IO FAQ
Application Material
Education Background
Applicants with a Master's Degree
Financial Support
Program of Study
Internship
Learning Climate
Student Life
After you have chosen to attend CSU
After Graduation
City of Ft. Collins
Application Materials
Is a terminal Master's Degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology available at Colorado State University?
No. The CSU I/O program only accepts students who intend to obtain a doctoral degree.
Can the application materials be completed on the Internet or downloaded off of the Internet?
Yes. The application materials are available at the department's website. While parts of the application may be submitted online, supplemental materials must be mailed separately. Please visit the Application page for further application information.
What is the deadline for the application materials to be received by CSU?
All materials are due on January 1 the year you plan to enroll.
When will applicants receive notification about selection decisions?
The admission process takes between four and six weeks. If you are accepted into the program, then you should be notified within the first two weeks of February. However, if you are placed on a waiting list, it could take longer.
How many letters of recommendation are required to apply to the program? Are forms available for those who will write the recommendations?
We require three letters of recommendation, though some applicants occasionally provide four. There are no forms that letter writers need to use.
Is the selection of a specific faculty member as an advisor required to apply to the program? If a specific faculty member is requested, how will it affect the selection decision?
All faculty members associated with the program are involved in the selection decisions. As a result, you need not specify a certain faculty member in order to apply. That having been said, we do consider how well the students' interests will fit with the collective research being conducted in our program. Consequently, it is often useful to indicate one or more faculty members whose research especially interests you. Each faculty's research interests are described in the brochure and on the psychology department faculty web page.
What is the average GPA of those applicants that are accepted into the program?
The average GPA is 3.78 overall, with roughly a 3.9 in Psychology.
Is the GRE Psychology Subject Test required to apply to the program?
The GRE subject test is required. The average GRE subject test score in 2005 is 676.
What is the average GRE quantitative score of those applicants that are accepted into the program?
The average GRE quantitative score in 2005 is 672.
What is the average GRE verbal score of those applicants that are accepted into the program?
The average GRE verbal score In 2005 is 548.
What is the average GRE analytic score of those applicants that are accepted into the program?
The average GRE analytic score is 625.
What is the average TOFEL score of those applicants that are accepted into the program?
We do not have an average TOFEL score.
Is previous research experience considered when making the selection decisions?
Yes. Any research experience is of considerable value. This is especially true when the work has led to a publication or presentation at a conference. Regardless of the specific topic of investigation, research experience can demonstrate knowledge in research methodology and skills in statistics.
What other factors are considered during the admission process?
Applicants should demonstrate that they possess a sound foundation in research methodology, statistics, and psychology. In addition, they should describe their interest in I/O psychology and our program in particular.
What is the average number of applications received each year, and how many are usually accepted?
In a given year we receive from 115 to 135 completed applications. Of these, we usually accept from 12 to 15 students. Ultimately, an average of 5 students matriculate to CSU each fall.
Education
What undergraduate coursework is most useful and relevant for the program?
A solid academic background is invaluable. We look to see if applicants have relevant coursework in I/O or business. It is also valuable to take classes in mathematics and statistics. Of course, one should have strong grades in these classes.
Is an undergraduate major of psychology required to apply to the program?
We accept students from diverse backgrounds. However, if one is not a psychology major, then we strongly recommend that he/she supplement his/her education with coursework in psychology.
Can a person who already earned a Master's Degree at another institution apply to the program?
Yes. Yes. In fact, about 20 - 25% of our new students come with Master's Degrees from other schools.
Applicants with a Master's Degree
What credits earned for a Master's Degree at another institution will transfer into the program?
Generally, at least some credits transfer, though not all of them. Usually, the basic content classes are accepted. Often, methodological and statistics classes are accepted as well. When you come to CSU, we want to be sure that you graduate with a solid background. Therefore, you may still have to take content courses at CSU to fulfill our requirements for the PhD.
At what level will a new student entering with a Master's Degree be placed in the program?
This depends on the individual. Usually, someone with a Master's Degree places into roughly the second year of the CSU curriculum. Again, the student may or may not have to take all of our content courses, even after entering with a Master's degree.
