they are very open about it. For the most part, students at this school come from families with a decent amount of money, since it costs a lot of money to go here, but there are scholorships, so there are some students who come from families that aren't as well off. Students wear all kinds of different styles to class. Some students wear sweats, some where business casual, some wear hats with panda bears on them.

Amanda

The population of CU Boulder is huge! Which makes it easy to find more people you connect with. There are student organizations for everything from LGBTQ students to UMAS y MECHA and organizations for human rights, political parties sports and more. Most students take their education very seriously.

Colby

The University of Colorado has an incredibly diverse student population. In my experience, I practice the Christian faith and feel very much respected when it comes to voicing my opinions in class as long as I respect the opinions of others as well. No one student would feel out of place in the least because there are so many organizations for students with different backgrounds and beliefs.

Carolyn

University of Colorado - Boulder has a pretty large undergraduate population of about 26,400 students. With a student body this size, it becomes inevitable that I'll see all different types of people around campus everyday. That being said, the student body is predominantly white, and more than half of CU's students are Colorado natives. Other states with a big draw to CU are California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Texas. Aside from the majority of students being caucasian, we also have a reputation for being well-off financially - I've heard the term "rich white kids" thrown around more than once. And we are, without a doubt, an incredibly privileged group of people, but at the same time over half of CU's students receive financial aid. Beyond the basics, the average student is usually pretty laid back-looking, dressed pretty casual for class, and most likely talking about going to the mountains that coming weekend. It's no secret that tons of the students here at Boulder are either skiers or snowboarders, and during the warmer months, there are just as many kids skateboarding or riding bikes around campus as there are walking. So in the winter time, guys and girls alike can be found in ski jackets, Sorels (the best in winter boots), beanies and jeans, and for the warmer days, people are in comfortable, casual clothing with a bit of a hippie vibe. Boulder is also a very fashionable city, so kids have not only the coolest winter gear, but just trendy clothing in general. However, it doesn't matter whether you're into the laid back mountain look or you're super fashion forward when it comes to hanging out. Lots of different types of students interact, regardless of the way they dress or if they ski. That includes being in a sorority or a fraternity - I probably have more friends outside of sororities than in (I am not in one), but there's not a noticeable gap between the two groups. And my group of closest friends consists of two people who went Greek and two who didn't. About 9{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of guys join a fraternity and 16{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of girls join sororities, and I've found that whether or not you're a part of Greek life isn't a prominent defining characteristic of students here. Frat guys hang with frat guys and sorority girls hang out with their sisters, for sure, but it's not as serious here as it is on other campuses. Boulder is also known to be a very liberal campus, that gives its students plenty of freedom to express their political/religious/racial/social beliefs. There are hundreds of clubs that focus on any and every issue under the sun, many of which are consistently active on campus. At one of the presentations during orientation this past summer, I distinctly remember one of the chancellors stressing how important equality and diversity are to CU Boulder. He made it clear that Boulder strives to be a completely tolerant campus, and that he expected all of its students to contribute to that effort. I don't necessarily hear kids talking about how much money they want to make, but rather what it is they really want to be doing. Then again, I'm a freshman. I'm sure income post-graduation will become a more prominent topic in my upcoming years, but right now people just seem to be focused on what they're going to do with their talents and what they're passionate about. Based on the facts, our campus is predominantly white and financially stable, but Boulder welcomes people from all walks of life, and I definitely see some new and interesting personalities on campus every day.

