DS is a rising senior with a weighted GPA of 4.2 and SAT (new format) of 1300. He wants to major in computer science. We consider both as safety schools for him, but not sure which one is stronger academically and richer in campus life. We have not yet visited either schools but do plan to later this summer. For now I would love to hear what you all have to say about these two schools? Thanks!
I think UVT would be superior academically as well as in campus life. But you should also consider if your D would prefer a smaller school or a larger public university.
UVM definitely. At 13,000 students it is small for a state flagship.
Champlain College is more of a career college - the students are older on average and nearly one-third attend as part-time students. It’s be a very different experience than University of Vermont, which would be more of a traditional campus. And academically, UVM is stronger.
Champlain is very good in Game Design. For anything else, I would recommend UVM by a wide margin.
Thanks everyone! I am glad I asked - I had no idea Champlain is more of a career college. That is definitely going to turn DS off. Thanks again!
I visited both UVM and Champlain and I am considering applying to both for computer science. I had read previous posts that UVM is more “theoretical” and that Champlain gives more “practical experience” with their Upside-Down Curriculum, which some employers like. When I toured UVM there was a large focus on majors dealing with healthcare and environmental/agricultural sciences, and not much, if anything, was said about computer science. Champlain spoke of their programs dealing with computers and had an impressive display of TVs with games that students designed on them down the hallways. UVM had a lot going on the day I visited, like a large Farmer’s Market, but not much appeared to be happening at Champlain. In my case, UVM seems to be much more well-known over Champlain because whenever I mention Champlain no one seems to have heard of it. I like Champlain though because it gave me a good impression. UVM was nice too.
@Birdcage331 Thank you so much for your input! You got me rethinking Champlain. We toured UVM last Friday and we got the same vibe, it seems to focus more heavily on healthcare and premed paths.
@Birdcage331 , you should consider putting your post in the “colleges that moved up and down the list” thread, in the parents’ forum.
@MomtoAndrew2018 , Champain is well known for its game design curriculum. A Champlain degree will open doors at companies such as Blizzard/Activision.
CS at UVM is offered through the engineering dept. If you can visit again, I’d contact Maggie Eppstein and ask for a meeting.
http://www.uvm.edu/cems/cs/chairs_welcome
@CrewDad, thank you so much!
@MomtoAndrew2018 Hi there! I’m an admissions counselor at Champlain, and I’d be happy to chat with you about how the program could be a good fit for Andrew. We are certainly more career-focused - students jump into major-specific classes right in their first semester - but we still have a strong interdisciplinary liberal arts core curriculum that goes alongside all of our majors as well. Our students leave well-rounded and well-prepared for the career world. That program also has excellent job placement statistics here, as you can see on this page: http://www.champlain.edu/academics/undergraduate-academics/majors-and-specializations/computer-science-and-innovation/career-success-computer-science-and-innovation/building-success-computer-science-and-innovation
@Birdcage331 I’m happy to hear you had the chance to visit! I’m curious when you might have come to campus that there wasn’t much going on. If it was during the summer, it certainly tends to be a bit quieter here - however, there’s still activity! When students are back, though, there’s lots going on - we have a wonderful Student Life team that keeps our students engaged and happy!
Please tag me in posts if I can be helpful to provide any more information about Champlain. UVM is a wonderful neighbor and while I don’t know as much about their specific program, I’d be happy to connect you with a colleague there as well if it would be helpful.
@NicoleChamplain I believe Champlain does have a good student life! I felt comfortable there and will be applying. I toured when classes were in session. I think that the campus is great especially with its location right there in Burlington. Everything is walkable.
@Birdcage331 I’m glad to hear it! I wasn’t sure from your post, so I just wanted to make sure you got to hear a bit about the activities happening on campus during your visit. You’re right, though, we’re very lucky with our location! It’s easy to walk downtown in a very short amount of time - I do so regularly for lunch during my workday! 
I’m happy to hear you’re applying. Please feel free to reach out at any time if I can be of any assistance throughout the process!