<p>Hello
We are planning a spring break trip to visit these schools. Also just to see Vermont -we have never been.
My D is a Junior -A little bookish -not a jock or a partier.
She is an undecided major at the moment -but leans toward social sciences- maybe law school down the road</p>
<p>Does anyone have any thoughts on these schools? Or any tips for the area?
Thanks!</p>
<p>veruca - my DD graduated from UVM in 2010 (business - accounting), and we live about 4 miles away from St. Michaels. Champlain College is almost co-located with UVM, sharing several city blocks together. Send me a PM with your specific questions, and I’ll fill you in with more info, including recommendations for lodging.</p>
<p>Thanks!
Will do</p>
<p>We have also added UMass to this trip. It was cheaper to fly into Hartsfield than Burlington
So we are going to rent a car and drive up to Burlington via Amherst</p>
<p>So any thoughts on UMass or the Amherst area would be appreciated</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>A couple separate thoughts …</p>
<p>UMass and Amherst college are about 1/2 mile apart … and Smith, Mount Holyoke, and Hampshire College are all within about 5 miles also … lots to see in the area.</p>
<p>Burlington and Vermont are terrific. Not sure what your family likes to do but the outdoor possibilities are terrific (mountain hiking, sailing, swimming, biking, etc) … Church Street in Burlington is fun … going on the tour at Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory is a lot of fun … Montreal is very close also (an hour or an hour and a half away).</p>
<p>My son is a freshman at UVM this year and really likes it … Burlington is great college town … for a state school UVM is not that big (10k) and doesn’t really feel that big … my son, who never likes high school academics, is really enioying the academics at UVM … the top quarter of students are pretty strong … for the size of the school the campus is pretty compact. The winters in Burlington are cold and long (my guy grew up in New England so he is used to winters) … there is a fair amount of partying among the freshmen but my guys had found his buddies and is doing fine. </p>
<p>I do not know much about the other schools other than they are much-much smaller. As someone mentioned Champlain College is virtually next door to UVM … and a bit closer to downtown Burlington.</p>
<p>Veruca - sent you an email response.</p>
<p>My D1 is a sophomore at Saint Michael’s. She loves it. She looked at UVM, but preferred Saint Mike’s (as they call it!) because of the size. She is a big environmentalist, so has been very involved in several student organizations, as well as the wilderness program. It has been perfect for her. </p>
<p>D2 has been accepted to UVM, and is considering it, while waiting to hear from reachy-er schools. She loves Burlington. She prefers a smaller school, I think, but likes the idea of being so close to her sister, but able to make her own way, outside of her sister’s shadow. She also has a good friend at Champlain and has visited her a couple times. Her friend is very happy at Champlain. Beautiful little campus, next to UVM, just up the hill from downtown Burlington. UVM and Champlain have some beautiful views of the mountains and Lake Champlain.</p>
<p>My son is a freshman at Champlain and we also visited St. Mike’s and UVM. He decided UVM was too big for him and not quite the right fit. He applied to, and was accepted at St. Mike’s with a good merit aid incentive, Champlain also came through with merit aid. All three schools are very different from each other. My son was all about his major and he put great weight on how well it would be respected at the potential college. Champlain IS a liberal arts school but it has a very geeky feel with a nationally ranked game design major and several computer oriented majors. The campus is small and beautiful and within easy walking distance of town. Burlington is THE best college town, IMHO. All three colleges have forums here on CC where you can post questions. [Colleges</a> and Universities - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/colleges-universities/]Colleges”>Colleges and Universities A-Z - College Confidential Forums)</p>
<p>Would love to see a few sentences comparing and contrasting what type of kid might be attracted to each of these. I’m somewhat familiar with UVM (oldest two were admitted but did not attend; DH went there back in the day although did not graduate from there). My current hs junior seems to like Burlington in concept (it’s been compared to our hometown–mid-Atlantic college town), but will have some smaller schools on his application list. I’m just not very familiar with Champlain or St. Mike’s.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone -this is very helpful</p>
<p>What about Saint Mikes for the non-Catholic?</p>
<p>St. Mike’s is a traditional liberal arts college with emphasis on humanities majors, and an understated Catholic presence. Very small (pretty) campus, not close to any shops. Everyone we met there was very friendly and helpful. Many students are involved in social service causes, which I liked. (Son thought this was a non-issue) Housing is guaranteed for all four years.</p>
<p>Champlain prides itself on having a futuristic career oriented approach to majors. Freshman jump right in with classes in their major. The campus is beautiful and very well situated. I like the global awareness too. They have two campuses abroad, one in Montreal and one in Dublin. Their goal is for the majority of students to study at one, or both of those campuses, in the near future for a semester or two. Cost of tuition and room and board is the same as in VT. Nothing stuffy or old fashioned about this school. They encourage entrepreneurs and strive to help the local community. I don’t see any of the normal town/gown infighting. They do a great campus presentation and tour. The guy:girl ratio is about even due to many technical majors which is unusual at colleges without engineering and sports teams. No frats or sororities either. Housing is renovated Victorian mansions but new dorms are being built that will be more traditional.</p>
<p>Thanks again all</p>
<p>Kathiep
I have a question for you
I am assuming your son is a good student- with the offers of merit aid.
Has he found the work challenging enough at Champlain? Does he feel on an academic par with many of the students there?</p>
<p>My D was raised Catholic but is non-practicing at this point, and may not consider herself Catholic…she has never gone to Mass there. Which is not to say it might feel different for someone who wasn’t raised Catholic.</p>
<p>Type of student at Saint Mike’s…I don’t think there is a single type, but I can say that my daughter has found like minded people. I don’t know if they are the majority, but she is very comfortable. As I said, she is very environmentally concerned and active. Her major is environmental studies and her minor is peace and justice. She is active in environmental, social justice, and volunteer work, as well as active in the wilderness program.</p>
<p>veruca, My impression is that the tech classes are challenging and interesting and the core humanity classes are interesting and easier. He made the dean’s list for the first semester. He has told me that he feels his HS prepared him well.</p>
<p>Thanks again
It sounds like an environmentalist would be comfortable at any of the 3</p>
<p>St. Mike’s offered my son his biggest merit package of all the schools he applied and he applied to all three. Decided to stay in state instead as he decided on a major that St. Mike’s doesn’t offer.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>this is helpful</p>
<p>We are back! It was a very pleasant trip and gave my D much to think about. Some of the things I thought she would love -she didn’t and vice versa.
We have very positive experiences with tours and accommodations
and Food! (I will be dieting this week!)</p>
<p>If anyone wants to hear about our experiences at UMass Amherst/ UVM/ Champlain/ or Saint Michaels please ask. </p>
<p>Thanks everyone for all your help and your PMs</p>
<p>For anyone looking at schools in the Burlington area, I’d recommend a look at Burlington College as well. Interesting place!</p>