First-Year
Admission Requirements

To complete your admission application, we must receive:

• An electronically submitted admission application.
• Your current, official high school transcript or an unofficial high school transcript.
  • Ask your high school counselor to send us your official high school transcript (and school profile if they have one) or upload an unofficial high school transcript via the Supplemental Materials section of your Applicant Portal
• Mines is a test-optional university. Your application will receive equal consideration in our holistic admissions and merit scholarship review process – with or without test scores. National research and Colorado-specific data show that test scores can be a limiting factor to students and unnecessary when making an admissions decision. If you believe test scores will further highlight your academic ability, you are welcome to include them in your application file.
• We superscore ACT and SAT scores.

November 1 - Priority Application Deadline*

• If you applied by November 1, 2024, we will notify you of our decisions regarding admissions and merit scholarships by December 21, 2024.

When completing your application, select "Early Action" if you would like to be considered for Priority Admissions at Mines.

January 15 - Regular Application Deadline

• If you applied by January 15, 2025, we will notify you of our decisions regarding admissions and merit scholarships by March 1, 2025.

Rolling admissions based on space available after January 15, 2025.

The application fee is $50 for all domestic first-year applicants.

The application fee is $75 for international first-year applicants.

• Common App - Mines accepts the Common App Fee Waiver, found within the Profile section of the application. Additionally, Mines has a school specific fee waiver for Veteran students.
• Golden App - A fee waiver eligibility question is found on the Acknowledgements page of the application. Complete the questions to determine if you are eligible. Fee is automatically waived for Veteran students.

Mines will accept the Common Application.

Alternatively, applicants may complete the Mines-specific online admission application instead.

Please note, we will not review applications until we have received a high school transcript. Unofficial transcripts are accepted for Priority applicants; official transcripts are required for Regular applicants.

Official high school transcript submission

Your high school counselor must submit your transcript in order for it to be considered official. Below are the steps to submit an official high school transcript.

• Sending your transcript electronically is the fastest method. We ask that your official transcript and high school profile only be sent once, either electronically or by one of the methods below. Sending duplicates will slow the processing of your application.
  Please allow 3-5 business days after your transcript is received by Mines for your Applicant Portal checklist to be updated.

• If you applied through the Common Application:
• Assign your high school counselor under the Recommenders and FERPA tab for Colorado School of Mines (this will be auto-filled for you if your school uses Naviance)
• Tell you counselor that you have submitted your application to Mines. They will then be able to upload your official transcript through the Common Application
• If you applied through the Golden Application:
  • By uploading through Slate.org.
  • By the electronic document service of your school’s choice, such as Parchment, SCOIR or National Student Clearinghouse.
  • By email: admissions@mines.edu.
  • By postal mail:
    Mines Admissions Office
    1812 Illinois Street
    Golden,CO 80401
  • By FAX: (303) 273-3509.
• Assign your counselor in the Transcript section of the application. They will be emailed the information below on how to submit your official transcript.
• Transcripts and other documents from your high school may be sent directly to Colorado School of Mines via the following methods:

Please note: Any college transcripts that are hand-delivered, even in a sealed envelope, are considered unofficial. Please have the college/university send your transcript(s) directly to our office in order for them to be considered official.

Unofficial high school transcript submission (Priority Applicants)

You can submit an unofficial high school transcript through the Transcript section of the Golden Application or via the Supplemental Materials section of your Applicant Portal. Log into your Applicant Portal, scroll down to the Supplemental Materials section, select “High School Transcript (Unofficial)” from the dropdown box and then click “Choose File” to find the file on your computer/device. Then click “Upload.”  You will see this document reflected in your Application Checklist when it’s uploaded and processed (1-3 business days).

No, your academic preparedness and strengths are all the recommendation we need!  However, we will gladly accept letters and review them, if provided. These can be sent via the same method as your high school transcript. Please make sure your full name and birthdate are included so that we can get these matched to your application record. If your recommender provides you with the letter, you can upload it to your Applicant Portal.

If you would like to add or edit anything on your application, simply send an email to admissions@mines.edu and state what information you would like to change. Make sure to include your full name and birthdate in the email.

