Hi All,
Considering UMass Amherst and UVM and would love takes on pros and cons of each! If anyone happens to have experience with both schools, that would be extra helpful.
Thank you!
Given your name is Vegan mom, you likely know UMass is consistently rated top 3 for food. Food is important - if you don’t eat, you could, like my kids, get low blood sugar and that’s never good. Niche gives UVM food a C.
What major ? What does the student prefer ? UMass is much bigger, potentially stronger in business and engineering. UVM is in a city - albeit a small one.
What does the student prefer ? Is one more affordable than the other ??
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I have experience with both schools and would choose UVM by far. Love Burlington and surrounding areas. UVM felt more like an LAC to me. Of course, if you are a MA resident, UMass may be more affordable.
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Both are good schools. Pros for UMass Amherst - somewhat better rated (if you care) than UVM, excellent food - including great options for vegan/vegetarian/alternative diets, cute college town, ability to take classes in the consortium. Cons - big, rural, partying reputation (although not nearly as much as in the past and most colleges have quite a bit of partying). UVM Pros - nice location right in Burlington, access to great skiing and other outdoors activities, smaller, chill vibe. UVM Cons - can be tough to find affordable off campus housing, a lot of homeless/drug addicted folks hanging around downtown so there has been an uptick in crime (but still isn’t what I’d consider dangerous at all).
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We visited both at least twice, one daughter was admitted to both, and got her bachelor’s degree from UVM.
However, I have trouble comparing them without saying “they are both very good”, or focusing on a specific major.
For music or computer science I would most likely prefer U.Mass. For pre-veterinary studies, I would probably prefer UVM although both would probably be quite good. For premed studies, I might either flip a coin or attend whichever cost less.
Assuming that both are affordable, I do not think that you can go wrong with either.
And I also wonder about these same three questions.
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Thank you for these helpful responses and questions!
Major will be business and/or some sort of science: the option to double major at both. Grossman School of Business feels cozy and hands-on, but Isenberg has a higher rating. Both schools seem strong in sciences.
The student prefers the size and surrounding town at UVM but the food and distance from home at UMass. He is not super outdoorsy but likes the relaxed vibe at UVM although the greater diversity at UMass is nice. Cost is similar enough that we are not emphasizing that.
I welcome any other insights! Thank you!
After reading that, can he alternate semesters ? Or maybe go to Dartmouth - split the distance?
That’s a tough one. Reading this, I’d go with UVM. I don’t know where you live but distance to home - how often are you coming home?
Does he have a preferred discipline in business?
If he goes to UVM, he gives up diversity and food. But he has cozy and hands on and the surrounding area. UVM also has a higher starting salary (2024) although neither breaks out by major - UMASS $68,914 and UVM $71,968.
Too bad they can’t be merged - but you can only pick one !!
Good luck.
Undergrad Outcomes for Success : Isenberg School of Management : UMass Amherst
Undergraduate-Level-Career-Outcomes-Report-Class-of-2024.pdf