Jim
Its a good sized school, as with any college, you get back what you put into it. Burlington is a great town, with a ton of stuff to do. All the activism on campus can get a little old, especially when its a few people making a big deal out of something no one really cares about. The administration is OK, but they focus more on bettering UVM's reputation than on the quality of life for current students
heather
The best thing about UVM is community: everyone is friendly and willing to meet new people. There are so many opportunities to meet your neighbor on campus and interact with all different sorts by becoming actively involved on campus!
One thing I'd change is our schools president FOGEL! His "vision" is to be the university with the most construction occuring, which it is, although the typical students from out-of-state is paying 32,000 a year to go to this school and would rather know their tuition is being spent on better ideas. We don't need more buildings! We just spent over 30 millions dollars on the DAVIS CENTER which is the new student center and is ridiculous! We had a perfectly capable student center that can handle the student capacity of UVM, but Fogel had to go waste peoples tax $ and student tuition on that, it's LEED certified with a silver standing.
Most of my time on campus is in the library or on the green if its a nice day!
The biggest recent controversy on campus was SLAP's (student labor action project) tent city on the green, they refused to leave and so got booted by the police! Before that it was the death of Michelle Gardner Quinn.
Grace
I love UVM. Groovy UV! It is so much fun there, and I met the most amazing people there. There is so much to do around Burlington too. Church Street has so much many nice spots to eat and shop and just hang out. It's a great college town. It's a busy little city, but it's not too crazy. Like I said the people, students and faculty are all so nice here. Everyone is so chill, but pretty much everyone is pretty serious about their studies too. We do know how to have fun ; )
Blake
The best thing is that there are a lot of great classes, I felt like I got a strong educational base. The whole college scene got very old by the end. There is not a lot of diversity (in any sort of the meaning not just racially or ethnically) which was frustrating. The adminstration isn't bad, but some of the services on the campus could be run much better. Living on campus was better then most other schools I believe, although living downtown is much better in my opinion.
Erica
UVM is a beautiful school, with an amazing staff and a great student population. The school when I first entered was just right, but lately it's been getting "too big" in that the administration has been letting in too many students when we don't really have the kind of resources to accomodate them. Burlington is absolutely beautiful and a great college town. UVM does have school pride, but I"d say it's an understated school pride. We know our strengths, but we also know our weaknesses, and as students we try to fix those weaknesses by turning them into strengths. UVM is so unique in that we have so many traditions or foods or just culture that I'll try to explain to my friends from home and they are just amazed. I love it. :)
Paige
I love this school - people are friendly and approachable. No one seems to be overly judgmental. The town of burlington itself is a great place to meet people with similar interests. Its a very friendly place to be. Can't forget to mention the naked bike ride. That alone is what defined my first year experience haha.
Kelly
For starters, UVM is a perfect size. 9,000-10,000 students might seem big if you are coming from a smaller school, but it is just right- not too big and not too small. At first the school will seem larger because you don't know anyone, but after a while you will make friends in your dorm and in your classes. It is so nice to walk to class without seeing 10 million people I know. You will definitely see people you know, but no one wants to run into every person they know on campus on their way to class. Especially when it is 9 o'clock in the morning and you are still half asleep. Sometimes it's nice to have alone time, especially considering the fact that a lot of your friends will be in your dorm and after classes you hang out there. The campus is pretty spread out and it is great to have places to go when you get bored in your dorm. The size of campus is good, yes, but if you really begin to feel cramped by the size, downtown Burlington is sick. Burington is a college town for sure and there is always something to do there, whether it is shopping, eating, or going to the numerous parties downtown. It is only a short walk, perfect for a break from school.
Jillian
UVM is a fantastic school. It offers a lot of great classes and also has fabulous amenities like the Davis Center. A lot of people perceive UVM as a really small school but there is such diversity on campus that I have never felt it to be a 'small' school. All of the old architecture is amazing and for the most part everyone is super friendly.
Liz
The University of Vermont, like all colleges, has two types of students: students who are there to change the world and students who are there to make money. Given, there is a spectrum of students in between these two categories yet I choose to associate with the former category. UVM claims to be a green, socially responsible school yet the administration has only constructed a facade of these qualities. Many as dissatisfied with the new "green" 60 million dollar student center along with the University's irresponsible investments in war profiteers. There have been year long campaigns raising awareness on these issues and multiple criticisms in student publications.
These grievances are quite in keeping with the environment of Burlington, a highly liberal and peaceful city, perched between the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain. One might broadly categorize many Burlington residents as hippies, yet that is a closed minded stereotype. The city is full of people who explore their passions, whether it be art, skiing, music, or academics. Burton is headquartered in Burlington and thus is the hub of the snowboarding universe. Needless to say, Snowboarding is to UVM as Lacrosse is UNC. Oh and it's pretty cold in the winter but great skiing makes up for that.
valkyrie
My experience as a transfer, non-traditional student, is that folks are friendly but a little clique-ish. I like the fact that it's kind of big, although being in class with 250 people (as in my introductory Chem class) is kind of a drag. I've loved 90{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of my professors. Burlington is a great town to hang out in. My biggest beef with UVM is the lack of good cheap food within a 1-mile radius of campus. The dining services are either sucky, overpriced, or both. There are plenty of good eats downtown but that's a bit of a trek when it's the middle of the day and you're in a hurry.
