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Personal Essay Topic Ideas

The University has a compelling interest in promoting a diverse student body because of the educational benefits that flow from such diversity. Your personal essay allows you to express yourself and share the unique experiences and attributes you will bring to Colorado State. You may choose your own topic or address one or more of the following: 

  • Obstacles or challenges you have overcome in your personal and/or academic life.
  • An experience or event that has shaped who you are and who you want to become, that has allowed you to demonstrate leadership, and/or that illustrates service to others (family, school, community).
  • Unique educational experiences (e.g., homeschool, early graduate, overseas study, non-traditional student, etc.).
  • Why Colorado State is a good match and/or why you have chosen your particular major or career goal.
  • Any additional information you think is important.

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Completed Application Checklist

Application for Admission form

  • Submit only one online OR paper application (online preferred).

$50 nonrefundable application processing fee

  • You may pay online (e-check, Visa and MasterCard options). You will need to know the exact address to which the Visa or MasterCard bill is sent and a valid email address is required; e-check funds must be drawn on a U.S. bank. OR
  • You may pay by a check drawn on a U.S. bank or money order. Make the check or money order payable to Colorado State University and note the applicant's full legal name as it appears on the passport.

An official secondary/high school transcript

  • The academic record must include verification of graduation or a school-leaving certificate.
  • ALL academic records and supporting documents must be official. If only one original is available, an attested or certified copy may be submitted.
  • If a record is not in English, a certified literal English translation must accompany the official transcript.

An official transcript from each college/university attended (if applicable)

  • Transcripts must be official and must be submitted in original language and in a certified literal English translation.
  • If only one original is available, an attested or certified copy may be submitted.
  • An evaluation of transferable academic credits is done only after an applicant is admitted to the University. Admitted students are strongly encouraged to send in advance or bring to campus course descriptions, syllabi, catalogs, or other documents for consideration in the equivalency review process.

Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) results

  • Results must be sent directly from the testing service.
  • Applicants from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom whose first language is English are exempt from this requirement.

Personal Essay

  • Your essay must be a minimum 250 words, and quality is more important than quantity.
  • Your essay should be focused, honest, and well-written in your own words.
  • Topic ideas are listed in the right menu bar on this page, in the printed application instructions, and within the online application.

Letters of Recommendation

  • One recommendation from a teacher or school-based counselor is required. The Recommendation Form may be submitted with OR without an attached letter of recommendation.

Financial Support Documents

  • Immigration documents (e.g., I-20, IAP-66) are only sent to admitted students whose financial support information has been received, verified, and approved.
  • The ability to pay tuition at Colorado State is NOT factored into the admission decision.
  • Student financial documentation must demonstrate the ability to pay the full cost of attendance at Colorado State University.

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Send Application Materials To:

Office of Admissions
Colorado State University
1062 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins CO 80523-1062

USA


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