Congratulations to the Class of 2021!

Within the next hour, we will send our last admissions decisions, inviting a talented and passionate group of students to join the UVM Class of 2021. This group of students comes from across the U.S. and around the world. Soon the excitement will grow on social media with #UVMsaidYES hashtags from admitted students.

New this year are a group of students who are being offered admission to UVM beginning in January. Because of the competitive nature of the admission to the university, and because we had more students show interest in UVM than we could accommodate in the fall semester, we have made admission for entrance in the spring possible for a cohort of students. Our spring students will have the same opportunities as those who begin in the fall (opportunities for housing, financial aid, etc). We look forward to welcoming this group in January.

What happens next for the students offered admission today? Notifications about scholarships, financial aid and Honors College will occur by the end of next week. Be sure to check out the admitted student website as well as the new student checklist. We also encourage all admitted students to attend one of the five remaining Admitted Student Visit Days in April.  Registration for these events can be done on the website.

I can’t wait to see who will be the next ones to say yes to UVM! Congratulations, again, to all who have been offered admission to the University of Vermont.

Welcome to the Class of 2020!

In the past week, we’ve had many conversations with and visits from students and parents as they have made their decision to join the Class of 2020. Consistently, our newest members have reflected that they have opted for UVM because of academic excellence, the accessible and talented faculty, access to research, internships, and study abroad, advising and support for students to explore jobs and graduate school options, and the welcoming and friendly community they found. And the bonus is Burlington – one of the best college towns in the country and a gem for students searching for internships, part-time jobs, culture and entertainment. Few schools in the country have all this! Our students demonstrate success – in job placement, graduate school placement, retention and graduation.

Our newest members of the Class of 2020 (and proud parents) have taken to social media to announce their commitment to UVM:

https://twitter.com/breakfastatkats/status/723984347242573825

It's official!! 💛💚💛🎓 #uvm2020 pic.twitter.com/X6ft87Iprp

— Gretchen Thompson (@_gThomp) April 30, 2016

https://twitter.com/ivieparsons/status/726212074792165376

Excited and thankful that I'm going to the University of Vermont in the fall!

— Brandon Lawton (@BrandonLawton3) April 24, 2016

I have officially paid my admission fee to the University of Vermont #uvm #uvmsaidyes 💚

— rachel (@teamboby) April 29, 2016

https://twitter.com/RivertonJoe/status/712607967435104258

Over the next two days, more students will decide to join the Class of 2020. In the coming weeks, information will be sent to students, describing the next steps to enrollment. In the meantime, be sure to check out the new student checklist. New students should be sure to activate their UVM NetID and sign up for orientation.

In May, we’ll share information about the next steps. In the meantime, congratulations to our Class of 2020! You are truly spectacular!

 

Investing in our Class of 2020

About ten days ago, our Student Financial Services office posted the financial aid awards for our admitted students who sent us a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Hurray! Providing funding to make it possible for many students with different stories and circumstances to attend UVM is a real benefit for our students.

Here is some important information about these awards and advice as students make their decisions:

1. In case you haven’t checked for a financial aid award, it can be found at the application status website here. Click on the “Financial Aid Award” button. Awards are available for students that sent us a FAFSA.
2. Financial aid awards are final unless the award is considered tentative (meaning that additional information is still needed to finalize the award). The sentence at the top of the financial aid award will indicate tentative if additional information is needed.
3. There are typical categories of the financial aid award (provided you quality):
   1. Scholarship from UVM – any merit scholarship that was awarded is listed here
   2. Need based grants such as Pell Grant or SEOG – students with the greatest need, as defined by the FAFSA, may qualify for these grants
   3. Work study – students who quality for this award will have up to $1,600 allowed in earnings. This aid must be earned (paid in wages from a job on campus).
   4. Student loan – UVM is required to offer this loan to all students who qualify. It is up to the student if they choose to take any or all of the loan (or any amount). As a reminder, a subsidized loan has its interest paid by the U.S. Department of Education while a student is in school; for an unsubsidized loan, the student is responsible for all the interest on the loan.
   5. UVM Award – this is need-based grant from UVM (if awarded, it is in addition to any scholarship awarded). It can be renewed each year, provided the student’s financial circumstances are unchanged, and the student files a FAFSA (and is in good academic standing)
4. We also take the approach that we provide the best financial aid award available – unless circumstances have changed or there are special situations that were not included, then we do offer students the best award. This is important fact to state since schools have different approaches.
5. One of the most challenging things for families is comparing costs and financial aid. My recommendation is to start with the billed costs (tuition, fees, room and board – be sure you are looking at the tuition costs for 2016-2017) and subtract the financial aid (don’t include work study). I often have conversations with families who see a larger financial aid award, but aren’t taking into account the differential in cost (or they compare full cost of attendance against billed costs).

