University of Vermont — Attraction in Burlington

I applied to UVM (and was accepted), as it was one of two larger, state universities I applied to when I was exploring where to go to college. The other was SUNY Purchase down in Westchester, NY, since I was a resident of both NY and VT.

Ultimately, I ended up choosing Hampshire College in Amherst, MA, BUT I did like UVM: the campus itself is pretty and Burlington is a cool, large college town (I have a hard time considering it a "city" being from NYC), and I think the Lake Champlain area is one of the prettiest parts of Vermont. I also ❤️ Montreal, and the ⛷️at Mont Tremblant & Mont Orford is EXCEPTIONAL, and UVM is close to all that.

I toured the UVM campus, had an admissions interview, spent a weekend there, and sat in on a couple of Friday and Monday classes, which I REALLY enjoyed. UVM's academics seemed fairly solid, and overall I felt at home on the campus.

My only reason for not choosing UVM was because ultimately, I wanted a small, private liberal arts college campus, rather than a larger public university. I also wanted to be part of Theater and Film programs where the work was more original, student-driven and had less emphasis on faculty directed and produced shows (which was not the case with the UVM mainstage season and Hampshire's Theater & Film programs were MUCH MORE completely interdisciplinary and student driven) because there is a MAJOR difference.

UVM's Royal Tyler Theater facilities are very nice, but they aren't world-class like the UMass/Amherst Fine Arts Center for example. However, I actually ended up with both experiences anyway in part, because I took classes, used campus resources, did auditions etc...at UMass/Amherst while I was attending Hampshire. UVM has a MUCH prettier campus than UMass, but, I think overall, UMass/Amherst is a more well-renowned university than UVM is, comparatively speaking. Certainly it's reputation is better in the areas of research.

Overall, the Five Colleges gave me more the undergraduate experience I actually wanted (and it was closer to NYC & Boston which helped my creative work) to have. I will say this however: the ⛷️ in northern Vermont/upstate NY close to UVM (Whiteface, Gore, Jay, Stowe, Smugglers Notch, Bolton Valley & Mad River Glen) is FAR better than the ⛷️ that was closer to Hampshire in southern Vermont (Haystack, Mt. Snow & Stratton) and in the Catskills & Berkshires; but I made do because it was my top college choice. However, the attractive proposition of being part of UVM's prestigious Alpine Downhill Ski Racing Team was NOT lost on me, and had I chosen to attend UVM, I certainly would have been a part of the UVM ⛷️ team, NO DOUBT about it.

However, that is hardly a significant reason SOLELY to choose a college or university. I ended up racing during college by founding/coaching Hampshire's first Downhill Ski Team anyway while attending college there.

We'd regularly compete against UVM, UNH, UMass/Amherst, Amherst, New England College, Yale, Dartmouth & Middlebury fairly regularly throughout the downhill...

The University of Vermont is the heart of Burlington. This is a young town, geared to college age people who patronize the numerous craft beer houses, eateries and shops. At sunset crowds gather on the shoreline in town to watch the sun set over Lake Champlain and the mountains beyond. It was lovely, here. The tulips, daffodils and fields of dandelion added swatches of color to the verdant spring landscape. We stayed in South Burlington and explored the area with plenty of hiking, biking and climbing on short drives from a central location. There are shoreline trails, hikes in the Green Mountains, the 600 ft Mt Philo with dramatic views overlooking Lake Champlain. A brilliant victory for the American Navy took place, here, in the Battle of 1812. We also traveled to Smugglers Notch taking short steep hikes along waterfalls. The mountains still had snow on the ground in hollows and on ski slopes. The Von Trapp Mountain House Resort has dramatic views and plenty of hiking on trails also used for cross country skiing.This whole area is a magical place. The mountain air is crisp, breezes are fresh. Picturesque scenery surprises at every turn. Too much to describe. We did not...

Cons: Votey, the engineering building, has not been updated in 40 years. No sprinklers in classrooms or labs, only hallways. Most if not all of the lab equipment given to students to use is either broken or faulty. University seems only interested in its students financially; everything that you can conceivably be charged for you will be. Food quality is absolutely dreadful, and the prices for the points plans are incredibly over-inflated. Meal plan is a required purchase if living on-campus. Campus code of conduct, and by extension the resident adviser system, is bloated and reaches too far for comfort.

Pros: Decent professors. Good opportunities to gain professional experience through the senior design program. Pleasant campus. Diversity of majors. Safe campus. Good living spaces if you get the right dorms. Gym is excellent and well maintained. Burlington bus system (CCTA) is excellent and students get free passage.

Overall I would not say that this university was worth the money, but if I was an in-state student then I might...