Incoming Oredigger Newsletter
April 2023
Information for incoming students, parents, and family members.
In this month's edition
Tap or click each link to learn more
Headlines:
- Becoming an Oredigger – What’s Next?
- Admissions Updates & Reminders
- Residence Life Updates
- Orientation Info
- Financial Aid Info
Resources:
- Career Center Reports
- Disability Support Services
Special Programs:
- Thorson First-Year Honors
- Capstone Design@Mines
- Military Science (ROTC)
Welcome
Spring has sprung, which means longer and warmer days! We hope you are enjoying it as much as we are here at Colorado School of Mines. This is an exciting and nerve-wracking time as National College Decision Day approaches and you prepare to finish your high school journey. Whether you have #MadeitMines or you are still determining where your best fit is, there is no wrong decision.
Please take time to read it in its entirety as you will find important information about next steps and other interesting Mines tidbits. If there’s any additional information you would like to see in a future newsletter, please email your suggestions to admissions@mines.edu.
Spotlight on Mines
The College Tour
Have you seen our beautiful and dynamic campus through the eyes of nine current students? Or the cameras of the new series, The College Tour, which is dropping on Amazon Prime Video in April? Probably not. But that’s about to change. The College Tour is a popular new show that offers and inside look at a dozen U.S. colleges and universities each season, and you’re invited to watch the Mines episode before it launches!
Becoming an Oredigger
What Comes Next?
We know that throughout the spring many questions pop up about what comes next as you prepare to start on campus. The new student orientation process is an important part of your transition into college life, but it can generate a lot of questions. With that in mind, we’d like to invite you to our New Student and Transition Services (NeST): Becoming an Oredigger Webinar on Thursday, April 14, where you will have the opportunity to learn more about the resources available to you as a new student. Topics include information about the orientation experience, Oredigger Camp and more, and there will be time allotted to answer your questions.
Date: Thursday, April 14, 2022
Time: 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. (Mountain Time – Time Zone Converter)
Location: The link to join via Zoom will be sent upon registration. Register early, as space is limited!
Updates from Admissions
We Can't Wait for You to Join Us, #FutureOredigger!
Reminders & Upcoming Events
Do you still have questions about Mines?
Join us on Saturday, April 9, for our Virtual Explore Mines event. This event provides the opportunity to connect virtually with faculty and current students, learn about campus resources and support services, explore our 200+ student organizations, and hear about admissions and financial aid. You can also tour our campus (virtually).
Date: Saturday, April 9, 2022
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (Mountain Time - Time Zone Converter)
Location: A link to join virtually will be sent upon registration. The deadline to register is Thursday, April 7.
Important Dates & Deadlines:
May 1
Have you #MadeItMines? We're giving away Mines gear each week in April leading up to National College Decision Day on May 1, 2022! Follow us on Instagram at @minesadmissions for more information and to enter the giveaway.
National College Decision Day, Oredigger Camp Registration Opens
May 2
Registration for Oredigger Camp, a leadership and community-building experience, opens on May 2, 2022. Camp Session 3 is reserved for students who have been accepted into a Signature Learning Community as part of their housing application process. Oredigger Camp is an optional step in the orientation process, but is a great opportunity to enhance teamwork skills, meet other students and learn about what it means to be an Oredigger. Registration is first-come, first-serve. Visit the Oredigger Camp webpage to learn more, and watch this video to see what Oredigger Camp is all about.
Deadline to Submit Housing Application IF applying to a Signature Learning Community
June 15
June 31
Your Mines Email Address & Preparing Your Technology
Your Mines email address is the same as the credentials you used when you claimed your Mines Multipass account, which gives you access to Trailhead. Mines email addresses follow this format: [your username]@mines.edu. We recommend using Office365 online to access your Mines email. If you have not claimed your Mines Multipass account, please do so as soon as possible, and be sure to check your Mines email regularly. More information on getting started with all things technology at Mines is available on the Mines Information & Technology Solutions (ITS) website. Please note: it takes approximately 24 hours after submitting your enrollment decision form to access Mines systems such as the housing application portal.
Incoming Oredigger Checklist
Make sure you’re checking the boxes each month for a successful and smooth transition to campus! The checklist is available in your applicant portal.
Transfer Credit
Are you planning to transfer credit into Mines? Students who have submitted their enrollment confirmation, $200 deposit, and official transcripts from all colleges attended can access transfer credit evaluations via Trailhead by selecting Degree Works. Transferrable courses will appear in Degree Works within two weeks of receipt of official transcripts by Mines. Courses and credit can only be evaluated using official college transcripts (unofficial transcripts are not sufficient). Students who have been admitted to Mines for Fall 2022 but have not yet submitted the enrollment deposit will receive more information on how to access their transfer credit evaluation in a couple of weeks. If it is imperative that you receive a transfer credit evaluation sooner, please email admissions@mines.edu. If you have not already done so, please request an official transcript from all colleges attended to be sent to Colorado School of Mines Office of Admissions.
Win Mines Swag!