The good news is that this investment is for four years – students have a gpa requirement to meet for renewal of any scholarship; the need-based financial aid is renewed, provided a student files a FAFSA annually and financial circumstances remain the same.

What if you have questions about the award? Our staff in student financial services are happy to talk with you about questions. The SFS website also has answers to a lot of common questions that can be searched. The staff can be reached at 802-656-5700. Their office hours are listed here.

Our admitted students are choosing UVM! Comments, like the one below, represent what we are hearing from a number of our admitted students:

We hope that YOU will say yes to UVM!

You’ve learned your decision – what does it mean?

March 11 was an exciting day for us – we completed the review of all the applications in our applicant pool. More than 22,000 students applied for admission this fall, and we are very excited about the students we selected to be part of the Class of 2020. We also know that we could not say yes to all students who wanted to enroll at UVM in the fall…I hope the information about each of the decisions below will help guide students through the rest of the process.

Admit – Yay! We selected a fabulous group of students to join the Class of 2020. The first-year class is targeted to be roughly 2,300 students. From nearly every state and with interests spread across 100 majors, the students admitted will join the UVM community in the fall. What’s next for you? Notifications about scholarships and scholarships were sent last week and are available online at our application status portal. We still have six admitted student visit days remaining, as well as other visit options. Students have until May 1 to make a decision (confirmed by paying the $495 acceptance fee). We selected this group of students who presented the most competitive applications and create the community we are looking for at UVM….and we want you to SAY YES!

Wait List – Wait list is probably the most challenging decision we need to make in the admissions process. As an applicant, you want an answer. But wait list is a maybe answer.

Why do we need a wait list? Because the university’s priority is to ensure we have a full class and full residence halls – but we can’t have too many! Imagine what it would be like if we oversubscribed and we didn’t have enough residence hall rooms for students. Airlines can place you on the next flight – the next flight at a university leaves four months later (meaning the next semester). So we use wait lists to fill any short falls in particular academic programs or residence halls. Our models and predictions are very good, but they are never perfect.

We encourage students who continue to be interested in UVM to accept the wait list (you can go online at the application status portal to accept a place on the wait list). In late April, we will begin to review our confirmations from admitted students, and make a decision about if we need to offer admission to our wait list students. Those decisions come any time from late-April to mid-May. How many students do we choose from the wait list? It has varied in recent years – in some years, we have selected several hundred…last year, we did not use the wait list because we full but we offered spring semester admission to selected students from the wait list.

Deny – It is always a difficult decision to say no to an applicant. When we do, we do so with the caveat that there are several paths to earning a UVM degree in the future. We ask students who want to attend UVM in the future to strengthen their academic record and apply as a transfer student. Transfer students who have completed a year of academic work (typically 25-30 credit hours) and have earned at least a 2.8 gpa or higher should reapply as a transfer student for fall 2017.

Our staff is available to answer questions about what’s next, about admissions decisions. Please be in touch with our office as you take your next step.

You are invited to our Admitted Student Visit Day

This month, we began hosting admitted students and their families on campus during our admitted student visit days. These programs are a highlight of the spring for the UVM campus because it is a time when we can welcome our admitted students to campus and help them to get to know UVM in an up-close and personal way.

