How to Apply

When making admission decisions, Naropa University’s admissions committee considers academic background, connection to Naropa’s unique mission and ability to engage in contemplative, experiential college work. Nontraditional and home-educated students and all those with a high school degree or GED are welcome
to apply.

Suggested Deadlines

Naropa University uses a suggested deadline for receipt of completed applications. Applications received after these dates are reviewed on a space-available basis.

Fall Semester Admission: January 15
Spring Semester Admission: October 15

The last day to apply for the spring 2010 semester is December 1, 2009.

The links below are PDF files and require Adobe Acrobat Reader.  

Four Ways of Applying to Naropa University

1. Apply online. When you apply online, you will be required to submit the application fee with a Visa or MasterCard. Current students, staff, faculty and alumni are not required to submit an application fee.
2. Download the undergraduate application or the visiting student application.
3. Request that an application be mailed to you.
4. Naropa University is a member of the Common Application (www.commonapp.org). We welcome submissions either in paper or electronic form. We do require that students also submit the Common Application supplement and send it to us at: Office of Admissions, Naropa University, 2130 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, CO 80302. Please note: It is important that the Common Application Supplement also include the student's name, Social Security number and telephone number, as the Common Application does not have an application tracking number.
   

Undergraduate Application Requirements

Regardless of which method of applying you choose, a completed application to Naropa University’s undergraduate program includes the following items:

1. Parts A and B of undergraduate application form.
2. A $50 nonrefundable fee in the form of a check or money order, payable to “Naropa University.” The applicant's name must be clearly indicated on the check.
3. Part C - Three Essays (all must be typed and double-spaced).
4. Official high school transcript for first-year applicants (0 to 30 credits).
5. Official copy of a GED (if no high school diploma), which must be accompanied by a high school transcript (see #4).
6. Official college transcripts for every university attended (must be sent in a sealed envelope from the registrar).
7. Test Scores: Original score reports for the ACT and/or SAT tests are optional. Naropa’s ACT code is 4853; SAT code is 0908.
8. Letters of Recommendation: One from a teacher and one from another teacher or someone who knows the applicant well other than a family member. These must be on the forms provided.
9. Transfer Students: Supplemental applications and/or art samples are required for the following programs: BFA in Performance, Environmental Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies, Music, Visual Arts, and Writing and Literature. Supplemental applications are available online or through the Admission's Office's departmental fact sheets.
10. Interviews are available to anyone who is visiting campus or with one of the counselors who are travelling on the road. (Informational sessions are always available.) For the enrolling class of 2010/2011 interviews will not be required, but can be requested.
11. Submission of creative work—poetry, art slides, music (optional).

International Students: Additional requirements for international students include:

• International applicants must document English language proficiency by submitting official score sheets on the test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) showing that they have achieved the following minimum requirements: An iBT score of 80 or better for undergraduate students and 100 or better for graduate students, a computer-based score of 213 or better for undergraduate students and 250 or better for graduate students, or a paper-based score of 550 or better for undergraduate students and 600 or better for graduate students. Exceptions are granted for native English speakers.

• All records of postsecondary education, including grades earned in each subject, must be evaluated before being submitted along with the other application materials.

• A Source of Funds document.

See more detailed information on international student admission requirements.

Transfer Students: If you are a transfer student and have completed at least 30 semester credits with the grade of "C" or above, you are eligible to apply directly to a Bachelor of Arts major or Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance. Of the 120 total semester credit hours required for a bachelor's degree, the final 60 must be taken at Naropa University. Residency is required in the first semester.

Supplemental applications are required for the following programs:

• Environmental Studies
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Music
• Visual Arts
• Writing and Literature & a writing sample: 10–15 pages of original poetry or prose fiction
• BFA in Performance

Certificate Students: If you have completed at least 60 semester credits, you are eligible to apply for the one-year (30 semester credits) certificate program. Certificates are available in all majors with the exception of Environmental Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies, Writing and Literature and the BFA in Performance. Limited financial aid is available for certificate programs.

Visiting Students: If you are a student in high school or another college and would like to attend Naropa as a full-time student for either a semester or a year, you are eligible for the Visiting Student Program. In addition to the application requirements listed above, you must also provide:

• A list of classes in the order of preference that you would like to take. See course schedule.

The Basics of Transfer Credit

Students with 29 college credits or fewer apply to Naropa as undeclared students. Students with 30 credits or more, may apply to their chosen areas of study.

• Credits can be transferred with a grade of “C” or better.
• A maximum of 60 semester credits will be accepted.
• A maximum of 30 technical or vocational credits will be accepted.
• No physical education credits will be accepted unless they resemble courses offered at Naropa.
• No remedial courses taken in college will be accepted.
• Up to 30 transfer credits obtained through one of the following non-traditional methods will be accepted:

CLEP: The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is administered by the College Board. It is offered in many subject areas. By taking a CLEP exam and receiving a passing score, you can earn up to 30 credits for transfer into college. CLEP tests are given at Red Rocks Community College in Denver, or to find out where exams are administered in your community, contact the national CLEP phone line at 609-771-7865; P.O. Box 6600, Princeton, N.J. 08541.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Credit: Naropa University gives credit for both AP and IB exams. Please contact the Office of Admissions for more details.