Can a new student entering with a Master's Degree test out of courses?
Yes. We place students out of courses on a case-by-case basis. Students should provide a class syllabus, readings, and other relevant class materials. Based on an evaluation of this information, students are typically placed out of overlapping courses. Such decisions are made graduate curriculum committee, which has a faculty representative from each program.
Will the program accept the Master's thesis of a new student?
Generally we will, though we review it before giving a final answer. The more questionable cases are likely to come when a student has a thesis in an area other than psychology, such as business. We require an empirical master thesis, so if your master thesis was not an empirical one, you'll have to complete one here at CSU before moving to doctoral candidacy.
Financial Support
What is the cost of tuition for the year?
For the 2005/2006 academic year, the in-state tuition costs were $3,690, and the out-of-state tuition costs were $14,958.
What percentage of those applicants accepted into the program receive funding?
At time of acceptance, a few applicants may be guaranteed graduate funding in the form of assistantships. Historically, virtually every student in the program who has requested financial support has received funding from the program. This funding has covered tuition and a monthly stipend toward living expenses.
How many years of funding are available to students?
Students who are making good progress toward completing the Doctorate can
usually count on at least four years of financial support.
How and when are funding decisions and assistantship assignments made?
Initial decisions are made in March-April; rolling decisions are made throughout the year. Funding decisions and assistantship assignments are determined by considering what teaching and research assistantships are available, which students need funding, and the skills and abilities of the students (e.g., advanced students differ from incoming first years).
What types of assistantships are available?
There are two types of assistantships: Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) and Graduate Research Assistant (GRA).
What are some tasks associated with the GTA and GRA assistantships?
GTAs' tasks are to assist faculty with class management, prepare exams, maintain records, help students understand class materials, etc. Some GTAs teach a lab associated with a large section of a psychology course. GRAs' tasks include assisting faculty with designing and conducting research.
Can students request a particular assistantship?
Students' preferences are solicited.
What is the average stipend for an assistantship?
The average stipend for a GTA or GRA is $1,000 per month after taxes. GTAs and GRAs receive an additional $200 per semester. This money is provided to buy graduate student health insurance, but can be used in any way desired by the student.
Are fellowships available?
There are fellowships available to advanced graduate students such as the Graduate School Fellowship or the Psychology Department Teaching Fellowship. Organizations such as the National Science Foundation provide competitive fellowships to graduate students as well. Students are encouraged to apply for NSF awards before entering graduate school as many are slated for incoming graduate students rather than established ones.
Do students usually need to take out loans or seek outside employment?
It may be possible to live on the financial support provided by the I/O program, but some students do take out loans or seek family support in order to achieve a higher standard of living than program support allows. Since the financial support provided by the program is usually only for 9-month (GRAs funded by grants can receive supports up to12-month), many students take internships or other forms of summer employment to supplement their income. Summer consulting work or paid research assistantships through the program faculty members are sometimes available. Advanced graduate students are also occasionally able to find funding during the summer as a paid instructor of an undergraduate course.
Program of Study
Is the emphasis of the program research or practice?
The educational philosophy of our doctoral program at Colorado State University is based on our special conception of the field of industrial/organizational psychology. Historically, the field of I/O psychology has been described on two dimensions, each with two facets. Figure 1 shows that the content dimension consists of industrial psychology which emphasizes individual differences OR organizational psychology which emphasizes contextual influences on behavior. The second dimension describes the way we do business, including science OR practice. Training programs in these areas can be labeled with simple terms: cell 1 is the “measurement model,” cell 2 is the “human resource (HRM) management model,” cell 3 is the “organization behavior (OB) model,” and cell 4 is the “doctor of psychology (PsyD) model” often followed in professional schools of psychology.