What happens at an ASV? So much! It is a combination of structured program and then sessions from which you can choose.

Why does the program begin at the Sheraton Conference Center? Parking. It’s that simple. You’ll gather at the Sheraton and we’ll transport you to campus for the opening session. Plan to arrive at the Sheraton by 7:45 am (earlier if you want to be among the first to arrive on campus).

The day kicks off with the opening session. You’ll hear from me, from students and from our university leadership. We’ll review the schedule and send you on your way. The morning is spent with the academic unit to which you are admitted. Once that session concludes, the rest of the day is filled with optional sessions, with an opportunity to tour our residence halls, to eat lunch in a dining hall and to learn about academic departments, study abroad, living on campus, and the Career Center. You’ll have the opportunity to meet with a financial aid counselor. You can talk with staff in the Academic Success Program office.

Even if you visited the campus previously, we encourage you to visit again during one of these programs. The schedule is designed to give you an up close and personal view of campus. There are parts that are unstructured which allows you to craft your own day.

While our program for this Friday is at capacity, we are still taking reservations for the March 25 program, and for all the programs in April. Don’t forget to make a hotel reservation – the hotels around campus tend to fill during these programs.

We’re expecting a great group of students and parents on Friday. I hope to see you at one of our upcoming programs.

#UVMsaidYes – what’s next?

Last Wednesday was a great day at UVM! We had the honor of inviting a wonderful group of high school students from across the U.S. and the world to join UVM’s Class of 2020. From 41 states, Washington, D.C, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and more than a dozen countries world-wide, our early action students are some of the best. They are well-prepared to tackle the rigor and inquiry at UVM, but they also are individuals who have already made an impact in their own communities. They love the outdoors, play sports, are Eagle Scouts, researchers, snowboarders, and class presidents. Together, they will become the university’s first-year class. Can’t way to see who says yes!

The highlight of my Wednesday evening was to watch the reactions on social media as students found out the decision. You can see them all by searching #UVMsaidYes. But here are a few:

Got accepted into the college I've wanted to go to since I was 9. Can't get much better than that👍🏼💚 #UVMsaidYes

— Lindsey Gonyea (@LindseyGonyea) December 17, 2015

https://twitter.com/d_rohatgi/status/677244365241262082

#UVMSAIDYES I have never felt more accomplished in my life :') cannot wait to be a catamount 💚💛💚💛💚💛

— bisexulil (@yerbathotte) December 16, 2015

https://twitter.com/Mfulciniti_/status/677241229189451776

https://twitter.com/lydendres/status/677248389420064770

https://twitter.com/emmakatexo/status/677284906821660672

Got accepted to University of Vermont yesterday 😊 pretty great post finals present #UVMsaidYes @UVMAdmissions

— Allison Perry (@A_perry_1027) December 18, 2015

We're gonna get married in the fall!!!! #UVMsaidYes

— Memebro (@freshoutofcare) December 17, 2015

https://twitter.com/DoughertyK24/status/677299337286828034

And in summary:

#UVMsaidYes excitement is really best captured by emoji. #UVM2020's top choices: 🎉😎😸🌲✅😂🤗😍💯 and of course 💚💛💚💛💚💛💚💛💚💛

— University of Vermont (@uvmvermont) December 16, 2015

So after all the excitement, what happens next? Just yesterday, we posted merit scholarships for our early action applicants. They can be found on the application status website. Letters are going in the mail next week.

We also receive a number of questions about invitations to the Honors College at this time of year. The first group of invitations will be extended during the week of January 11. The review will continue through the middle of March.

January 1 is the time to begin working on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The priority deadline is February 10. If exact 2015 information for taxes is not completed by that date, it is important to still submit the FAFSA with estimated information and then update it when it is available.

It’s also time to schedule an visit during an Admitted Student Visit Day. What happens during these days? The campus opens its doors for students and parents to learn more about the academic area to which a student is admitted, tour a residence hall, learn more about study abroad or the Career Center. Even if you have visited previously, this is a can’t miss day. Reservations should be made and can be done online.

