How does CU Boulder use holistic review in college admissions?

CU Boulder does use a holistic review, which means admissions looks at more than just GPA and test scores. The university reviews the rigor of your high school curriculum, your academic performance over time, and how well you’ve challenged yourself with the courses available to you. It also considers the broader context of your application, including extracurricular involvement, essays, leadership, work, and any special circumstances that affected your path.

In practice, this means CU Boulder is trying to understand both your academic preparation and the story behind your transcript. For example, they’ll pay attention to whether you took advanced classes when they were available, how your grades trend, and whether your activities show depth, commitment, or impact. If you had obstacles or responsibilities that shaped your record, that context can matter too.