Science |
Practice |
|
Industrial Psychology |
Cell 1. Measurement model |
Cell 2. HRM model |
Organizational Psychology |
Cell 3. OB model |
Cell 4. Psy D model |
Figure 1. Traditional Models of Education in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
At CSU, we believe that there has been an unhealthy bifurcation on both these dimensions. Our conception of the field of Industrial/Organizational Psychology and our educational model are quite different, as represented in Figure 2 . Relevant to the content dimension, we believe that most real-life problems of people in work organizations require an understanding of BOTH the individual differences that people bring to organizations AND the impact of structures and groups on work behavior. In the true sense of the old adage, work behavior is a function of the interaction of people AND environments. We take seriously the notion of the interfaces and interactions of people and organizations.
Figure 2. CSU's Model of Education in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
On the second dimension, we believe there is a healthy interchange between science and practice in the field of I/O psychology. In many ways, “science” is our “practice.” The contribution of I/O psychology over other fields is the rigorous empirical study of work in organizations. Thus, one core of our training is the development of strong empirical research skills, including research design, measurement methodologies, and statistical analyses. We believe science and practice can and should influence each other: science informs practice, and practice informs science. CSU students are involved in organizational settings to see “real life” problems. These experiences (a) show the applications of our science to effective organizational functioning and (b) enrich our science by making research more realistic, relevant, and valuable.
Our educational model, and the training which follows from it, involves both I and O psychology and both science and practice. A Ph.D. from CSU prepares students for a variety of roles in the field. All students are expected to develop a wide array of research skills: design of research, measurement skills, data management, statistics, computer skills, etc. Consequently, they move successfully into jobs in education, research, consulting, or organizations.
What courses does the program require?
Required courses include graduate statistics (3 courses), research design, Psychometric theory, five courses in advanced psychology (e.g., social psychology, cognitive psychology), Advanced Personnel Psychology, Advanced Organizational Psychology, weekly and advanced seminars, and a skills/practicum course.
Students who wish to waive the first and/or second course in statistics (i.e., PSY652, PSY653) should follow these steps.
1. Contact the instructor of record for statistics prior to the fall semester to arrange taking the PSY652 waiver test. Students will be required to get a C (70%) on the test to be able to waive the course.
2. Contact the instructor of record for statistics prior to the spring semester to arrange taking the PSY653 waiver test. Students will be required to get a C (70%) on the test to be able to waive the course.
Things students should know before, during, and after the tests:
1. Students can only take the waiver tests once at the beginning of Fall and Spring semesters, respectively. Pre-requisite for taking PSY653 waiver test is to pass the PSY652 waiver test.
2. Students receiving grades lower than a B (80%) will be strongly encouraged to consider taking the class.
3. Students will receive the result and will not receive their answers or be allowed to keep the questions. Their results will also be passed to their advisors for reference.
4. Students can bring whatever books and notes they wish, though no programmable calculators or handheld computers, to their testing sessions.
How long does it normally take to complete the program?
It will take about 5 years for a student with a Bachelor's degree, and 3-4 years for a student with a Master’s degree, not including time if the student takes on an internship, which is not required.
What percentage of students complete the program? What are some reasons why students do not complete the program?
The ratio of completion is over about 90-95%. Typical reasons for not finishing, according to the exit interviews, are poor match of interests with program emphases or family considerations.
How is Colorado State University's program different from programs at other schools?
We emphasize the importance of industrial AND organizational psychology, and we emphasize the importance of science AND practice.
What is the typical workload for a student in the program?
Typically, students enroll in 12-15 hours of credit and hold a 20-hour per week assistantship.
Can students work with faculty members from other departments or take classes from other departments?
Definitely yes! As the matter of fact, you are encouraged to do so.
What opportunities are available to publish, teach, consult, and present at conferences?
Students typically present their research at a conference, and often publish one or two articles from their research projects. The ultimate goal of all research projects is publication and presentation. We encourage our students to publish, teach, and present. Students consult on projects with faculty or in internships. It should be emphasized that all students are involved in field/practicum projects as a required part of the program. Occasionally, students teach a course in the summer term (e.g., Organizational Psychology, Testing and Measurement). Selected students who are awarded the Psychology Department Teaching Fellowship teach Introductory Psychology, or another large class for the department.
Internship
Is an internship required to complete the program?
No. It is not required, although many students elect to take an internship in their graduate training.
