Carolina Corral FAQs

Question 1

What does Fraternity and Sorority life look like?

Answer 1

17% of our undergraduate students joining Greek Life. 7 Frats and 4 Sororities
Rushing is the first week on campus.

Question 2

Does Mines help you get a job after graduation/ what is the average starting salary and graduation rate?

Answer 2

95% of our graduates report positive outcomes w/in 6 months.

Our average starting salary for undergrads is $79,000.

We have an 83% graduation rate (25% higher when compared to similar colleges).

Question 3

What is the 4-year graduation rate?

Answer 3

60.2% graduated in 4 years (*2018).

Source:
https://ir.mines.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/66/2022/11/2022GraduationRetentionRpt.pdf

Question 4

When is the first day of class fall 2023?

Answer 4

August 21

Question 5

Is health insurance required?

Answer 5

Mines requires all students to have adequate health insurance as a condition of enrollment. No distinction is made for part-time versus full-time status. Can be waived if you meet the other adequate health insurance requirements. Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) - Student Health (mines.edu)

https://www.mines.edu/student-health/student-insurance/measure-up/

Question 6

What is housing like at Mines?

Answer 6

We have 9 residence hall options.

Residence Life provides three types of Signature Learning Communities:
Theme Learning Communities
Living Learning Communities
Affinity Communities (Gender Neutral Housing-no application necessary)

SLC is only for FYS, and it is at no additional cost. Must apply to get in thru Housing APP.

Question 7

Describe the THEME Learning Community…

How many students?
Is there a supervisor?
What will they do together?
What are the specific THEMES?

Answer 7

20 – 50 students living together in a residential community.

At least one Resident Advisor (RA) who focuses on incorporating the community theme with the Residential Learning Model.

Students will partner with at least one Faculty Friend.
Coordinate with various campus organizations/offices, and/or local businesses/non-profits to ensure many opportunities for students to participate in programming efforts on-campus and in the local community (Golden and Denver).

Students in first-year TLCs will also participate in a common CSM101 course section(s) with fellow members of their TLC.

THEMES:
1. Athleticism & Wellness
2. Visual & Performing Arts
3. Env. Justice
4. Adventure Leadership
5. Oredigger Leadership Community
6. Engineering Grand Challenges Scholars Programs

Question 8

WHAT’S A LIVING-LEARNING COMMUNITY?

What are specific LLCs?

Answer 8

20-80 students living together in a residential community who all share membership in a common curricular experience (i.e., scholars’ program, academic major, career aspirations).

LLCs connect classroom learning experiences with co-curricular activities in the residence hall and the surrounding community.

Supported by at least one Resident Advisor (RA) who focuses on incorporating the community theme with the Residential Learning Model (i.e., general learning activities facilitated across all on-campus residential communities).

Students in the community partner with at least one Faculty Friend.

Coordinate with various campus organizations and offices, and/or local businesses/non-profits to ensure many opportunities for students to access tutoring and participate in other programming efforts.

Specific LLCs:

1. First Year Honors Explore (For those who love STEM, but don’t want to miss out on Humanities courses). *The First Year Honors Explore Program encompasses both the Thorson and Grandey Honors Explore Programs. Need to apply and be accepted into these programs.

Question 9

WHAT ARE AFFINITY COMMUNITIES?

Specific Examples?

Answer 9

20-40 students living together in a residential community who share connection around a shared identity.

Connection could be HOLDING the specific identity or ALLYSHIP to the associated community.

Affinity Communities are supported by at least one Resident Advisor (RA) who focuses on creating a welcoming environment and providing opportunities for connections among community members.

Affinity Communities have learning outcomes, community goals, or objectives focused to support unique needs and expectations of the community.

Specific Affinity Communities:

1. Phirst Scholars (First Gen. Students, located in Spruce Hall).
2. Gender Inclusive Housing (Gender affirming spaces like bathrooms; 4th Floor of Elm Hall). *Not intended for students to live with a romantic partner, and we discourage this choice. You can opt in on Residence Halls app.

Question 10

Are ALL Signature Learning Communities ONLY for First Year Students?

Answer 10

No, the Environmental Justice Community is for Sophomores only!!

Question 11

Is a Signature Learning Community Application required for a student to be placed in Gender Neutral Housing?

