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Colorado College (CC) Reviews

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Academic Rigor

Dorm Life

Food and Dining

See Colorado College reviews submitted by students. Find out what students have to say about various aspects of attending Colorado College. Read about academic experiences and campus life in these free Colorado College reviews, or contribute your own Colorado College review if you're a current student there.

  • 12 out of 12 people found this review useful.

    Elaine from Aurora, CO

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    The classes at CC are set up by the block plan. This means you take one class for three and a half weeks everyday for three hours (plus more for lab classes). At the end of three and a half weeks, you take one final and receive four credit hours. I believe that with this method you have more time to research the material in depth and focus your attention on really understanding all the concepts. One of the downsides of the block plan is how fast-paced and dense the curriculum is. You learn two weeks' worth of material in one class as compared to a normal university on a semester track. If you do not understand the lessons the first day, chances are you are only going to fall behind because by day two the professor is already on the next three chapters. What really helps is that classes max out at 25 students, so between office hours of the professor and the paraprofessionals, you can easily get one-on-one time for specific questions. Also, the library provides a learning commons where tutors are available during the day and student majors stay at night to help with any last minute confusions. The resources are endless, which makes it pretty difficult not to succeed in a class.
    Am enjoying being here

    The atmosphere at CC is initially very laid-back, but once classes begin so does the excitement. Everyone is incredibly motivated and active in all sorts of programs and clubs. There are activities all year round on the campus and within the community of Colorado Springs. After class, which ends promptly at noon, students can be seen doing almost everything but homework. Whether it be frisbee, playing music, clubs, or just going for a hike, recreation at CC can always be found. Also, our school's division one hockey team is awesome to watch on Friday and Saturday nights, which is where you will find most students during the season. What I love most about CC is how even though it is so small (~2,000 students), you can start a new class and meet 20 new people, all of whom you get to know pretty well over the course of the block. Everyone is going to the same parties, eating at the same place, and studying at the same library. It has the feeling of a close-knit community, yet it is comprised of individuals so unique and diverse in nature that you can never be bored, and the year flies by before you can even think about slowing down. Not to mention Pike's Peak is literally in our backyard, so the breath-taking scenery just adds to how much I am enjoying being a CC tiger!
    Bang for the buck

    As much as I love my school, it is extremely expensive. The question I asked myself at the end of my freshmen year was if the amount of money I was putting into this education would yield a better outcome than if I went to a state university. I believe it does, which is why I will be attending CC this year. It is such a prestigious college, especially for being a very small, private, liberal-arts school. It is not well-known among most people, but to those who have heard even the tiniest thing about CC know of its high standards and great reputation. CC students are known for going out and making a difference in the world through volunteer programs like Teach for America and the Peace Corps. Also, the number of students who attend graduate school is also very high. I believe this is because after four years, the environment and the people you get to know make you even more ambitious and excited to do something new and meaningful. I am not going to say it is worth every penny, because boy is it a lot of pennies, but it certainly is a worthwhile investment, and I highly doubt that in the long run you will regret it.
    Tips for prospective students

    Definitely come to prospy weekend! You get to stay with a student, eat at our facilities, and party with your future classmates. It is filled with tons of opportunities to get the feel for what life at CC would be like, and all of the current students get super excited to show you what they are about. Campus visits allow you to get the raw, most honest feedback from the people who really know what it is like to go to school here.
    Great for these types of students

    You must be open-minded and ready to try new things. It is great for anyone who is outspoken and ready to stand up for their beliefs. Students who practically live outdoors will feel right at home here, and those who love to exercise and stay active will fit in with the rest of the student body. Also, students who are more reserved will find peers just like them who enjoy themselves because there is so much to do on campus and in the city. I honestly believe that anyone who embraces change will find it exceptionally easy to fit in and flourish at CC.

  • 7 out of 7 people found this review useful.

