火爆社区

Under the 鈥渟trongly immersive approach to education鈥� at Colorado College, students take life 3.5 weeks at a time as part of a unique Block Plan. There鈥檚 just one intensive class per block, followed by a 4.5 day break. Eight blocks later, students have an academic year under their belts, along with a slight feeling of invincibility: 鈥淭he classes are very challenging, but after cramming in a semester鈥檚 worth of calculus in four weeks, you basically feel like you can conquer anything.鈥� As an added benefit, professors are only teaching one class at a time, which 鈥淸does] away with student anonymity鈥� and offers 鈥渕ore opportunities for growth.鈥� One student confides that 鈥淚n my last block the professor was spending the whole morning [and] afternoon鈥攁nd evening鈥攚ith us!鈥� Students appreciate the 鈥渋mmersion in a dynamic array of intellectual endeavors,鈥� which 鈥淸fosters] excellent discussion and intellectual growth.鈥� Whether learning a language on an 鈥渋ntense and exhausting鈥� schedule or studying rock formations on a weeklong hiking trip, students 鈥渇eel fully invested in each class I take here.鈥� Blocks also allow students to tailor their schedules to easily include hobbies, 鈥渋nternship opportunities,鈥� and rehearsals, with the college ensuring a 鈥済reat support system and connections鈥� to do so. In 鈥減ursuing excellence through diverse and rich viewpoints,鈥� students obtain excellent 鈥減reparation for post-graduation,鈥� aided by the 鈥渁bility to study off campus or abroad.鈥� This is not to say that students roam completely wild; all must complete broad all-college requirements and take part in a First-Year Program, designed to show students how to explore different disciplines and find their focus (or focuses). 鈥淚 have been amazed at the extent to which the block plan allows each student to delve into their course material,鈥� says one happy student.

Colorado College鈥檚 emphasis on curiosity and learning draws a smart crowd that is 鈥渓argely involved with their community, environment and academics,鈥� so much so that it sometimes seems that 鈥渁lmost everyone was a valedictorian or salutatorian.鈥� Most agree that 鈥渆veryone here is very intelligent鈥� and 鈥渧ery vocal about their opinions鈥�; these can surface at any time, such as during 鈥渋ntellectual discussion about our impact on nature while rock climbing.鈥� Students 鈥渁re usually very accepting and friendly鈥� and have the opportunity to have deeper discourse through the Breaking Bread program, wherein faculty or staff members invite students to their home or an off-site location to engage in conversation. Generally speaking, 鈥淐C students have passion for academic and outdoor pursuits,鈥� and 鈥渢he typical student is well-traveled, intelligent...quirky, outdoorsy, and a bit of a hipster.鈥� Regardless of background or future path, students say that 鈥渢he shared values of intellectual engagement, physical and mental health, passion, and a sense of adventure define Colorado College鈥檚 spirit.鈥�

The chunks of time afforded by the 鈥渇ocused study鈥� at Colorado College has everyone 鈥渨orking diligently, so that free time can be appreciated to its fullest.鈥� Students say that nearby Pikes Peak is 鈥渁 constant reminder about how beautiful of a state we are in鈥� and note that 鈥渙utdoor activities are a big thing here.鈥� That said, 鈥減eople are pretty accepting [of] what you like doing for fun,鈥� (and note a lack of peer pressure) the range of which often includes 鈥渟lacklining, doing homework in the sun, and playing guitar on the lawn all happen when it鈥檚 nice out. Sledding and skiing down campus hills, snowball fights, and fire pits happen in the winter.鈥� With all of this going on right outside their doors (all are required to live on campus for their first three years), students say that 鈥測ou really don鈥檛 have to leave campus if you don鈥檛 want to,鈥� but those that do want to get a little bit of city flavor can head to downtown Colorado Springs, which 鈥渋s only about a 10-minute walk from campus, and there are many interesting restaurants to dine at for special occasions or a fun night out.鈥� As one student puts it, 鈥淭he common slang is 鈥榶ou do you.鈥欌��

Most students agree that Colorado College gives students 鈥渁 unique academic experience that provides you with the tools and foundation for your future career.鈥� In addition, the Colorado College Career Center offers many services: advising and counseling to help students explore their interests; professional services such as resume, cover letter, and interview coaching; opportunities for networking; and internship and job search resources. The college also offers funding for student internships both through the Career Center and through certain academic departments, as well as Professional Development Grants to help offset job search and grad school application expenses. The center鈥檚 Dynamic Half Block program provides non-credit offerings for students to improve competency in areas such as LSAT/MCAT prep and Wall Street Prep, and acquire professional skills in data analytics and other fields. 53 percent of Colorado College alumni who visited PayScale.com believe that their jobs make the world a better place, and reported a median starting salary of $63,900.