Answer 11

NO - All they have to do is go to the “Gender Inclusive Housing Page in the Residence Halls application and opt in.

Question 12

What is the TIME/Financial commitment for participating in a signature learning community?

Answer 12

The events are optional, and they attempt to avoid the most difficult academic times of the year.
There is NO financial commitment to join.

Question 13

When do you select your meal plan?

Answer 13

You will select your meal plan during the housing application process. You will be able to change it the first week of every semester if you desire

Question 14

How does the Colorado College Opportunity Fund work?

Answer 14

COF is a state funded stipend for in state undergraduates. Must apply for it through the college assist website. College Opportunity Fund (college-assist.org).

Once applied, you must authorize COF on your trailhead account and select Lifetime Authorization, so it applies to each semester.

https://cof.college-assist.org/

Question 15

What are my best options to make Mines a financial possibility?

Answer 15

Based on (1) MERIT; and (2) NEED -Determined by FAFSA.
85% receives some form of Aid.
Students who do not have lawful immigration status but have resided in Colorado for at least three years before graduating from a Colorado high school may complete a Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA).

Question 16

How difficult is it to get work study?

Answer 16

First-come, first serve.

Must have a contract on file in Human Resources by September 30th. Awards will be canceled and re-awarded to students on the waitlist after October 1st. The deadline for spring only awards is March 1st. Awards will be canceled after that date.

Work study jobs pay at least CO minimum wage.

Question 17

Can a student Defer?

Answer 17

Yes, you can defer. There is no stigma attached to doing so.

It can be jarring because one you officially defer you will stop getting communications from Mines. Technically if you defer, you are not a part of the current years incoming class, so you are taken off the email communications until the next cycle.

Be careful about taking too many credits after High School graduation as to not change your status to transfer student and void some scholarship opportunities. If you take more than 12 credits at college level after graduating H.S. you have to apply as a transfer student.

Question 18

When will I see my Financial Aid packet??
When will I know the specific costs of Tuition?

Answer 18

You should be contacted by financial aid within 2 weeks of being admitted (if you have already submitted FASFA by Oct. 1).

Usually in early April (for spring semester) is when you’ll receive your financial aid packet from Mines that outlines your total cost of attendance. We disburse aid about a week before school starts.

Question 19

How is Residency Determined?

Answer 19

Mines has no authority to make decisions on residency, it is governed by State Law. If you are under the age of 23, then residency is wherever your parent/guardian has their Domicile for legal and tax purposes. If the student is emancipated, they cannot receive any financial assistance from parents whatsoever.

If it is an adult, they must have proven Domicile and Intent. Domicile must be established by making the home in Colorado the permanent residence for a minimum of 12 months. Intent is established by severing ties from previous state, like getting a CO driver’s license, registering car, or proving employment in the state, etc.

Question 20

Does Cost of Attendance change over time? Depending on credits taken?

Answer 20

Tuition is locked in as long as you are taking between 15/19 credit hours, taking more or less can change the cost per semester.

Tuition is not locked in for all 4 years, it has a higher rate of tuition increase than other CO schools.

Question 21

What is a subsidized loan?

Answer 21

A subsidized loan has 0% interest while in school. 1st year students are limited to a max of $3500.

Question 22

Does summer break impact my subsidized loan?

Answer 22

To be eligible for Federal Loans you must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours. Summer break will not impact your loans for normal semesters, but you would need to take 6 credits during summer to take a loan to cover those credits.

Question 23

How do I know if my FAFSA is connected to Mines?

Answer 23

You should see the financial aid including loan offers in trailhead. Click the blue financial aid tab in the left-hand tool bar. View your awards green box and select aid year. Email finaid@mines.edu if you have issues.

Question 24

What is a Mines Grant?

Answer 24

Institutional aid based on need reported in FAFSA.

Question 25

What is an unsubsidized loan?

Answer 25

Unsubsidized loan is for students only, there is no parent cosigner, and the debt lives with the student only.

Question 26

What is Plus Loan?

Answer 26

A parent plus loan is for the parents only, so the debt cannot transfer to the student. Requires a credit check, but it is high level only and mainly is looking for bankruptcy and foreclosure.

Question 27

Are payment plans available?

