Colorado College Top Questions

Professors at CC almost always know your name. Participation is always a part of class time; most humanities courses are discussion based and in the sciences you are free to ask questions or make comments during the lecture. Students are much more cooperative than competitive. Continuations of class discussions can often be heard in the dining hall or walking around campus. Colorado College students are known to be smart, hard workers who also know how to play hard.

The academic experience at Colorado College is a totally unique experience seeing as you only take one class at a time for a period of three and a half weeks. The block plan has many pros and cons. One of the best things about the block plan is that is is rare to get blind-sighted by a really hard semester because you are able to stagger your easy and difficult classes so you don't get overwhelmed. The downside is that when you have a bad block, you have a really bad block because you are in the same class every day. Students usually figure out if they like the block plan very quickly, they either love it or hate it by the end of the first semester.

Because it's so small, the classroom setting is very comfortable and personal at CC. The professors definitely know your name, and you can go in to talk to them almost any time because they are only teaching one class at a time. You get their full attention. A large majority of classes are discussion-based, and participation is often included as a part of your grade, so you are truely held responsible for keeping up on the material. There are lots of pre-med students at CC, so grades tend to be a big deal, bigger than I'd like.

The most notable academic feature of CC is no doubt the block plan. Not only does it enable us to focus in depth on one subject, it creates an amazing opportunity for experiential learning. In some schools you learn about the geology of the west in the morning and then Shakespearean literature in the afternoon. At CC you will be immersed. After reading about rock formations in the morning your professor may (or more likely will) take you into the field to see the kinds of things he has been talking about. This concept is not just applicable to geology though. Language classes are often offered in foreign countries and the immersion continually proves to help studnets hone their skills. Want to learn how to draw? What better place to try than in Italy where CC offers Introduction to Drawing. Students are generally not competitive and the small size of the student body allows for discussion-driven classes. Being a history major, I have had the opportunity to form relationships with many of my professors and seek 1-on-1 help whenever I need it for research papers or test prep. Typically we have class from 9-12 and then the rest of the day to work (we generally have a hefty amount of homework). It is nice to work on your own schedule and have from 12-whenever you go to sleep to do reading or write a paper. When its nice out, you can play football all afternoon and get work done after.

Classes are almost always great. You learn a lot depending on how much effort you give. The professors know your name by the end of the first week and some will have class meals at their house where they provide the food. My favorite classes were probably my spanish classes. i love the spanish department and thier attitude towards life so we got along pretty well. While you go to class for 3 hrs, depending on the class, you devote a decent amount of time to it after class. Sciences and art classes require a lot of time for labs, projects, reports. Other classes do not require a lot of time. Usually I would say on average a student will spend at least 2 hours studying outside of class up to a lot more based on the difficulty of the class. However, it's up to you what you want out of the course so really the amount of time you spend on a course is up to you. Classes aren't competitive with students competing to get the best grade. however you will not excel enless you stick your neck out, participate and speak up. you almost need to draw attention to yourself and show others you are opionated, know the material and have an interest in the subject matter. The education you receive at CC is geared towards learning and nurturing the desire to learn. It's geared toward teaching you to think, create an opinion and express that opinion in a mature well thought manner.

I have the utmost respect for many of the professors at CC. I think many are challenging but fair and really care about their students. I am constantly in awe of many of the professors but I wouldn’t say I idealize them because many students are taught to view the professors, other students and texts with a critical eye. I think many professors learn so much from their students and I have also learned a tremendous amount from my fellow students. The reason so many classes are discussion based is because we have smart students going to this school and their opinions should be heard and challenged. Going abroad I was often faced with silent classrooms where students simply didn’t participate because the either didn’t do the reading or they felt that since participation didn’t affect their grade why should they do it. At CC even if participation isn’t taken as part of your grade oftentimes you still need to wait in line to talk. People don’t see participation as a way to boost your grade but instead as a way to boost your knowledge. And people often have amazingly deep conversations outside of the classroom I just wish more of them consisted of politics. We don’t have a very politically active campus but I think this current election is changing things. I once took a Comparative Literature class comparing the movie “Mean Girls” and high school social hierarchy’s in general with Machiavelli’s the Prince. That was pretty cool! I’m apart of the psychology department and while I’ve had my fair share of difficulties with the department (it’s a very hard major to get into if you don’t plan early and in the right way) I do appreciate that they take a natural science approach to Psychology. Sometimes they take themselves too seriously but then again I think most departments do. Taking Neuroscience last year however, was life-changing. The most intense academic experience I’ve ever had and I was on the brink of tears through most of it but it’s something I know I’ll look back on with nothing but pride and fulfillment. I also made some great friends going through an experience like that and a wonderful example of my peers being some of the greatest teachers I’ve ever had (that’s not to say that my professors weren’t also unprecedented). I really like the academic requirements but I think they’re probably pretty standard for a liberal arts school. I had to take the History of Philosophy for a requirement and I thought I would absolutely hate it but it turned out opening the door to one of my favorite fields of study. I also really like the block plan but it’s important to keep in mind it’s not for everyone, it suits certain learning styles. I really like being completely immersed in a class. If I like it, it’s wonderful to have that take over my life for 3 and a half weeks and if I don’t like it it’s over in no time at all. I definitely learned stamina at CC. One of my friends from a different school commented when we were traveling on how he didn’t realize how much you could fit into a day but I think that is the whole principal of CC. Getting the most out of every day. There are a lot of really ambitious people at CC but I don’t think it’s just about getting ahead or getting the best job (although there is definitely some of that), it’s also about people who love to learn.