Lorie
The best thing about UVM might be the location, you've got lake champlain to one side with a view of the adarondaks, and then you've got the Green Mtns to the other side. You can get to the mountains for hikes (free) or skiing ($$$$$$) in 30 min, or just go down to the bike trail to the lake where everyone and thier golden retriever are out exercising. The "City" is not bad, small with some great college bars that not too many normal people go to because the college students and recent alum dominate the scene. Some good restaurants, a posh grocery store...nice things and lots of organic food and recycling goes down. Very earth-conscious.
The school is just the right size, you always are meeting new people, but don't feel lost, even as a freshman. The professors have time for you, and really do mean it about visiting in their office hours, so definately take advantage of that.
School pride, not so much united school pride. Some around the basketball team I suppose, but you know, a lot of cynical new englanders who want to set themselves apart from the masses. I love the place. Beautiful old central campus buildings, horrible buildings and dorms from the 70s and some good architecture recently. However the new construction leaves less room for ultimate frisbee, so thats a downer.
Unusual? one nice thing is that there really is something for everyone at UVM, so you won't be lonely. Because the school is pretty small, you can get the student gov't to fund all sorts of things, both legitimate and not. Even republicans have friends at UVM, although there are not very many of them.
Chris
UVM is a great sized school, but it is growing. Incoming students beware! The housing situation is a little sticky with the size of the incoming Freshman class double the size of this year. Burlington is a great city, its clean and beautiful with the lake. UVM is known as a good school and I am proud to say that I go here.
Irena
At about 10,000, UVM is a perfect size for those who don't like too crowded colleges, but also for those that don't want to feel like they're back in high school. Burlington is a college town, so you will see bunch of youngsters downtown. It's actually nice because you get to meet a lot of people your age.
UVM has a great Business School, Medical School, Math&Engineering School and a very broad Arts&Sciences School. General impressions I get from people is that they like UVM and think it's a good school overall.
Newly built Davis Center is bringing even more attention to UVM and this building is becoming a place for career meetings and orientation.
Troy
The best thing about UVM is the natural environment around the area. With 5 ski areas within an hour's drive from campus, it's easy to see why we attract outdoor enthusiasts. It's also an unbelieveable gift to be able to look east from campus and see Mt Mansfield and Camels Hump, both capped in snow. Then you look west and watch the sunset over lake Champlain...awesome. UVM is just the right size, too. And I don't like President Fogel's innitiative to continue to grow the university. We do need new athletic facilities, which is one thing I would change, but it's already in the works. Another great thing about UVM is that the student body is strong and outspoken. There are many young activists inspiring critical thought everyday around campus on many different issues.
Pearse
I think that the size of UVM is perfect. It is large enough that if you ever want to meet a new person or group of people, all you have to do is look around. At the same time, there isn't a day that goes by without me seeing at least three of my friends. It is always nice to run into people that you know because it shows that things aren't too big. Certainly if you want to meet new people the best way is to join groups, clubs and organizations which will put you in contact with like minded people. And too many things could not be said about Burlington. It has everything you need form a beautiful waterfront, movies, skiing 45 minutes away, bars, restaurants and nice people (granted you don't wake them up at 3 am coming home from a party).
Hayley
The best thing about UVM is the location. Lake Champlain is beautiful, but the city of Burlington is a pretty hip place to be. My friends and I have always joked that Burlington is a "playground" for us, between the eating, shopping, bars, and stuff to do outside.
Jessie
What is great about UVM is the outgoing and friendly student body. Most people are here for a good time, though that does mean there are a lot of slackers. The size is just right, because it is small enough so you meet new people all the time, but it is large enough so you can avoid people if you want. There tends to be a lot of school pride, especially at sporting events, but it may not seem like it at first.
What is unique about UVM is the Naked Bike Ride that is held at midnight on the last day of classes each semester. A large number of people take part and either ride their bikes, skateboard, rollerblade, or just paint themselves and run naked. It definitely brings the school together and lets everyone celebrate with one-another.
Burlington is a lot of fun, and there are always crazy hippies downtown who are doing something entertaining to the rest of us (whether they mean to or not), such as this guy who dresses up in neon colors and holds a sign that says "Nader lives."
Violet
UVM is just the right size. People are surprised sometimes when I tell them I go here because I'm don't drink a lot or smoke. Burlington is a great college town, lots to do, Lake Champlain is fun. There is a good amount of school spirit, especially hockey and basketball games. Everyone here is extremely active. There are always people out running, biking, playing sports, going on hiking trips, skiing, climbing, and every other outdoor activity. Campus is very politically active. Everyone is very liberal here, the Young Republicans Club actually just had to shut down because they ran out of funds. The most frequent complaint is probably about getting parking tickets or about getting busted by the police.
Harper
UVM is a college that offers excellent professors. There are a wide variety of majors. It is an excellent school if you are interested in the medical field.
Brooke
UVM is just right. PERIOD Go to a hockey game and you will see UVM pride, spirit and enthusiasm.