Answer 27

Payment Plan - Bursar’s Office (mines.edu) Students and families are able to choose their own payment plan amount at the time of enrollment (minimum of $300). However, the payment plan will automatically be adjusted to reflect the student’s remaining balance for the last three installments.

Question 28

What scholarship opportunities are available to me?

What are some of the specific scholarships?

Answer 28

When students receive their acceptance letter it will include the amount of their Automatic Merit Award (if they received one).
However, they can also apply to other internal, institutional scholarships through the General Scholarship Application. Accepted students will be invited to apply via email but can also find a link in Trailhead. (Is available in December and has a Deadline of March 1st).

Examples:

1. The E-Days Scholarships are for Colorado residents. https://www.mines.edu/student-activities/e-days/e-days-scholarship/
2. The Harvey Scholarship Program for US citizens (Nov 15-January 23). http://giving.mines.edu/s/840/index.aspx?sid=840&gid=1&pgid=2787
3. The Grewcock Presidential Scholarship Program (Nov 15-Feb 1).
   https://www.mines.edu/grewcockscholars
4. Starzer Service Scholarship (Nov 17-March 15).

https://finaid.mines.edu/scholarships/

Question 29

How do I access the gen app?

Answer 29

In Trailhead account, select the financial aid tab, there will be a purple incoming student box.

Question 30

When do applicants know of decisions made on their scholarship?

Answer 30

Scholarship decisions depend on the type of scholarship but anywhere from early March to mid-April. Here are some specific dates:

Bliss: 4/7
Grewcock: early March
Harvey: Mid-March
Starzer: 4/14

Question 31

Do Mines scholarships stack or is just the biggest one used?

Answer 31

We encourage students to apply for all available scholarships for which they are eligible. However, students may be restricted from participating in multiple scholarship cohorts.

If a student is selected for more than one scholarship, the student may be required to select their top choice. Once scholarship offers are made, guidance will be provided to the student and family to assist with this choice.

You cannot stack full tuition scholarships and use as overflow.

Question 32

When will my athletic scholarship show up?

Answer 32

Athletic awards don’t usually appear until the summer when the sports teams send out the final list to the financial aid office.

Question 33

Are scholarships fixed rate and will they renew?

Answer 33

Scholarships do renew at that fixed rate. If the scholarship is outlined to pay full tuition it will match that year’s current tuition rate.

Question 34

How do I apply my personal scholarships to mines?

Answer 34

You can submit your outside resources here: https://finaid.mines.edu/outsideresources/

Students can check Trailhead regarding the status of their outside scholarship: Trailhead → Financial Aid (from the left toolbar) → Awards (green section) → Select Aid Year (i.e., 2019-2020) → Resources/Additional Information. Scholarships that have been paid will have “Paid” to the right of the title of the scholarship. To see the official payment go to “Award Overview” which is the tab located to the left of “Resources/Additional Information.”

Question 35

What is RaiseMe?

Answer 35

Raise Me is a nationwide platform which provides micro-scholarships for high school students. Beginning in 9th grade, students can start earning scholarships for specific academic achievements. Earn an A in a core course? That is $30 per A! Earn $5 for every hour of community service (minimum 20 hours), up to $250! You can even earn scholarships for visiting our campus, meeting with us at a college fair, taking a virtual tour and more!
https://www.raise.me/join/mines

Question 36

Does mines work with national merit status?

Answer 36

No

Question 37

How do the meal plans work?

Answer 37

First-year students residing in the Residence Halls may choose from Marble, Marble Plus, Quartz, and Quartz Plus meal plans. Residence Hall students have the option to change their meal plan the first week of each semester. Resident meal plans may be purchased via the Housing Portal on Trailhead. Rates and details found here: https://www.mines.edu/residence-life/rates/

Question 38

How can I ensure my dietary restrictions/ allergies are taken care of?

Answer 38

Mines Dining makes every effort to accommodate a diverse array of dietary needs. Complete our Food Preference Survey and get connected with our District Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=wtaJoh87xEuPoGhm_zAAUvsXSLbdkCBPvgLS7pSgpWJUM1FFNlNRNDlOQzBLVzI5VzU0VTBUSFBOVy4u&wdLOR=c5CD64816-0F19-4922-8254-1A4DAE4E25FF

Question 39

How does on campus parking work for first year students?

