University of Colorado Reviews

Growing Greek Life

Greek life at UCCS is still growing. There are two sororities and one fraternity. It's not a big deal if you don't join one. Since there aren't too many, they aren't a status symbol. Since UCCS is a commuter campus, joining a sorority helped me make friends when a lot of classmates weren't interested in making friends at school.

The Best!

I absolutely love it here! It is affordable and its nice to go somewhere that isn't too big. They are really great about financial aid too!

Off-campus housing is the best....

Off-campus housing is the best. There are lots of places to choose from, and it gets better if you have a few roommates.

There isn't too much diversion...

There isn't too much diversion between races on this campus. I think we all hope it will get better, but it hasn't yet. I think there is a good ratio of girls and boys--pretty even. There are a lot of different views, though. You certainly will meet someone who will challenge you.

Amazing! It's possible to find...

Amazing! It's possible to find great happy hour specials and eat really well for pretty cheap, especially if you're going with friends and splitting the bill. There's a wide variety in Boulder, and Denver---which has absolutely everything---is just a half hour away.

The campus is very...

The campus is very homogenous---white, upper-middle class. Some departments are more diverse than others. Engineering, for example, is more diverse, though predominantly male. There are a lot of student groups devoted to different religions, cultural backgrounds, etc., so it's always possible to find a support system. But numerically speaking, it's very homogenous.

Off-campus housing is super...

Off-campus housing is super convenient. You can always find a place to live. Boulder is very walker/biker friendly, too, and most apartments are within walking distance. However, I suggest staying on campus freshman year. It helps you get to know people, and it gives you the college experience! Besides, Boulder is a huge campus, and housing on campus makes walking to class a little easier.

Varsity sports are basically one...

Varsity sports are basically one varsity sport---football! Basketball can be popular at times only because we play teams such as Texas and KU, but the team is just awful. Football is where the campus's heart lies. There are other sports, but they are not well known. Intramurals are awesome. I've played basketball, dodgeball, and volleyball and can say that I had a blast and still got a workout.

The restaurants are so delicious...

The restaurants are so delicious and numerous that when I go home to Colorado Springs I am offended at the small selection. There is cuisine to fit every taste from burgers, sandwiches, burritos, and hot dogs to Indian and Ethiopian foods. The best hot spots are Half Fast Subs, Chipotle, the Taj, Chipotle, and Pei Wei.

It's not very diverse. Most people...

It's not very diverse. Most people are white and liberal. There is some economic diversity---lots of really wealthy students but then some that are dirt broke. It's sexually diverse as well, a very gay friendly campus.

There is a wide variety of food...

There is a wide variety of food off campus from chain restaurants, such as Qdoba and Jimmy Johns, to Boulder-specific locations, like You Mee Noodle House. The Hill is one of the most convenient places to grab food if you have a break from classes. There are also good places on 30th, Baseline, and Pearl.

I love Boulder, and CU is great....

I love Boulder, and CU is great. I’m a very outdoorsy person, and I can’t imagine a better place for me. I only wish that there was more diversity here because it’s a little sheltered. Still, the people who are here are great. My overall experience is totally positive. Boulder is a great place to go to school!

I wouldn’t want to be anywhere...

I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Even though it might take a while to warm up to, Boulder is undoubtedly the best place to go to school. The only thing missing is the ocean.

Now that I have graduated, I can...

Now that I have graduated, I can look back on my education and experiences at CU and truly appreciate it. Freshman year is amazing—breaking free from your parents and living in a dorm with hundreds of kids your age. Everything is new and exciting. Sophomore year is a little tougher because you’re off campus, and it can get lonely without the social crutches that the dorms offer. I cannot recommend anything more than going abroad junior year for a semester, or even a year. By your senior year, you should know your interest and enjoy your classes. And if you haven’t done an internship by then, senior year would be a good time.

It’s the most amazing place I’ve...

It’s the most amazing place I’ve ever seen in my life. The lifestyle out here is so healthy and adventurous; everyone seems so happy and content. The town is awesome, with so many cool restaurants, bars, and cafés. The school is gorgeous, and so are all of the facilities. I can’t say enough about it. I’m so happy I came here. CU-Boulder is amazing, and there are many opportunities here.

I never knew hippies could look so...

I never knew hippies could look so good.

Boulder is a little ‘big city.’...

Boulder is a little ‘big city.’ There are a lot of things going on besides the University. There is a strong East Asian movement, and you can find great little stores with funky stuff from Tibet and Nepal. Get off on the Pearl Street Mall on the east end, and you’ll find Boulder’s true charm.

Greek life is really big on...

Greek life is really big on campus, but it’s not the only way to meet people and make friends. The first couple of weeks of school, it seems like everyone is rushing and trying to join sororities. I won’t lie—it can be really competitive, and a lot of the sorority girls are stuck up. If you are into that, then definitely join, because they have a lot of parties, and you become close friends with the people. Still, any girl can go to frat parties and house parties, and you can meet tons of people that way.

I personally don’t enjoy the Greek...

I personally don’t enjoy the Greek scene, but lots of people love participating in Greek life. I actually joined a sorority my freshman year, and lived in the house for the duration of my sophomore year. I will not deny that I made some lasting friendships, but I definitely prefer living on my own in a coed household. Luckily, the Greek system does not dominate the CU social scene. In addition, CU requires freshmen to live in the dorms, so people who go Greek are able to make friends outside their sorority or fraternity house.

Colorado weather is crazy! One...

Colorado weather is crazy! One minute it’s raining, and the next, the sun is shining. Bring all kinds of clothes, from your cute summer shorts to your warmest winter coat—you’ll use it all.

At CU, there are a number of dorms...

At CU, there are a number of dorms that cater to the specific needs of those individuals that live within them. There are academic dorms where studying can be accomplished, as well as party dorms where there is always something to do. I believe Libby is the most recently renovated dorm where entrance to rooms can be accessed with a card instead of a key; otherwise, all dorms have basically the same interior. Since most of the dorms have their own dining halls, cliques are often formed within specific dorms, but I would suggest venturing into other halls, so you can get a taste of what every dorm has to offer.

All the dorms are pretty nice, for...

All the dorms are pretty nice, for the most part. I lived in Sewall Hall, which was really nice, but has a huge Greek population, so it all depends what you’re into. Farrand Hall also has a big Greek population, but it’s really nice, too. Really, for the most part, all the dorms are fine. Oh, and lofting a bed saves a lot space, and they will set them up for you when you move into the dorms.

There are a lot of good-looking...

There are a lot of good-looking girls and guys on campus, but sometimes I think a lot of people here are a little stuck up and snobby. But on the other hand, there are a lot of really cool people to meet in Boulder. I’ve met some of my best friends here.

When it comes to varsity sports on...

When it comes to varsity sports on campus, it depends on who you ask. Football is huge for players and fans, as well as basketball. Everything else is low key, unless you make the effort to play or be involved as a spectator. Intramural sports are all over. There truly is a club sport, team, or intramural event for everything.

Some people love the liberal...

Some people love the liberal environment that encompasses Boulder, while others, like me, appreciate it, but often find it annoying. I drive an SUV here, and I’ll never forget the time when some hippie put a bumper sticker on my car that read ‘I don’t care about the air.’ I could have gotten really mad, but instead I just laughed. That’s the attitude you have to have in Boulder.