UVM or CU Boulder

[strode420]

i hate boulder and CU with all my heart (went to CSU so i have to). but if my decision was simply CU vs UVM i'd still pick CU in a heartbeat. like Sterling said, the specific school you attend probably matters not to your interviewer. the skiing will be monumentally better.

i might be slightly biased towards colorado so take what i say with two grains of salt.

[Deep Days]

Socially, I regretted most everything about coming to CU pretty much all of last year (sophomore year), except for the good friends I made (not many in number compared to what usually happens in college) and the skiing I got to do. Shit was just stagnant. I'm socially inept, and it took me a while to realize that the people you hang out with your freshman year aren't necessarily your friends--they're just people you hang out with whom you may not see again after you no longer live near them. So you're at no disadvantage there... Additionally, for pretty much the entire duration of my freshman year I had a hardcore girlfriend who lived 1400 miles away, so I didn't even bother to meet girls; probably the worst life choice I have ever made. But there are always prospects in your giant classes in your second year and even in the upper level classes as your study continues--that's a plus cuz you know the girls are into the same shit you're into.

I made my decision to come to CU based on a snap judgment visiting the campus one day during a ski trip; I saw the flashy lights of Boulder Freeride and the Ski Bus and the beautiful sorostitutes and this "apparent" outdoor culture and said "YEP! THIS IS FOR ME!" And then I writhed in difficulty to find those exact same people until only recently. (By "these people" I do not mean the friends I have made from TGR; I mean specifically CU students who hold skiing and the outdoors central to their existences and aren't baked out of their noggins).

As of this year--junior year--, I've started (continued?) to find my niche, and friendships that didn't even exist during my freshman year are consolidating. It makes life a lot easier and more enjoyable. If skiing were still basically all I had, I probably wouldn't have made it. But like phish, I'm becoming increasingly glad I didn't go on a whim back to LSU or to CC (the most likely alternative for me). So that's something to consider for staying in Burlington.

Factors involving everything other than platonic friendships considered, CU is great. The weather in Boulder is fantastic, you can get a very fine science (or business) education, and if you have any game at all, you can regularly hook up with any one of the innumerable "unsuspecting young foxes" (so I'm told...) who cavort about constantly. In truth, the [inbounds and specifically regular inbounds] skiing isn't enough to make you come yourself every time you go, but you can do it a lot if you try, and you'd have to be diseased not to have lots of fun doing it. If partying is your thing, then CU is your locale. I've been to two "parties" since the beginning of last semester, so I'm an example that the opposite end of the spectrum exists as well.

My philosophy on CU is that there are ALL kinds of people here that allow for ALL kinds of experiences; it's kind of a "choose your own ending" college. It's so big that it's easy to get lost, but if you steer the right course, even in your second year, you can, should, and will thrive and enjoy the shit out of yourself. Get involved in stuff, talk to people, meet people, go skiing, just DO stuff, and making friends and meeting girls is no problem.

[JJUDGE]

personally i would say CU Boulder, im from the north east and currently go to the university of denver and absolutely love it out here. Weather is much better in the winter, the ski season is significantly longer, i skied my first day the second week of october and plan on skiing through april. A Basin will be open hopefully till the first week of may, shitty skiing, but the tailgating is a blast. If your going environmental science, i know UVM has a good program, but not sure about boulder. one of my fraternity brothers transfered from DU to CU for engineering because boulder has a much better program, but if that is not your cup of tea, i think the weather, women, football, easy access to downtown denver, and the skiing should seal the deal for you

[DrtyWkndr]

I will begin my MBA (Graduate) degree from CU - Boulder this fall. My reasoning was really more because of the unique entrepreneurship / sustainability program they offer, but the skiing/biking/running/mountains/sunshine/weather was certainly not a deterrant.

My vote is CU, but mainly for the school and opportunities. One thing to consider: Where would you rather live after you graduate? It is much easier to get a job near the school you graduate from.

Both cities are very liberal. Boulder is practically the epicenter of innovation (business, environmental, "outdoor gear") and CU is known for their science program.

However, if you really like Ben & Jerry's ice cream or are a phish fan, go to UVM.

[extreeski]

In 1983 the only two schools I applied to were CU and UVM. UVM rejected me. CU didn't. I went there.

Boulder, where the hip meet to trip.

[Trainwreck]

One more vote for CU. I'm an alum of the Leeds School of Business, loved Boulder so much I basically haven't left, just moved to the next town over.

[ColMan]

One thing to consider: Where would you rather live after you graduate? It is much easier to get a job near the school you graduate from.

Agreed. That's one of the main reasons why I chose CU. I wanted to live in CO after college and figured if I went the CA UC system route, I'd likely end up stuck in CA. All but one (Dallas ) of my job offers were in CO.

There's a reason why out the 5,000 spots for fall '08, they had 25,000 applicants - incredibly hot women, great b-school, great skiing, great mountain biking, football games, beautiful campus, yada yada. What more can you ask for?

Only regret is that I graduated in 4 years. Should have pushed it out another year.