Answer 39

First-year students living on campus are not permitted to purchase parking permits unless they have certain, specific needs to have a car on campus. Upon submission of a Parking Waiver Request Form, a committee will review your request.

https://www.mines.edu/parking/resident-student-permit-waiver/

Question 40

Is there a shuttle to Denver airport?

Answer 40

There is RTD SKYRIDE which is free with your RTD pass. Golden west shuttle which is $42. Or super shuttle which is $75.
https://www.mines.edu/parking/airport-transportation/

Question 41

What will academics look like at Mines?
a. What is the average time I will be spending studying outside of class?

Answer 41

A: This depends on the classes you take but we typically see 3 hours of homework for every hour of class

Question 42

How does course selection/scheduling work, and when does it start?
a. Will we have counselors provided to help us plan our courses?
b. When do I need to declare my major & how difficult is it to change?

Answer 42

A: The registrar’s office will create your first semester schedule based on your intended major or our core curriculum, they will take into account your AP, IB, and/or concurrent enrollment. You have a first year CASA advisor assigned to you and when you declare a major you will have a new CASA major advisor.

B: you do not have to declare your major until the end of your second year at Mines. It is very easy to change your major, you have to fill out a major change form on CASA forms page. You can update your intended major here as well.

https://www.mines.edu/casa/casa-forms/

Question 43

What supports are in place to make students successful?

Answer 43

There are many resources available to you. On the academic side we have academic coaching, tutoring, study workshops, test preps, stress management etc. available through CASA (Center for academic services and advising).

On the career side we have career advisors, job portals like diggernet, career fairs, resume workshops, internship workshops all through the career center.

On the wellness side we have counseling sessions, wellness workshops, mental health check ins, and so much more through our student wellness center.

https://www.mines.edu/student-life/

Question 44

What types of research opportunities/ internships do students have access to outside of the classroom?

Answer 44

The office of Undergraduate Research Scholars provides students with a wide array of opportunities to conduct cutting-edge research led by Mines faculty mentors.

Research opportunities include fellowships, research assistantships, and even obtaining credits for research.

1. First-Year Innovation & Research Scholar Training (FIRST): select, highly motivated first-year students the opportunity to participate in original research with a focus on innovation and scholarship. FIRST fellowship recipients are awarded a $1000 stipend. Each student must attend a weekly seminar in the Fall and are given one-on-one guided mentorship introducing them to research in the Spring.

https://www.mines.edu/undergraduate-research/undergraduate-research-opportunities/first/

2. Mines Undergraduate Research Fellowship (MURF): Takes place in the Fall and Spring semester.
   Awards students $1,500 for work completed over the academic year. MURF provides an opportunity to work as research assistants on faculty-led research projects and encouraging them to showcase their work.

https://www.mines.edu/undergraduate-research/undergraduate-research-opportunities/undergraduate-research-fellowship/

3. The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF): provides funding for current Mines undergraduate students to participate in full-time research under the mentorship of the Mines faculty. This fellowship is open to students of all disciplines. Do an in-depth research project, attend professional development seminars with the SURF and NSF REU cohort students.

https://www.mines.edu/undergraduate-research/undergraduate-research-opportunities/surf/

4. Work/Study or Independent Study - Gain credits for conducting research through enrolling in Independent Study courses. If a student is eligible for Work-Study, they can often use their Work-Study funds to conduct research at Mines.
   Learn more about using Work-Study to conduct research: https://www.mines.edu/undergraduate-research/undergraduate-research-opportunities/independent-study-work-study/#work-study.

Learn more about using Independent Study to conduct research: https://www.mines.edu/undergraduate-research/undergraduate-research-opportunities/independent-study-work-study/#independent-study.

5. Research Experiences for Undergraduates - REUs consists of a group of ten or so undergraduates who work in specific research programs at various national and international host institutions. Colorado School of Mines provides a wide array of REU programs on a yearly basis. REUs generally take place over the summer months and invite students to participate in original research with mentors that specialize in their respective fields. Many of these programs vary in focus and are conducted in coordination with other universities and established research organizations, such as the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Current REUs:
Underground Infrastructure - https://www.mines.edu/undergraduate-research/undergraduate-research-opportunities/reu-landing-page/underground-reu/

Materials/Informatics - https://materialsreu.mines.edu/

Question 45

What foreign language class do you offer?