Have you #MadeItMines? We’re giving away Mines gear each week in April leading up to National College Decision Day on May 1, 2022! Follow us on Instagram at @minesadmissions for more information and to enter the giveaway.
Online & Social Community Resources
- Accepted Student Webpage: You will find a bunch of videos and resources on our accepted student webpage, such as our residence hall tour video, information about computer specifications, what to pack, a video about Golden and the surrounding area, prior newsletters and more. Please visit this page regularly.
- Accepted Parent & Families Webpage: You will find all the resources you need to contribute to your student’s success on our accepted parent and families webpage. Here you will find links to the Applicant Portal, tuition payment options, links to student support services on campus, videos ranging from how to complete your next steps to why students choose Mines and so much more!
- Join the Conversation: If you haven’t already joined, active conversations are happening in our Mines Class of 2026 Discord group (for students) and #Mines2026 Parents, Families & Guardians Facebook group.
- Follow Us: Learn more about life at Mines by following us on our social channels.
- Interested in receiving texts from us? Text “Opt-In” to (720) 575-2949.
Questions? Contact us by emailing admissions@mines.edu or calling (303) 384-2027.
Residence Life
The living on campus experience.
The Housing Application is Open!
The residence halls application for first-year housing is now live! The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. (Mountain Time) on May 15, 2022. The application is located in the Housing Portal in Trailhead under the Campus Life tab and is open to first-year and transfer students. Please see the First-Year Housing website and Transfer Student Housing website for more details about the application timeframe and process.
Please note: it takes approximately 24 hours after submitting your enrollment decision form to have access to the residence halls application portal.
Signature Learning Communities:
You can also apply to join a Signature Learning Community (formerly Theme Learning Communities)! Learn more about Signature Learning Communities on our website. The application for Signature Learning Communities is embedded within the residence halls application. If you want to be in a Signature Learning Community, you MUST complete both the residence halls application and the Signature Learning Community application by 11:59 p.m. (Mountain Time) on May 2, 2022.
Make sure you are checking your Mines email for communications from us!
In Case You Missed Us:
If you missed the Residence Life: The On-Campus Living Experience webinar, the recording is now available and may help answer your housing questions. If you still have questions about the process, contact us at (303) 869-LIFE (5433) or housing@mines.edu.
Getting Oriented
New Student and Transition Services
The New Student and Transition Services (NeST) staff supports new and continuing Colorado School of Mines students through their transitions to campus and beyond. Specialized programs allow you to become acquainted with campus, traditions, expectations and processes while getting a head start on community building. We will provide you with news and updates throughout the spring and summer, including more about Fall Kickoff. Please consider registering for one of our upcoming events!
Launch
Launch is our traditional student and family orientation for incoming students and is the first step in the orientation process. There are seven dates for first-year students to choose from between June and July. During Launch, you will hear from Residence Life, Financial Aid, the Bursar’s Office and many other campus resources. Additionally, you meet your academic advisor and participate in peer discussions. Visit the Launch webpage to learn more or use the link below to register today.
Please note: The June 27 session is virtual and for both first-year and transfer students, and the July 8 date is reserved for incoming transfer students only. Registration will close one week prior to each Launch date.
In addition to participating in Launch, all new students are automatically enrolled in our online pre-orientation modules on our learning management platform, Canvas. Use your Mines credentials to log in and learn about academic majors, important reminders to complete before attending Launch, meet your Launch Leaders and more! If you have not already set up your Mines email account, please do so, as that is the way you will be enrolled in the course. The online orientation course will go live on May 1, 2022. Your family and guests will receive a link to participate in the online orientation course as well and will not need credentials to view the material.
Oredigger Camp:
Registration for Oredigger Camp, a leadership and community-building experience, opens on May 2, 2022. Camp Session 3 is reserved for students who have been accepted into a Signature Learning Community as part of their housing application process. Oredigger Camp is an optional step in the orientation process, but is a great opportunity to enhance teamwork skills, meet other students and learn about what it means to be an Oredigger. Registration is first-come, first-serve. Visit the Oredigger Camp webpage to learn more, and watch this video to see what Oredigger Camp is all about.
Finalizing the Numbers
Next Steps from Financial Aid
After you have committed to Mines, you should review any outstanding financial aid requirements in Trailhead. Once in Trailhead, click on the Financial Aid tab, then Requirements (light blue box). Requirements must be completed by July 31, 2022.
If the information reported on the FAFSA no longer reflects your financial or family financial situation, we may be able to help. View the Contribution Review webpage to see your options.
Recipients of the Mines General Foundation Scholarship will be notified via email and mail by 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) on April 10, 2022. View your financial aid awards through your Trailhead account. Please email finaid@mines.edu if you have any questions about your awards. Please include your Campus Wide ID (CWID) in your email.
Need help understanding loan options?
This 14-minute video can help you understand the types of loans available and weigh the pros and cons of each option. More information about loans will be sent in early June, and you do not need to make any loan decisions at this time.
Students, family members and friends can sign up to receive quarterly information with Financial Aid dates and deadlines by subscribing to our Financial Aid Newsletter.