Vermont Public is independent, community-supported media, serving Vermont with trusted, relevant and essential information. We share stories that bring people together, from every corner of our region. New to Vermont Public? Start here.

© 2024 Vermont Public | 365 Troy Ave. Colchester, VT 05446

Public Files:
WVTI · WOXM · WVBA · WVNK · WVTQ · WVTX
WVPR · WRVT · WOXR · WNCH · WVPA
WVPS · WVXR · WETK · WVTB · WVER
WVER-FM · WVLR-FM · WBTN-FM

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact hello@vermontpublic.org or call 802-655-9451.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

With Record Number Of Applicants, UVM Becomes More Selective

Toby Talbot
/
AP
In this April 30, 2012, file photo, students walk across campus at the University of Vermont. Applications to UVM are up 9 percent from last year, including a 3 percent increase in in-state applications.

The University of Vermont received a record 23,936 applications from students seeking acceptance for the fall 2014 semester, officials announced Wednesday.

According to a release from the university, that’s a 9 percent increase in applications over last year, including a 3 percent increase in in-state applications.

Applications from Vermonters went from 2101 last year to 2161 this year.

Beth Wiser, UVM’s director of admissions, said that increase is especially significant.

“Vermont high school graduate numbers have been decreasing every year,” Wiser said, because of the demographic echoes of the post-WWII “baby boom.”

With a 1,886 increase over last year's record applicant pool, most of UVM's increase came from out of state.

But with a 1,886 increase over last year’s record applicant pool, most of UVM’s increase came from out of state.

“For us, I think the story about UVM continues to get out,” she said. “We have students who are coming here who are satisfied with their experience. They’re talking about that.”

Despite the growing number of applicants, UVM’s undergraduate population isn’t growing, Wiser said. A plan set out by UVM President Thomas Sullivan calls for an undergraduate student body of 9,800, slightly smaller than the 9,970 students currently enrolled.

That means that with a growing applicant pool and slightly smaller class sizes, the state’s largest university is growing more selective.

“President Sullivan has certainly talked about that in his plan,” Wiser said. “And that plan refers to out of state students.”

Wiser said the increasingly selective rates of acceptance don't apply to Vermont applicants, who she said will be accepted at roughly the same rate.

Taylor was VPR's digital reporter from 2013 until 2017. After growing up in Vermont, he graduated with at BA in Journalism from Northeastern University in 2013.
Latest Stories