I was recently accepted into UVM with a pretty big scholarship as well as into the Honors College. It is my safety school, however at the moment my parents are putting a lot of pressure on it as it is the first (and only so far) school I was accepted into. I really like Burlington, VT, but I feel like I won’t fit into the student body very well as I heard everyone who goes there is a hipster-skier who also does a lot of drugs. I don’t necessarily have a problem with that, but I think I am more “preppy” than hipster and I’m worried that I won’t be able to find anyone to be friends with, especially since I’m trying to stay away from drugs. I also feel like UVM isn’t a great fit for me academically. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
My daughter was also accepted with scholarship (but not Honors College–congrats!) and is quite excited about the possibility of attending. She’s very committed to staying drug and alcohol free and although she likes to ski, “hipster” is not the word that describes her. She’s serious about her studies, a bit shy and, like you, hopes some friends will be easily made. Can you visit the school on an accepted student visiting day? Maybe that will be helpful. I can’t speak to your academic fit with UVM, but it seems worth considering when making a choice.
Congrats! My DS was also accepted with scholarship and Honors College. In a school that size, especially in the Honors housing, I have to believe you can find your tribe. When we visited last spring, my impression was that, while it may skew a little more hipster/skier, there was a pretty wide cross section of students.
Surely in the Honors College you will find your people. There is also a wellness dorm if you choose not to live in the Honors College housing (thought I don’t know why you’d forego that). Go to one of the admitted student days, for sure.
Congratulations on your acceptance and scholarship! I don’t know about hipsters, but I do think a significant proportion of people at UVM enjoy skiing. Everyone I know who is or was a student there also happens to be an avid skier. They are also terrific, friendly, outgoing people who may or may not have done drugs while at UVM. (I honestly have no clue, not trying to be coy.) Enjoy!
Have you decided yet? We know a number of people at UVM. Most like to ski and smoke pot, but aren’t particularly hipster. I think the Honors College might be better than the general college if you are trying to stay away from drugs.
My child attends uvm and is living in the honors dorm. Seems that pot use is no more/no lessthat what you’d find on any campus. HCol students are not any different than the other students regarding drug/alcohol. Also, the freshman dorm, which is brand new, houses the wellness program, but if your going to be in the HCol your going to want to stay in University Heights. Also, myy child does not ski and in no way feels left out. Although there aware many students who ski,there are plenty that do not.the head out to the slopes- you will not be in the minority!
LOL I went to UVM twenty plus years ago and the same things were said about it then as now! I did not ski and neither did most of my closer 20 plus friends, some skiied and would go ski while I would study and then we would meet up later to hang out (go to parties, downtown area)
As far as drug use it was there if you wanted and you could easily avoid it as there was so much to do. I did not use but friends of my did indulge and there was no judging either way.
A lot of my friends live in Vermont and being of the same age have their kids at the school now - as the saying goes “the more things change the more they stay the same” Drugs and skiing are there but there is so much more!
UVM has a big campus that extends into the town and there is so much to do and experience that the ski and drug culture is such a tiny part of it. Don’t avoid going to UVM because you are concerned about that! My son has been accepted as well and its in his top three -
Good luck
I have a cousin that goes to UVM, and that’s not the case at all lol. The majority of people that go to UVM are out of state and have no idea how to ski before getting up there. It’s a good school and an underrated college community. I have been to the campus once and thought about transferring up there. The winters are brutal, but the school is fantastic, especially in the life and biological sciences department. Vermont is a great state to study ecology and things of that nature in.