In late January, we begin a series of 13 admitted student receptions, hosted by UVM alumni, around the country. The locations and dates can be found here. Reservations can be made online. I hope to see you at one of these programs this winter.

Finally, it’s a great time to explore all the great academic offerings in the college/school to which you are admitted.Your letter of admission as well as the Admissions Application Status on the website will confirm the college/school as well as the major to which you were admitted. Where do I start? First, explore offerings on the college/school websites. Links to their sites can be found on our academic homepage. Next, I suggest reviewing the catalogue. This online document has curriculum plans for each major and a description of each of the courses offered. Course registration happens in June during orientation but exploring offerings now will help you in making decisions about majors and programs.

Lots of good information can be found on our admitted student website. Be sure to check it out. Join the Class of 2020 Facebook group. An invitation was sent to each admitted student with a link to join the group.

Our staff is here to help! Be in touch with any questions. In the meantime, congratulations on admission to UVM’s Class of 2020!

Who is choosing UVM?

The Class of 2018 is taking shape as May 1 nears in less than a week. This time of year is exciting for all universities, including UVM, as we discover who will be the newest members of our community. I’ve watched the posts on Twitter of students “making it official” when they choose UVM. The Facebook page is filled with students who are making orientation meet ups and roommate selections. It’s truly remarkable when this group of students who come from across the U.S. and the world come together to forever make a mark on UVM.

Since yesterday morning, more than 100 students have paid their acceptance fee and have said yes to UVM. Who are some of these newest members of the Class of 2018? Here’s a sampling…..

• a student who plans to study nursing and who has lived in the U.S., France and Switzerland, and who has moved ten times in her life.
• a student who plans to study animal science and is a counselor at a horse camp and who is an education assist at the Buffalo Zoo.
• an actress who has played Peter Pan and Sarah Brown in school and community productions.
• the founder and president of Cookies for a Cause, a service organization that raises money for local and international charities.
• a student-athlete who has been named to the Indiana All-State first-team in basketball.
• a writer selected to attend the New England Young Writer’s Conference at Breadloaf.
• a student who played the lead in a play performed in Spanish during a school year abroad program in Spain.
• an engineering student who participated in New York’s New Visions Engineering program.

This is just a sample of those who have recently joined UVM’s Class of 2018. We are excited to meet the rest as they say yes to UVM in the coming week. We look forward to answering any last questions. Can’t wait to see who will say yes next.

 

Making your college decision: Are you intuitive or a fact-finder?

At yesterday’s admitted student visit day, Vice Provost Annie Stevens asked the students in the audience if they took a fact-finding or an intuitive approach to their final college choice. Her question made me reflect on the decisions that many high school seniors will be facing in the next two weeks. The role of information in that final decision is an interesting thing to ponder and something that we think about a lot. What do students need to make the final decision (and most students wait until these last two weeks to make their decision?)

About the facts….over the course of the last eighteen months, we have been sharing lots of facts. Student faculty ratio, enrollment, graduation rates, average class size, percent of our students that study abroad, job placements, etc. All these facts paint a picture of a place that prepares students in an exceptional way in their academic area of interest because of our great faculty and staff and because of the unique commitment to undergraduate education in the context of a great, small research university. Dr. Stevens shared lots of facts yesterday as she described all the features and the accolades that describe a UVM education.

About the intuition…..often I find that the intuition plays a greater role this time of year in the final decision. Intuition is that feeling that you can’t put words to…you just know. You walk around campus, and around Burlington, and say, “I can see myself here for the next four years. I love this place!” Our admitted students get that feeling by watching UVM students interact, by confidently navigating the campus, by enjoying a meal on Church Street and seeing people smiling and enjoying themselves. I accompanied a student to pay her acceptance fee yesterday who already had the check made out and they came back for a final visit just to confirm her intuition that UVM was the right place. I spoke with another family who described the energy around campus and around Burlington….”you can just feel it.” In my opinion, UVM is the perfect place – a place that is both filled with natural beauty combined with an excitement and energy that comes from interesting and passionate students, faculty engaged with students and their own research, and welcoming and comfortable community. This vibe comes through when students walk around campus. The intuition becomes the strong voice that says yes, I love it here.