Carolyn

University of Colorado - Boulder has a pretty large undergraduate population of about 26,400 students. With a student body this size, it becomes inevitable that I'll see all different types of people around campus everyday. That being said, the student body is predominantly white, and more than half of CU's students are Colorado natives. Other states with a big draw to CU are California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Texas. Aside from the majority of students being caucasian, we also have a reputation for being well-off financially - I've heard the term "rich white kids" thrown around more than once - and we are, without a doubt, an incredibly privileged group of people, but at the same time over half of CU's students receive financial aid. Beyond the basics, the average student is usually pretty laid back-looking, dressed pretty casual for class, and most likely talking about going to the mountains that coming weekend. It's no secret that tons of the students here at Boulder are either skiers or snowboarders, and during the warmer months, there are just as many kids skateboarding or riding bikes around campus as there are walking. So in the winter time, guys and girls alike can be found in ski jackets, Sorels (the best in winter boots), beanies and jeans, and for the warmer days, people are in comfortable, casual clothing with a bit of a hippie vibe. Boulder is also a very fashionable city, so kids have not only the coolest winter gear, but also just trendy clothing in general. However, it doesn't matter whether you're into the laid back mountain look or you're super fashion forward when it comes to hanging out. Lots of different types of students interact, regardless of the way they dress or if they ski. That includes being in a sorority or a fraternity - I probably have more friends outside of sororities than in (I am not in one), but theres not a noticeable gap between the two groups. And my group of closest friends consists of two people who went Greek and two who didn't. About 9{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of guys join a fraternity and 16{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of girls join sororities, and I've found that whether or not you're a part of Greek life isn't a prominent defining characteristic of students here. Frat guys hang with frat guys and sorority girls hang out with their sisters, for sure, but it's not as serious here as it is on other campuses. Boulder is also known to be a very liberal campus, that gives its students plenty of freedom to express their political/religious/racial/social beliefs. There are hundreds of clubs that focus any and every issue under the sun, many of which are consistently active on campus. At one of the presentations during orientation this past summer, I distinctly remember one of the chancellors stressing how important equality and diversity are to CU Boulder. He made it clear that Boulder strives to be a completely tolerant campus, and that he expected all of its students to contribute to that effort. I don't necessarily hear kids talking about how much money they want to make, but rather what it is they really want to be doing. Then again, I'm a freshman. I'm sure income post-graduation will become a more prominent topic in my upcoming years, but right now people just seem to be focused on what they're going to do with their talents and what they're passionate about. While based on the facts, our campus is predominantly white and financially stable, but Boulder welcomes people from all walks of life, and I definitely see some new and interesting personalities on campus every day.

Alexandra

In my experiences at CU Boulder I have encountered almost every type of student you can imagine. Because it is a state school, a majority of students come from in state, but it also draws large crowds from California, Texas, and the Mid West. I am from the North East and although I am the minority at CU I encounter many students from a similar background as me. The dress code at CU is a relaxed one. I transferred from a school in the South where sundresses and nice shoes were the norm. On the CU campus, students dress for comfort, warmth, and athletics. During warm weather seasons you will see gym shorts and t shirts with sneakers and during cold weather seasons predominantly leggings, jeans, and sweatshirts/coats. This is not to imply that students are dumpy. Many women spend time on hair and makeup and nearly 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students spend time working on their bodies in the gym. Of the students that are politically aware, they are predominantly leftist. I have grown up very conservative, yet never feel pressured by others or out of place. Since the student body is so diverse, people's aspirations for the future range from wanting to ski instruct, to own restaurants, to become doctors and lawyers, to politics. There is really no way to pigeon hole the "CU student."

Austin

I feel like a lot of students at CU are perhaps too into themselves. People often dress up and try to look as good as possible going to classes, which can sometimes be annoying, but there are always nice girls to look at ;)

Madisen

CU Boulder is a great community to be a part of. There are students from all around the United States. 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students are in-state and 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} are out of state. I like to call it the perfect mixture. There are primarily Caucasians that attend CU Boulder. With that being said, there are still many other groups that attend the university as well. Here at CU we are open and accepting of all races, religions, socioeconomic status's and lifestyles. Since there are so many students at CU, there isn't really a "norm" for what clothes people wear, or activities that we participate in. CU is a very well rounded community. One commonality that CU students do share, is the love for the outdoors. CU sits at the base of the flatiron mountains. Students go hiking, biking, skiing/ snowboarding, and any other activity imagined. It's a great environment to be living in.

