Trying to decide between URI and UVM for environmental science. My daughter has been admitted to both.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks!
If her interests run specifically toward the marine/ocean aspects of environmental science, then URI will offer more ongoing opportunities in that vein, with their coastal location and marine research facility. (Although UVM does have a summer field program in Maine.) If that’s not a particular interest for her, then I’d tilt toward UVM as a school where environmentally-oriented majors are among the strongest programs and environmentalism is a prominent core value within the campus culture. Also, UVM attracts a more geographically diverse student population which can be a plus.
Are costs similar? (In-state for either? Or in New England, and interested in any majors that qualify for NEBHE reciprocity rates?)
Congrats to your daughter!
Thanks for your response. We are out-of state (New York). UVM is significantly higher.
would you consider URI and UVM peer schools?
JMHO, but no I would not consider URI and UVM peer schools. UVM is better.
There are many paths for environmental science, and studies at UVM. The experience will vary depending on which path.
You have the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources (RSENR), College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS).
Your D would have selected one at application time. I have a current sophomore in RSENR although he is environmental studies. He applied and was admitted as environmental science but switched. All colleges share some core classes but the rest of the curriculum is quite different so it’s important to look at and understand which is the best fit. ENSC also has 9 concentrations I think, whereas ENVS does not.
It’s been absolutely wonderful for my son and we are pretty big Rubenstein fans. He’s added a minor in Green Building and Community Development and may also end up with a minor in Community Development and Applied Economics. By the end of this year he will have 2 publications and an internship under his belt .
He has friends in all 3 programs (CAS/CALS/RSENR). The college as a whole is very environmentally focused, the programs are robust and there is a wide and deep selection of classes. He’s been in the Sustainability House Learning Community for the past 2 years and has really enjoyed it. I can’t speak to URI at all but we are very pleased with his choice. It was significantly more than his 2nd choice but we do think it has been worth it.