<p>Patrick,</p>
<p>With all due respect, you would do well to step back and get a FOCUS on what you want. Be concerned about the means, but dont lose sight of your end or goal. You have good reason to be optimistic about your chances for your desired schools in Colorado. Your chances can be enhanced if you bring up your ACT score. For you, because youve placed a priority on Colorado schools (good ones that are affordable), I would recommend that you spend less time on College Confidential and more time preparing for your ACT test and drafting your essays.</p>
<p>Im sure you are aware of the significant disparity between the excellence of your academic accomplishments (e.g., GPA) and the comparatively sub-par ACT results. These are measurements that are fixed in place at this time. Now, work forward by drafting a timeline for admissions for EACH school of interest (i.e., CSU, CU, and CSM). Factor in at least one more ACT test date (October) and figure that results will be reported to your indicated colleges about 4-7 weeks after youve sat for the test. Be sure that you have correct school codes and personal information (SSN, etc.) for registration to assure that ACT score reports will be properly sent to the schools you want.</p>
<p>Yes, it makes sense for any Rolling Decision program, e.g., CSU and CU, to apply as early as possible, but it does NOT make good sense to submit an application that is not prepared well and as complete as possible. For either of these schools, I think you are very safe if you apply in October-November timeframe. It would behoove you to contact the Admissions offices of each of these schools (as well as CSM) and ask what their policy is regarding your sitting for the ACT in late October, and therefore not having ACT submitting scores to the institutions until 4-7 weeks hence. Typically schools will keep your admissions file in an open status (if you have submitted your admissions application) if they do not have all materials they need to evaluate your application. Each school will have a different means that will allow you to track your application status.</p>
<p>Given your lower income situation, concurrent to looking at admissions for each school, explore the financial aid available as well. Each school has a Financial Aid office that will be more than happy to step you through the process. I believe that each of the 3 Colorado schools you mention uses the FAFSA Form (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Check with each school to confirm that you do not have to apply separately for any scholarships. Check into the Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF) and keep asking questions of the Financial Aid officers about grants, work-study, etc. Im fairly certain that all of this begins with your completion of the FAFSA application which you do AFTER youve applied and been accepted to the school.</p>
<p>Go to the following link (College Guide for Colorado) to get a lot of general information and answers to your questions:
<a href="http://www.collegeincolorado.org/consumer_guide/collegeguide05.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.collegeincolorado.org/consumer_guide/collegeguide05.pdf</a></p>