How to Apply to Mathematics at the University of Colorado Boulder: BA and BS Degrees in the College of Arts & Sciences, Choosing a College and Intended Major When You Apply, with Comprehensive, Applicable, Computational and Statistics Tracks, for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) offers undergraduate mathematics through the Department of Mathematics in the College of Arts & Sciences. Here is what you need to know, based on the department, the Office of Admissions, the Office of Undergraduate Education and the 2026-27 catalog, organised for US domestic applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, followed by transfer students. Computer science is not covered here; this site has a separate article on it, and the Department of Applied Mathematics’ statistics and data science degrees, engineering and other majors are not covered either.

1. Degrees and areas

• Two degrees: the catalog lists a BA in Mathematics and a BS in Mathematics. The catalog overview paragraph mentions only a BA and a minor, while the same page lists both BA and BS under “Programs Offered”; the two are not fully consistent, so go by the degree pages. The department says it has about 500 math majors and 100 math minors.
• BA (five tracks): every track requires Calculus 1–3, MATH 2001 (Introduction to Discrete Mathematics) or 2002 (Number Systems), MATH 2135 (Linear Algebra for Mathematics Majors) and MATH 3001 (Analysis 1), plus five track courses, 36–40 credit hours in total, together with the College’s general requirements. The tracks are comprehensive (theoretical, for a general background or graduate work), applicable, secondary education (aligned with Colorado’s secondary mathematics licensure requirements, though the catalog notes completing the track does not itself provide a teaching license), computational (adds CSCI 1300 and 2270, which do not count toward the major) and statistics (probability, mathematical statistics, time series and two electives).
• BS (four tracks): comprehensive, applicable, computational and statistics (no secondary education track). Requirements: at least 46 credit hours in the major area (21 upper-division); Calculus 1–3, MATH 2001 or 2002, MATH 2130 (Linear Algebra for Non-Mathematics Majors) and MATH 3001; two semesters of programming (APPM 1650 and 3650, CSCI 1300 and 2270, CSCI 1300 and PHYS 2600, or INFO 1701 and 2201); an ancillary two-course natural or social sciences sequence of at least 8 credit hours (astronomy, chemistry, biology, economics or physics options); and six additional upper-division math courses for the chosen track.
• Grade requirements: for the BA, a C- or better in each core and track course and at least a C average in all attempted math work; for the BS, a C- or better in all courses applied to the major area and the ancillary sequence, and at least a C (2.000) average in the major area.
• What the department says: majors usually begin with the calculus sequence; it is highly suggested to take an introductory proof course (Discrete Math or Number Systems) by the end of the first year, and linear algebra in the second year, before moving to algebra, analysis, geometry and topology, foundations and number theory. The department’s major requirements PDF is labelled “effective Fall 2017”, which is old, so go by the catalog.
• Minors and other options: a math minor; the catalog also lists statistics minors and BA/BS degrees in statistics and data science under Applied Mathematics, which are not covered here. The department also lists undergraduate research and industry opportunities, the Putnam Exam and a Problem of the Month.

2. How admission to the major works: choose a college and intended major when you apply

• At application: the admissions FAQ says the application asks for your college or school and intended major, and you can select only one major per application; after you submit the Common Application you cannot request a major change until the application is complete and an offer has been released. The planning page adds that applicants are considered individually “relative to a prediction of your academic success in your intended major”.
• Open Option: the FAQ says that, because of the number of applications, some students who do not receive admission to their first-choice major are admitted to Arts & Sciences Open Option. They are not directly admissible to the “selective degree program” they applied to, and can choose any Arts & Sciences major on the confirmation form; after choosing and paying the $200 deposit they are directly admitted to that major. The pages read do not say whether mathematics is one of the selective programs; please ask the Office of Admissions.
• After entry: the department says current students use Buff Portal Advising to book advisors, find drop-in hours or arrange to declare a major or minor; two undergraduate advisors are listed. The conditions for declaring after entry are not stated in the pages read.
• Four-Year Guarantee: the catalog says that to remain on track for the guarantee, students should declare the major by the beginning of the second semester, finish Calculus 1–3, MATH 2001 or 2002, MATH 2135 and MATH 3001 by the end of the fourth semester, and complete the major by the end of the eighth. It adds that this “adequate progress” is not a requirement for the major.