Over the next two weeks, many more students will say yes to UVM. Our staff is here to answer those last factual questions. We will welcome several thousand more students and parents in our last admitted student visit days. We can’t wait to see people on campus!

During yesterday’s visit day, nearly 25 students made the decision to say yes to UVM! For many of them, they simply said, “this is the right place.” Was it because of the facts or just taking in the atmosphere? My guess is a little bit of both.

You are invited to visit UVM

UVM campus on a winter day

Travel + Leisure magazine recently published a list of America’s best college towns and it  is not a surprise that Burlington was ranked #1. This ranking is only one reason that we extend the invitation to come visit UVM! Whether an admitted student or a junior just beginning the college search, we’ve got an option for most kinds of campus visits.

All of our admitted students are strongly encouraged to consider coming to one of our Admitted Student Visit Days (ASV). These day-long programs allow students and parents to get a close-up view of UVM. Students begin the day hearing an overview of UVM. Next students and parents spend about two hours learning more about the college/school to which the student is admitted. The balance of the day can be spent meeting with financial aid, touring a residence hall, visiting an academic department or eating lunch in the dining hall. It also is an opportunity for admitted students to meet one another. These visit days are offered eight times over the next three months. Be sure to make a reservation for the program as well as a hotel reservation – these programs do fill up!

Can’t make an ASV? We do offer a 2-hour visit (presentation and tour) with information specifically for admitted students, called an Admitted Student Information Session (ASIS). While these presentations don’t offer an academic component to the visit, the presenters (an admissions counselor and a student) share information helpful to students and parents about the next steps to enrolling at UVM. The presentation is followed by a student panel and a campus tour.

Just starting your college search? A Group Information Session (GIS) is the best visit for you! Students and parents will hear a great introduction to UVM, will hear from a panel of current students and then head out for a campus tour. We also offer a larger open house for sophomores and juniors, called UVM Preview. This visit day has all the elements of a GIS but also offers a faculty/student panel as well as information tables from various university offices. Reservations are encouraged for GIS programs as well as for the UVM Preview. Reservations can be made online. I recommend making a reservation early for a visit during a vacation week or on Saturdays.

We often get questions about two visit options – interviews and overnight visits, neither of which we offer. We don’t offer interviews because we don’t use them as part of our evaluation process. We do, however, offer the opportunity to meet with our admissions counselor on duty during a visit. We also have information conversations with our student AdvoCats. Reservations for these informal chats can be scheduled by calling the admissions office at 802-656-3370.

We are very excited to welcome you to our campus. We can’t wait to see you in Burlington!

The Class of 2017 is shaping up!

Today we welcomed another 750 students and parents to campus for our fourth (of eight) admitted student visit days. Students started the day listening to the Top Cats, learning more about the university’s direction from Vice President Chris Lucier, visiting each of the academic units and exploring campus buildings, residence halls and dining halls. I was walking up the stairs of the Davis Center with one of our admitted students. When I asked how her day was going, she shared, “This is my dream school.” When I asked why she liked UVM, she said, “It’s so beautiful here. Plus you have great classes and people are so friendly. I feel really comfortable here.”  This really does sum up why students are choosing to come to UVM. And making a stop at Rally is a great way to celebrate on UVM’s campus.

Admitted student + Rally=Good luck!

In the next few days, admitted students should receive a letter from President Sullivan outlining a new initiative focusing on further expanding experiential learning and career services. This new commitment is a great step forward in bolstering our already active commitment to activity in the form of service learning, internships and study abroad that gives students an ideal compliment to classroom learning.

Nineteen students attending today’s ASV committed to UVM before they left campus. More will decide to do the same when they get home. Students are paying their acceptance fee every day. There is still time for all students to do the same. All students have three weeks, until May 1, to make a decision. Ready to join the Class of 2017? Join the UVM community!