Alissa

There is a considerable amount of diversity on this campus from socio-economic backgrounds and ethnicity and culture. A student who is not confident in themselves may feel out of place at this school, but will do well if involved in any school club or sport. The students here are very smart but are usually down to earth. We dress in jeans, skater shoes, boots, t-shirts, suits, you name it and you'll see it! Different types of students interact freely and you meet someone new and intriguing every day. The majority of students here are politically active, and one will see signs of current social movements (such as recycling and abortion) walking through the Norlin Quad almost every day. Students here hope to make a living better than their parents when they get out of school here.

Hannah

The average CU student is usually one of four people: the colorado native who knows a hundred people from high school, the californian greek life member who is either from Newport Beach or San Francisco, the dreadlock sporting granola who found a group of similar granolas and drinks out of salsa jar or the die hard snowboarder who would rather be on a mountain shredding. The majority of students here come from middle to upper middle class families and there is an interesting split between extremely liberal and very republican students. Most greek life members come from affluent families many of which are alums. On an average walk to class you will see a girl in leggings, her sorority tank, uggs and a Northface jacket, a fraternity member in polo shorts, a polo shirt, boat shoes and backwards hat, and a barefoot man jumping on a slack line in what I can only describe as "hobo chic". At the same time you will see a guy or girl wearing a snow jacket, with various ski passes dangling from the zipper, bright colors and a mess of hair. We also have a strong ROTC program here and every thursday you will see hundred of students in their uniforms. But the thing that I love about CU is that everyone interacts with each other, whether you are an athlete or a die hard hippie, you will end up having a group project together and you will say hello as you cross each other on campus. People are generally friendly here and you will always find someone to sit with at the library.

Blair

The students at CU are generally accepting of all groups on campus. Though every population will have a handful of ignorant or rude people, the students at CU and the Boulder community as a whole are very open to racial, religious, sexual orientation or socio-economic differences. The students body represents mostly liberals, but conservative students will also be able to find a group of like-minded people. The great thing about the students at CU is that they are from a wide variety of backgrounds. There are plenty of out-of-state students that represent very different places like California, New York and Texas. This means there is a very large variety of people on campus, from the active to the bookworms, and none of the groups are mutually exclusive. It is very easy to find people to fit in with at CU.

Katie

Student at CU are very different from one another. I do not think any student would feel out of place at this school. Between all the clubs, organizations, sports teams and academic programs every type of person can find their niche. For the most part everyone is respectful of one another. While there are always people who think they are better than other people, the majority of the students who attend CU are welcoming and are open to conversation. As long as you are ready to interact and open up to new ideas and experiences, you should have no problem finding your place at CU. Most of the students who attend CU are from out of state, with the majority of students coming from California. The main stereotype presented at CU is that it is a liberal party school, however most people are economically conservative and socially liberal. Furthermore, the students who attend CU do know how to party, but when work needs to get done we know how to buckle down and push to be the best.

Katie

Student at CU are very different from one another. I do not think any student would feel out of place at this school. Between all the clubs, organizations, sports teams and academic programs every type of person can find their niche. For the most part everyone is respectful of one another. While there are always people who think they are better than other people, the majority of the students who attend CU are welcoming and are open to conversation. As long as you are ready to interact and open up to new ideas and experiences, you should have no problem finding your place at CU. Most of the students who attend CU are from out of state, with the majority of students coming from California. The main stereotype presented at CU is that it is a liberal party school, however most people are economically conservative and socially liberal. Furthermore, the students who attend CU do know how to party, but when work needs to get done we know how to buckle down and push to be the best.

