University of Colorado Boulder Top Questions

If you look at my answer for the question about the stereotypes for students of CU Boulder are, you'll get an extensive look at my opinion of what they are. Regarding whether they are accurate -- stereotypes of a student body made up of over 25,000 students can only go so far. It is true that tons of kids ski or snowboard, but it's also true that just as many don't. As a sophomore, I haven't gone once, but I am close friends with plenty of people who go all the time, and plenty of people who don't. Kids also like to smoke weed, but only slightly more in comparison to the other college campuses I've been to. I remember people asking me if I was worried the Hill would be dead on the weekends because everyone goes to the mountains, and that judgement call could not have been more inaccurate. The Hill is always busy, scattered with at least a few houses blasting music at all times. Weekends in particular are great. And regarding the stereotype of kids being super outdoorsy, that has some truth to it. I have spent more time outdoors here than I would at the other schools I applied to, but I see that as a good thing. Generally, the biggest stereotype by a landslide is that we're all skiers and snowboarders, and while there are many more of them here at CU than at midwest or southern schools, the idea that basically everyone goes the mountains every weekend certainly isn't true.

Yes and no. You can find every type of student here at CU, but there is absolutely no way to pigeon hole the entire community. It is a common misconception that everyone at CU is "white" and "liberal." We actually have a lot of diversity that one can see from the moment they set foot on campus for a visit!

As I already said, the stereotype of students here at CU Boulder is partiers, stoners, and hippies. Since there are so many students here at CU, there definitely are people who fit into these stereotypes but I would definitely not say its the stereotype of everyone here at CU. There is such great diversity of students here. If you are looking to go here to party, you can easily find that scene. If you want to come to CU for academics and to meet lifelong friends who don't particularly like the party scene, you can find that as well.

As I already said, the stereotype of students here at CU Boulder is partiers, stoners, and hippies. Since there are so many students here at CU, there definitely are people who fit into these stereotypes but I would definitely not say its the stereotype of everyone here at CU. There is such great diversity of students here. If you are looking to go here to party, you can easily find that scene. If you want to come to CU for academics and to meet lifelong friends who don't particularly like the party scene, you can find that as well.

Not all stereotypes are completely accurate and require direct experience or membership to understand the truthfulness to a stereotype, but most hold at least a small amount of truth. We are known for having record numbers of weed-smokers on Norlin Quad on May 20th (aka 4/20), but this does not mean everyone on campus smokes weed or only does that for fun. Also, not all people on our campus on 4/20 are actual CU students. Some fly out to CU from out-of-state for the event. The majority of the students I find on campus are intelligent and strongly driven people who desire to contribute to society.

Not all stereotypes are completely accurate and require direct experience or membership to understand the truthfulness to a stereotype, but most hold at least a small amount of truth. We are known for having record numbers of weed-smokers on Norlin Quad on May 20th (aka 4/20), but this does not mean everyone on campus smokes weed or only does that for fun. Also, not all people on our campus on 4/20 are actual CU students. Some fly out to CU from out-of-state for the event. The majority of the students I find on campus are intelligent and strongly driven people who desire to contribute to society.

Yes.

They are all accurate, but over emphasized. The university does depend on out of state tuition to operate, so there are many students from out of state, especially California. There really are not many frats, and the houses are very small compared to similar large universities. Most people are attractive, and fit, and generally you do have to look very hard to find people who are overweight or minorities.

More or less. I've certainly sat through enough classes with hung-over or unnaturally red-eyed students, and the University Hill pretty much deteriorates into a drunken mass of muscle-bound students on any given Thursday, Friday or Saturday night (many of whom will willingly pick a fight with you if you look askance). I don't imagine that the drinking situation is much different at any other comparably-sized public institution. Greek culture is definitely huge here, which I guess contributes to the party atmosphere. As for the hippies, well, if you think wearing a crystal on a hemp necklace and having dirty dreadlocks make you a hippie, or if you're one of the countless students who decorates their windows with Bob Marley tapestries, I guess there are a lot of hippies here. The weather is nice, and if you like to ski, there's lots of that, too.

I feel on a campus that size you can find what you are looking for. If that's is all you want to find there then that is all you will see. You can really make Boulder whatever you want.

To an extent, yes both are true overall, but there isa wide variety of types of people you will meet, sonostereotype actually fits wholly.

It fits more with Boulder than with other schools perhaps, but it in no way defines the large and varied campus.

There are definatly a lot of hippies and a lot of rich kids but not everyone I sure am not either.

No

Students are mostly liberal, many smoke weed, but I wouldn't call the students "hippies"

No.

Yes, these stereotypes are fairly accurate.

Once you actually get to campus and go to your first class, you see that there is an amazingly vibrant array of backgrounds, cultures, and view points that only add to the development of your academic learning experience. As for the second stereotype, as in all college environments, you will find the drinkers and the smokers. I am pretty confident in that the population of these students is no greater than at any other campus.

To a certain extent these stereotypes are dead on. There are a lot of wealthy out of state students attending CU, there are a lot of hippies living in Boulder, and Boulder by all means is one of best places to live in the country. On the other hand this University is very diverse in terms of student population and the city itself has a lot more to offer than one might think.

