Why is Uvm much more popular than unh, umass, uri, uconn, or umaine?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s the new Pitt.

Minnesota is the new Pitt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it 100% a Burlington thing?

Hmm. A little research would show that as long been considered a bit better school, in terms of faculty, programs, resources, and students.

[Anonymous]

I don't understand why it's called UVM and not UVT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why it's called UVM and not UVT.

LMGTFY
Established as the fifth college in New England (after Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth and Brown). The initials UVM stand for the Latin words Universitas Viridis Montis, or University of the Green Mountains.

[Anonymous]

UVM long had a somewhat better ‘reputation’ (ie one of the original ‘public Ivies,’ etc) than the other New England flagships which were overshadowed by better know private institutions in those states.

UVM is in a uniquely pleasant setting. The urban charms of Burlington combined with easy access to skiing make its location stand out in a way other NE flagships don’t. And the key buildings of the campus have a 19th century collegiate feel, not a lot of postwar concrete.

UVM administrators have long sought a significant OOS contingent to offset costs for instate VT students. The other New England state flagships were much more local until recently when decline in the instate college age population prompted them to start competing more actively for OOS students too.

Because UVM isn’t cheap for OOS students, and because skiing tends to attract the well heeled, UVM has tended to attract more wealthy and UMC students than other NE state flagships, which in turn amplified its reputation.

Actually, nowadays I think UVM stands out (relative to its peers) less than it did say a generation ago, as U Conn and U Mass in particular have upped their game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ski bum preppy vibe.

Though is it really more popular than UConn?

I thought it had more of a “hippy crunchy” vibe. I’ve never visited, but kinda thought that was the thing. Got some literature in mail from them and the campus looked beautiful, of course shown in fall weather.

[Anonymous]

UNH is very expensive for what it offers.

[Anonymous]

UVM used to be the best public school in NE. It's fallen quite a bit but I think that reputation hangs on alot. Burlington is a great town, its a nice size etc. Probably feels a little more exotic and "away" than Storrs and Kingston.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ski bum preppy vibe.

Though is it really more popular than UConn?

I thought it had more of a “hippy crunchy” vibe. I’ve never visited, but kinda thought that was the thing. Got some literature in mail from them and the campus looked beautiful, of course shown in fall weather.

My DD thought she was a hippy/earthy type until we visited UVM. On a scale of 10, she was about a 3 and everyone else was a 10. She jokes now that she was DMV Hippy! She loved the school - tour was really well done, quite a few buildings were brand new. Did not apply in the end since it was too cold for her. It hit 50 in April during our visit and everyone was wearing shorts and tank tops acting like it was summer. She did not take that as a good sign!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UVM long had a somewhat better ‘reputation’ (ie one of the original ‘public Ivies,’ etc) than the other New England flagships which were overshadowed by better know private institutions in those states.

UVM is in a uniquely pleasant setting. The urban charms of Burlington combined with easy access to skiing make its location stand out in a way other NE flagships don’t. And the key buildings of the campus have a 19th century collegiate feel, not a lot of postwar concrete.

UVM administrators have long sought a significant OOS contingent to offset costs for instate VT students. The other New England state flagships were much more local until recently when decline in the instate college age population prompted them to start competing more actively for OOS students too.

Because UVM isn’t cheap for OOS students, and because skiing tends to attract the well heeled, UVM has tended to attract more wealthy and UMC students than other NE state flagships, which in turn amplified its reputation.

Actually, nowadays I think UVM stands out (relative to its peers) less than it did say a generation ago, as U Conn and U Mass in particular have upped their game.

UMass is in a great setting with easy access to other higher institutions, but that campus screams 1950s/60s concrete construction. There are only a handful - or less - lovely old buildings on campus but surrounded by the concrete. That said, if I lived instate and that was my only option, it would be fine.

[Anonymous]

Just some perspective in case it helps, My son is a sophomore there now and not into the skiing thing at all, but the merit aid was the strongest he received and he doesn’t mind the cold so he went for it. He’s not a super social kid and has not yet found his people so that’s been disappointing since all the brochures and stuff made it seem like there was a group for everyone. Also the housing is required for first 2 years, then not offered at all after that which made us scramble for the little housing they had left in Burlington. Dorms not great, unless you choose the Honors College housing, and food is not the bomb either and is a requirement if you live on campus. Also you have to choose your major right away because they don’t encourage you to be undecided.

[Anonymous]

Burlington is a gorgeous setting for the University - the vibe is cool and hip and UVM has a very cool and eclectic fashion and food scene as some have said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just some perspective in case it helps, My son is a sophomore there now and not into the skiing thing at all, but the merit aid was the strongest he received and he doesn’t mind the cold so he went for it. He’s not a super social kid and has not yet found his people so that’s been disappointing since all the brochures and stuff made it seem like there was a group for everyone. Also the housing is required for first 2 years, then not offered at all after that which made us scramble for the little housing they had left in Burlington. Dorms not great, unless you choose the Honors College housing, and food is not the bomb either and is a requirement if you live on campus. Also you have to choose your major right away because they don’t encourage you to be undecided.

This is a helpful post. Fortunately both my DCs are at schools where on campus housing is available all four years, including some residential houses for the last two years. One of my siblings attended Michigan and needing to find off campus housing for junior/senior year was very stressful. We were working class and the financial aid packages at that time did not take off campus housing into account when determining aid. They ended up finding spots in group houses both years, but that was the only way they could make it work as there was no money for first/last month rent, security, etc.

PP, GL to your DS. Hope the remaining time picks up and he is able to find his people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UVM long had a somewhat better ‘reputation’ (ie one of the original ‘public Ivies,’ etc) than the other New England flagships which were overshadowed by better know private institutions in those states.

UVM is in a uniquely pleasant setting. The urban charms of Burlington combined with easy access to skiing make its location stand out in a way other NE flagships don’t. And the key buildings of the campus have a 19th century collegiate feel, not a lot of postwar concrete.

UVM administrators have long sought a significant OOS contingent to offset costs for instate VT students. The other New England state flagships were much more local until recently when decline in the instate college age population prompted them to start competing more actively for OOS students too.

Because UVM isn’t cheap for OOS students, and because skiing tends to attract the well heeled, UVM has tended to attract more wealthy and UMC students than other NE state flagships, which in turn amplified its reputation.

Actually, nowadays I think UVM stands out (relative to its peers) less than it did say a generation ago, as U Conn and U Mass in particular have upped their game.

UVM is a great school and beautiful campus but it has never even come close to UConn in the rankings. Not sure where you are getting that information.

[Anonymous]

Actually, nowadays I think UVM stands out (relative to its peers) less than it did say a generation ago, as U Conn and U Mass in particular have upped their game.

UVM is a great school and beautiful campus but it has never even come close to UConn in the rankings. Not sure where you are getting that information.

USNWR has UVM at #121 and UConn and UMass Amherst tied at #67 but I'm not sure how much we should care about that. Once you're out of the top 30 or top 50, does it really matter?