Madisen

CU Boulder is a great community to be a part of. There are students from all around the United States. 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students are in-state and 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} are out of state. I like to call it the perfect mixture. There are primarily Caucasians that attend CU Boulder. With that being said, there are still many other groups that attend the university as well. Here at CU we are open and accepting of all races, religions, and lifestyles. Since there are so many students at CU, there isn't really a "norm" for what clothes people wear, or activities that we participate in. CU is a very well rounded community. One commonality that CU students do share, is the love for the outdoors. CU sits at the base of the flatiron mountains. Students go hiking, biking, skiing/ snowboarding, and any other activity imagined. It's a great environment to be living in.

Kerrie

You will encounter many different types of students here at Boulder, but the most amazing thing about it is that everyone has a place here. Little judgment is passed when it comes to differing interests and lifestyles in the classroom. There are social groups that accommodate everyone and you will never have trouble finding a place where you feel you belong. Most students are from California, Texas, and New Jersey. There is also a huge chunk of students who are "natives" or Colorado residents. To say that everyone wheres the same thing to class would be inaccurate. There are the preppy students, the hippies, the sweat pants and uggs, the standard jeans and tee... it's whatever!

Taylor

I was never interested in my classes in high school. But I can safely say that I actually enjoy going to 4/5 of my classes here. I have professors who have 200+ students in a lecture hall and still know my name, which amazes me. My favorite class would probably have to be astronomy or anthropology. Both professors are really interested in their field of work and it really shows. They are able to get their students engaged with really interesting material. If you be in RAP classes (Residential Academic Program).. do it! I love my rap classes because it's more of a discussion as opposed to my lectures. It's good to have a balance of both, especially your freshman year when you're still trying to get used to college level work. All of my professors have been available during office hours to answer any questions I may have. I'm currently a communications major, which I've realized is not for me, considering my comm class is the only class I don't enjoy. But I'm taking a creative writing and a film class next semester to explore my options. I feel like the classes are more geared towards actually learning and absorbing material instead of just cramming information in your brain for the sake of getting through the class and getting the credit. It seems like a lot of people freshman year struggle, especially with their first couple exams. But people either get the hang of it if they set their mind to it or let laziness/partying get the best of them.

Nina

Everyone is really welcoming at Boulder. Most of the students here are really laid back. They like to study and work hard so that they can party and feel like they've earned it after the work is done. A lot of the students here are from Colorado and California, however i've met a lot of people from the East coast as well. Seeing what students left after freshman year and what students stayed i can say that the type of student that would feel out of place at this school was someone who doesn't feel comfortable in a big area with lots of people. Students here definitely party, but they also study a lot. The kids who mostly feel out of place are the ones who don't like to go out at all, and have a hard time in bigger classes and with more kids where everything is less personalized. Kids here are also known for having a lot of money, mostly out of state kids, however I have a lot of friends who are putting themselves through college by holding something like 2 jobs each. All in all the kids here are really laid back and fun but to fit in you need to be able to survive in a big environment.

Courtney

The CU students are very diverse in nationality, race, religion and sexual orientation. I believe that no student would feel out of place here. From athletes to actors from gays to Catholics this school has everything and everyone. Financial backgrounds range wide and far no two students are alike. Most students can be seen sporting CU gear to class and in the winter Ski jackets over sweatpants that represent the black and gold. Four student tables at the C4C they could be some skiers that just got back from El Dora, so Bio-Chem majors cramming for a midterm, Football players relaxing after a big game and a range of students who are discussing weekend plans.

Michael

To describe the student body at CU, I like to use a cheesy tip called the "Three W's." The students at CU are typically wealthy, white, and wasted. Most people I meet on campus come from very well off families and usually enjoy partying over studying. However, the students are usually excited to learn new things and I'll often hear friends or classmates discuss ideas that sprang from a class discussion. Politically, Boulder is one of the more liberal places in the country. This trend spills over onto CU's campus, as many of the students are politically active with organizations and good causes.

