My daughter (OOS) was admitted to the Global Studies Program. She received a Presidential Scholarship of $17,000 a year.
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My DD was deferred and just got a Winter Admit. So admitted but start Winter? How does this work?
My daughter was also deferred from EA to RD and got her acceptance yesterday for animal science but with a spring semester start. My impression from the letter is that they will also be reassessed for a fall start should space be made available.
In reading the letter my understanding is that students who take this spring acceptance will have new student orientation in January and then start classes. They also said these students will be placed for housing in one of the living learning communities. They stated that their UVM advisors will still work with them however on plans for this fall as to things they can do which they listed taking classes at another college and transferring those credits to UVM or taking part in some study abroad thing for UVM credit.
I didn’t see anything in my daughter’s letter about merit so maybe she wasn’t offered any? This school was her first choice but the spring start has her super bummed out and I think has changed her opinion on going here. I tried to help her see the positive (you got into the program you want, etc.) but right now she’s looking at this like a defeat.
My daughter is a current freshman at UVM and I had a lot of questions during admission last year so I thought I should come back with our experience:
DD was deferred from EA and admitted as spring start in RD. She sent an email reiterating her interest in UVM as her first choice and asking questions about spring start, saying she would be interested in fall start admission. In early July UVM contacted her offering the regular fall start. I think that happened right after decision deadline so they had a better idea of how many committed student were coming in the fall.
DD had received other acceptances for fall start in the meantime, but liked UVM and actually had started to like the idea of spring start. I had concerns, but she chose to commit to UVM and remain a spring start student.
She went to our local community college and gained 15 credits in the fall, she got used to attending college classes in a smaller setting, communicating with professors etc.
She moved up to UVM in January, got her first choice dorm/community assignment, took the place of a student who left after the first semester, and has had an incredibly positive experience fitting in and finding her people. Her roommate a s the girls around her dorm welcomed her so warmly and they all became immediate friends.
They did have a full orientation in January for spring start students, obviously a smaller group but similar programs.
Her advisors have been very helpful leading up to her start, she sent multiple emails and had a zoom meeting in the fall, and they continue to be very accessible and responsive to all her questions.
So if you have a spring start letter, I would say it’s very possible to get a fall start offer right after the decision deadline. It’s such a tough call and any unknowns in the process make it that much worse but we really had a positive experience.
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Many schools are working with Verto now to provide students an opportunity to study abroad first semester with guaranteed admission in second semester. The podcast Your College Bound Kid had a short segment about Verto on Thursday’s episode (3/7/24, episode #173 part 3 of the discussion about Gap Years with Mark Bonser). I had never heard of Verto before this, looks interesting.
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Thank you SO MUCH for this post. Incredibly helpful!
I think she and my husband fear her falling behind. But I look at it as a good opportunity to take a couple classes locally at home as a way to prepare for what college courses will be like or to do the study abroad option. We travel a fair amount internationally and she had an interest in study abroad options in college anyway but with her desired major is tricky sometimes to do. I see a lot of positives for my daughter for a spring start. Your reply will be helpful for me to share with them. Thank you!
You are not required to study abroad. January start kids can do so for credit if they want, but they have other options for the fall too. They can work, take summer and fall credits at a community college or UVM professional & continuing ed (the credits transfer). No need to go abroad for credits in gen ed requirements. Summer classes are cheaper too.
My son was a spring start kid. But took credits in the fall ahead of starting. His has allowed him to finish “on time” with his peers. He only needs to take 1-2 extra classes during his time at UVM to make it happen.
No students at school care if you are a spring start kid. By your sophomore year, no one remembers. If UVM is your first choice, make it happen and you will have no regrets.
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Thanks for sharing. I think it’s tough for her to think of not leaving for school in the fall as her twin brother will be going off somewhere to college in the fall so there is that piece. Honestly, I think with AP credit she may be able to transfer over and doing a few classes at a local college she could end up graduating when she expects.
Your willingness to jump back on here and provide all this info is so wonderful, just want to give you a big shout out for your kindness.
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Has anyone been to an admitted students day yet? Any tips? We’re going March 29th.
I’d be curious, too (going the same date). It’ll be our first time in Burlington! First time in Vermont, come to think of it!! 
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We went to the first admitted student visit day on February 16th. We toured the campus last summer. UVM is S24’s top choice and he committed to attending in early March. He’s in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources for Sustainability, Ecology and Policy. I graduated from high school in Vermont and met my wife at UVM. We live in the DC area now, but remain connected to Burlington via friends and family.
Brief itinerary:
- Light refreshments are served at the hotel where you take the bus to campus. Be sure to get there early to have time to eat (unless you have breakfast beforehand). It’s a long wait until lunch.
- Once on campus, ‘Why UVM’ speech to a general audience
- Split up into groups by college/school
- Split up again into groups by major within college/school
- Student panel from your college/school
- Free time in the afternoon: specific tours (e.g. overall campus, student housing), A-Z activities fair, lunch, honors college or other receptions
- The shuttle back to the hotel runs up until 5 pm, but where you parked your car is also walking distance from campus.
What S24 liked most about admitted student visit day:
- Other current students recommended eating at Harris Millis if you wanted to try the campus food. We were impressed with the many options. The experience was good, not great.
- The Honors College reception is worthwhile, but S24 mostly enjoyed seeing the living space.
- The best part of the morning was the group for his major. It’s small and intimate, a great chance to ask probing questions.
During the free time, the A-Z fair is useful if you have further questions. I highly recommend it for informal information gathering and candid comments about UVM life.
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So helpful, thanks!!!
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When does their financial aid info come out? We got a Spring admit but no word on merit or anything?
Merit was in my letter but I was fall admit. Could be different for spring
My son is a senior at UVM about to graduate. Enjoy admitted students day! Happy to answer any questions if I can.
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Financial aid was delayed due to the FAFSA silliness this year. Merit aid would be in the acceptance letter regardless of spring or fall admit.
Yes. Stay at the double tree the night before. Just makes things easier. They have a light breakfast. You dont need to be on the first bus over to the college because then you just wait for the other busses to get there. Time flies so prioritize what you will do and when based on what you need to see vs what you can just email someone on. For instance, do look at the dorms, dont worry about talking to clubs. Do eat on campus for lunch where you think your kid will eat the most. Do check out the downtown area.
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D24 also got a spring admit and no mention of merit in her acceptance so I’m assuming we would be on the hook for full price, OOS. UVM was her top choice but getting admitted for the spring instead of fall has changed her tune on the school so not sure at this point where she’s going to end up.
This is super helpful! My daughter had UVM high on her list but is now considering skipping accepted students day (we’re registered for April 1) b/c she has a few SLAC admissions she is excited about. I love UVM and I feel the Honors College makes it a top contender. Seeing your trip report makes me think we should definitely go.
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