University of Vermont

<h4 id="section---Pros">Pros</h4> <ul><li>Large number of program offerings </li><li>Low number (10%) of graduate assistants teaching courses </li><li>In 2009, 57% of students graduated in 4 years, which was 17 percentage points higher than the national average </li></ul><h4 id="section---Cons">Cons</h4> <ul><li>Total cost is $10,422 higher than the national average for in-state students and $17,495 higher than the national average for out-of-state students </li><li>Located more than 50 miles from international airports and major cities </li><li>Student-to-faculty ratio is 2 points higher than the national average </li></ul><h3 id="section---RankingsAndSchoolAnalysis">Rankings and School Analysis</h3> <p>The University of Vermont has had a long history in which to distinguish itself as a well-respected research institution in the United States. First chartered in 1791, the same year that Vermont became the 14th state in the Union, UVM has been home to many notable alumni and continues to receive recognition today. The University of Vermont was the first institution of higher learning to declare religious freedom, and it was the first to admit women and African Americans into Phi Beta Kappa - the oldest academic honors society in the nation. </p> <p><i>U.S. News and World Report</i> ranked the University of Vermont 92nd on their list of national universities. Schools on this list are all public institutions committed to innovative research. UVM students demonstrate this commitment in their many research projects both on and off-campus, from the floating classroom on Lake Champlain to the Vermont Cancer Center. </p> <p>The student-to-faculty ratio at UVM is 17:1, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES), which is slightly higher than the national average. UVM reported that the average class size is 30 students and that 91% of professors hold a PhD. Furthermore, 10% of classes are taught by graduate assistants, so you can expect the majority of your classes to be taught by full professors with terminal degrees in their field. With more than 100 program offerings at UVM, you will have plenty to choose from when deciding what to study. Some of the most popular majors at this school include business, psychology, English, political science, and environmental studies. When considering applying to UVM, it is good to know that NCES reported that the 57% 4-year graduation rate for full-time, first-time students is 17 points higher than the national average, and that 72% of the students graduate within 6 years. </p> <p>The cost of attending UVM is more than $10,000 higher than the national average for both in-state and out-of-state students, which earned this school a place on <i>U.S. News and World Report's</i> most expensive public colleges for in-state students. According to the school's website, UVM sponsors a number of scholarships for in-state and out-of-state students, including some that require a separate application. So, if you think the high cost of an education at the University of Vermont will be a problem for you, you should check with their financial aid office to explore your options. </p> <h2 id="section---GettingInAndFinancialAidAtTheUniversityOfVermont">Getting in and Financial Aid at the University of Vermont</h2> <p>Admissions at the University of Vermont are considered to be more selective, according to <i>U.S. News and World Report,</i> with a 75% acceptance rate, which is 9.5 percentage points higher than the national average. The acceptance rate for early action applicants is considerably higher at 98.6%. According to the NCES, only 14% of those admitted choose to enroll. UVM reports that of the students admitted in 2012, 96% were in the top 50% of their high school class and almost 200 first-year students were admitted into the undergraduate honors college. </p> <p>Applications for non-binding early action are due November 1, whereas the regular application deadline is January 15. If you apply by the early action deadline the $55 application fee will be waived. To apply, you will have to complete your common application including the UVM supplement, which should be accompanied by an official high school transcript, mid-year grades, one letter of recommendation, and SAT or ACT scores. </p> <p>If you want to apply for financial aid to help defray the costs of your studies at UVM, you should file the FAFSA to be considered for both federal and university aid. UVM's website stated that the financial aid application deadline for priority consideration is February 1, but you should check with the FAFSA website, since filing dates can vary by state of residence. The College Board reported that the average financial aid package for UVM students was $21,526. Also, <i>U.S. News and World Report</i> showed that, although 71.4% of students applied for aid in 2011, only 10.8% had their full need met. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Admissions and Financial Aid</th><th /></tr> <tr><td> <i>Regular Application Deadline (2013)</i> </td><td> January 15*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Application Fee (2013)</i></td><td> $55*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Acceptance Rate (2011)</i></td><td> 75%**</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Tuition and Fees (2012-2013)</i></td><td> $15,284 in-state, $35,612 out-of-state***</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Average Financial Aid Package (No year given)</i></td><td> $21,526 ***</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Percent of Students with Need Met (2011)</i></td><td>10.8%****</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Student Loan Default Rate (2009)</i></td><td> 2.5 %**</td></tr> </table><h2 id="section---StudentLifeAtTheUniversityOfVermont">Student Life at the University of Vermont</h2> <p>Located close to the shores of Lake Champlain, UVM offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor sports and activities close to campus. In 2012, Burlington, VT, was named to The Princeton Review's list of best college cities, and Vermont ranked as the healthiest state in the United States by the United Health Foundation for the fourth year in a row. Also, there are more than 150 clubs and organizations on campus, including a student-run newspaper, television station, rescue squad, and radio station. Additionally, there are 18 NCAA Division I teams and more than 20 intramural sports. </p> <p>According to the NCES, although UVM is a state school, 74% of students come from outside the state of Vermont, while 1% are from foreign countries. Slightly more than half of the student population is female and half of all students live on campus. According to <i>U.S. News and World Report,</i> both first- and second-year students at UVM are required to live in campus-affiliated housing. Degree-seekers at UVM can choose between 39 residence halls and 13 dining facilities. For your academic needs, there are 3 libraries: a main library, a physical sciences library, and a medical library. Some of the specialized facilities that support the research activity at the University of Vermont include farms and research centers focused on the fields of microbiology, molecular genetics, ecosystem science, horticulture, dairy science, and on the cultivation and products of sugar maple trees. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Student Life</th><th /></tr> <tr><td><i>Campus Setting</i></td><td> Small city**</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Student Population (2011)</i></td><td> 11,482 undergraduates**</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Male-to-Female Student Ratio (2011)</i></td><td> 44% male, 56% female**</td></tr> <tr><td><i>% of Full-Time Students (2011)</i></td><td> 89%**</td></tr> <tr><td><i>% of In-State Students (2011)</i></td><td> 24%**</td></tr> <tr><td><i>% of International Students (2011)</i></td><td> 1%**</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Retention Rate (2011)</i></td><td> 85%**</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Campus Housing Available</i></td><td> yes*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>% of Students Living On-Campus</i></td><td> 50%****</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Number of Libraries</i></td><td> 3*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Extracurricular Activities</i></td><td> 150 clubs and organizations*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Sources: *UVM, **NCES, ***College Board, ****U.S. News and World Report</i> </p> <h3 id="section---ContactInformation">Contact Information</h3> <ul><li><i>Address:</i> Office of Admissions, 194 South Prospect Street, Burlington, VT 05401-3596 </li><li><i>Phone:</i> (802) 656-3370</li></ul>