Is a college with a block plan the right fit for me?
Earlier this week, I attended a webinar hosted by Colorado College, a highly selective and well-regarded liberal arts college in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It’s a college that comes up often in my conversations with students I consult with, and it’s a popular choice for students in the Bozeman area because it’s one of the few liberal arts colleges of its kind in the Rocky Mountain West.
The most distinctive and best-known feature of Colorado College’s curriculum is their signature Block Plan, in which students take one class at a time in 18-day blocks. The Block Plan allows students to create flexibility in their schedule, pursue their own unique course of study, and leave ample time each day for their passions outside of class. It also allows for deep immersion into coursework through field trips and other experiences that might be impossible within a more traditional class schedule.
For the right student, Colorado College is a fantastic choice. It is worth noting, however, that their acceptance rate is under 14%, and annual tuition is over $62,000. Like many top colleges, they offer generous need-based financial aid packages, but not much merit-based aid.
If you love the flexibility and deep immersion of the Block Plan, but Colorado College feels out of reach financially or academically, have you looked into other colleges that offer block plans? Turns out there are some good, affordable options. Two in particular that I like are Cornell College in Iowa and Prescott College in Arizona. Closer to home here in Montana is the University of Montana Western. Others include Tusculum College in Tennessee, Keiser University in Florida, and Spalding University in Kentucky.
It’s always a good idea to approach the college search with an open mind, and with a realistic perspective on both selectivity and affordability. A good college counselor will provide strategy and encouragement if your goal is to apply to a highly selective college or university. At the same time, we’d be missing a golden opportunity if we didn’t also educate you about schools where you might get an equally great education and finish your degree debt free. At Confluence College Admissions Consulting, we pay attention to your needs and help you along your unique and personal educational journey.
