I want to study animal science and biology (or environmental science).
I wasn’t really looking to go to UVM because of how far up north it is but I really like their wide variety and the community. Also, I heard that there’s a strong drug scene there and that it is very liberal.
UCONN is my main pick because I’ve seen that they’re strong in their academics. It’s also a lot closer to me. My main concern is that they have a bigger student pop and they are in the middle of nowhere. I also heard that there’s a big drinking scene.
On a more focused note, since I’m potentially looking to go into organic agriculture, I’m concerned that UCONN doesn’t have a lot to offer and UVM does.
We’ve visited UVM and Burlington several times and UConn twice. We were impressed by UConn and really loved UVM/Burlington. I know at the last UVM info session they emphasized an ag/farm program whose participants had an amazing acceptance rate to vet schools. We did look at the environmental science programs and thought they were top-notch. Mine was looking at it as a transfer option but ultimately decided to stay at their school.
Burlington is extremely cold, although UConn is going to be very cold as well. It seems to me like a tremendous college town though. Actually, Burlington, Asheville, and Flagstaff are our favorite small cities.
Anyway, two good choices. We all loved UVM, but that’s us. Which one do you love? If money’s not a factor go with that. I think there’s not enough difference in their academic reputations, which are strong, to be much of a factor. UConn might be slightly, slightly better regarded overall, but maybe UVM slightly better regarded in your areas of interest, though it’s arguable.
UVM is a good university with a very strong animal sciences program. There farm is also quite close to the main campus (not always the case with more urban universities). Burlington VT is a very nice small city.
UConn has just finished a “downtown” area called Storrs Center, which offers lot of nice shopping and dining options. Before that there really wasn’t much in the area. I personally dislike the campus. It’s big and spread out and the buildings are unattractive. But I do feel like it’s more highly regarded than UVM. I think UVM has a much nicer campus and Burlington is a fabulous city. As far as programs I think they’re pretty even. I think you’re spot on with the drug scene/liberal-ness at UVM and the drinking at UConn, though you could avoid that scene at either school. Tough choice. How do they stack up financially?
UCONN was originally an agricultural science school. It has tried to maintain those roots. I believe a lot of their animal science takes place right across the street at “Horse Barn Hill”. I don’t know about UVM. UCONN has a solid reputation though.
I’m a NY resident so unfortunately for me I have to pay out-of-state tuition.
UVM is $38,000
UCONN is $34,000
and then there’s SUNY Cobleskill (my safety), which is $6,500. The plus side of going to Cobleskill is their tuition, sustainable agriculture program + animal science, and the chance that I could have a 4.0 GPA after a year or two and then possibly transfer to Cornell CALS.
On the drug scenes at UCONN and UVM. I could deal with a drinking environment rather then a smoke weed every day environment. I don’t want to breathe in that crap for an extended period of time and I would hate to have to lingering in the dorm.
If those are your net prices after merit, I say Cobleskill all day long! $126,000 over 4 years is big difference! Unless your folks have the cash and are willing to spend it.
Let’s just call Cobleskill an extreme safety. I’ve mentioned it a lot to people and most of the time people have no idea what/where it is and on the times where people do know they say that it’s more of a community college with the only profitable business in town being Tractor Supply Co. and I’ve also heard stuff about there being a heroin problem there. So yeah.
I plan to apply to Cornell for vet school, which is very competitive with the average GPA of those accepted at 3.8.
I’ve seen that UCONN and UVM both have decent pre-vet programs.
Cobleskill is a good school. It’s has a history of agriculture programd, so I think it would be a great place to start. Can your parents afford the OOS schools?