    Kirstie from El Paso, TX

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    Colorado College is one of four colleges within the U.S. that teaches on the block plan. This innovative schedule means that students take one class at a time for three and a half weeks, in which time frame they gain four credit hours. The beauty of the block plan is that students get to put all of their focus and energy into one subject rather than juggling five or six as on the semester schedule. The block schedule allows for a very personal relationship between not only fellow students but also with professors. Within my first week at CC my profs. knew me by name and had talked to me personally about future plans for obtaining my major. While the block plan leaves little room for falling behind due to the immense amount of homework, the campus’s student learning facilities make it almost impossible to fail. For me, the Writing Center played a large part in my freshman year and provided constructive feedback and helpful tips during my first few essays. Also, because professors are only teaching one class at a time their door is always open when one of their students is struggling. While the block plan is very academically challenging it leaves space for even more academic and personal success.
    Am enjoying being here

    Colorado College has literally become my second home. The campus’s small population (around 2,000) provides a very close-knit relationship between students regardless of their year (junior, senior, etc.) The block plan causes students to have a new “first day of school” every three and a half weeks. As intimidating as that sounds, students will walk into a new class and see so many familiar faces and have the opportunity to make even more friends every month! My personal theory is that because of CC’s size everyone knows everyone at least in passing! Starting from my prospective student visit I noticed how friendly everyone on campus is regardless of race, age, or gender (which is great considering CC is such a diverse school)! Having a campus nestled right into the heart of the Rocky Mountains provides students with the opportunity to spend a block break (a four day rest period after every block) hiking, skiing, camping, or doing a variety of other activities right in their backyard. In addition to these opportunities students at CC develop great time management skills between their homework and extra-curricular activities. The campus provides an outlet for an assortment of social clubs, networks, and sports teams that allows students to blow off a little steam after a long day of class.
    Bang for the buck

    The one major drawback of Colorado College is the cost. Being a highly ranked private liberal arts school (number 30 in the U.S. according to U.S. News College Ranking) the tuition runs fairly high. However, I believe that students receive a top education for every dollar spent. CC provides a great amount of financial aid varying from academic/athletic scholarships to work study grants which allow this highly priced educational dream become a reality for many.
    Tips for prospective students

    Every fall and spring CC hosts an Open House event for prospective students. If you are considering attending this school I highly recommend you attend one of these two day visits. Prospective students are shown around campus and stay overnight in the dorms with current students, giving them a first-hand look into the night-life of a CC tiger. They are also given the opportunity to sit in during a class and get the feel of the fast paced block plan. My advice is to throw your nerves to the wind because the students and faculty at CC make it extremely easy to feel right at home.
    Great for these types of students

    During my freshman year I learned that Colorado College is sometimes called a “Camp School” due to the amount of students who participate in outdoor activities. It is not uncommon to meet a student who took a year or so off to hike the Appalachian Trail or do some soul searching out in the Artic. For me, I am not what you would call an “outdoorsy” kind of girl. During my New Student Orientation trip (a freshman four day service trip that occurs right before the start of fall term) it was my first time sleeping in a tent. However, the adverse interests among students allows every kind of person (outdoorsy or not) to participate in some new and exciting adventure. Students with a high interest in academics, who have the ability to handle a bit of stress on a weekly basis, and who are willing to step out of their comfort zone to gain as much as possible from the college experience are Tiger material!

  • 6 out of 6 people found this review useful.

    Dominic from Colorado Springs, CO

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    Colorado College is somewhat unique in its approach to learning. Rather than being on the semester plan, where you take multiple classes simultaneously, we are on something called the Block Plan, means we only take one class at a time. The result: a super-focused, intense 3 and 1/2 week long class (4 per semester/ 8 per year) where we cover everything a traditional school does in a semester. Sounds tough, right? It is, but I absolutely love block. While it definitely isn't for everyone, the Block Plan is a great way to focus in on one subject at a time and become immersed in whatever you choose to study. I especially love language courses, where you are more or less immersed in the language, and you definitely learn a ton in a short period of time. For people like me that have a hard time juggling multiple classes at once, Block is definitely great.
    Am enjoying being here