3. Prerequisites and placement

• High school math: the planning page describes the Higher Education Admission Recommendations (HEAR): applicants are strongly encouraged to meet them, but students may be admitted without completing all of them, with no consequences other than possibly needing extra courses for a major’s graduation requirements. It also says courses beyond the recommended minimum of 17, and advanced, honors, concurrent enrolment, AP and IB courses, are considered. How many years of math HEAR asks for is not stated in the pages read; please check the admissions planning page.
• Math Readiness Test: students who want a precalculus or Calculus 1 course must first take this online test (60 minutes, 40 multiple-choice questions, no calculators or other resources). Combined with other information such as previous math courses, it places students in Calculus, Precalculus or Not Calculus/Precalculus. A Calculus placement allows MATH 1300, APPM 1350 or APPM 1340; a Precalculus placement allows MATH 1150 or APPM 1235. Results are valid for one year and usually appear within two business days. Students can try a proctored placement test to improve their placement, but it does not make them eligible for Calculus 2. A student who got below a C- or a W in a CU precalculus course must retake it.
• Exemptions: students with prerequisite college-level coursework (at CU or approved transfer) or a qualifying AP Calculus AB or BC score, with the credit processed by CU Boulder, do not need the test.
• AP credit (catalog credit-by-examination page, a table): Calculus AB 4–5 – MATH 1300 (5 credit hours); Calculus BC 4–5 – MATH 1300 and 2300 (10 hours); Precalculus 4–5 – MATH 1150 (4 hours); Statistics 4–5 – MATH 2510 (3 hours). The BC row also has rules for a 3 with an AB subscore; see the original table. Credit is not given if you have completed an equivalent college course.
• IB credit: the catalog says credit is generally granted for higher-level exams with a 4 or better, and a student who graduated with an IB Diploma is granted 24 credit hours (each exam needs a 4 or better; credit is reduced for lower scores, and applies to degree requirements only if approved by the college). Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL 7 – MATH 1300 (5 hours), HL 4–6 – MATH 1150 (4 hours), SL 4 – 3 math credit hours; Applications and Interpretation HL 4–7 – MATH 2510 (3 hours), SL 4 – 3 math credit hours.
• Honors entry: the department and catalog pages read do not describe a math honors sequence or honors programme entry.
• Math competitions: the department describes the Putnam Exam (two three-hour sessions on the first Saturday of December) and a Problem of the Month; how competitions are viewed in admission is not stated in the pages read.

4. Deadlines and application materials (2027 application)

• Deadlines: the admissions pages say the 2027 application is open. First-year: spring 1 October; fall and summer Early Action 15 November; fall and summer Regular Decision 15 January. Applications completed by 15 November get a decision by 1 February, and those completed by 15 January by 1 April. The fall confirmation deadline is 1 May, with a $200 confirmation deposit.
• How to apply and fee: the Common Application; $65 for domestic and $70 for international applicants, with fee waivers available through the Common App for documented hardship.
• Essays: a Common App personal essay (250–650 words, in English) plus one required short answer (250 words): what do you hope to study, and why, at CU Boulder?
• Recommendation: one letter is required; the admissions page says many students ask a teacher or school counselor, and does not require a math teacher.
• Transcripts and other items: a high school or secondary school transcript (unofficial is accepted at first, with official ones on enrolment). Apart from the College of Music, portfolios and audio/video submissions are not accepted or used.
• Testing: SAT/ACT scores are not required and may be self-reported if you want them considered. The admissions office recalculates GPAs on a standardised weighted 4-point scale, adding weight for honors, AP, IB and dual-enrolment courses, and says a challenging schedule will not outweigh a non-competitive GPA; grades of D or F, especially in junior or senior year, should be addressed in the application.
• Admitted-student data: the planning page prints the middle 50% for the 2026 admitted first-year class; for the College of Arts & Sciences, weighted high school GPA 3.62–4.20, SAT total 1270–1430 and ACT composite 29–34 (the SAT/ACT ranges cover only students who asked for scores to be considered); it notes that scores are not required for the 2027 application and review is holistic.

5. US domestic applicants

• Cost (2026-27 estimates): the admissions estimate (tuition and fees at the base rate, housing, food, books and supplies): Colorado residents $35,456; nonresidents $66,500; international students are in section 6. Actual cost varies by residency, credit hours, college and program, and whether you live on or off campus. The Tuition Guarantee fixes undergraduate tuition for four years. The rates for fall 2027 entry are not stated in the pages read.
• Scholarships: the scholarships office says first-year students are selected for Automatic Consideration Scholarships based on the strength of their admission application, notified with the admission decision; after applying, the CU Boulder Scholarship Application (opens 1 December) gives access to more scholarships by college, major and interest. It recommends the FAFSA (school code 001370; it opens 1 October). Award amounts are not stated in the pages read.
• In-state priority or guaranteed admission: the admissions pages read do not give Colorado residents a separate admission priority or guarantee.