Yes. Mines is a test-optional university. Your application will receive equal consideration in our holistic admissions and merit scholarship review process – with or without test scores. National research and Colorado-specific data show that test scores can be a limiting factor to students and unnecessary when making an admissions decision. If you believe test scores will further highlight your academic ability, you are welcome to include them in your application file.

We will take an holistic approach to reviewing all application files for admissions and merit scholarship and will factor in all materials in the application file. That can include supplemental documentation such as letters of recommendation, additional essays, resumes and personal statements, if provided.

Mines is a test-optional university. Your application will receive equal consideration in our holistic admissions and merit scholarship review process - with or without test scores. Follow the instructions below if you choose to submit your scores.

• The most convenient and effective way for your ACT and/or SAT scores to be reported is to include them in your application. These scores will be reviewed as a part of the admissions decision. Students who are accepted and choose to enroll at Mines are required to request their highest exam score from the appropriate testing agency. Any discrepancies in the self-reported scores and those received from the testing agency could result in the rescission of the admissions decision.
• You can always request to have your scores sent electronically.
  • For ACT requests, our code is 0500
  • for SAT requests (via College Board), our code is 4073Test scores on transcripts will not be reviewed.

Yes, we do combine different test sections to produce a "superscore." We review the highest score reported from either ACT and/or SAT.

If you believe you can score higher it is in your best interest to retake the exam(s). Retaking the SAT or ACT can improve your "superscore." When you apply to Mines, you are automatically reviewed for our merit scholarships. Merit scholarships are primarily determined by a combination of your unweighted GPA (4.00 scale) and your highest test score submitted with your application file (if you choose to submit scores, otherwise it is based on your transcript).

If you do not take the ACT and/or SAT, the merit aid will be determined by your unweighted GPA only. If you take a test after you submitted your application and want them considered in your application review or you have a higher score you want to submit, please email admissions@mines.edu before March 1 of your senior year to report those scores so we can evaluate if they impact any merit scholarship opportunities.

Yes, if you did not include self-reported scores on your application and would like test scores to be included in your application file review before it’s complete, you can either upload your scores (up to three for SAT and up to three for ACT) to your Applicant Portal or you can email admissions@mines.edu with your self-reported scores and we are happy to add them to your record. Please provide the following:

SAT
Total score
Evidence-based reading and writing section score
Math section score

ACT
Composite score
English section score
Math section score
Reading section score
Science reasoning section score

Yes, we encourage students to submit all test scores. We are now superscoring test scores so we will look at the highest score for each section. Additionally, taking the ACT or SAT (or both), if available, does provide some understanding of academic preparedness. Taking it multiple times (if available/accessible) also can indicate perseverance and determination.

We are not part of the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program. We do, however, offer automatic merit scholarships just by applying and external scholarships can be stacked with this amount making it competitive to what WUE offers. Click here for additional scholarship information.

Approximately 24 hours after the submission of your application, you will receive an email that includes Applicant Portal log in information. Upon logging into this Portal, you can verify whether or not we've received your application materials. You will also have the option of uploading supplemental (optional) materials such as your resume, an additional essay, etc. and paying any associated fees (if applicable).

You will also be able to view your admissions decision letter and enrollment requirements. Please contact admissions@mines.edu if you would like us to resend your Applicant Portal access email or if you have any questions.

When

• Those students with a complete application file on or before our Priority deadline of November 1, 2024 will receive an admissions and merit scholarship decision by December 21, 2024.

• Students completing their application file after November 1, 2024 but on or before January 15, 2025 will receive an admissions and merit scholarship decision by March 1, 2025.

• Completed application files received after January 15, 2025 will be reviewed on a rolling admissions basis and admissions decisions will be made until the class is full.

How

We will send an email via the email and number provided in your application that will prompt you to log into your Applicant Portal. From there, click, “View Update” and you will see your admissions decision letter. Additionally, if accepted and you live in the United States, we will mail you an acceptance packet.

Yes, we review on a rolling admissions basis. Please review the question above for our deadlines and decision release timeframes.

We do not have, or require, a formal interview process.  However, we would love to welcome you to our campus for a visit, or meet with you at recruitment events across the country. You can view our visit options here.

If you are home schooled, we will review you as we would review any other applicant, taking an holistic approach and reviewing all materials in their entirety. We may reach out via email if any questions arise about your coursework.