The University of Vermont

UVM is a big school with like 10,000 undergrads. If you want to party, smoke weed and snowboard for four (plus) years, then you can. There are all different types of students at this school, and naturally there will be students of that nature here because it's college, and...Vermont. That shouldn't be a surprise to any incoming students. But I've also met some of the most interesting people I've ever encountered in my life here, and if you want a good academic and social experience then you will most certainly get one. Again, UVM won't spoon-feed anything to you because it's not a small school. Yes, you will have to go out of your way to get to know most of your professors, and you may have to go out of your way to find your niche socially (I know I did), it's all part of growing as a person and becoming more independent.

The school has over 100 majors so you probably won't have trouble finding one, and its a great place to go if you want to study the liberal arts, pre-med, env. studies or the life sciences. I was a double-major in economics and anthropology in the CAS, while being undecided for the first year and a half of being there. The classes are for the most part big during the first two years (like 80-250 students), and then they usually shrink dramatically later on, although it will depend on what you study.

The social life really is what you make of it. UVM is known to be a party school, and if you want it to be then it most certainly can be. Most students go to parties in off-campus apartments or in frats, although it's pretty easy to sneak in a small dorm party, since, even though the school is technically dry, the RAs don't really care, at least in my experience. On the contrary, there are more than enough students (if not the majority) who want nothing to do with partying, and enjoy staying in their dorms, studying in the library, or going downtown. I know lots of kids studying engineering and the hard sciences who don't party, simply because they can't.

Oh, and speaking of downtown, the school is definitely in a fun location. Burlington is a fun little city with some great shopping, eating, and entertainment. If you're bored here, it's your own fault. The outdoors are right nearby with some awesome ski areas (a lot of students get discounted ski passes at places like Jay, Stowe, etc) and it's a fun and popular activity to do on the weekends, although, again, there are plenty here who want nothing to do with skiing. Transportation is excellent. CCTA busses can take UVM students anywhere in the greater Burlington area for free, and the UVM campus bus goes everywhere on campus and sometimes runs as late as 3 am.

Oh and some cons- it's super expensive. I know lots of kids who are working two jobs to stay here, and it's certainly overpriced, no doubt about it. They keep raising the tuition price to, which is absurd. Everything here is also ridiculously overpriced, particularly the food, which you will get sick of quickly (it gave me diarhea). You may also get bored during the winter when it's too cold to do anything fun. Also, while there are lots of clubs, its hard to get involved in them. Diversity could also be a tad better, at least 85% of kids here are white. Most are from the Northeast, although I've met kids from all corners of the country.

Anyways, I think UVM is a great place to go if you want a good overall college experience. It's the perfect size, being big enough to feel like a university, but small enough to not feel like you're in a black hole. It's in a great location, being in a great town in a beautiful region. And it's pretty nice campus with some interesting, open-minded people. UVM has a lot of artsy/hipster people along with the stereotypical students, and everything in between. It's not for everyone, you definitely need to be open-minded to like it here, and the stereotypes are certainly true to an extent, but if you can fit this mold then I suggest considering it.

Hope that helped!