I'd say there are a lot less "hippies" in Boulder than most people think. There is a larger number of people that are concerned about the environment, and definately more people who smoke weed on a regular basis, but by no means an abnormal amount. There's plenty of students here who aren't into partying all the time or getting high. I'm a chemical engineer and party very little and still have lots of fun in Boulder. If you want to be part of the part scene then it's definately there, but if not, you won't be left with nothing to do or no one to hang out with! It's a big university, there's something for everyone.

the weed smoking part is very accurate

You can party every night of the week if you want to but you dont have to in order to fit in. Most kids party thurs, fri, sat, and most kids smoke weed but none of this is obligatory to fit in. The greek scene is lame.

Just as in life, some are and some aren't.

Not really. There are quite a few "hippies", and Boulder is very concerned with the economy and such, if that's what "hippie" means, but for the most part it's just a bunch of people trying to get a degree or two and have a good time while they're at it!

Not really accurate on the hippy stereotype--granite, more than a lot of other places, but most of the student body are not hippies Accurate on the partying stereotype, but honestly probably not more than any other typical college

The classes were big, my first lecture hall held more people then attended my high school. I was really impressed by my professors in big lecture halls. I honestly enjoy the lecture because it is like watching a gifted speaker. To accompany large lectures you'll always be assigned a small recitation group lead by a T.A. Some of the Ta's are foreigners but because of their background they offer a much broader view than most Americans could conceive. The classes aren't that hard but you have to put the time in. Because you only go to class maybe three times a week and even that is optional, you have to put in extra time outside of class to complete papers and actually study. The political views of 30,000 students can not be summed up in the one word "liberal". Everyone on campus has a different attitude, belief, and perception on each issue. The University is great because people want to have those conversations and are really open minded to all ideas (if you can back them up). People do smoke weed and in Boulder you can't help but love the beautiful outdoors. The party scene here is unreal. It is so much fun but it can be dangerous if taken to a certain degree. If a student recognizes that they aren't invincible or unstoppable they will be just fine.

Most people smoke weed. But I don't. And just cause we are "green" doesn't mean we're hippies.

Yep, pretty much!

Yes

Indeed they are. There are a lot of snobby bastards and also a lot of hippies.

Yes

Although yes these people exsist in Boulder, they don't make up the majority of the students and residents of Boulder.

somewhat

A stereotype is a stereotype!! Sure, you'll find those types of people around campus.. but there are so many different types of people to get to know!!

This isn't as true as people make it. More then anything Boulder is a predominately white and wealthy place. If diversity is what you want, you're not going to get it here. Yes it is a liberal city, but the majority of people shower and are not stereotypical hippies.

These stereotypes are pretty accurate, from my experience. There's always a party going on, the shopping districts are oriented towards people with big money (of course), and most of the people I've met are definitely on the liberal end of the spectrum.

Boulder is definately a party school, however, it is up to you how much you want to participate in that. If you are not into the party scene there are many other activities to do and you'll find other people who aren't as into it as well. While Boulder itself used to be a very artsy and hippie community, and still is, it's definately more mixed than before. There is a mixture of hippies and yuppies, you'll find more liberal people in general but there are many more conservative people as well. The stereotype about being a place that attracts people to the outdoors is definately true. Most students love to go skiing on the weekends or free days, hiking in the mountains, bike riding, skate boarding, rock climbing is huge here, and other outdoor activities.

There are a fair ammount of studends who do smoke pot and do drungs, but every college has it's share of experimentation.

yes, most students are rich. No, not that many are hippies.

Sometimes.

-Boulder is just like any other school. Everyone likes to have fun.

These sterotypes would not describe every one, but majority of the people are liberal here, and not all people smoke weed. The parties on the Hill are mostly right, but it's not everyday ordeal. A lot of people have negative sentiments towards police, law makers, and our school administration. We do have the Flatiron mountain range, but there is no ski area there and it's mostly for hiking or mountain biking. Pedestrians do have right-of-way most of time and if you drive around or near the campus, it'll drive you nuts depending on the time of the day.

Not really, it's usually sunny all the time here and the winters are warm. Everyone aren't hippes but people are really liberal and laid back here. Kinda have that atmosphere.

Boulder does have a lot of tree-hugging, environmental friendly, pot smoking people around, but really there is a huge variety of people here, ranging from the engineers, and preppy East coasters, to athletes and snowboarding/surfing bums from the West coast. Boulder kids do party a lot, but you don't have to go out every night, or weekend to drink if you don't want to, there's always something else going on to keep you entertained! The weekends are three days long, not two, Friday classes aren't too popular.

Pretty much

Some people do get high and drunk, but this behavior does not by far describe the entire student body. I doubt anyone gets higher or drunker than at other colleges, but we have a reputation to maintain; even the people who don't do it are somewhat proud that we have this reputation.

Everyone who actually attends CU knows what really goes down and knows that it is the absolute best city, and best school to be at. The campus is rated top 5 most beautiful schools in the NATION, Boulder has the best night life, restaurants, bars and out-door activities. Not to mention, we have many nobel prize winning professors and we are one of the top research institutions in the world. We study hard, and we play even harder. GO BUFFS!

Though these stereotypes are not completely wrong, there is a lot more going on than just partying all the time. There are many people involved in school who are very well-motivated and are helping CU keep its national renown in many of the science fields, in its business, and its engineering school. There is a spot for anyone who wants to come here and engage themselves and contribute to the academic or social scene, both of which are quite rich and offer a lot to any student.

Both of these stereotypes are accurate. You can find a party just about any night of the week, and the smell of weed has become familiar to me and reminds me of Boulder. However, the students that attend CU are, for the most part, upstanding and honorable people. I feel safe at CU.

Yes, for the most part yes.