Colorado College is a private liberal arts college located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Founded in 1874, the college offers a unique Block Plan curriculum, where students take one class at a time in intensive three-and-a-half-week blocks. In this article, we will examine the pros and cons of Colorado College in detail.
Pros:
- Unique Block Plan Curriculum: Colorado College’s Block Plan curriculum is unique in the world of higher education. Students take one class at a time, which allows them to focus their attention on a single subject and engage in intensive learning experiences. This approach allows students to deeply explore a subject and build strong relationships with faculty members and peers.
- Engaged Faculty: Colorado College has a highly engaged and committed faculty, with many professors who are leaders in their fields. The university has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1, which means that students benefit from close interaction with faculty members and personalized attention.
- Experiential Learning: Colorado College has a strong commitment to experiential learning, with numerous opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in their fields of study. The college has a range of off-campus study programs, as well as a strong emphasis on research, internships, and community engagement.
- Beautiful Campus: Colorado College is situated on a beautiful 90-acre campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The campus features a mix of historic and modern buildings, as well as abundant green spaces and gardens.
- Strong Environmental Focus: Colorado College has a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, with numerous initiatives aimed at reducing the college’s carbon footprint and promoting sustainable practices.
- Small Class Sizes: Colorado College’s Block Plan and small student-to-faculty ratio mean that classes are small, with an average class size of 16 students. This allows for personalized attention and meaningful interactions between students and faculty members.
Cons:
- Expensive: Colorado College is a private college, and tuition and fees can be expensive. The cost of attendance for the 2021-2022 academic year was $80,906, which can be a significant financial burden for many students and families.
- Limited Course Offerings: Colorado College’s Block Plan curriculum means that the college does not offer as many courses or majors as other colleges and universities. This may limit opportunities for students who are interested in highly specialized or niche subjects.
- Limited Athletic Facilities: Colorado College has limited athletic facilities, which can be a disadvantage for students who are interested in sports or fitness. The college has a small gym and a few sports fields, but does not have a large stadium or state-of-the-art athletic facilities.
- Limited Diversity: Colorado College has a relatively homogeneous student body, with limited diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
- Limited Career Opportunities: Colorado College is located in a small town, and there may be limited job opportunities in the area for students who are looking for part-time work or internships.
- Intensive Workload: Colorado College’s Block Plan curriculum means that students are expected to work intensively on a single subject for three-and-a-half weeks at a time. This can be challenging for some students, who may find the workload overwhelming or stressful.
In conclusion, Colorado College is a highly respected college that offers a unique and engaging approach to learning. However, the high cost of attendance and other factors such as limited course offerings and athletic facilities may be a drawback for some students. Prospective students should carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks of attending Colorado College before making a final decision.