<p>Hi everyone. I wanted to get an outsiders opinion on this so here it goes...</p>
<p>I was recently accepted to both the University of Vermont and the University of Rhode Island. When I visited UVM this past summer I absolutely loved it- the scenery, the programs, the "small city" feel, everything. However, I am out of state for both schools and UVM offered me a very small scholarship to the point that it didn't really make that much of a difference. So, I can confidently say that I think URI will be cheaper. URI has many things that I would love to have in a school that UVM doesn't, and vice versa, but I'm just so confused. My mom wants me to go to URI and my dad wants me to go to UVM because he thinks "a degree from UVM will look better than one from URI" when I am looking for a job. He doesn't seem to understand that college isn't all about studying 24/7 but also experiencing new things- at least I think it is.
Again, I am so confused. I don't know what to do and I just want to get this process over and done with. So, I guess my question is, from experience, which is better: UVM or URI?</p>
<p>You say you’re OOS for both… What’s your in state flagship and are you likely to be admitted there? Keep in mind that the Rhode Island higher ed system has historically been underfunded to the point where even getting basic intro classes might be a pain.</p>
<p>How much will each school cost? What’s your in-state flagship as whenhen said above – If you like these two state universities, why didn’t you apply to your state flagship? Are there other, similar universities that you could apply to? If you like cold, SUNY Buffalo and SUNY Plattsburgh may be good to you. What is it you like about VT - there may be other schools that share these characteristics.</p>
<p>If you like Vermont and Burlington specifically, could you apply to St Michael’s (also in Burlington, you could get scholarships, and it’s definitely better than URI).</p>
<p>Note that 57% students at UVM graduate in 4 years and only 42% at URI, in part due to scheduling problems, so while URI might be cheaper per year, if you factor in that 5th year, costs may be different (78% at St Michael’s because it’s a private college so scheduling isnt a problem and they have more support.)</p>
<p>Once again, I did not apply to my in-state flagship and I do not want to go there. I’ve already tried searching for another school in Vermont and only UVM has my major of choice. I’m assuming you like this St. Michaels school since you seem to be a big fan…</p>
<p>I applied to 8 other schools besides those 2; got accepted to 7, deferred from 1. The problem is id like a good music scene and many of those don’t have it. My major isn’t very popular either so I didn’t have a huge selection.</p>
<p>It’s not really a matter of my “liking” a school or not: I don’t especially espouse Wheaton’s (IL) philosophy but I’ll gladly recommend it to a kid who’s looking for a top Christian school, for instance. In your case, St Michael’s may provide you with an alternative: it’s in Burlington and pretty much everything about the town, scenery, etc, will be there, and if you qualified for a minuscule* scholarship at UVM you’d likely qualify for a good one there - just go to the website and run the Net Price Calculator.
UVM has one of the highest OOS tuitions because it can get all the high-income skiers it wants. It doesn’t give many scholarships to OOS kids because it doesnt need to/doesn’t have the money for it, so your qualifying for one indicates you’re very likely to qualify at other schools too.</p>
<p>So, are you saying that URI and UVM are your top 2 choices from the 7 schools that admitted you? Can you list the reasons that made you discard the other 5 choices so that we can target whether URI or UVM meet your criteria better?</p>
<p>What’s your major?</p>
<p>How much can your parents afford?
(you can only borrow $5,500 as a freshman)</p>
<p>Typically, financially speaking, it’s better to apply to in-state public or out-of-state private.</p>
<p>Well a lot of those school either didn’t have EVERYTHING I wanted or were backups. Two of them, I decided, were too far away, two others were in the middle of nowhere, one had no music program that I later decided I wanted, one was a financial backup and the other I’m just not as interested in. UVM and URI are the ones I can imagine myself in the most. </p>
<p>My major is Animal Science and/or Wildlife Biology. </p>
<p>We are still trying to figure out costs but I know URI will be cheaper.</p>
<p>Are you able to participate in the music programs at both UVM and URI if you are not a music major? Some schools do not allow this. Where are the labs for both UVM and URI? Are they outdoors in natural settings, and are both researched based? How much research will you be allowed to do as an undergrad in each program? Which school has a better reputation in the fields you are interested in? I would lean towards UVM but not sure of the music dept.</p>
<p>You said that you were only offered a “small scholarship” at UVM, so is it even affordable for your family? If not, then it would seem to me that your decision is all but made. Also, while you elaborated on the things you liked at UVM you didn’t really say what you liked about URI, which would lead me to believe you like UVM better. I don’t know much about either school, but from what other posters have said about URI being underfunded and having difficulties with course scheduling, I would say that if you are financially able (which is a fairly big if), go to UVM.</p>
<p>UVM out of state is as expensive as many private schools, and offers less aid. Meanwhile, URI is comparable in price for Out of State students as many other New England states IN-STATE price. (Maine and RI have some of the lowest OOS sticker prices around) As noted above, URI can be a “you get what you pay for” experience, though. It may be worth your attention, though, if you specifically want to do Marine Wildlife Biology, as URI has immediate access to some great New England coastal fisheries. </p>
<p>I don’t know about your Dad’s theory of UVM being better for job prospects than URI. I think that while the student body at UVM may be more monied to start with (and, let’s face it, coming from money makes it easier to find a job later, through connections, internships, etc) I don’t think it’s significantly more respected as an alma mater than URI is. </p>
<p>Are you open to applying to more schools, or are you pretty much set on one of these two?</p>
<p>Butterfreesnd- The thing is I just saw UVM this past summer and I’ll be seeing URI again for the first time in 2 years next weekend. There are many things I remember liking about URI, but I was stuck on UVM for a long time so I can see how it came off as that. </p>
<p>BossyMommy- I was going to major in Wildlife Biology with a minor in Marine Biology, which I heard were two of URI’s better programs. </p>
<p>I just want to choose a school I’m confident I’ll be happy with. My mom is getting very annoyed with me because when she was choosing a college she just picked a school she could afford that had her major and went with it. She thinks I’m overthinking it too much. Personally I don’t think it’s so simple. All the schools I applied to have something different to offer that I would be interested in but my mom thinks they’re all the same. I don’t know if I would be open to applying to more; depends what schools. I just want this process to end.</p>
<p>I visited both during the summer so my dad and I are going to go see URI next month and if I’m still unsure then UVM. There was a snowstorm yesterday and I was trudging through the snow to get to my car so if UVM is like that on a daily basis then I may have to rethink wanting to go there.</p>
<p>@Isky17 Both my daughter’s got into UVM and URI D2 wants to continue with a particular club sport…she is really a devoted athlete. URI came in 3rd in nationals , her other top choice is UVM, that program is not as good…overall I want her to go to UVM. She got the Presidential scholarship. URI has not sent us the official packet yet. The school is a better school. Burlington is awesome. Four years is a long time and it will be more interesting overall to live in a beautiful place where there is a lot going on. A lot of people go home on the weekends at URI and the surrounding area is not very interesting. Yes you are close to the beach but in the summer you won’t be there. I am really pushing D2 to UVM even though it will cost more. I think she will come out of there a more interesting person and to me that is part of what you get out of the whole college experience.</p>
<p>It really is beautiful but all UVM seems to be to me is weed, weed, weed- at least that’s what I’ve been told. I know the school has serious drug problems, more so than other schools. I love Burlington but I was never big on drugs or alcohol and I don’t know that I would fit in with the other students if that’s all they did there…</p>
What is it you like about VT - there may be other schools that share these characteristics.</p>