How to Apply (Masters Program)

How to Apply

Application Deadline

Applicants for all Masters programs (CSEN MS, CSEN MSCPS, AI, NE) must complete the following steps no later than 10 p.m. MST on Jan 15th.Ìý

  • All documents, including Letters of Recommendation, must be submitted by this deadline.Ìý
  • No extensions are provided and incomplete applications will not be considered.

If you have any questions about your application, please contactÌýcsgradinfo@colorado.edu.
You can also fill out theÌý.

General Application Steps

Please see theÌýFAQs page for common questions about these steps.

Ìý1.Ìý

Ìý2. Pay the $60 application fee($80 for international applicants).ÌýÌý

In addition, the Graduate School offers application fee waivers, please checkÌýSubmit Application & Fee Payment: Are fee waivers accepted? How do I request one? for more details.

3. GRE

GRE scores are not required for admission to our graduate programs. Submitting these scores does not have any added benefit as these scores are not part of the review process.Ìý

4. Submit your IETLS/TOEFL or Duolingo scores

If you are an international student check out theÌýGraduate School's English Proficiency Requirements for more details. To hold Teaching Assistant position in the department students need at least 25 score in spoken section of the TOEFL exam OR 7.0 score in spoken section of IELTS OR 125 in the spoken DUOLINGO scores or its equivalent score in other language tests.Ìý

5. Submit three letters of recommendation

Requests will be sent to your recommenders when you enter them in the Online Application.​ Please DO NOT request more than THREE letters. These letters are due to the Jan. 15th deadline.

We have the following suggestions for letters of recommendation:

  • A good letter-writer is someone who has worked with you closely or evaluated your work. They should be able to comment on your potential to pursue research in your chosen area(s) of interest.
  • Please ask your letter writers at least one to two months in advance, not at the last minute.
  • If they agree, provide them with a resume and brief description of your goals, e.g. area(s) of interest.
  • Clearly communicate the due dates for your letters and how to submit them.
  • If you are asking someone to write you letters for more than one application, remember that they are very busy and keeping track of multiple deadlines is difficult. You can offer to help by asking if they would like you to send reminder emails or if they'd like to use a spreadsheet.Ìý

6. Upload unofficial copies of your transcripts

Upload unofficial copies of your transcripts from every undergraduate and graduate institution that you attended, regardless of length of attendance and whether you completed the courses. Failure to list and submit transcripts from all institutions previously attended is considered to be a violation of academic ethics and may result in the cancellation of your admission or dismissal from the university.

If you receive an offer of admission and confirm your intent to enroll, you will be required to submit your official transcript(s) to Graduate Admissions from all institutions where credit was earned, check outÌýhere for more information.

7. Respond to prompt questions

Traditional MS(research based degree - CS)
  1. Which areas of computer science do you consider your strongest and weakest? How have you addressed any gaps? Please do not list courses from your transcript.Limit: 150–200 words
  2. Describe your research experience (or research-oriented project), and contributions, and how those experiences have shaped your interest in specific faculty, labs, and research areas at CU Boulder? Please do not duplicate information from your resume here..ÌýLimit: 200- 250 words
  3. What motivated you to apply to Computer Science at the University of Colorado Boulder, how the program aligns with your goals, and what aspects of the program are most relevant to your interests.ÌýLimit: 200–250 words
  4. Describe a situation where you led or influenced others in a technical or community setting. What was your impact?ÌýLimit: 150–200 words
  5. Describe a time of academic and professional challenge, how you coped with it, and how it contributed to your self-development. The challenge does not necessarily need to be something major, as long as you can clearly articulate the situation, reflect on your role and response, and demonstrate learning or growth from the experience.ÌýLimit: 150–200 words.
  6. Is there any context (academic, personal, or professional) that would help us better understand your application?ÌýLimit: 100–150 words
Professional MS(course based degrees - CS, AI, NE)
  1. Which areas of computer science do you consider your strongest and weakest? How have you addressed any gaps? Please do not list courses from your transcript.Limit: 150–200 words
  2. Describe one professional experience or project where you made a meaningful technical contribution and built that best represents your technical ability.Ìý What was the problem, your specific role, and the measurable outcome? What were the key design decisions and tradeoffs? Please do not duplicate your resume.Ìý Limit: 200–250 words
  3. What motivated you to apply to Computer Science at the University of Colorado Boulder. How does the program align with your goals and what aspects of the program are most relevant to your interests?ÌýLimit: 200–250 words
  4. Describe a situation where you led or influenced others in a technical or community setting. What was your impact?ÌýLimit: 150–200 words
  5. Describe a time of academic and professional challenge, how you coped with it, and how it contributed to your self-development. The challenge does not necessarily need to be something major, as long as you can clearly articulate the situation, reflect on your role and response, and demonstrate learning or growth from the experience.ÌýLimit: 150–200 words.
  6. Is there any context (academic, personal, or professional) that would help us better understand your application?ÌýLimit: 100–150 words

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