<p>Unlike the other thread w/ same title, I'd like to know the plusses and draws of UVM. I applied and was accepted in December and have now been invited to the honors college. The other schools I am considering are small liberal arts colleges, also in New England. I haven't heard from other schools yet, but I'd like to think that I'll get in to at least one or two of them. Is UVM for me? What are the advantages to a somewhat bigger school? Is it a party/drinking/druggy school? Any questions that can be answered are greatly appreciated!!</p>
<p>Also...does anyone know about class size in the honors program? I'm more interested in smaller classes. Thanks!</p>
<p>And, the negatives. I asked for the draws in my first post, but anything that would be a deterrant is also good to know.</p>
<p>hey congrats on the honors program I'm in the same boat, looking at the honors program vs. smaller liberal arts schools (I'm also considering Brandeis University in Boston). From what I've been able to gather, the honors college is pretty new, but has some nice perks:
a) you live in the amazingly cushy University Heights honors dorms (we're talking private bathrooms here!)
b) you get priority registration for all classes
c) you get graduate student status at the library, so you can take out materials for an entire semester
d) if you're into research or working with profs, you get special opportunities to do so
e) you get invited to honors only dinners and events with visiting dignitaries
f) last but not least, you get to live/work with some of the brightest UVM students</p>
<p>I'm still trying to get a straight answer myself as to the drawbacks, but from what I can tell the gist of it is that the program is still very new so it's not comprehensive, you're still spending most of your classtime with the rest of the University at large (which, while decent, does not necessarily compare with an elite liberal arts school), and finally yes, UVM is somewhat druggy/partyish, although you're not forced to do so by any means. I don't know about the honors college in particular, but the school itself does have a bit of a...hippy...reputation. Good luck, maybe we'll be classmates next year!</p>
<p>I got in here too. Really excited but kinda wondering about what’s allowed. During the tour they said there’s a no drinking in dorms policy, even for over 21! Is it really enforced tho? My friends at college say that everyone does anyway and if you’re caught too many times the only thing that happens is that you’re not allowed to become a RA.</p>
<p>O, and also… What is that stuff about residential communities… I’m looking into Environ. Sci and I would like to be in one of those but I’m not sure if I should as a freshman or not…</p>
<p>last year uvm was my last choice ever and now i love it more than i ever thought i would. i’m not in the honor’s program, but i have several friends who are and i always go over to uheights to study with them, because they’re lounges are better than my hall (H/M).</p>
<p>i’ve actually heard that the honor’s classes are more bothersome than a help to my friends. it might differ from person to person. but it’s also not too difficult of a course. i don’t know the difficulty personally though. you’re supposed to read a lot of stuff, but my friend never read a single book she was supposed to and got an A.</p>
<p>the only thing i like about the honor’s college as an outsider to it is the housing (:</p>
<p>it’s also a really nice thing to first priority in class registration, because there are some professors that everyone wants to avoid.</p>
<p>another thing about the honor’s college is that because of how many schedules come out similar, you’ll be in many of the same classes as other honors students.</p>
<p>i don’t drink or do drugs and i love uvm. you just need to find friends who feel the same way. my roommate share the same opinions in that area and that certainly makes my life a lot easier.</p>
<p>things i love about uvm:
the great view outside my window
the same great view walking to class
the food is decent
my friends are awesome
there are many opportunities given by the career services
the medical college gives opportunities to do lab work (for work study) and there’s a medical library (it’s only one floor though)
there are many clubs and groups on campus to be involved in where you can find your place
and you get to watch games on campus for free! (like hockey!)