almost every professor i've had knows my name, and the few who don't will make up for it by inviting the whole class over for dinner. professors at cc generally teach there because they have an enormous respect for the students, colorado springs isn't exactly at the top of the list of places to live for academics, but regardless, cc draws incredible teachers. i've had a bunch of different favorite classes, most of which involve field trips which can be more than a week long and only work because of the block plan. i spent a lot of time with professors outside of class, especially as i figured out my major and my years progressed. whether it was at baca (our mountain campus in southern CO) or at cc, they would come over for dinner, come to class parties, or we would go out in downtown colorado springs.

It's very hard for a professor not to know your name at CC. I say this because the largest class that one will ever see, will be composed of no more than 27 students. Most of the classes have 25 students or less. This number of students enables for a one on one student teacher interaction, which you don't see at big schools. I have had a class with only three people before and this enabled the teacher to have a flexible schedule were at times we did not even have to meet on certain days. The days that students don't meet in class, they meet in their groups and discuss projects/presentations/or just the general study session. Also, people interact intellectually outside of class (dinner/lunch, parties, small get togethers,etc)

Students get to know professors really well and have really strong relationships with them. They provide a lot of support in addition to things like The Learning Commons that the College provides. The requirements are really easy to fullfill. Some of the bigger majors require some planning, but that's why it's great that CC gives each student one free summer class. Students are competitive, but not with eachother. For example, there is no, "what did you get?" but students do take a lot of pride in their academic studies and work really hard. One of the best parts about the block program is being able to take blocks (and semesters) abroad. With the block program I was able to travel to Chile for a month to take a Chilean literature course from Antonio Skarmeta, a very famous writer. One of my roommates went to Italy for a block to study Dante, and other friends have gone to Spain for Landscape Drawing, Africa for Hemingway, London for Drama, and the list goes on.

Although towards the beginning and middle of the year I frowned upon the poor social structure of CC students, I would never leave the school because I absolutely love the block plan. It is difficult for me to imagine taking more than one class at a time. People question whether the block plan is a positive aspect of the college or not. Personally, I love being completely immersed in one subject. It reflects what it is like in the "real world": having one job/career path, and focusing on it strictly. Also, being a geology major, I rave about my ability to travel everywhere with my class without having to worry about missing anything back at school.

I have had some awesome professors, of course. And yes, they know my name. Before graduation, several professors offered to write me any recommendation I might need and mentioned that I need not preface my email with, "you may not remember me, but..." If you don't come to class prepared, you will not only disadvantage the class, but yourself. CC thrives on good discussion and classes are set up and structured on the assumption of good, fruitful discussion. You need to go to class every day and participate. Missing a day is not fatal, but can sometimes hurt you academically for the information you miss. Academics are overall rigorous, but not ridiculous. A sister at a well-known "demanding" school complains all the time about how much she has to study. Yes, we study a lot at CC, but we have a good time and learn a lot without being a school pegged as one where "students never stop studying." In the end, my sister and I will both have the same degree and will have learned similar things. She just may have worked harder to get an A. So what? I had more fun.