Will the faculty assist a student in obtaining an internship?
Yes. The faculty has consistently provided local or national internship opportunities to the program.
What are some examples of organizations where students have worked as interns?
Students work for different sizes and types of companies including Sun Microsystems, IBM, and various consulting organizations such as DDI, PDI, and SHL (in Boulder).
Are there any other opportunities to work with local organizations?
Yes. In conjunction with the required skills course, students work with faculty on various practicum projects around the community. Recent examples include HP, Coors, New Belgium Brewery, Fort Collins Utility, Local 208, The City of Fort Collins Police Department, CH2M Hill Waste Management, Poudre Valley Hospital, and Colorado State University Human Resources.
Learning Climate
What are each faculty member's research interests?
The research interests of the faculty members affiliated with the I/O program at CSU are wide-ranging. Dr. Zinta Byrne's research interests include the examination of organizational justice, how perceptions are formed and the behavioral and attitudinal consequences of fairness, and the effects of technology on fairness perceptions. Dr. Peter Chen's diverse research interests include occupational health and safety, job stress, workplace aggression, individual assessment, training and development, performance appraisal and feedback. Dr. Alyssa Gibbons' research interests include the assessment center method, particularly in relation to job performance and development, the consistency of job performance and other behavior, and the nature of safety culture and climate within complex industries. Dr. Kurt Kraiger's research interests lie within training, organizational climate, and cross-cultural psychology. Dr. Lorann Stallones' (Director of the Colorado Injury Control Research Center), research interests include agricultural health and safety and rural/urban differences in injury patterns. For more information on faculty's current research projects, visit the faculty web site.
Do I/O faculty conduct research and engage in projects with faculty in other psychology sections or in other departments?
Yes! Students are encouraged to work with other faculty members.
What is the typical relationship between faculty members and students?
Faculty and students in the I/O program possess a unique collegial relationship. Faculty members often engage in discussions beyond I/O psychology, as well as attend social events with students. A weekly seminar, consisting of the faculty and 2nd and 3rd year students discussing a recently published journal article, demonstrates the mutual respect between the faculty and students. In essence, the I/O faculty at CSU provides the invaluable opportunity of informal mentoring to graduate students, in addition to formal teaching and advising. Students have an advisor but work closely with all I/O faculty.
How are students assigned to advisors?
Students are initially assigned a temporary advisor, usually one of the I/O program directors. Within the first few weeks of the students' first semester, the faculty members make short, informal presentations of their current research interests. By the end of the first month of the semester, after the students have held discussions with all members of the IO faculty, the students indicate their preferences for an advisor. The final assignment of an advisor is a result of a mutual agreement between the faculty member and student.
Can a student pursue a different research interest than his/her advisor?
It is not required that students pursue the same research interests as their advisor; however, a similarity between the two interests is beneficial for the advisor to provide optimal guidance. It is up to the advisor whether he/she is capable of and interested in advising a research topic outside of his/her primary area; therefore, students wishing to pursue interests different from their primary advisor should discuss the nature of the matter with their advisor.
Can a student change his/her advisor in the process of graduate study?
Often the research interests of students will evolve as they receive their graduate training. As students' interests may be better aligned with different faculty, it is perfectly fine, and in many cases beneficial, for them to change advisors. Sometimes, students may complete their Master’s degree under one advisor and change advisors for their Ph.D.
Can students work with other faculty members besides their advisors?
It is common for graduate students to work on both research and consulting projects with faculty members other than their primary advisor.
Are faculty members willing to share authorship with students on publications and special projects?
Faculty members are extremely generous when offering opportunities to work on publications and special projects. They recognize the invaluable experience of both of these activities during graduate training as well as appreciate the assistance that motivated students can provide. Authorship of publications is determined by rules advocated by the American Psychological Association.
Student Life
What is the typical age range of the students in the program?
Most students are between the ages of 21 and 35, although some are in their early 40's.
Can I know more about your graduate students?
Please visit our graduate student association (IOPAC) website ( http://lamar.colostate.edu/~iopac ) . This website has information about all our current graduate students, and how to contact them. You are welcome to contact any of the students to learn more about their research interests and perspectives on the program.
