
Already hard at work on college applications? You’re not alone. More and more students are opting to apply early. At Colorado State University, we call this an “early action” application.
All freshman (first-year) applicants who submit a complete application by November 15 and transfer students who submit a complete application by February 1 are considered early action applicants.
Early action is non-binding, which means you’re not committing yourself to CSU by applying early. And, it offers big benefits. Follow along as we share some of the best reasons to apply early.
#1. Get an admissions decision sooner
Freshman (first-year) applicants who apply by November 15 generally have a decision by January 15. Transfer applicants who apply by February 1 generally have a decision by the end of February.
People sometimes hold off on applying in order to improve their GPA for admission or scholarship consideration, but you don’t have to! If you’re within our typical admission range (see freshman ranges and transfer students ranges), don’t wait to apply. You can submit an updated transcript by January 15 (for freshman applicants) or June 1 (for transfer applicants) to improve scholarship eligibility.
If you’re a freshman applicant with a GPA below 3.0, or a transfer applicant with a GPA below 2.5, talk to your counselor to see if early action is right for you.
#2. Move on to important next steps
Applying to college is just the first step. Once you’re admitted, you’ll have other important tasks, like housing, orientation, and more. The sooner you apply, the sooner you can turn your attention to next steps, like:
Financial aid
Once you’re admitted, you are given access to the CSU Scholarship Application (CSUSA). So the sooner you’re admitted, the more time you have to look and apply for scholarships and complete the FAFSA. This will help you understand the amount of financial aid you can expect and decide if CSU fits you financially.
On-campus housing
Have your sights set on a particular residence hall? Interested in a residential learning community? While there’s no deadline to apply for housing, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible to fully participate in roommate matching and room selection.*
Orientation
Orientation sign-up typically opens in January. Applying by our early or regular decision dates means you’ll have first access to sign up. This gives you the most options for dates so you can pick what works best for you.*
Additional event options
Get access early for events open to admitted students only. You’ll have more time to take a deep dive into all aspects of CSU and can schedule meetings with faculty or researchers from your major.
*The housing and orientation steps can only be taken once you have applied to CSU and submitted your enrollment deposit.
#3. Focus on academic opportunities
The sooner your apply, the sooner you can turn your focus to leadership and academic options. Some of our most-popular programs include:
University Honors
Our Honors Program is a competitive, academically focused community. Honors students receive a scholarship, work with faculty members closely, take seminar-style courses, and have the option to live with other honors students on campus. Honors requires an application and is competitive in acceptance, so the earlier you apply the better.
Presidential Leadership Program
If you’re looking for leadership experience, look no further than CSU’s Presidential Leadership Program. This three-year, 14-credit program allows you to build your resume from the moment you step foot onto campus. You’ll receive leadership training and experience alongside equally driven classmates. This program requires an application and is competitive in acceptance, so applying early is a smart strategy.
Key Communities
Come together with students who identify with you in many ways by joining one of our Key Communities. You’ll get leadership and academic experience, staff support, and can live on campus with your classmates. Key Communities requires you to submit an interest form, and the earlier you submit it, the more likely space will be available in the community.