Orientation

While the Winter Start program is a little atypical, we have a number of programs in place to help make your college transition smooth. Once at CC Winter Starts kick off their experience with a New Student Orientation (NSO) trip to Baca, our satellite campus in the San Luis Valley. You will then join your CC peers on campus and begin your double block introductory course (CC100/120) which is designed to facilitate the academic transition to the Block Plan. In terms of graduation time, many winter starts get extra credits during CC's summer block offerings, half blocks, or during their pre-CC semester and graduate in May with the rest of their class. However, others choose to finish in December, fulfilling a full four years on campus.

Registration

Winter Start students will receive access to pre-registration materials in mid-summer. There will be an advising questionnaire to fill out so that we can match students appropriately to advisors on campus. There will also be a 'Snapshot' questionnaire to complete in preparation for First-Year Experience excursions and activities.

Academic Advisors

Winter Start students will work with Dr. Aaron Stoller, assistant vice provost for first year student success and director of academic programs, in mid-November to enroll in their FYP courses as well as Block 7 and 8 coursework. As part of Winter Start Orientation, Winter Start students can expect to receive an advising questionnaire, which will be used by our Student Opportunities and Advising Hub, to assign students to a faculty advisor. Students will then meet with their advisor again during the all-college, fall pre-registration period to select their Block 1 through 4 courses for the following academic year.

Winter Transfer Advising

All incoming Winter Transfer students will work with the Registrar's Office and Advising Hub in early December to select their spring courses, Blocks 5 through 8. During this time, the Student Opportunities and Advising Hub will work to assign students to a faculty advisor within their intended major. Winter Transfer students should plan to meet with their faculty advisor as needed throughout the spring semester to discuss major requirements, transfer credits, and remaining all-college requirements. Winter Transfer students will also need to meet with their advisor during the all-college, pre-registration period to select their Block 1 through 4 courses for the following academic year. Students should continue to work with the Student Opportunities and Advising Hub as needed to change faculty advisors or majors.

Room Assignments

Room assignments are made after the deadline to submit the online housing agreement has passed. The preference questionnaire that you will be asked to fill out as part of the online process is especially important. We will make every effort to take your preferences into consideration; however, we believe strongly that first year students benefit by starting their on-campus residency in one of our large residence halls with their peers. Assignments will be based on mid-year housing availability in those halls. You will be notified of your room and roommate assignment when the college re-opens after Winter Break, immediately prior to orientation. We will include contact information with your assignment and strongly encourage you to connect with and get to know your roommate.

For-Credit Options

Verto Education
This fully accredited program through the University of New Haven allows for seamless transfer of coursework to Colorado College and will prepare you for success in an increasingly global marketplace. You can start your college experience by studying with Verto Education in one of their five global locations, and join CC with college credits that are already approved for transfer. Verto has programs in the following cities:

• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Prague, Czech Republic
• London, England
• Florence, Italy
• Seville, Spain

SIT First Year Programs
The School for International Training (SIT) out of Brattleboro, VT offers experiential semesters abroad which consistently rank among the most popular of study abroad experiences for CC students. Through small cohorts, thoughtfully-crafted field programs, and in building a globe-spanning foundation to your college education, SIT First Year students become part of a family and community abroad, build intercultural relationships, and develop critical perspectives and analytical skills as they explore together. SIT First Year semesters are offered in:

• Jordan: Identity & Human Resilience (Fall)
• Panama: Climate & Environment (Fall)
• South Africa: Global Health & Well-Being (Fall)
• Argentina: Global Health & Well-Being (Spring)
• Portugal: Climate & Environment (Spring)
• Samoa: Identity & Human Resilience (Spring)

Some of the coursework offered on these SIT programs specifically for incoming first-year college students is designed for practical career and college-life adjustment success, but are not liberal arts in nature. Some credits may not be transferrable to CC; if you plan to take part in one of these programs, please contact CC Global Education using the contact information at the bottom of this page, for Registrar review on credit transferability for your specific program.