    I absolutely love being on campus. Part of the great atmosphere on Colorado College campus is perpetuated by a student body that is very accepting and open to people from different walks of life. This is definitely something they consider when looking at applications, and I think it is for the better in creating a climate where everyone can feel welcome and accepted for who they really are. When combined with minority student life on campus, this creates an awesome experience. In addition, there are so many events being put on by any number of groups at a given time that life on campus never gets boring, it seems that there is always a lecture or a dance or cultural festival that you just HAVE to go to. Shortly put: it's awesome.
    Bang for the buck

    While CC has a relatively high tuition (right now in the ~$40,000 per year including room in board), you definitely get a bang for your buck, especially considering that the college doles out considerable amounts of financial aid for current and incoming students. I think the greatest part in the bang for your buck category as compared to other colleges is the sheer amount of one-on-one time you get with your professor. With the average class size at about 14 students, you can always get a hold of your professor and get the feeling they actually care about your future, as opposed to just seeing you as another face in a huge lecture hall of hundreds of students. In addition, resources on campus for your success are more than abundant. Between the Writing Center, Quantitative Reasoning Center, Reference Desk, and tutors, your bases are covered regardless of what you are studying. You never have to worry about not being able to do well in class because if you take advantage of the available resources, you are almost guaranteed to succeed.
    Tips for prospective students

    I would tell prospective students to be prepared to work, but also that it is a truly rewarding experience. On your application, don't give the answers you think they want you to give, because they'll see right through it. Be yourself and use the application to express yourself as much as possible, because CC truly is a place for people of all different walks of life. Enjoy writing the prompts and be original, because it will definitely help your personality to shine and let the admissions office know what you are all about.
    Great for these types of students

    Good for students that like procrastinating, believe it or not. (I like to think of CC as being a in a perpetual state of procrastination).

    Great for students that have a hard time focusing on multiple subjects at once.

    Also great for students that are more self-guided on their path to learning, as professors will expect you to take initiative to understand the things you don't understand through resources on campus and make sure that you are giving it your all.

  • 5 out of 5 people found this review useful.

    Emily from Colorado

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    CC is a great place to grow intellectually. The block plan, where you take one class for three and a half weeks and then get a four-day weekend before starting another class can be very intense, but it is great for learning material, especially in the social sciences. Furthermore, you get to know the professors on a personal level and interact with your classmates on a regular basis outside of class. I have had many great conversations with my peers in the hallways, dorms and cafeterias. Additionally, the block plan allows for month-long study abroad opportunities. The downside, however, is that because we only take four classes (blocks) each semester, you really must pick and choose your classes carefully--there is not a way to take an overload here. Additionally, it can be hard for students to adjust to the intensity of the block plan and high academic expectations.
    Am enjoying being here

    The social life at Colorado College is adequate. I enjoy learning from my peers and spending time with them on block breaks. Furthermore, there are great service and extracurricular opportunities. However, I wish that the drinking and drugs scene was not as big as it is. Students here definitely have a work hard party hard attitude.
    Bang for the buck

    As a student who was not sure how I would pay for college, I am so blessed that CC offered me a generous financial aid package. For anyone who has the admission credentials, I would definitely apply and not let the money deter you as CC has great financial aid packages.
    Tips for prospective students

    I would definitely suggest scheduling an overnight visit. You will get to experience both the extracurricular and academic life here. Furthermore, the information session may help you decide whether the block plan will serve your academic needs.
    Great for these types of students

    CC is great for self-motivated students who want an academic challenge without a lot of the competition seen at most other schools of similar academic standing. It is also great for those who are unsure of what they want to study and those who are willing to keep an open mind to the liberal arts experience.

  • 2 out of 2 people found this review useful.

