#1. What kind of academic support will be available to my student at CSU?

You can count on 360-degree support for your student throughout their CSU journey. There’s a heavy support system in place for academics, which includes tutoring, group and peer tutoring, and special tutoring for challenging courses, such as math, engineering, chemistry, and beyond. Students also are assigned an academic success coordinator (advisor), who will help them choose appropriate classes and help keep them on track to graduate and meet requirements. 

#2. How safe is campus, and what safety measures are in place?

CSU is deeply committed to student safety, both on campus and beyond. The CSU Police Department is a full-service law enforcement agency, with a constant presence on campus. The university offers a 24-hour hotline, staffed with security personnel, and programs that provide free, late-night transportation. The Safe Walk program sends a campus service officer to walk with students to and from their destination from dusk to dawn. Additionally, the university publishes an annual safety report, so you have access to incident statistics on campus. Anyone can sign up for in-the-moment text alerts for safety updates, as well as closed roads, building outages, and more by texting CSUALERT to 888777.

#3. What are the class sizes like, and how will my student be supported in the larger classes?

CSU has a student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1, but there are many classes that operate more as a cohort, with far fewer students. Some classes, especially first-year classes that fulfill core requirements, can have larger numbers, but are typically staffed with multiple teaching assistants in addition to a professor. 

#4. How does CSU handle student well-being and mental health?

Physical and mental health are taken seriously at CSU, demonstrated by a wide range of services, from personalized counseling to a full-blown medical center for students. The CSU Health Network offers primary care services, as well as a pharmacy, labs, radiology, nutrition counseling, optometry, physical therapy, and far beyond. Check out all your student’s options now. We also offer a health insurance plan.

The Student Disability Center is also a helpful resource for students who may require accommodations or a little more support to complete tasks or navigate the environment at CSU. Check out some of the accommodations available.

#5. What resources and communities help students feel supported and connected?

CSU is proud to be home to students who come from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures, religions, and locations, and the proof is in the pudding: Students can choose from hundreds of student clubs and organizations to get connected, meet friends, and expand their experience at CSU. They’ll also be welcomed to explore our Cultural Resources Centers, which offer connection with others who share their experiences and personal journeys. 

#6. What is the approach to career preparation and internships?

Hands-on learning is a huge part of CSU academic culture, from undergraduate research to beyond-the-classroom learning. Because of CSU’s connections in almost every industry, students can often find paid internships that also satisfy credit requirements. In fact, many of CSU’s majors require internships as a part of the learning experience, while others offer it as a way to jump-start a student’s career and community connections. Students can learn more about major-specific internship options and requirements from their advisor, but a great place to get a feel for the internship experience at CSU is with our Career Center.

#7. What is the campus living experience like?

Living on campus is a core experience that students will carry with them forever. (It’s also required for most first-year students.) The dorms are often where students meet lifelong friends and find new interests and ways to experience the world. Beyond CSU’s 500+ clubs and organizations for students, living on campus provides close access to academic support, dining, CSU’s Rec Center, sporting events, intramural sports, and much more. It’s a bustling, event-filled good time, and a huge part of the Ram experience. 

And perhaps even more important: Studies show that students who live on-campus earn higher GPAs, adjust to college better, and are more likely to come back after their freshman year.

Curious what life is like in CSU’s residence halls? Students can opt for a living community to live with students who share the same academic path or lifestyle; a community-style dorm; or suite-style dorms with en-suite bathrooms.

#8. How flexible is the curriculum if my student wants to change majors or explore different interests?

You’ll be happy to hear that nearly a third of CSU first-time students don’t even declare a major before beginning classes at CSU. Whether your student starts out in Exploratory Studies (aka, undeclared), or they want to switch majors mid-year, there’s plenty of wiggle room to explore and test the academic waters before committing or losing ground. Even if your student finds a major they love and plan to stay in, there are tons of ways to explore interests in other academic areas, double major, or minor in something totally unrelated. 

Oh, and don’t forget the opportunities to go abroad! Students can partake in a variety of international learning trips, including Semester at Sea, exchange programs, faculty-led programs, and even studying abroad before they start their first semester at CSU.

#9. How does the college help students get involved outside the classroom?

We believe that experiences are some of the best ways to learn, which is why students in any major can expect to do some classes outside the classroom (and sometimes way outside of campus itself). Many classes incorporate field work, lab work, and undergraduate research alongside professors, while others have opportunities to learn at our Mountain Campus. And, with our prime location and four amazing Colorado seasons, students can expect a unique experience every single time. 

#10. How does the college communicate with parents?

We know how much work you put into your student’s success, and we want to make sure you’re looped in. During the admissions process, you’ll be notified of important dates and deadlines, your student’s admission status, and more. You can always get in touch with your student’s admissions counselor with any questions. Additionally, you can sign up for our blog digest, which is designed to keep you in the loop on Admissions’ newest articles and news every month. 

In addition, students can grant their parents access to see selected education records in an online system called FAMweb. Parents can create an account and then see important communications (such as billing notifications).