How to get into University of Vermont
How to get into UVM: a flagship that values fit with Vermont and outdoor culture more than admissions gamesmanship
65.3%
Acceptance rate
$19,058
In-state cost
$45,502
Out-of-state cost
What makes University of Vermont admissions different
The University of Vermont is the state's public flagship — roughly 11,700 undergrads on a college-town campus in Burlington. UVM admits around 65% of applicants. Most students who meet the floor (solid GPA, decent rigor, one essay) get in. The harder questions at UVM are about cost (out-of-state sticker is steep), program fit (UVM has nationally recognized programs in environmental sciences, nursing, and the Grossman School of Business), and whether you genuinely want a small-state flagship with a strong outdoor/environmental identity.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply through the Common App by the January 15 regular deadline. Early Action is available (November 1) and gives the earliest decision plus first crack at merit scholarships.
- 2.
Write the Common App personal essay seriously — it's the main writing piece UVM reads. UVM does not currently require a school-specific supplement for most applicants.
- 3.
Pick the right college within UVM. The Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and the Grossman School of Business each have their own admissions considerations and pre-professional sequences.
- 4.
Vermont residents: confirm in-state tuition eligibility. UVM is meaningfully cheaper for Vermont students, and the Catamount Commitment guarantees that Pell-eligible Vermonters pay no tuition or fees.
- 5.
Out-of-state applicants: run the net price calculator carefully. UVM's published OOS cost runs near $60K — merit aid (Presidential, Trustee, Green & Gold scholarships) is available and stacks with need-based aid for many admits.
- 6.
Reference UVM-specific resources in essays where natural: undergraduate research through OUR, the Honors College (separate application by November 1), study abroad to UVM-run programs, environmental fieldwork through the Rubenstein School.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Treating UVM as a 'Northeast safety' without doing the cost math. OOS sticker is high and not all admits receive enough merit aid to make it affordable.
- ✕
Skipping the Honors College application when the profile fits. The Honors College has its own application and offers a four-year living-learning track.
- ✕
Underestimating UVM's specific strengths. The school is genuinely top-tier in environmental sciences, plant biology, food systems, and nursing — applicants pointed at those programs see UVM differently than generalists.
- ✕
Missing November 1 Early Action when you want the earliest decision and best shot at scholarships.
The specifics for University of Vermont
Application deadlines
- Early ActionNovember 1, 2025Non-binding
- Regular DecisionJanuary 15, 2026
What makes this admissions process distinctive
UVM's commitment that Pell-eligible Vermont residents pay no tuition or fees, structurally subsidizing the cost of a flagship education for in-state low-income students.
Honors College (separate application)
UVM's Honors College admits a competitive cohort with smaller seminars, an honors thesis, and dedicated honors residential housing. Application is separate from general admission.
Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources
One of the longest-established interdisciplinary environmental schools in the country, with strong undergraduate research and fieldwork in the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain.
What graduates actually do
UVM graduates cluster in healthcare, environmental science, education, and outdoor-industry careers across New England, with the Larner College of Medicine and the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources feeding strong professional pipelines. Burlington's startup and B-Corp ecosystem (Ben & Jerry's, Seventh Generation, Burton Snowboards) absorbs many graduates locally, while the alumni network is unusually dense in Vermont state government, conservation nonprofits, and the ski industry.
Notable alumni
- John Dewey — Philosophy/Education reformer
- Jody Williams — Nobel Peace Prize laureate
- Howard Dean — Politics — former VT Governor, DNC Chair
- H. Jon Benjamin — Voice acting (Archer, Bob's Burgers)
- Grace Potter — Music
Transfer pathway
UVM accepts transfer applications for fall and spring, generally requiring a 2.5+ cumulative GPA and at least one full-time semester of college work. The Community College of Vermont has a long-standing transfer agreement guaranteeing admission to UVM for CCV graduates who meet GPA thresholds in eligible programs. UVM also accepts transfer credits broadly via course equivalencies and articulation agreements.
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App. Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
Vermont residents in the B+/strong-essay band are very likely to get in and to find UVM affordable thanks to in-state tuition and the Catamount Commitment. Out-of-state applicants at the same band will likely get in but should plan around the cost — UVM is a strong fit for students who want the outdoor/environmental identity and can either afford OOS sticker or earn enough merit to bridge the gap.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.