CET Gap Year Programs
CET Academic Programs is a study abroad organization that has been developing and delivering innovative educational programs abroad since 1982, and are also one of CC's approved partner programs for our regular undergraduate study abroad. They offer language-intensive gap semester programs in six locations:

• Beijing, China
• Shanghai, China
• Siena, Italy
• Osaka, Japan
• Amman, Jordan
• Taipei, Taiwan

CIEE First Year Abroad Programs
CIEE has been providing study abroad international exchange programs since 1947, and they are one of the approved partner programs CC uses for our regular undergraduate study abroad program. Choose from seven locations around the world, with 12-week programs designed specifically for students inbetween high school and college. Each location yields 12-13 U.S. semester credits transcripted by the CIEE School of Record, Dean College, which is equal to 3.00 to 3.25 CC block units.

• Barcelona, Spain
• Berlin, Germany
• Kyoto, Japan
• London, England
• Monteverde, Costa Rica
• Rome, Italy
• Sydney, Australia

SEA Semester
Spend a semester learning to sail a tall ship, being part of a small and rigorous community, doing scientific and cultural research, and developing independence out on the open ocean in New Zealand waters and beyond. SEA offers specific Gap Year voyages (with for credit or not-for-credit options), and doesn't require that you know how to sail before you begin the semester. While the academic focus varies, each program offers an interconnected suite of courses designed to explore a specific ocean-related theme using a cross-disciplinary approach. Leadership and personal growth outcomes are tremendous through this adventure, and most all of the SEA courses are transferable back to CC.

School For Field Studies
School for Field Studies is a leader in environmental field study semester programs, offering programs in Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Italy, Kenya, Panama, Peru, Tanzania, and Turks & Caicos Islands. A full semester of credit can be earned on SFS programs. Gap year students and Winter Starts are welcome to apply; contact the SFS Admissions Office early in the process if you have any questions about pre-reqs. SFS programs require a college-level science course as a prerequisite, although if students have already taken an AP/IB environmental science, biology, etc course then they may fulfill the requirement.

College Year In Athens - Semester program
This program, from among the regular CC study abroad partner program options, will consider admission for Winter Starts on a case-by-case basis. A full semester of credit can be earned on the CYA Semester, in academic areas such as Classics, Art History, Archaeology, Economics & Business, Politics, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Literature, Anthropology, Environmental Studies, Modern & Ancient Greek language, and Urban Planning & Sustainability. Students can choose from a homestay (highly recommended) or live in the heart of Athens' Pangrati neighborhood in apartments with other CYA students, a close walk to the CYA campus.

American University Gap Program in Washington D.C. 
This program is specifically designed for winter start and gap year students, and allows students to access the top-notch Washington Semester internship network of opportunities, take seminars from American University faculty as well as optional elective courses, and earn between 12 to 15 regular semester credits. Choose from a variety of courses, see program websites for more information.

Hebrew University in Jerusalem: Freshman-Gap Year Program
This program of the Rothberg International School is specially designed for first-year students, whether they plan to continue their studies in Israel or back home. Students may enroll for the entire year or for either the autumn or spring semester. A variety of first-year courses are offered in academic areas such as Middle Eastern Studies, Religion, Brain & Behavioral Sciences, and Environmental Studies. A special gap year option also exists in the new "STEAM for Social Change High-Tech and Social Innovation" program for science students. All Freshmen students participate in the Freshman Seminar, which provides first-year college students with a strong foundation to assist in the transition from high school to college. It provides academic and social support while strengthening the students' skills in academic research and writing.

Partial academic credit (less than a full semester) may be available on the following programs:

Take Action Lab, through Tilting Futures
The "Take Action Lab" semester through Tilting Futures (previously Global Citizen Year) engages students in an immersive semester in South Africa. You'll live in a house with several students from around the world and apprentice at a human rights organization to learn how to tackle global issues from the ground up. The Take Action Lab program offers a Fall Semester option to enroll and receive academic credit for one course, "Systems and Societies" (4 semester credits, which equals one CC unit). Colorado College will accept this course for one unit of credit; please make sure to officially opt in for the credit-bearing option, and have your final transcript sent to CC upon completion of the program (transcripts are issued by Minerva Schools at KGI).

NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School)
If you are interested in outdoor leadership, NOLS offers worldwide semester programs in East Africa, India, New Zealand, Patagonia, Alaska, Mexico, and in multiple locations and ecosystems across the continental United States. Partial academic credit may be possible at CC for some NOLS courses; transferable coursework offered by NOLS includes: their Environmental Studies (ENVST3011) courses and/or the Cultural Studies (PRT3046/5046) courses (4 semester credits = 1 CC unit). Additionally, Colorado College will also grant a maximum 0.5 units of credit for completion of the NOLS Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course, consistent with what we offer here at CC. CC will not award transfer credit for courses such as Group Leadership Techniques, Wilderness First Responder (WFR), Wilderness Skills Practicum, Expedition Planning, or Risk Assessment/Management, as these are not liberal arts in nature. Students must specifically request the academic credit for transferable courses be issued through a transcript from the accredited University of Utah or Western State Colorado University partnerships that NOLS has in place. 

Where There Be Dragons
The Gap Programs offered through Where There Be Dragons are designed to immerse students into different cultures through the nine core program components: rugged travel, homestays, trekking and wilderness exploration, service learning, survey of development issues, internship/independent study options, language study, introduction to philosophy and comparative religions, and focus of inquiry. These 3-month programs are offered in Indonesia, South America (Andes & Amazon), Nepal, Southeast Asia, Guatemala, Morocco, Senegal, Taiwan, China, Bhutan, and the Colorado River Basin. Some of the coursework may be transferable to CC through Naropa University

HMI Gap (High Mountain Institute)
HMI Gap semesters are designed to be a unique and refreshing break from our busy world, an uninterrupted journey of adventure, self-discovery, and growth. With rock climbing and wilderness travel focused programs in Patagonia and the American West, students spend three months traveling to some of the world's wildest places, gain independence as outdoor adventurers, and give back by getting their hands dirty helping with real-world conservation projects. One class from HMI is transferable to CC for credit: Land Conservation Ethics (3 semester credits = 0.75 unit at CC). If you participate in a semester where this course is offered, and wish to transfer this class, you must request the transcript from Western State Colorado University.

"One of the best decisions I've ever made was taking a gap year. Once at Colorado College, I knew I could follow my passion for international environmental studies and outdoor education. I had the awareness and strength to answer my calling because I had taken a gap year to explore who I was, work, travel, and deepen my connection to the outdoors. I am thrilled to be able to offer such a transformative experience through HMI Gap."
-Becca Schild, CC Alumna '05, Gap Coordinator at High Mountain Institute

Non-Credit Options

Many experiential programs exist to challenge and inspire your growth and inquiry before you join us at CC, without offering academic credit. Past Winter Start students have enjoyed:

Outward Bound: Gap Year Expeditions
Outward Bound, founded by educator Kurt Hahn, is a non-profit educational organization and expedition school that serves people of all ages and backgrounds through challenging learning expeditions that inspire self-discovery, both in and out of the classroom. Students explore unfamiliar settings as a way to experience adventure and challenge to discover that they can do more than they thought possible. These Outward Bound 30-day to 85-day courses are opportunities to gain real wilderness skills and develop life skills in decision-making, problem solving, leadership and teamwork.

Alzar Gap
Alzar Gap provides high school graduates with life changing experiences while offering tangible leadership training in world class destinations.  If you are seeking something more from your traditional university experience and are excited to learn more about yourself, gain a broader world view, and make authentic connections with diverse people in wild and untamed parts of the world, then Alzar Gap could offer your next step.

"My semester before starting CC as a Winter Start was completely unforgettable. I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Indonesia with an organization called Where There Be Dragons. I traveled with a group of 15 other people, staying in 4 different homestays in the city, jungle, mountains and in stilted huts above the ocean. We participated in Muslim culture, lived with sea nomads, watched a buffalo sacrifice, and so much more.

When I came to CC, I met 40 other students right away that were also winter starts, each with totally different experiences. It was easier in many ways to make friends with that core group, and then branch out to the rest of the freshman class and other students. You don't have to leave the country in order to have an amazing fall semester before college, but Indonesia changed my life and has shaped my experiences at CC. I came in to college with a deeper sense of self, and a fresh perspective on how to make the most of my new home."

- Naya Herman, Winter Start, Jan 2013