<p>I've heard a lot of negative things about uvm's culture. A lot of people seem to not take it seriously because they see it as a school for potheads and hippies. Is there any truth to this stereotype? I am very interested in environmental/social justice issues, which seems to be a big focus of the school. However I am worried that because i am not yet a drinker (and probably won't be a big partier) and do not plan on smoking, that i will not fit in at the school if i choose to attend. Any thoughts? thanks</p>
<p>Acoustic, UVM’s culture has some of what you speak about but there are LOTS of kids interested in environmental/social justice issues. The Rubenstein School of Envir. and Natural Resources is rated as one of the top in the country. Google it or look here. [Rubenstein</a> School Home : University of Vermont](<a href=“http://www.uvm.edu/~envnr/]Rubenstein”>http://www.uvm.edu/~envnr/)
They also have a big social justice program going on see: Student Life’s Leadership & Civic Engagement
[Community</a> Service Programs : University of Vermont](<a href=“http://www.uvm.edu/~csp/]Community”>http://www.uvm.edu/~csp/) you will find many kids interested in the same things you are, including not drinking.</p>
<p>acoustic,</p>
<p>I have a son in college and another one who’s starting his search, (and has UVM on his list). This is what I’ve learned from my own experiences and watching my older son:</p>
<p>Every school, except for the most extremely rigid, has some party culture. </p>
<p>Often times they wallow in the “party ratings” of thier school, but the reality is that you are going to find your group of friends and people you’re going to want to hang around with. I’m sure UVM has it’s share of outrageous parties, but you aren’t forced to attend them. </p>
<p>There are probably classmates at your high school who are known to be big time party animals, that doesn’t mean you school is a nightclub. If UVM has what you want to study, go there and make your own way. You’ll be fine.</p>
<p>Several kids from our area have selected UVM in the past two years. None of them fit the category of hippie/pothead, but they were all athletic and avid skiiers (one is competitive nationally). None were exceptionally strong students but not slackers either. They seem to be well on their way to earning their degrees in four years, while enjoying as much time as they can afford to on the nearby slopes.</p>
<p>Thank you to everyone for the responses, it really has helped. And to Radannie, i have heard that the Rubenstein school at uvm is very good, but i have not seen any official rankings with the school mentioned. Could you send me a link for a ranking if you have one? Thanks</p>
<p>I’m a senior at UVM and I was just like you coming in. I didn’t drink or smoke and certainly would not identify myself as a hippie. While there were parties around, UVM has really tried to dry out the dorms, of course they will never be completely dry, but it has cut down on some of the crazy parties in the dorms. I was fine though, and I’m sure you will be too. I gravitated towards people who were like me and formed a group of really good friends who didn’t party either. Plus, UVM does have a variety of residential options including alcohol/drug free dorms where everyone chooses to live on a given floor with the understanding that no one will party. The university on a whole is very environmentally conscious. Recycling and composting bins are all over campus and the Davis Center is LEED certified. Diversity and social justice trainings are also major concerns. So, I guess the moral of the story is not to let rumors of a part culture keep you from coming. I thought it would be a big deal, but it didn’t bother me at all.</p>
<p>I’m in the Rubenstein School, and to be honest, you wouldn’t need a ranking to tell you that it is simply one of the best environmental programs you’re going to find. There are always interesting events, lectures, etc. going on and my experience with the advising program has been very positive. Advisors drive home the point that there are so many different options in the environmental field and encourage a balance between trying out new subjects and defining what you want to focus on. I think what separates UVM from other schools is that activism is seen as pretty common on campus (Google uvm budget cuts). There is also a sense among environmental students that UVM is not as “green” as it claims to be, but that it is our job as students to make the school live up to those goals. For example, all 26 students running as the ECO Coalition for environmental and social justice were just voted into the SGA Senate (there are 42 seats total). Hope this helps!</p>