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CU Boulder Essay Prompt 1 (2026-2027)
University of Colorado Boulder's supplemental essay 1 of 1 for the 2026-2027 application: the prompt, the limit, when it is due, and how to answer it. Verified on August 7, 2026.
“What do you hope to study, and why, at CU Boulder? Or if you don't know quite yet, think about your studies so far, extracurricular/after-school activities, jobs, volunteering, future goals, or anything else that has shaped your interests.”
Limit: 250 words. Deadlines: Early Action: November 15, 2026. Regular Decision: January 15, 2027. Scholarships: March 1, 2027.
What CU Boulder is really asking
What do you want to study, and what shaped that?
The mistake most applicants make
Naming a major with no story.
Do this instead
The experiences, jobs, or activities that shaped the interest, then the major, then one CU specific. If undecided, the two or three interests and what connects them.
How to spend 250 words
250 words is two or three short paragraphs: the specific moment, what it revealed or changed, and why it points to this school. Cut any sentence that could appear in another applicant's essay.
How to start
Jim starts by asking you: “What experience shaped what you want to study?” Answer it with Jim, free →
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What is the CU Boulder essay 1 prompt for 2026-2027?
"What do you hope to study, and why, at CU Boulder? Or if you don't know quite yet, think about your studies so far, extracurricular/after-school activities, jobs, volunteering, future goals, or anything else that has shaped your interests." The limit is 250 words.
How long should the CU Boulder essay 1 be?
250 words. 250 words is two or three short paragraphs: the specific moment, what it revealed or changed, and why it points to this school. Cut any sentence that could appear in another applicant's essay.
When is the CU Boulder essay due?
With the application: Early Action: November 15, 2026. Regular Decision: January 15, 2027. Scholarships: March 1, 2027.
Can Jim help me write the CU Boulder essay?
Yes. Jim, the AlphaApply.ai counselor, has every CU Boulder prompt and deadline loaded. He asks the questions that surface your story and gives feedback on each draft. He never writes it for you. Free to start.
More about CU Boulder
Prompt and limit for 2026-2027, verified on August 7, 2026. Always confirm on University of Colorado Boulder's official admissions site before submitting.