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Becoming a Stroud Scholar
We are looking for students with the capacity to thrive in a rigorous academic course of study, if given the opportunity and support. Strong candidates are intellectually curious, growth-minded, and committed youth that will engage and enrich a diverse, inclusive community at CC and beyond. Questions that the selection committee will be considering as they review applications include:
- Do you have the desire and drive to achieve your dreams, and do those dreams include going to college?
- Do you have the dedication and persistence to commit to a 3-year, immersive college preparatory program?
- Are you passionate about learning, with a track record that demonstrates that you are intellectually curious and have invested in academic pursuits?
- Do you bring perspectives, experiences, and/or identities that would enrich college communities, and the desire and ability to engage in your community?
- Would you benefit from additional precollege resources and support?
If you answer yes to these questions, you are a prime candidate to be a Stroud Scholar!
Nomination Process
If you know students who would be good candidates for the program, you are encouraged to submit nominations to the selection committee. We will follow up with nominees to let them know they have been nominated, and invite them to apply for the program. Nominators whose students are selected for the program will be formally recognized by Colorado College. If you are nominating a student, we encourage you to let the student know they have been nominated and to offer support with the application. We appreciate your support in helping us find great students for this program.
Apply to be a Stroud Scholar
Are you ready? After reviewing what we are looking for above and learning more about what the program offers, we hope you are excited and will start your application.
Download a PDF of the application here to review the essay questions, prepare responses ahead of time and to be able to work on the application offline.
The Application and Selection Process
The application process is designed to allow you to demonstrate the characteristics of a Stroud Scholar in a number of ways. You can either be nominated as a candidate for the program or simply begin the process yourself. Either way, all potential scholars will need to submit a thoughtful and well-prepared response to the application prompts.
The application process consists of the following:
- Submit the online application: The online application is designed to allow us to get to know you better and serves as an introduction between you and the selection committee. There's writing, a potential video post submission and a chance to be creative. Don't be nervous or intimidated! We simply are trying to get to know you. This application doesn't focus on traditional measures like grades and test scores; our goal is to learn more about you and why you'd be a good Stroud Scholar candidate.
- Interview: The second round of the process is designed to get to know you - in person. While an interview might sound intimidating, we will do our best to make it an enjoyable and educational experience. As with the online application, our goal is to get to know you better and learn more about what you would bring to the cohort of scholars we are building.
- Final Selection: Following interviews, our committee will spend time working to build a cohort of students and will notify you of the outcome as soon as we are able to. If selected, we would ask you to affirm your commitment to the program.
Who can apply
9th graders, who will be rising sophomores in the summer of 2023, from the Pikes Peak Region who are the first to attend college, from a low-income family, and/or students of color who attend schools relatively under-resourced in college readiness support.
We take a look at the entire person applying for the program, taking into account personal and external factors, including their access to resources for higher education in the following contexts:
- Financial Context
Low-income families: Anyone making a total annual household income of $60,000 or less. In families with four or more dependents, the family income could be up to $75,000.
Students that have faced significant financial hardship are encouraged to apply and will be given the opportunity to share more about their family situation and the obstacles they have experienced.
- Sociocultural Context
Students from historically excluded communities, including race, ethnicity, other socially marginalized identities.
Students who would be the first in their family to graduate from a 4-year college or university.
- Educational Environment
The lack of or limited college readiness support and resources in high school.
Still have more questions or need help?
Don't hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to help. You can send an email with a general inquiry to stroudscholars@coloradocollege.edu and someone from our team will get back to you ASAP.
If you prefer to connect with a person directly from our team, please reach out to AliciaRose Martinez at avmartinez@coloradocollege.edu or give her a call at (719) 389-6098.