    Meg from Colorado

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    CC's unique block plan creates an environment for superb in-depth study. At the end of each block I emerged with a solid understanding of the coursework and frequently found myself relating ideas from one block to another. Within the first couple of blocks, my writing, discussion and critical thinking skills dramatically improved!
    Am enjoying being here

    Although CC can be challenging at times there is ample opportunity for fun on-campus and off. Every weekend the campus puts on events ranging from midnight breakfasts, themed dance parties, art exhibitions to distinguished speakers. Most students take advantage of CC's close proximity to Colorado Springs' downtown area for shopping and food and the mountains for outdoor pursuits. Even in-class, professors continually strive to share their enthusiasm for the coursework with their students through extended field-trips and even hosting dinners at their houses.
    Bang for the buck

    At CC you'll get an outstanding education well worth the cost. Everything from the close relationships with a dedicated staff and an outgoing student body to the distinctive block plan really creates an unmistakable sense of community and an unforgettable four-year experience.
    Tips for prospective students

    1) Visit the college during the school year, 2) Imagine what kind of environment you can thrive in, and most importantly 3) People watch - watching how students interact with one another really gives you a good idea for what sort of people attend the school.
    Great for these types of students

    Those students who are adventurous, intellectual, outgoing, compassionate, outdoorsy and want an excellent education with lots excitement and fun will find it easy to fit-in at CC!

  • 1 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Nicole from Issaquah, WA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    Ever felt that you are being in too many directions at once? Does taking only one class at a time sound interesting? Want a five day break every month? Then Colorado College is totally your school.
    We take one class at a time,through an intensive style called the block plan. Every 'block', which a month, you take one course which is equal to a semester of credit. Then you get a block break from noon on Wednesday through Sunday! Some would argue that is the best part of the block plan, but coupled with only having to concentrate on one that at time, this method of learning is perfect for those who feel stressed by taking many classes at once.
    As a science major, I an also attest to the challenges of the of learning fast on the block plan. Lab courses can end up being a large time commitment but then again you are also done in only a month! But I have never faced a class that was not possible to do well in with the appropriate amount of work.
    I have hands done learned more in my two and a half years at CC than all of high school put together.

    Am enjoying being here

    The study body is another reason to consider CC. We are a small school, a little under 2000 students, but every single person here is amazing. CC students are friendly, easy going but also hard working. We get are work done, and maintain a high standard of learning at CC, but you will be hard put to find students who know how to play better than us. Extra curricular are wide ranging and very popular from inter tube water-polo to volunteering with wolf puppies to traveling to some of the best rock climbing sites in the country, we know how to expand our worlds.
    Bang for the buck

    CC is certainly expensive, no question but if you are looking for a high quality education through a liberal arts school, I say it is worth it. The block plan is not cheap to fund, we have a great student to teacher ration and with only one teacher per class at a time, expenses build up fast. CC also is always seeking the highest quality professors for the students. Every teacher I have had has been exceptional.
    You are also receiving a lot of benefits beyond the classroom from free printing to school sponsored trips to career resources.
    Tips for prospective students

    Come visit! Attend a class, stay with one of us and really get a feel for how CC works. I promise all CC students love having prospective students on campus to show around. Get a feel for how a normal day for a CC student is, we want you here!
    Also when applying definitely give it your all on the essays. Admissions is caring more about your personal voice and expression than every before. Really think about what you would do if you had a month to explore any topic you wanted. Every student here at CC has something special that CC saw in them and we are not afraid to show it. So let your voice fly free and show off a little in your application.
    Great for these types of students

    -Those who like taking one class at a time
    -Who work well under some pressure
    -Who like to balance hard work with some serious playing
    -Who want to explore and seek adventure
    -Anyone who is excited about life!

  • Dylan from Los Angeles, CA

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Academic Rigor

    taking courses one at a time in the block schedule format may seem easy, but it isn't very forgiving to miss one day of class. courses seem to be very comprehensive in nature due to the ability to focus on that one subject for 3 and a half weeks.
    Dorm Life

    living accommodations look awesome!
    Food and Dining

    plenty of choices, looks above average and healthy.