What are some of the regions and schools that students come from?
CSU students represent every region of the United States. Currently, there are students who moved to Colorado from New York, California, Florida, Montana, Wisconsin, Georgia, Idaho, and even as far away as Slovakia and Bulgaria. Students also come from a variety of different schools, including some of the top universities in the country as well as from smaller schools.
About how many new students enter into the program with a Master's Degree?
In the past few years the percentage of incoming students with Master's degrees has ranged from 0 to 50%.
What are some examples of students' research interests?
The students possess a variety of research interests, which strongly represent both industrial and organizational topics. Some examples include achievement motivation, organizational justice, conflict resolution, ethnic identity, workplace creativity, personality, performance appraisal, selection, etc. The graduate student website has detailed information about students' current research projects.
What is the climate of the program? Do the students work collaboratively or in isolation? Are the students encouraged to compete or cooperate?
Any graduate student will tell you that one of the most distinctive features of our program is the cooperative environment. Students are supportive of each other in completing courses and research. For course exams, students may hold study groups and lab meetings or "brown bags" to discuss research interests and results. Students also invite speakers from the I/O community to discuss research and consulting opportunities. In sum, the graduate students find it much more productive and rewarding to cooperate rather than compete. Faculty encourages students to collaborate.
Do the students spend time together outside of the classroom?
Yes, all students participate in a few events each semester such as the annual I/O banquet, picnics, and holiday celebrations. Students always get together to celebrate each other's achievements such as a thesis defense or completion of the written comprehensive exam. In addition, Ft. Collins and the surrounding area have much to offer groups of students who want to unwind from a stressful school week. For example, students will often go hiking, skiing, or barhopping together during the weekends.
What are the major predictors of whether a new student will fit in and like the program?
The students brainstormed about this question and came up with a few predictors (most of which are predictors of success in graduate school): achievement motivation, tolerance of ambiguity, stress management, and cooperation with fellow students and faculty members. Also, interests in research and the I/O field in general are also a good indication of overall motivation and success in the program.
After you have chosen to attend CSU
How can I find housing in Fort Collins?
Fortunately, housing is plentiful in Fort Collins, and there are several ways to choose your new home. The local newspaper, The Coloradoan (www.coloradoan.com ) has classified listings. Services such as Housing Helpers (www.housinghelpers.com ) and Roommate Shop (www.RoommateShop.com) can also be helpful. The Office of Off-Campus Student Services (http://www.sc.colostate.edu/ocss_ral/ ) has online rental listings as well as other helpful resources, like a worksheet for estimating the cost of living in Fort Collins, renters' resources, a budget workbook, etc. However, your best resource is current students, particularly if you are attempting to find a roommate. If you let one of us know now, we can send out an email to all of the current and incoming graduate students in the Psychology department to find potential roommates. Alternatively, if you are interested in a place but hate to commit without seeing it or knowing about the neighborhood, one of the current students is generally willing to drive through the area and let you know if it appears to be safe and desirable.
What should I be doing the summer before I begin classes at CSU?
Enjoy yourself! Read novels and lay in the grass. There will be plenty of time for learning and reading pertinent literature once you arrive at CSU.
When would I need to arrive in Colorado to begin the Fall semester?
You would need to arrive early enough to obtain all of the documentation required for residency (lease, driver's license, etc.) before classes officially begin. Because gathering this information will require some time, we suggest that students arrive in CSU three weeks to a month before the start of classes. However, coming to Colorado and obtaining the documents you will need to establish residency does not preclude you from returning to your state of departure for the remainder of the summer. For example, you could come to Colorado, register your car, register to vote, get a driver's license, sign a lease, etc., and then return home to pack, move, etc. You will certainly want to return at least two weeks before classes, though, in order to participate in various department and section orientations and the University Teacher's Assistant training. One other note: arriving early gives you time to acclimate to the higher altitude. Fort Collins is just under 5000 feet. Some folks experience headaches and fatigue for a week or two before fully acclimating.