Answer 45

Spanish, French offered all the time. Russian and German rotate each semester/year.

Question 46

Do most students graduate in 4 years, how many graduate in 6 years?

Answer 46

https://ir.mines.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/66/2022/11/2022GraduationRetentionRpt.pdf

Question 47

Are there honors clubs?

Answer 47

Yes - They include:

1. Thorson: Unique and collaborative approach. Uses real-world problems to introduce students to the roles engineers and scientists play in a fast-changing world. The curricular component is a 2-semester interdisciplinary course sequence called IDEAS (Innovation and Discovery in Engineering, Arts, and Sciences). Explore critical and creative thinking, design, and ethical problem-solving through a multitude of lenses: they learn to think like an artist, an engineer, a designer, an activist, a poet, and a scientist.
2. McBride: Is a Program in Public Affairs offers (an honors minor). Consists of seminars, courses, and off-campus activities that has the primary goal of providing a select number of students the opportunity to cross the boundaries of their technical expertise into the ethical, cultural, socio-political, and environmental dimensions of human life. Students will develop their skills in communication, critical thinking, and leadership through seminar-style classes that explore diverse aspects of the human experience. Themes, approaches, and perspectives from the humanities and the social sciences are integrated with science and engineering perspectives to develop in students’ comprehensive understanding of societal and cultural issues - critical thinking, social responsibility, and enlightened leadership.
3. The Grand Challenges Scholars Program (GCSP): choose your own pathways to gain skills in interdisciplinary thinking, working across diverse cultures, applying engineering and science in the service of others, entrepreneurship, and addressing problems through design, research, and creativity. Has their own floor (Signature Learning Community).
4. Undergraduate Research Scholars: The office of Undergraduate Research Scholars works hard to provide students a wide array of opportunities to conduct cutting-edge research led by Mines faculty mentors. These include FIRST and MURF.
5. Teach @ Mines offers courses, a Teaching Minor, advising, and information on certification pathways to help you explore and learn more about the teaching profession (Teach at Mines Interdisciplinary Minor). https://www.mines.edu/teacherprep/

Primary Contact:
Karin Murray
303-273-3484
kmurray@mines.edu

Question 48

What are your non-STEM classes

Answer 48

Few important engineering decisions are purely technical.
Humanities Subjects include:
Composition
Creative writing
Energy policy
Environmental policy
Ethics
Film and media studies
Geography
History
Literature
Music
Philosophy
Political science

Question 49

What are the HASS requirements?

Answer 49

All Mines students must complete a 19-credit-hour curriculum in the Humanities and Social Sciences. (Offered through HASS, or Department of Economics and Business (EB).
The HASS Core Curriculum is 10 credit hours and includes:
Nature and Human Values -4 Credits
Global Studies - 3 Credits
Princ. Economics - 3 Credits

The Remaining 9 Credit Hours (Three Courses) must be chosen from the HASS and Gen Ed Electives
Here are the Rules:
- The three courses must be chosen from the approved courses listed in the HASS section of the catalog.
- At least one of the three courses must be taken in HASS.
- Single majors in Economics must take all three courses in HASS.
- At least one of the 3 courses must be an approved 400-level course.
- No 100-level courses may be used for these restricted electives (except foreign language courses).
- AP and/or IB credit may not be applied to the restricted electives (except foreign languages).

CCCS Pre-Approved Classes - https://www.mines.edu/registrar/cccs-hass-courses/

Full List of HASS Courses: https://hass.mines.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2018/11/Classes-from-Colorado-Community-Colleges-that-will-transfer-for-midlevel-HASS-credit.pdf

Question 50

After committing to Mines, what comes next?

Answer 50

General scholarship application is open till March 1.
Housing application opens April 1st.
The Oredigger checklist on your applicant portal will detail a lot of this.

Question 51

Do you have freshman orientation?
a. Are there any summer orientation programs available?

Answer 51

Launch is an orientation with campus resources, academic advisors and it is mandatory. Registration opens March 1.

