Discover the big questions you’ll explore this year—and how innovation can supercharge your answers.

University of Colorado.
The upgraded way.

CU Boulder Supplemental Essays
— The Class of 2026 Guide —

  • Start your Supplemental Essay Success below by previewing this guide’s three sections:

    Information ⋄ Inspiration ⋄ Innovation

    Discover strategies designed by an Ivy Alum and over three hundred success stories!

  • — CU Boulder —

    Explore The Three Sections
    Inside This Upgraded Guide

    — Preview The Guide —

  • — Information —

    In this section, explore this college’s supplemental essay prompts for Class of 2026 applicants—along with this college’s Supplemental Styles to streamline your essay-building process!

    — 1 of 3 —

  • — Inspiration —

    In this section, read successful supplemental essays from our own Accepted Alumni! See the ideas, values, and missions that stand out to admissions at even the most selective colleges.

    — 2 of 3 —

  • — Innovation —

    In this section, learn success-proven methods to streamline your application and essay-building process. Discover methods designed by an Ivy alum with over 300 student success stories!

    — 3 of 3 —

  • — The CU Boulder Guide —

    Find aligned inspiration,
    discover time-saving innovation,
    and build inspiring supplemental essays.
    Ready to start your success story?

    — Scroll Down To Explore —

  • — Supplemental Essay Prompts —

    Through Guide Section 1 of 3—Information—explore this college’s supplemental essay prompts for Class of 2026 applicants, along with this college’s Supplemental Styles to streamline your essay-building process!

Supplemental Length


250 Word Maximum

Supplemental Style


Major & Missions

Supplemental Essay Prompt 1


— CU Boulder —

  • — CU Boulder Supplemental Prompt —

    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. (250 words)

    — 250 Word Maximum —

Supplemental Essay Information


— CU Boulder —

Supplemental Strategy


Class of 2026 Applicants

Supplemental Essay


Insider Information

  • — Supplemental Essay Strategy —

    Streamline your supplemental essay process with our Supplemental Strategy—and bring CU Boulder within your reach!

    Throughout our Supplemental Essay Guides, we provide clarity through our Supplemental Essay Styles. The Styles streamline the entire supplemental essay-building process—and create more success stories.

    Streamline your application process with the Supplemental Style Strategy—upgraded for Class of 2026 Students who dream of The University of Colorado!

    — Upgraded Class of 2026 Essentials —

  • — Supplemental Essay Examples —

    Through Guide Section 2 of 3—Inspiration—read Successful Supplemental Essays from our Accepted Alumni! Discover ideas that stand out to admissions at CU Boulder, and find inspiration for your own success story.

Accepted Alumni


Essay Example

Supplemental Style


Diversity & Difference

Supplemental Essay Example


— CU Boulder —

  • Featured Supplemental Essay Prompt For University of Colorado Applicants:

    At the University of Colorado Boulder, no two Buffs are alike. We value difference and support equity and inclusion of all students and their many intersecting identities. Pick one of your unique identities and describe its significance. 250 Word Maximum.

    Successful Supplemental Essay Example From Our Accepted Alumni Student:

    At my high school, I have been fortunate to unite with other dedicated students in the Moreau tradition—cultivating both intellect and compassion. There, I was able to discover one of the most important parts of my identity: as part of a brotherhood that embraces spirituality, regardless of background or religion.

    I have translated the unity, empathy, and spirituality embraced by my school to leadership and service endeavors, from serving as Student Body President to mentoring as a Peer Counselor. I also support members of our brotherhood through an initiative to foster a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. As a founding member and Ally for [Student Organization Name], I work to support my peers in open discussions about gender identity, sexual orientation, and social concerns.

    Beyond school walls, I have also been able to chase missions I care about—all rooted in kindness. My school supported my proposal to establish our first ever Best Buddies chapter. Although I initially faced challenges in launching the chapter due to virtual learning restrictions, I succeeded in creating a supportive place for IDD students—a place for friendships.

    My high school has provided me with a place to cultivate both my intellectual passions and spiritual values. I have been able to give back by serving as a leader and mentor within our brotherhood—and throughout the wider community. At the University of Colorado, I look forward to joining another unified, empathetic community—where we can embrace diverse viewpoints, support one another, and collaborate toward positive change.

  • — Supplemental Essay Strategy —

    Through Guide Section 3 of 3—Innovation—learn success-proven methods to streamline your entire supplemental essay process. Our methods are designed by an Ivy Alum and 300+ student success stories!

  • — CU Boulder Application Upgrade —

    From guiding hundreds of students, we know that your success story takes much more than one essay—especially in 2025.

    We are passionate about helping students master the process from start to submission—and to have clarity and confidence at every step. That’s why our innovative guides are curated for Class of 2026 students with big dreams.

    A successful CU Boulder Application requires the Supplemental Essays you see above, and much more. Below, learn what success looks like—from start to finish.

    See A Successful CU Boulder Application

  • — Start-To-Submission Success —

    Embrace our success-proven methods to build your application essays—and find inspiration to help you at every step.

    During the Upgraded Process, College Application Phase Five is the time to embark on some of the most challenging yet rewarding college application components—the specific Supplemental Essays essential for most colleges.

    During this phase, learn to master the process of crafting successful College-Specific Supplemental Essays—and bring more colleges within your reach!

    Explore More Successful Applications

  • — Upgraded Application Process —

    Start your admissions success story with methods built by our Ivy League Founder and over 300 student success stories!

    Our success-proven Five Phases Application Approach helps students streamline the entire college application process through success-shaping frameworks and more opportunities for aligned action.

    We are passionate about guiding students through our start-to-submission application approach—because success stories require much more than one essay.

    Start Your Admissions Success Story

  • — Supplemental Essay Strategy —

    Streamline your supplemental essay process with our Supplemental Strategy—and bring CU Boulder within your reach!

    Throughout our Supplemental Essay Guides, we provide clarity through our Supplemental Essay Styles. The Styles streamline the entire supplemental essay-building process—and create more success stories.

    Streamline your application process with the Supplemental Style Strategy—upgraded for Class of 2026 Students who dream of The University of Colorado!

    Supplemental Guides & Success Stories

CU Boulder.
The upgraded way.

Start Your Success Story