downtown adventures</p>
<p>edit: there are probably more reasons, but aren’t coming to mind right now</p>
<p>and there’s a man at the deli at the grundle and he makes the best sandwiches EVER.</p>
<p>“Is UVM for me? What are the advantages to a somewhat bigger school? Is it a party/drinking/druggy school? Any questions that can be answered are greatly appreciated!!”</p>
<p>Well, let me just say that it is a common situation for most UVM students to ask, “Why did you come to UVM?” and for the other person to simply say “I have no idea.” That’s because, frankly, most people don’t know (like most schools). It’s cold, yah you can ski/snowboard, but the entire town is frankly very unassuming. But I don’t know a single person that isn’t incredibly happy that they came here. The town and people surprise you in a big way. </p>
<p>To your second question, unless you’re going to a religious school, you should consider every school to be a “party/drinking/druggy” school. I know it’s easy to categorize schools like that, but when it comes down to it, every school throws down. </p>
<p>And to all readers, ignore entirely everything that gottahavesportz said. </p>
<p>"I got in here too. Really excited but kinda wondering about what’s allowed. During the tour they said there’s a no drinking in dorms policy, even for over 21! Is it really enforced tho? My friends at college say that everyone does anyway and if you’re caught too many times the only thing that happens is that you’re not allowed to become a RA.</p>
<p>O, and also… What is that stuff about residential communities… I’m looking into Environ. Sci and I would like to be in one of those but I’m not sure if I should as a freshman or not…"</p>
<p>It’s a dry campus. It is enforced, to the degree that any “restriction” is enforced by an RA (who is also a student, see: empathizer). If you’re drinking on campus (which won’t likely be all that often after your first year), the only time you’ll get caught is if you are making it obvious. If you’re caught, you have to write a 500 word paper about how you’re reformed and you’ll never do it again blah blah. If you’re caught 3 times, there are penalties. </p>
<p>Residential communities are a highlight of UVM for me. There’s Living/Learning (which I think has a Wilderness program in there, which will feature an Environ. Sci. lean), but there’s also the Green House (which is what I think you’re thinking of), which is living in UHeights. If you’re serious about environmentalism, the green movement, what have you, then go for it. It’s a very interesting, focused community of good people, but it’s intense like any themed living community. </p>
<p>Wheex, hopefully you’ve switched to points by now! I have a special loathing for the grundle, too many sick stomachs.</p>
<p>nope i haven’t. well, i don’t really see any point to. the grundle is right in my hall. so i don’t have to face the cold weather in order to eat! if i switch to points then i have to walk in the cold three times a day all the way to the marche… and you know… i’m kinda too lazy to do that. i don’t mind the food. maybe because i mostly eat grilled wraps and paninis and soup. oh and the bacon chicken ranch pizza. i’ve never felt sick. i have been craving seafood though and the few times the grundle has tried to cook it, has been harrible. so… yea, no seafood. but the other stuff i’m fine by. nothing bad enough to drive me away into the cold… and eat somewhere else.</p>
<p>but the dining halls also aren’t the most vegetarian and vegan friendly</p>
<p>Ahh I see, yah blocks do make the most sense if you’re living in HM.</p>
<p>My D has the same choices (hopefully) as the OP- LACs vs. the honors college. Can the recent people talking about food assume that one is living in the Honors dorm what are the best options for food? Also, can one assume that all the honors students would get a spot in that dorm if they choose? I hear about needing to put deposits down soon at many state schools, and since she won’t get the rest of her results until April, I would like to know if this is necessary.</p>
<p>Food on campus is decidedly pedestrian fare, however UVM does offer a number of vegetarian/vegan/what-have-you (I’m sure I sound like a brochure). There’s blocks and points, and while the tour guide likely offered you a preference for one or the other, both are just fine, and it’s fairly easy to switch. I started off with blocks, but I lived in L/L where there’s a points eatery right in the building, so I soon switched to points. </p>
<p>Essentially, points offer the greatest flexibility, as you can eat at block places and point places. If she’s in the honors college, she’ll most likely be living in UHeights, which is less than a minute walk from the Marche (the points place I mentioned previously) and Harris/Millis (which is where whheex eats). Really no issue there/need for concern about where to live. </p>
<p>Food on campus is fine, it’s much like any school above a couple thousand people: the food has to be made in large quantities, and with quantity, quality goes down (taste quality I guess I should say). The quality of life and food options less than 5 minutes off-campus sway it for me. I just purchase the lowest price point plan and either cook for myself or eat off-campus at reasonably priced, quality cafes/sandwich shops/etc.</p>
<p>edit: If she’s in the honors college, I’m pretty sure she’s guaranteed a spot in UHeights. And another note about the food, if you’re in UHeights you’re pretty much in the middle of all the good places to eat on campus, with the Marche, Harris/Millis/Simpson Store in the immediate vicinity.</p>
<p>My S who is a freshman at UVM had the choice of UVM honors and several LAC’s … he is really happy he chose UVM but have your D visit all the places she is serious about again before deciding (preferably staying overnight). Most of the LAC’s give regular decisions in the last week of March and some before that. Though my son heard from UVM in Jan-Feb 2009 he did not need to make any deposit until May 1.</p>
<p>He is very happy with his choice, likes the UHeights dorms, as for the food well she should go for the pt. system if she wants quality not quantity, but for a growing 18-yr. old man I think meal-plans are best. He decided on the cheapest point system plan and as a result was always hungry. Will change for spring semester.</p>