A: Oredigger Camp is an outdoor recreation orientation retreat in the Rocky Mountains. Registration opens May 1 it is optional.

Question 52

Are there summer camps for rising juniors and seniors?
What about younger kids?

Answer 52

Yes, Mines has a K-12 Student Outreach Program. Their current event Calander includes:

1. Academies for Young Minds Camps: These are for K-8 kids.
   http://www.students.csmspace.com/academies2023summer.html
2. Engineering Design Summer Camps: These are for rising Junior and Seniors (some 10th graders).
   http://www.students.csmspace.com/edsc2023.html

Question 53

Is there a deposit required for enrollment?

Answer 53

There is a $200 deposit required for enrollment by May 1st but if there is significant financial need based off of the students FAFSA figures you can submit a waiver request to potentially waive that fee.

Question 54

What should I do in my last semester of high school to prepare for Mines?

Answer 54

Finish your senior year strong, continue with relevant and advanced courses but remember to have fun! We do have E3 if they ask about summer courses at Mines. https://online.mines.edu/elearning/

Question 55

How to properly access the outlook account/ Trailhead?

Answer 55

Prior to acceptance, you will be using the Applicant Portal. Once you are accepted, you should receive an email from us with instructions on how to claim your Trailhead account. Trailhead is where you will apply to General Scholarship APP and Housing APP, FAFSA and other financial aid. Also, can access class registration, grades and other supplemental class information like Power Points.

Question 56

Can parents access the trailhead portal?

Answer 56

No, because of FERPA. However, students can give parents access by signing a proxy. https://finaid.mines.edu/proxy/

Question 57

What is the applicant portal?

Answer 57

Your applicant portal will be where you apply to Mines, it has information like updates on merit awards and the Oredigger checklist.

Question 58

What clubs/ intramural sports are available?

Answer 58

We offer over 25 different Intramural Sports. Anything from basketball, football, soccer, frisbee, cornhole, dodgeball, kickball, tennis, and more. https://minesathletics.com/sports/intramural-sports

We also have some athletic based clubs like powerlifting, mines cheerleading, and dance teams. https://mines.campuslabs.com/engage/organizations?query=athletics

Question 59

Are there specific things that student athletes need to do or attend?

Answer 59

Athletes usually get connected to Louisa Duley. They need to interact with the specific sport in which they have interest. NCAA has very specific rules for how/when colleges communicate with prospective student athletes. ID camps are offered for different sports and the coaches and financial aid work together to determine the athletic scholarship amounts.

Question 60

How does IB/AP credit for classes taken in high school transfer?

Answer 60

AP credit will be automatically awarded to admitted students once official AP scores are received by Mines from College Board, which is normally mid-July.

https://www.mines.edu/registrar/ap-credit/

https://www.mines.edu/registrar/ib-credit/

Question 61

How long does it take for college transcripts to be evaluated?

Answer 61

The registrar’s office and/or the respective academic departments will make final determination of transfer credit acceptance after students are admitted and after official transcripts have been received.

Use the Transfer Equivalency System:
https://www.mines.edu/registrar/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2020/01/How-to-Use-the-Transfer-Evaluation-System.pdf

For questions: transfer@mines.edu

Question 62

Is there a chance for early graduation with transfer AP credits?

Answer 62

Possibly, it depends on how those credits apply towards your degree and how many credits transfer. Some students can shave off a little bit of time, but most students use the credits so as to not have to take 18 credit semesters.

Question 63

How do college credits transfer?

Answer 63

Mines will look at the official transcript from that university you are bringing credit from. We look at 3 things: where did you go-so is that institution accredited the same way as mines? How did you do? Do we have an equivalent of that course.

Refer students who are CO. Residents to Transfer Evaluation System Database:

https://tes.collegesource.com/publicview/TES_publicview01.aspx?rid=2827e8b2-59b1-46b1-8274-ad33fdab2135&aid=72fb7eaa-493b-439c-93bb-6419eeb87a48

*Even if one sees that a course transferred successfully that doesn’t guarantee that it will transfer now. They work to provide accurate info, but the Registrar’s evaluation of the official transcript reserves sole authority over these decisions.
If a student’s decision to come to Mines is dependent on knowing exactly how credits will transfer, they may not find that out by May 1st decision day.