Kendall

Students at CU are known for being active in political debates, current events and local issues. Norlin quad and the University Memorial Club are usually filled with a group of students looking to promote a cause. While some students wear sweats to class, others dress up, some work their way through school and others don't, everyone seems to be politically aware and most active.

Jessica

Yes we do party in Boulder, but what college doesn't? There are lots of other things to do on a Friday night like attending one of the pre-screening movies in the Meunzinger Auditorium before they are even released to the public!, going to the Hill to get pizza from Cosmos, going to concerts at The Fox Theatre, or just hanging out on Pearl Street (our beautiful walking mall).

Brett

Students are very liberal. Closed minded when it comes to religion but in general open to anyone. Everyone mixes with everyone, people come from everywhere. Most come from upper middle class families and have excess cash but there are those, like me, struggling and working to make ends meet as well.

brandon

I don't really know too many of my classmates very well. The classes are fairly big as a rule. I have made at least one friend in each class though, and those I would classify as open minded and diverse. Boulder is full of interesting people. It's a haven for those who walk to the beat of their own drum.

K

Many are all about skiing, music, Greek Life, academics, sports, and there will be a place for everyone.

Lauren

Despite the liberal community, there is a conservative presence too. For me, the liberal community made me less liberal. Wealthy, for the most part, because out of state tuition is expensive. Some people I know smoke pot, others I know don't. Most go out on the weekends (and some during the week). A large sense of making the most of the time they have at CU and really loving it.

Jade

They are usually calm and free thinking.

Kathryn

We all grew more competent and more academically focused as we grew older and advanced in our studies; we had fun times, but we learned as well.

Hunter

my classmates are very well educated and culturally diverse

Alexandra

Diverse (although not ethinically), athletic, environmentally-conscious, love the outdoors, love to party, and still focused on school.

Amelia

Free-spirited, fun loving, and open minded individuals.

Brett

People are nice

William

Highly social and energetic people who enjoy the outdoors. They work hard and play hard. Skiing is enjoyed by most students here in Boulder. School work is the foremost important thing to all here. We share quiet time in the dorms, and work as teams for some classes.

Tayler

My classmates work hard and party hard.

Sara

My classmates are all very different-different ages, different races, different backgrounds. For the most part, everyone here is very friendly and it is not hard to meet new people. Even if you are shy, Boulder helps you break out of your safety zone and meet several new people. Making friends for life is very common here...even soulmates.

Leo

My classmates in all of my classes are: friendly, enegetic, hard working and are all extremely nice. The people that you meet around boulder are people that you will never forget. Everybody says hello to one another walking around campus and will openly talk to you. The people here are nice but they will also help whenever possible. If your in any troubled situation, be it physical, mental or emotional people here are willing to hear what you have to say. This campus is a great place to come to college and achieve a higher education with friendly people.

Stephanie

There are a variety of classmates; some motivated, others just going through the motions.

Sara

My classmates are all bright and deligent. Also they are friendly and works as a group well. Sometimes, they are advanturous and give some challenges to themselves but it always works out.

Clifford

Normal, driven individuals that come to college for the full college experience.

Megan

My classmates are motivated to succeed which is why they are attending college.

Erica

My fellow classmates were very engaged in our field, shared my passion for knowledge, and together we created an excellent learning environment that fostered creative thinking and discussions.

Kurt

Classmates at the University of Colorado, Boulder are enthusiastic, hard-working, and easy-going; It is really easy to meet people of similar interests and backgrounds.

Rhonda

I have a wide variety of classmates. The campus is so large and diverse that you get a sense of many different people in the school. Some are cool and aloof, while other are wild and full of life. There are sweet, compassionate people, and others who just don't care. For the most part, though, everyone have been nice. Even if we're not friends, most people I havce met are at least polite and willing to work with me to get assignments done. I am very please with those I have met so far on my campus.

Danielle

Most are laidback, relaxed, chill while some are super intensely...Boulder (read: pothead/hardcore outdoor type) while others are the outcasts of their high school; its pretty varied except racially.