Not all classes are highly challenging and for most, you can skate by if you do choose an easy major. Some classes will blow your mind with difficulty. The block system definately presents a unique learning experience. I went across the country in one class to see paintings in a museum. My friends have been to Italy, the Mediterranean, Chicago, and China to name a few in various classes. Even on campus, there is never a dull moment when it comes to class. Classes are small. My boyfriend Sophomore year fell asleep in class one day. His professor walked over to his desk, kneeled down, and started lecturing in his ear until he woke with a jump and we all laughed. Point being, you will be noticed. Texting your friend? Sleeping in class? Doodling? Daydreaming? Your professor knows. And it will affect your grade. Your professor also gives a crap 9 times out of 10. They make an effort to get to know you and your situation and truly want you to learn. I have been to three of my professors houses in my first two years at CC. I have gotten to know two of their families. I have babysat for one of them. These people will be your friends, not just authority figures. They normally like to be called by their first names. Class is informal and intellectually stimulating, assuming you are in the right class of course. Take a political science class and you can't skate past the lectures. Kids at CC care about politics and they make their opinions heard. CC is difficult to get into. Most of the student body is really intelligent. Don't be afraid of getting into a heated political debate outside of a party. Don't be surprised if you find out exactly how your body deals with alcohol next time you have a hangover. We party hard and study even harder. When you're in only one class at a time, it becomes your life. You will discuss the psychology of every decision you make even when you're out of the class for the day. You will think about chemical reactions when you're in chemistry even when you are falling asleep at night. Shakespeare's reflections on love will suddenly be reflected in your own love life. Knowledge grows when you're on campus and it's awesome to witness.

Do professors know my name: - I am often confused for a girl named Wendy Favorite Class - Biomechanics Least Favorite - Race, class, and gender Study Habits - Depends on major Participation - Too common Conversations outside of class? - Yes Competitive - Depends on major Most unique class - Music and dance Major - Biology Time spent with professors outside class - Only if they're sports fans Requirements - As a transfer student I'd like to formally request that the proverbial stick be removed from the ass of this institution. I worked pretty damn hard for credits that will never be recognized by anyone ever. Thanks CC, way to enrich my college experience by forcing me to pay you more money and spend more time and effort on classes I already took. CC education - I'm not sure what to do with it. I'd planned on being a doctor...I don't know if coming here was the most efficient way to make that happen

Oh the block plan...the block plan can be really intense. Students can either hack it or they can't, there generally is no in between. I personally think it's wonderful because it allows you to intensely focus on a class you really enjoy. However, on the flip side if you hate a class it's over in 3 weeks. If you're not in a really intense class (which most people are in really easy classes 8th block) you have the ability to get all of your stuff done and then you can go out. There usually is the opportunity to go out every night.

Academics are excelent at CC. There are some exceptions (Drama and Feminist and Gender Studies) but overall they are excelent. You are on a first name basis with your professors, you will never be in a class larger than 25, and studying is an acceptable activity. Many classes take day to week long field trips and some blocks are taught in othe cities or countries. Some majors are more condusive to post graduate jobs than others. Generally, the humanities have a harder time than social and natural scientists.

The professors are mostly fantastic and a lot of fun. The visiting professors are absolutely useless...avoid at all cost. I'm from the east coast so being in a less competitive atmosphere is really nice. The environmental science department is really limited in class options, so for that matter, is the entire school. The education is mostly geared towards learning for its own sake, which is nice, but a bit more organization towards getting a job would be nice.

The professors are usually pretty awesome (they know your name, and you call them all by their first names!) and the classes are small enough to facilitate discussion. The most unique thing about the college is, of course, the block plan. This means that you spend 2-5 hours in class every weekday (depending on the class) and 3-8 hours on homework. You complete a class in 3.5 weeks and only take one class at a time. Things move fast, but you learn how to be efficient, decrease procrastination time, and get things done (something employers LOVE.) Departments are usually pretty small (depending on the department), so you always feel as though you hold a distinct place in whichever one you choose to be a part of.

Every professor knows your name even if they don't always show it. They're there to help you learn how to learn on your own, not do all the work. Office hours vary, and I much prefer teachers who draw smaller crowds, meaning I like unpopular professors.

The small classes make the academics completely different. Professors know your name, your classmates are engaged, and the department is well-connected. I am an Economics and Business student and our department has grown to the largest on campus, as of this year. The department works very hard to engage the students through countless avenues. They spend a lot of money on food! We have hosted some incredible guest speakers and interacting with them in small groups have been a stellar opportunity for me. The student body is competitive in intramurals, but there is a general sense of cooperation in the classroom.

Professors know your name, and I've had amazing professors so far. They are usually very knowledgeable about their topics (especially in the Psychology and Philosophy departments)