Mineral Exploration

To apply to Mines, you will need to send the Office of Admissions your transcripts from all universities you have previously attended. You may submit unofficial or official transcripts for the application review process*. Please view the descriptions below for an explanation of unofficial vs. official and instructions for sending your transcripts** to us.

Unofficial Transcripts
We accept unofficial transcripts in English for the application review process. An unofficial transcript is defined as:

Any transcript not sent to Mines directly from another university. For example:

• • A transcript uploaded by you, the student, to your Applicant Portal
  • A transcript emailed to us by you or anyone other than the university you are requesting it from
  • A transcript mailed to us in an envelope without a university stamp or seal on the outside of the envelope

An unofficial transcript must include your name and the name of the university.

Methods for Submitting Unofficial Transcripts

1. Via your Mines Applicant Portal: After submitting your application, you will gain access to your Applicant Portal. Your Applicant Portal will allow you to upload your unofficial transcripts. Here you can also check the status of your application file and admissions decision.
2. Via email: Send your transcript as a pdf file to [email protected].

Official Transcripts
We also accept official transcripts in English for the application review process. An official transcript is defined as:

• Any transcript sent directly to Colorado School of Mines from another university

Methods for Sending Official Transcripts

1. Directly from your current/prior university via email to us at [email protected]
2. Directly from your current/prior university via any electronic document sending service
3. Directly from your current/prior university via postal mail, in a sealed envelope with a university signature, stamp or seal on the outside of the envelope to:

Colorado School of Mines
Office of Admissions – Graduate Admissions
Starzer Welcome Center
1812 Illinois Street
Golden, CO 80401

4. Delivered to the Office of Admissions in a sealed envelope with a university signature, stamp or seal on the outside of the envelope.

*Please Note: If you are accepted and decide to attend Mines, prior to enrolling, you are required to submit final official transcripts and diplomas in English from all prior universities attended.
**Please Note: If you attended a university outside of the United States and you are admitted and decide to enroll at Mines, you must also submit an official credential evaluation of your transcript and diploma performed by a NACES member. The cost of an evaluation is approximately $160 USD.

• • Most graduate programs require Letters of Recommendation as part of the admissions application requirements. Please see your program of interest webpage for specific requirements.
  • Please have your recommenders submit letters of recommendation through the online application system (details below) or by emailing them to:  [email protected]. Letters of recommendation must come directly from the recommender. 
  • Inform your recommenders that they will submit their recommendation letter through the online application system. An email will be sent to the email address you provide on their behalf. Please ensure that you enter their email address correctly in your application. Once the recommender submits their letter, you will be able to see this update in your Applicant Portal.
  • We recommend requesting letters from contacts who are knowledgeable of your academic and professional capabilities and experiences. In particular, faculty members whom you have worked closely with or supervisors/colleagues from a related job or internship experience.
  • We encourage your recommenders to specifically describe your qualifications with regard to the degree program into which you are applying to. 
  • All letters of recommendation must be received by the admissions application deadline for your application file to be completed. Learn more about the application deadlines. Application files without all materials, including the letters of recommendation (if required), will not be sent for review until they are complete.

• • The purpose of this requirement is to briefly introduce yourself to the Graduate Admissions Review Committee by sharing your professional, academic and personal goals and why you believe Colorado School of Mines is the best place to achieve those goals. In addition, any skills or experience that you have and believe are applicable to a Teaching Assistantship or Research Assistantship award should be addressed in the statement. Please keep your statement to one to two pages in length, at the most (~500-750 words). 

• • A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) helps the Admissions Review Committee better understand your past and current professional work, research, teaching and academic experiences to further determine your candidacy and funding opportunities. We recommend including any grants awarded, publications in which you have been published in a research capacity relevant to your field of interest and any professional affiliations you are involved with, especially leadership positions held within those affiliations.