University of Vermont
Reviews

Greek Life

Greek life is interesting at uvm. Even though it is so small it still seems to dominate the party scene. Everyone asks me to take them with me to a frat party on the weekends etc

Transportation

Buses to and from college street. Can see where it is on your phone.

Very Wide Range of Classes and Interdisciplinary

You can take almost any class at UVM and have it count towards the Environmental Studies major. The ENVS advisors and program directors are incredibly helpful and always make themselves available. ENVS classes typically have many guest lectures that feature great professors and their experiences/specialties that relate to the class. Also, there are 6 different concentrations you can branch off into, including ecology and conservation, environmental policy, health, sustainability, etc.

However, I am in the Rubenstein School and there are a few super annoying general education requirements (3 credits in each: speech, math, statistics, writing, and "race and culture in natural resources" (aka the worst class ever)). BUT don't let this make you hate the Rubenstein School! It is kind of like a cult; everyone knows other Rubensteiners and since it's the smallest school on campus, it offers great barbeques, picnics, and muffin breakfast days!!

Convinient to Have Your Own Computer, but Not Necessary.

There are a lot of computer stations around campus, and a lot of computers available in the library with access to a printer (you do have to pay to print). I would say it's more convenient to have your own computer, but not completely necessary. There is a secure connection to wireless on campus that you need your user name and password for. It is very reliable.

Not Very Strict on Partying

Being in Vermont, there are a lot of students that participate in drug and alcohol use. Many consider us "hippies" here at UVM. I don't live on campus, so I don't know too much about the policies about this kind of thing, but I do know that a lot of partying goes on and I hardly ever hear of anyone getting caught.

Girls and Guys

The girls on campus are all super nice and easy to get along with. The guys seem very athletic and Greek life oriented in my opinion. Good mix of personalities between both sexes.

Getting Involved at Groovy UV.

There's so much to do here, there's never a dull moment. As long as you apply yourself, and seek out the things that interest you the most, whether it's an organization you've always longed to be a part of or you're itching to start you own club, you can and with a few friends it's possible to make that dream come alive. School spirit here, is a major part of the extra curricular scene, and our mascot, Rally the Cat, is the best. Meow. The athletic facilities are splendid, and there's always something happening, whether it's a dance class, or students climbing the rock wall, it's all there and free for students, and staff to use at their leisure. It's a busy time no matter the season at the Univ. of Vermont.

It's Your Education

What drew me to the University of Vermont was it's fantastic and well known environmental program at the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. The education you get out of UVM is a reflection of what you put into it. Professors and extra help are always available for students with needs or who just have questions or want guidance. There are countless courses to choose from in a large number of subject areas. Class sizes vary as does workload, which depends on the number of credits a student chooses to take on.

Drunk Bus

Transportation is great. The buses are always running, even with the snow. There's our campus bus and the local bus. Then on weekends our off-campus bus runs until 3 or 4 am and it's wonderful. The security guards are hilarious. They just screw with all the drunk kids. But the bus smells in those hours.

No Rules

The campus says it's strict but it's not. If you get caught smoking weed you write a 4 paragraph essay about why it was wrong. And if you're caught in a dorm with alcohol you get the same thing or just a talk and a slap on the wrist. If you get caught by the police you get a $150 ticket or if you're really drunk they bring you to detox for the night and that's it. It doesn't really deter students from drinking and doing drugs.

Very Cold

It's generally cold here, but the on-campus bus is very reliable and convenient. There is a normal amount of rain and snow, though in the winter it snows more, since it's Vermont. Once you get used to the cold weather it is not so bad.

Muchas Drugas

So here's the thing- there is a ton of pot (given, it is vermont and COLLEGE)

Every college has drugs.. get used to it.

While many people here drink alcohol and smoke weed (on the occasion, you find someone sipping acid or cocaine) however there are also kids who do not participate and there is no pressure.

