University of Vermont Top Questions

More racial diversity would be a huge benefit here in Vermont. Politically conservative students would certainly feel out of place here, most students are from out of state, mostly from New England. Students tend to be politically aware, which is another factor that brought me to UVM. LIke any large public university there are many different types of students, political junkies, students completely immersed in the arts, theatre, students involved in music, activism, hipsters, hippies, as well as jocks and real goons. Greek life is minimal here, which is a great thing. Students are generally free to be who they wish, which is vital for discovering ones self.

For being a "liberal" school, the University doesn't exactly implicate any programs that would attract minority groups. As it stands, the diversity on campus is deplorable. As far as kinds of students, there are always the business majors who talk about earning seven figures, the environmentalists always worrying about their carbon footprints, english majors math majors pre med etc. etc. UVM does a great job of boasting a 35{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} in-state student body, even if 60{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the rest are from the other New England states and New York. In addition, I've found that most students are left of center, even if they don't know why.

Most students are from the east coast. There isn't much racial diversity, but people are generally very accepting and progressive thinking.

UVM students are generally INCREDIBLY incredibly accepting of diversity. Burlington has a pretty active LGBTQA community, and that is defiantly reflected in the school. UVM is very white. I was not only surprised by how few black people there are here, but indians and asians and hispanics as well. The students here are by no means raciest - they're very accepting of all races, but it is definitely a little weird how many white people there are here. Most UVMers are from the northeast - particularly Vermont plus the New York and Boston metro areas. There's a smattering of students from the Potomac area, and from the midwest. But don't expect many people from the south, southwest, or California (although they do exist). Kids at UVM don't talk about their socioeconomic situation. most students seem to be relatively affluent (everybody has nice, new snowboards/skis and equipment), but there are no super-rich assholes who let everybody know that their parents have money and status, like you'd expect at an ivy-league school.

I don't think that anyone really feels left out at UVM. Like I mentioned, there are so many people that a common-interest is nearly impossible not to be found with someone. As for attire, most wear business-professional to every class, except on casual fridays... yea, right. Really, getting up, rolling over in sweatpants (that say VERMONT on them of course) and throwing on a "University of Vermont" sweatshirt is absolutely normal... and so is wearing a polo with jeans, slacks, w/e. you name it, it's been worn... and we have the "Naked Bike Ride", so yes, the birthday suits have been worn. Surprisingly, (actually not so surprisingly if you follow the VT State Legislature) most students are from out of state. I remember the Provost citing something to the tune of 70{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} out-of-state and 30{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} in-state students for 2011 graduation. Overall, the ratio's about 60{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} out of state, 40{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} instate: mostly NE, but plenty from the mid-west and California and Oregon as well.

The most accepting student body you'll ever find

Most of the student body is from out of state, which makes UVM a unique state school. The New England states are highly represented, along with New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Colorado. There are plenty of rich kids that go to UVM, however, financial background is never discussed.