When should I register for classes?
The only requirement is that you register before classes begin, which can easily be done though RAMweb (http://ramweb.colostate.edu ). RAMweb also contains useful information such as your current financial aid status and your unofficial transcript, so you will certainly want to establish this account. When you are accepted to the program, you will be assigned a temporary advisor until you choose your own advisor about a month into the Fall semester. The temporary advisor will tell you which classes you should be taking. Current students also have a good idea of what courses you can take and what constitutes a reasonable course load, so don't be afraid to approach them.
Will I have to become a Colorado resident to attend CSU?
No, you are not obligated to become a Colorado resident, but the consequences of not becoming a resident are severe. So, in practice the answer is yes. The general funding package includes out-of-state tuition for one year only. From your second year on, if you are not a resident, you will be responsible for the price difference between in-state and out-of-state graduate tuition.
How do I establish Colorado residency?
Establishing residency is something you should think about from the moment you cross the border into Colorado. As evidenced by the response above, becoming a Colorado resident is essential to your financial well-being. You will be responsible for gathering documentation that shows your intent to remain in Colorado permanently, including: a signed lease, a voter's registration card, vehicle registration, and a driver's license. (While it isn't required for residency, it is also suggested that obtain your student identification card in the Lory Student Center at the same time. This will assure your library privileges, access to the gymnasium and other facilities, and tickets to special events.) During your first year at CSU, you should also be sure to pay your State taxes for Colorado. The actual process to establish residency will then begin during your first Spring at CSU. The Financial Aid office will offer seminars on how to fill out the residency form, and you should determine early in the Spring semester which seminar you will attend. The last seminar dates are in April, and you are required to attend one of these sessions. You will be required to write an essay to prove your intent to remain in Colorado, and while you are certainly free to go following graduation, it is strongly suggested that you word your essay to suggest that you will remain in Colorado for life. Be sure to keep copies of all forms and documentation for your own records, and the residency packet has to be returned to the Financial Aid office before mid-summer, usually a date in late June. Submitting your documentation early will be to your advantage as residency requests are processed in the order in which they are received, and if your resident status is not approved by the beginning of the Fall semester, you will be responsible for the out-of-state portion of your tuition. This is a real threat, and we have seen this actually happen to students!!! Once again, current students can usually help you through this process.
Does CSU offer health insurance?
Yes, CSU does offer health insurance, but purchasing it is optional. The current cost for 2005-2006 is approximately $1600, including the summer. As a graduate student, you will receive $200 per semester as a bonus in your paycheck to cover health insurance. However, this amount does not have to be applied toward the CSU health insurance program or any other health insurance program. Even if you do not choose the CSU health insurance program, you still retain access to the Hartshorn Health Center, which offers medical services ranging from general practice to physical therapy at a very low cost. Procuring some type of health insurance is still strongly suggested, though, to cover more substantial accidents or injuries.
If I am coming in from a Master's program, what do I need to do to ensure that courses from that program count toward the CSU requirements?
Equivalency is easy to establish at CSU. Take your syllabus and other course materials to the graduate curriculum committee for their approval. some courses have waiver tests such as statistics. Your temporary advisor will let you know about these. If they feel the courses are sufficiently similar, they will sign a memo to that effect. These memos are simple, usually consisting of a sentence or two including the courses to be considered equivalent and where the previous course was completed.
What else do I need to know about getting started at CSU?
Isn't that enough??? Please feel free to call on any of the current graduate students for help with ANYTHING, or the program directors. Faculty e-mail addresses are on the faculty page, and graduate student email addresses are listed at http://lamar.colostate.edu/~iopac/students.htm. Also, once you arrive in town, please contact us so we can show you around and help you to settle in. Most of us love Fort Collins and relish an opportunity to get to show it off. We're also very anxious to get to know you!
After Graduation
Where are CSU alumni employed?
