University of Colorado Boulder Top Questions

If you look at my answer for the question about the stereotypes for students of CU Boulder are, you'll get an extensive look at my opinion of what they are. Regarding whether they are accurate -- stereotypes of a student body made up of over 25,000 students can only go so far. It is true that tons of kids ski or snowboard, but it's also true that just as many don't. As a sophomore, I haven't gone once, but I am close friends with plenty of people who go all the time, and plenty of people who don't. Kids also like to smoke weed, but only slightly more in comparison to the other college campuses I've been to. I remember people asking me if I was worried the Hill would be dead on the weekends because everyone goes to the mountains, and that judgement call could not have been more inaccurate. The Hill is always busy, scattered with at least a few houses blasting music at all times. Weekends in particular are great. And regarding the stereotype of kids being super outdoorsy, that has some truth to it. I have spent more time outdoors here than I would at the other schools I applied to, but I see that as a good thing. Generally, the biggest stereotype by a landslide is that we're all skiers and snowboarders, and while there are many more of them here at CU than at midwest or southern schools, the idea that basically everyone goes the mountains every weekend certainly isn't true.

Yes and no. You can find every type of student here at CU, but there is absolutely no way to pigeon hole the entire community. It is a common misconception that everyone at CU is "white" and "liberal." We actually have a lot of diversity that one can see from the moment they set foot on campus for a visit!

As I already said, the stereotype of students here at CU Boulder is partiers, stoners, and hippies. Since there are so many students here at CU, there definitely are people who fit into these stereotypes but I would definitely not say its the stereotype of everyone here at CU. There is such great diversity of students here. If you are looking to go here to party, you can easily find that scene. If you want to come to CU for academics and to meet lifelong friends who don't particularly like the party scene, you can find that as well.

As I already said, the stereotype of students here at CU Boulder is partiers, stoners, and hippies. Since there are so many students here at CU, there definitely are people who fit into these stereotypes but I would definitely not say its the stereotype of everyone here at CU. There is such great diversity of students here. If you are looking to go here to party, you can easily find that scene. If you want to come to CU for academics and to meet lifelong friends who don't particularly like the party scene, you can find that as well.

Not all stereotypes are completely accurate and require direct experience or membership to understand the truthfulness to a stereotype, but most hold at least a small amount of truth. We are known for having record numbers of weed-smokers on Norlin Quad on May 20th (aka 4/20), but this does not mean everyone on campus smokes weed or only does that for fun. Also, not all people on our campus on 4/20 are actual CU students. Some fly out to CU from out-of-state for the event. The majority of the students I find on campus are intelligent and strongly driven people who desire to contribute to society.

Not all stereotypes are completely accurate and require direct experience or membership to understand the truthfulness to a stereotype, but most hold at least a small amount of truth. We are known for having record numbers of weed-smokers on Norlin Quad on May 20th (aka 4/20), but this does not mean everyone on campus smokes weed or only does that for fun. Also, not all people on our campus on 4/20 are actual CU students. Some fly out to CU from out-of-state for the event. The majority of the students I find on campus are intelligent and strongly driven people who desire to contribute to society.

Yes.

They are all accurate, but over emphasized. The university does depend on out of state tuition to operate, so there are many students from out of state, especially California. There really are not many frats, and the houses are very small compared to similar large universities. Most people are attractive, and fit, and generally you do have to look very hard to find people who are overweight or minorities.

More or less. I've certainly sat through enough classes with hung-over or unnaturally red-eyed students, and the University Hill pretty much deteriorates into a drunken mass of muscle-bound students on any given Thursday, Friday or Saturday night (many of whom will willingly pick a fight with you if you look askance). I don't imagine that the drinking situation is much different at any other comparably-sized public institution. Greek culture is definitely huge here, which I guess contributes to the party atmosphere. As for the hippies, well, if you think wearing a crystal on a hemp necklace and having dirty dreadlocks make you a hippie, or if you're one of the countless students who decorates their windows with Bob Marley tapestries, I guess there are a lot of hippies here. The weather is nice, and if you like to ski, there's lots of that, too.

I feel on a campus that size you can find what you are looking for. If that's is all you want to find there then that is all you will see. You can really make Boulder whatever you want.