Applying for FSI
Who can apply to FSI?
Applicants should:
- have a strong desire to challenge themselves and engage in STEM investigations
- have a high level of self-discipline, dependability, and social maturity
- be currently in high school grades 9-11
*Applications from women, differently gendered people, people of color, indigenous people, queer (LGBT+) community members, people with disabilities, and those residing in rural communities are strongly encouraged to apply!
Please read the FSI Expectations & FAQs before applying!
Ready to apply?
Please see the information below about the application and timelines!
The application will ask you to describe your extracurricular activities and summer experiences, share how you contribute to your community, explain your interest in STEM and a STEM career, and outline why you want to attend FSI and how you hope to grow as a result of the experience.
Before starting the application, please gather all required information (including student and parent/guardian information, school information, and family income information) and be prepared to answer the application essay questions.
The application includes the following questions:
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- Why would you like to attend FSI? What do you hope to learn or gain from being part of the program and living with other students in the FSI cohort? Please write a complete response within 350–500 words. You can think about personal growth, friendships, new skills, or experiences you hope to have. Examples: Maybe you want to meet other students who love science, try living on a college campus, or challenge yourself in new ways.
- What interests you about science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM)? How do
you imagine STEM being part of your future? Please write a complete response within
350–500 words. You don’t have to have it all figured out — just share what excites you or what
experiences have sparked your curiosity.
Examples: Maybe you enjoy building things, solving problems, coding, caring for the environment, exploring space, helping people through medicine, or just love asking big questions.
- What activities have you been involved in outside of your regular school classes in the past three years? Please write a complete response within 150-300 words. These can include clubs, sports, music, art, hobbies, jobs, summer programs, family responsibilities, or anything else you spend time on that’s important to you. Examples: band, robotics club, science fair, babysitting, caring for relatives, working at a store or farm, playing sports, church activities, coding, reading, drawing, or helping with community events.
- What activities have you been involved in outside of your regular school classes in the past three years? Please write a complete response within 150-300 words. These can include clubs, sports, music, art, hobbies, jobs, summer programs, family responsibilities, or anything else you spend time on that’s important to you. Examples: band, robotics club, science fair, babysitting, caring for relatives, working at a store or farm, playing sports, church activities, coding, reading, drawing, or helping with community events.
Application Essay Instructions
We want to get to know you! The application essay questions are your chance to tell us about your interests, experiences, and goals.
Please answer each question fully so we can get the best picture of who you are.
- Length: Each question has a suggested word range. Please note the minimum for each question, and do not exceed 500 words. Shorter answers may not give us enough information, so be sure to explain your experiences fully.
- Clarity and grammar: Please do your best to write in full, complete sentences and check your spelling. We’re not expecting perfection, but clear, well-written answers help us understand you better. We also encourage you to be professional but also authentic — use your own voice! Everyone’s writing style is different, and we value all voices and experiences.
- Give examples: Whenever possible, explain your experiences with specific examples from your life — school, family, community, hobbies, jobs, or other activities. Examples help bring your answers to life.
- All experiences matter: Everyone’s path looks different and not every student has had the same opportunities. We value all kinds of experiences, whether that’s formal programs like clubs or camps, or responsibilities like working a job, helping family, supporting your community, or any ways you’ve contributed to your community or grown as a person.
You can type directly into the box or copy and paste from another text editor (like Word or Google Docs).
Additionally, be sure to have this following information ready:
- Student contact information
- Parent/guardian contact information
- School information, grade, and GPA
- College and career goals/aspirations
- Demographic information (including family income information)
Plagiarism & Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy*
When submitting your application please keep in mind it is expected that written material is your original work, and is not plagiarized or intentionally misrepresents your own original work (such as using AI):
- Plagiarism: application materials should not include thoughts, ideas, experiences, or writing directly from others - expected to be written and created by you, the applicant.
- AI Use: AI platforms, such Large Language Models (LLMs), like Chat GPT and others, can be helpful tools - expected that materials submitted as part of your application must be your work, not written by artificial intelligence.
*It will be up to the FSI Application Review Committee to determine plagiarism and AI use in application materials.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, please reach out to FSI.admin@unco.edu
Application Timeline
- October 1, 2025: Application Available
- February 1, 2026: Priority Application Deadline
- February 2026: Notice of Priority Acceptance or Waitlist
- March 1, 2026: Priority Acceptance Decision from Student & Registration Fee Due
- February 15, 2026: Final Application Deadline
- March 2026: Notice of Acceptance or Waitlist
- March 15, 2025: Acceptance Decision from Student & Registration Fee Due