Examples of applied placements for CSU graduates include:
Bank of America
ePredix
CorVirtus
Personnel Decisions International (PDI)
Personnel Decisions Research Institute (PDRI)
Development Dimensions International
First Data Corporation
Dow Chemical
Hewlett-Packard Company
RHR International
Jeanneret & Associates
Home Depot
Academic positions are held by CSU graduates at Cornell University, St. Rose College, University of Pennsylvania, University of Oklahoma, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Georgia State University, Oklahoma State, Penn State, University of North Carolina - Charlotte, Kennesaw State University, University of North Texas, University of California - Irvine, Framingham State College, Monash University in Australia, Arizona State University, and Colorado State University, to name a few.
What typical positions are held?
Some titles and placements of our graduates include the following:
Director of Training and Education
Executive of Organizational Effectiveness
Management Consultant
President (of a company)
Principal
General Partner
Principal Scientist
Vice President and Managing Director
Senior Vice President
Vice President of Assessment Technology
Director, Human Resources Division
Director of Organization and Management
Associate Director, Corporate Research
Manager, Competency and Assessment
Vice President of Human Resources
Senior Research Scientist
Principle Consultant
Associate Consultant
Senior Consultant
Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor
Consultant
Do more students seek academic or non-academic jobs upon graduating?
About 20% go into internal consulting, 30% into external consulting, 25% into university faculty positions, 15% are working with the government, and 10% work in other I/O psychology positions.
City of Fort Collins
What is Fort Collins like?
For a broad overview of the town, see http://www.fcchamber.org/ or http://www.ci.fort-collins.co.us. Fort Collins has many amenities including top-notch restaurants, shopping, parks, and recreational facilities. It's also in close proximity to the Rocky Mountains, many national parks, and the major metropolitan area of Denver. Overall, residents enjoy a moderate, four season climate with an average of 300 days of sunshine and 14.5 inches of precipitation a year.
What is the size of the town?
The population of Fort Collins is about 126,000 people. There are about 25,000 people enrolled at Colorado State University, so a large portion of the town is comprised of college students and university faculty and staff.
What is the typical age range of the people in the town?
Fort Collins has an interesting mix of residents with diverse backgrounds. Being a college town, there are naturally many young people in their early twenties. However, Fort Collins has several large, high-tech organizations such as Hewlett-Packard and Agilent, which attract slightly older (mid 20's to 40's) residents and their families. Recently, Fort Collins was voted as one of the best places to retire, so we also have a fair number of retirees. Lastly, Fort Collins is also somewhat of a farming community and some residents still make their living this way. Overall, the average inhabitant of Fort Collins is young and well educated. Statistically, the median age of residents is 28.5, and approximately 42.7% of the population has completed four or more years of college.
What is the cost of living in Fort Collins?
The cost of living is slightly higher than the national average. For example, it's much cheaper to live here than Southern California or the East Coast. However, it's likely more expensive than the Midwest and parts of the south. To compare the cost of living in Fort Collins to where you live, check out http://www.homefair.com/homefair/calc/salcalc.html. Overall, the average rent in Fort Collins for a one-bedroom apartment is $600 and a two-bedroom is $700.
What do people in Fort Collins do for fun?
Outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, boating, biking, snow-shoeing, movies, and skiing, are major pastimes for Fort Collins residents. Some individuals enjoy bowling, skating, or rock-wall climbing. Ft. Collins also has several museums, theaters, and a historical old town shopping district. Additionally, the many local bars and pubs offer enjoyable evening entertainment.
What activities are available in the surrounding areas of Fort Collins?
Within a 15 minute-drive, there are many hiking, running, and mountain biking trails. Some of the most famous ski resorts (e.g., Aspen, Vail, Copper Mountain, Keystone, and Purgatory) are within short driving distances. For example, it is about a 2-3 hour drive to Vail and about 5 hours to Aspen and Purgatory from Fort Collins. Other ski resorts, such as Loveland and Arapahoe Basin (which are still great and usually less crowded), are about 1½ hours from Fort Collins. Also, within a 45-minute drive are Denver, Boulder, Estes Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Many activities, such as shopping, hiking, sightseeing, and (good!) eating, are available there. Even closer in proximity (about a 15-minute drive) is a large outlet mall in Loveland and a new upscale shopping park just opened.