6. International applicants

• Who counts: applicants who need a visa to be in the U.S., have completed secondary school and not yet earned a bachelor’s degree; U.S. citizens, permanent residents and undocumented students apply as domestic applicants.
• Deadlines and fee: the same as domestic first-year applicants (spring 1 October, Early Action 15 November, Regular Decision 15 January); the fee is $70.
• Transcripts: first-year international applicants submit senior secondary transcripts, mark sheets and exam results (including I/GCSE, AS, A-Level and other certificates and graduation documents); unofficial records are accepted for the admission decision, and anything not in English needs literal, certified English translations. Final official transcripts are required on enrolment, sent by the school counselor or registrar from an official address. Students still in school send what is available plus a list of courses in progress.
• English requirements: besides the general requirements, a minimum standard of English proficiency applies; it can be met before or after admission review, but scores must be on file (by the regular decision deadline) for scholarship consideration. Option 1, exam scores: TOEFL iBT 80 (before January 2026) or 4.0 (after January 2026, as the table is labelled); IELTS 6.5; Cambridge C1/C2 180; PTE Academic 58; Duolingo 115; IB SL English A 6 or HL 5; GCSE/GCE English B; AP English 4; SAT EBRW 580; ACT English 23; WASSCE/WAEC English B3; exams must be within two calendar years of the start date. Option 2: at least two years of full-time secondary study in a qualifying country. Option 3: at least 24 transferable credits at a university in a qualifying country. Medium-of-instruction letters alone do not satisfy the requirement. Students admitted without English scores must submit proof or enrol in the Pathway to CU Program before confirming.
• Proof of funds: academically eligible applicants who need an I-20 or DS-2019 must submit evidence of full financial support sufficient for all first-year expenses before admission is finalised.
• Aid: the international financial aid page says CU Boulder cannot provide federal financial aid to international students and that they are eligible for only a few merit-based CU scholarships; it does not accept the College Board International Student Financial Aid Application. Athletic and music scholarships are occasionally available. Estimated cost for international students in 2026-27: $68,664.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the admissions pages read do not mention the Gaokao. Whether it is used is not published; please contact International Admissions (intladm@colorado.edu).
• Transcripts and school-leaving materials: no China-specific list is published in the pages read (the “requirements by country” link on the planning page did not open when read); the general international requirements are in section 6.
• International curricula: students taking AP, IB or A-Level can use the credit rules in section 3.
• English: China is not among the qualifying countries on the English proficiency page, so use test scores or one of the other routes in section 6.

8. Costs, scholarships and outcomes

• Costs: see sections 5 and 6.
• Department scholarships and research: the department pages read do not mention math-specific scholarships; undergraduate research, industry and travel grant pages exist but were not read in detail. The resources page lists free tutoring at the Mathematics Academic Resource Center and student jobs as graders, tutors and learning assistants.
• Outcomes: the admissions cost page says 86% of CU Boulder graduates were employed, in graduate school or in military service within six months of graduation (Office of Data Analytics, 2026); this is a university-wide figure, not for mathematics. The department pages print no math-specific employment data.

9. Transfer students

• Who counts as a transfer: applicants who have graduated from high school (or earned a GED) and received a grade or W in at least one college course at a recognised institution afterwards.
• Deadlines: spring 1 October; summer 15 March; fall early notification 15 March; fall final 1 June (the same for international transfers). The 2027 transfer application is stated to be open.
• Materials: the CU Boulder Transfer Application; fee $65 (domestic) or $70 (international); a required 250-word academic interest answer (plus an optional 150–250-word academic history explanation); transcripts from all colleges attended; a high school transcript (temporarily waived with 24 or more college credits); SAT/ACT not required.
• Review and mathematics: the transfer FAQ says that with 24 or more post-high-school credits the committee focuses on your college record, and you can select only one major. A GPA or calculus-sequence requirement for transferring into the math major is not stated in the pages read; please ask the department’s advisors.
• Credit transfer: the admissions office suggests Transferology to see how courses transfer; AP, IB or college credit is evaluated after you are admitted and confirm, which can take up to a month.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• Common App: Early Action 15 November, Regular Decision 15 January; $65 fee; one essay plus a 250-word short answer; one recommendation; testing optional; choose the College of Arts & Sciences and the math major
• FAFSA; the CU Boulder Scholarship Application from 1 December; take the Math Readiness Test after admission

International applicants (including China):

• The same dates and materials, $70 fee; transcripts with certified English translations; English scores (TOEFL 80 old scale or 4.0 new, IELTS 6.5 and so on) or another route
• Proof of funds before the I-20; the role of the Gaokao is not published

Transfer students:

• Fall early notification 15 March, final 1 June; transcripts from every college; use Transferology for credit

Sources: University of Colorado Boulder, Mathematics: undergraduate program; Mathematics: majors and minors; Mathematics: advising; Mathematics: undergraduate resources; Math placement; Catalog: BA in Mathematics; Catalog: BS in Mathematics; Catalog: credit by examination; Admissions: first-year planning; Admissions: first-year application; Admissions: first-year FAQs; Admissions: international application; Admissions: English proficiency; Admissions: international transcripts; Admissions: transfer application; Admissions: transfer FAQs; Admissions: estimated cost; Admissions: scholarships and financial aid; Admissions: international financial aid; Scholarships: first-year students. The admissions pages say they are for the 2027 application; where other pages show no year, check that they apply to fall 2027 entry and see the University’s website for the latest.