University of Vermont Top Questions

Other than intro level classes and courses with lots of kids required to take them. I find the academics to be challenging - involved, but definitely managable. I've had great experiences with my professors, other than one art teacher who is on a never ending ego trip. There is a lot to be learned from the the courses and the people you take them with at this school.

There are a lot of large classes freshman year, but I had some smaller ones as well. Overall I had the perfect mix of class sizes. Some classes were harder and others were easier, but overall the academics at UVM are pretty challenging. To be honest, I did not think the academics would be as challenging. You need to study hard, but it is not overwhelming.

UVM classes are not massive and even in the larger classes, the professors really try to engage you. Granted, some classes are not as integrated but for the most part the professors are helpful and want to get to know their students. I have found that the sociology classes have been so engrossing and entertaining that I actually don't want to miss a class. I loved Professor Sarah Turner, her classes are fabulous, really thought provoking and engaging. Professor Kathy Fox is fantastic in the sociology department as well. I would stay away from Professor Dan Baker in the CDAE department, he is rather pretentious and uses his TA's to do all of his work. I mean ALL of his work. It's absurd.

Academics are fantastic at this University. My professors have been quite personable, perhaps because I am an Anthropology and Studio Art major. I have had conversations outside of class with them. The Art History department terrifies me yet presents a challenge for memorization. At this school, you have the kids who barely get by, the kids who sort of seem to care, and then the over achievers who sometimes lack social skills or any knowledge of what they're talking about. You may sometimes come across informed induviduals with reovlutionary opinions. Education at UVM is geared towards learning, unless you're in the buisiness school.

Apart from the gigantic classes in the introductory science classes, such as geology, biology, and chemistry, my experience with my professors has been quite positive. There does seem to be an awful lot of turnover with professors. One of my favorite profs was recently "un-hired" (not invited back for next year) and the way the administration did that was really awful--she didn't find out until she was checking her course schedule for next fall and saw that there were no classes for her to teach. On the plus side, I have gotten to know several professors from classes that have been truly exceptional--like Environmental History, which has totally changed the way I look at environmentalism, and Geography of the Modern Middle East. I love class discussion and participate all the time. I often feel like I'm the only one who feels this way. I usually lead the way in class discussions. Sometimes people follow, sometimes it fizzles.

THe classes are great, the profs are really dynamic. You always have the opportunity to go to office hours, and if you make that small step to show the professor that you really are interested, it will pay off hugely. If you get to know a professor early on in your four years, they can be a great advocate for you, and you will end up hanging out with them outside of class. It is not competitive, students show off thier smarts in more laid back ways that grade competitions. People definately have intellectual conversations outside of class, but it is because they are interested in the material that they are learning, not because they are showing off to freshman girls- although obviously that happens too, I could name a few Nikon-toting culprits- and that leads us to the indie-hipster scene. Pretty causal for a hipster scene as those go, so don't be intimidated by the people chainsmoking marlborough reds and american spirits outside the bar, they recycle too.

Academics here are great. All my teachers know my name, including my lecture professors. Don't take Geography 60, avoid it at all costs. Students are competitive.

Most professors are nice...some are straigh-out boring. Business classes are allright until you get to higher levels where you get to learn what you actually want to know. I find it to be the best time in class because I'm awake and interested. There is a lot of participation in most classes but it's great for discussions. Studying is a must for all classes (unless you're an english major ha ha) and it can be tough especially in final exam time.

Professors do know your name most of the time. I'm a business school student, so our class sizes tend to be smaller than, say a psychology class. UVM students tend not to engage in intellectual conversations outside of class. It is common, however, to spend time with professors outside of class. I've found the business professors to be very accessible. UVM's academic requirements are solid. By that I mean that they encourage a very broad learning experience and build a solid base, especially for students coming in undecided. I'd say, however, that the overall education is geared more toward learning for its own sake than toward getting a job. Then again, I think it's appropriate for individuals to figure that out on their own.

The academic scene at UVM are pretty ideal. The basic idea is simple: If you want to be challenged and work hard, do. If you want to slack off and sit in the back of the classroom, do. Although both approaches will get you through school, the more interested you are, the more you will get out of it. If the class is below forty people and your professor isn't a space case (not many have been in my experience), and you participate your teacher will know who you are by the end of the semester. Most professors are very approachable and have office hours, which few people attend. Since few people attend them, it is a good way to gain brownie points by visiting and picking their brains.

I'm in the school of agriculture, and my department is really into serving the community outside of the classroom. My classes had me working with a local non-profit for over a year, and now I'm going to working there as an employee. This service-learning aspect of UVM's curriculum changed everything for me; now I know what I want to accomplish and what will be fulfilling when I enter the workplace after graduation.

The professors are amazing at UVM. If you aren't in a huge lecture class, they will get to know your name, but sometimes they do anyways. They are really approachable and I personally love to go to their office hours because then you can really get to know them as a person. Students are not competitive here, so you won't have anyone reading over your shoulder to see what grades you get, but it can sometimes be annoying because there are a few people who get mad about others scoring well and "ruining the curve for the rest of [them]." There are classes focused on learning for its own sake, but also there are programs like the business school which are excellent at preparing students for jobs. Professors and advisers will do everything they can to help which is great.

I love my classes here. Most favorite has been my polisci class where my professor rants freely about current issues with our government and the lazy kids in his intro class that don't do work. Least favorite class is my race and ethnicity class. UVM has this ridiculous race and ethnicity requirement that everyone must fulfill. Basically, our school is almost completely white, yet we carry on with this attitude of 'we are so diverse it is great!' To make us feel even better about ourselves, we all take a class on racism. Basically, it is 150 white students, 2 minority students, and a white professor from rural Vermont that discuss white privilege and racism and so on....just to make us feel like we are diverse.

The professors are very friendly and personable. They take their jobs seriously and go out of their way to help students.

If you have to take organic Chemistry take it with Sandy!! Generally the teachers are great and even in big lectures you have the opportunity to become close with your professors.

Academically UVM is a great learning experience. At UVM professors, believe it or not, are actually here to help you succeed. Professors do their very best to remember all the names of their students, whether it is a lecture hall or a small classroom, just to ensure a more personal setting for their students. They give office hours is questions arise, SI sessions which is an extra study group, as well as the opportunity to have a separate private meeting if need be. The idea is to ensure as much academic support so that each and every student has the ability to progress, learn and eventually succeed.

Our teachers are great, depending on who you get. Students are encouraged to participate in class and form relationships with teachers. Its gotten fairly difficult to get into UVM, which only means the degree means more.

Most classes here are pretty intimate. However there are some pretty large lectures. I go from sitting in a 20 person class to a 200 person lecture each day. But in most cases you will only have one large lecture if any. Except for the large lectures all of my teacher know my name. Class participation is very common. In my spanish class I spoke alot more then my professor did. Students are not competative with eachother at all. It is very common to stumble across study group and debates. As an engineer i have a very rigerous schedule but I think it's definatley do-able. The requirements are pretty set in stone so you can't get around required course you don't want to take. But it's almost too easy to get any kind of help you need from teachers , assistants or other students.

Academics are good if you are in the right department. Business, Med-School, Environmental are all very very good. The other departments it just seems the school doesn't care about. little funding, inadequate staff and shitty courses, unless your in one of their "main" majors. As for coming undecided there is little choice of good majors and transferring between college is a drag and you lose a lot of requirements and often a lot of time.

The professors are the best part of UVM. For the most part they are extremely helpful and dedicated individuals. They will do their best to make sure you succeed. I had a class lwith over 150 students in it last semester, and the professor says "hello" to me when I pass her on the street.