Avoid These

Parties are mainly all downtown; there are very few on campus parties. They're usually in crowded loud basements with a million people. Many are hosted by theme houses, such as the lacrosse house, Frisbee house, etc. Some are frats. But both sorts of parties are very sketchy.

Pretty Good Looking Hippies

In all honesty, UVM has a pretty predictable type of people: hippies. This is absolutely not meant in a negative way. Everyone here loves the environment, being outdoors, and just generally being kind and open to everyone. There is a large LGBQT population here, but there are plenty of straight people as well. Most people are variants of hippie, with a little more modern flare, more skater, or sometimes even more hippie. We've got a pretty good looking crowd of students up here too, I must admit. All these hippies are pretty easy on the eyes and have the personalities to match.

No Where Else Can Hold a Candle...

Burlington is by far the greatest little city. It is the ultimate college town and there is always something to do.

Mild Winter

I have only been on campus for one winter and apparently it was a very mild one. I am originally from CA so the weather felt a bit more chilly to me than everyone else. But the snow was fun and not too cold, except that one -13 degree day. BRRRR

UVM's Academics Are Underrated

As a science major and member of UVM's Honors College, I have found many UVM courses to be academically stimulating. Most professors are truly passionate about the material they teach and are willing to share their wealth of knowledge with students. From chemistry to political science, UVM is host to some brilliant, experienced professors who are very well-regarded in their fields.

Night Life

Horrible, There is one club that is very sketchy and gross. All parties you have to pay to be squished into a crowded crappy house.

Greek Life

Greek life on campus is only three percent of the campus population which is about 11,000. Greek life is there if that is what you want to do but it is not an overpowering social scene that you get pressured into. Non-Greeks are viewed the same as Greeks because there is so few Greeks on campus it really has no affect. Greek housing is a a mile away from campus and the housing is offered in apartment style or house style.

Burlington,Vt

Burlington is a small town that offers attractions, shopping,and cultured events that a large town does. It is the true meaning of a New England town. All of the members of the town are friendly to UVM students. Ten minutes away from school is Lake Champlain which offers cruises, ferries, and scuba diving at historical underwater sites. Church Street is known for the shops and appetizing restuarants. Community events are an event that happen almost daily. There is a plethora of bike shops, ski shops, and sport stores that offer more than one sport items. Since the location skiing, snowboarding, and cycling is a very popular sport that almost everybody participates. The University of Vermont is in a great location for college students due to the amount of events to go to and places to see.

Bring clothes for all types of...

Bring clothes for all types of weather because there will be the entire spectrum throughout the year. But it is beautiful in Vermont.

The weather is pretty much cold at...

The weather is pretty much cold at UVM. We're on top of a lake, so it's always windy. During the fall it stays pretty warm, for the most part, then come November or December, you need lots and lots of layers and a warm coat, hat, and gloves. In the early spring, everyone needs a raincoat and boots because not only does it rain, but when everything melts, it all runs down hill, hits a flat area, and stays there for weeks. Eventually, though, it does get warm and nice around April.

After sophomore year, it's pretty...

After sophomore year, it's pretty easy to get housing—but it's expensive. Burlington is one of the most expensive places to rent. However, it is much better than living in a dorm, especially if you lived in the smaller closet-like dorms on campus.

The weather from September to...

The weather from September to early November is great—you will be able to get by with sweatshirts and light coats. By the end of November to mid-January, you will consistently need a coat on when you go out. But, after that, Burlington becomes almost unbearable. You will see week-long stretches where it's about zero degrees, and then you will have a stretch of about 20 degrees. Some years are better than others, but, for the most part, from late December until the end of February, be prepared to be heavily dressed and still freezing your butt off.

Public transportation is very...

Public transportation is very convenient—there are plenty of free Burlington City buses. Every night weeknight from 7 until midnight and every weekend from 7 p.m. until 3 a.m., they run off-campus buses, which make frequent stops downtown before driving back to campus to pick up and drop off kids.