[smmokan]

Yep- I'm working with the MBA program doing marketing for them, and applicants for this year's class are up 60%.

[iskionrocks]

my 2 cents re transferring- I don't think you'll have any problem, UVM and CU are both state schools with similar reputations, they might not take some bs class if there's no equivalent for it at CU, but that's not likely for most classes.

I transfered to UVM after freshman year elsewhere and had no trouble making friends- freshman year is weird, people are more themselves 2nd year on...

I'm grad student at CU now (almost done), and this place is pretty cool, not exactly my cup of tea, I'm a vermonter and I love that shitty weather. There is more to do here, biking, skiing etc, but I have this underlying feeling that boulder has no soul

Back to school- it strikes me that CU's business program is probably better, but that's just hearsay- I spent 90% of my time at UVM holed up in Votey

bottom line, if you're not happy, change that- change your social scene at UVM, join clubs blah blah- but it does help
if you really want to, move to boulder, just be careful not to make the decision based on how nice it was to be away from your routine

ok I'll shaddup now

[MOHSHSIHd]

I have not hung out with or kept in touch with a single person I knew freshmen year except one (and they left CU anyway), because they were all huge douches. I was left high and dry by a bunch of people I was supposed to live in a house with....they found another person who I guess was cooler than me and signed the lease w/o me. Really shitty at the time, but in hindsight I am glad I didn't end up living with those scumbags.


You will not meet the right people for you right away. I met my current crew a year later, and 4 years later they are some of the best friends I have ever known.

[road trip]

...unless, that is, your name is Perry and a recreation management major who gets 3 fucking credits for BC skiing in Idaho for a week
dick

This made me laugh.

[DrtyWkndr]

One more vote for CU. I'm an alum of the Leeds School of Business, loved Boulder so much I basically haven't left, just moved to the next town over.

Another Leeds Alum! Nice! Can't wait to start this fall!

I hear Boulder is way better than Detroit... I don't know. We have the booming automotive industry!

[DrtyWkndr]

Yep- I'm working with the MBA program doing marketing for them, and applicants for this year's class are up 60%.

Up 60%!! Wow... Looks like your doing your job. What exactly is your role with Leeds?

[smmokan]

I'm just a full-time MBA student, but for our MarComm group project, we're working with the Marketing Dept of Leeds to help update their recruiting materials.

[huck4bucks]

I'll chime in on the Eldora issue. The mountain is nothing special, I'll preface with that. It is however, extremely convenient. My freshman/sophmore years I didn't have a car, so I'd hitchhike up to the mountains or take the city bus up there (free with a student ID). I would ski Eldo for a few hours, then be back in time for a later class. With no car I skied 70+ days those first two years and took 15+ credit hours. It can happen. Around my junior/senior year they lowered the pass prices for students. I think you can get one for around $200. It's a cool little hill with bands and stuff on sunny days. It's definitely worth it if they still offer those cheap passes.

Lastly, get in with the ski club on campus (www.boulderfreeride.com). They've got great trip deals, cheap pass hook-ups, free food and beer, and a carpool system that will get you in the mountains. I met my wife on one the Jackson Hole trips.

Leeds alum in the house--Class of '02.

Best 4.5 years of my life.

[MOHSHSIHd]

Shit, I have had some VERY deep days at Eldora. Haven't had a pass in the last two seasons, but I had a day in November or early December on like a Tuesday with 25 people there, about 16" fresh and they were dropping ropes all over. Really, had entire runs to myself all day....that ruled.

[depressed skier forced to be LA]

i had the the same choice a few years ago. The answer is easy, CU hands down. Hotter chicks, better weather, better skiing, longer skiing season, Big 12 football, access to a major city (think concerts, pro sports etc) and far better weather and hotter chicks.

Also CU's best programs are science and engineering. They are oe of the top 10 research institutions in the country and receive a ton of federal grant money for projects.

there are SOME hot chicks, but there are a lot of nonshowering hippie girls that are not good looking in the least...but i might be spoiled my school ranked #2 for hottest girls in the nation...But still CU hands down and i have had winters in Colorado and winters in Ohio...the lack of humidity will make it feel much warmer in CO

[korup]

You will find that everyone you meet at Boulder almost went to Burlington, and vice versa. They even have this wierd Church St./Pearl St. wrinkle in space where on any given day you really might as well be in either place.

Enjoy college.

Apparently they had the same design firm, so not too surprising!

CU for sure. Burlington is really cool, but Boulder kicks serious ass, once you scrape off the pretension.

[Trainwreck]

Shit, I have had some VERY deep days at Eldora. Haven't had a pass in the last two seasons, but I had a day in November or early December on like a Tuesday with 25 people there, about 16" fresh and they were dropping ropes all over. Really, had entire runs to myself all day....that ruled.

I have had some great days at Eldora too, and its a nice break from I-70.

[North]

Boulder is awesome, I would highly recommend it.

Meet a few good ski buddies early and you'll be set. I guess you could do this through Boulder Freeride but because of Boulder's location if you just meet some cool people chances are you'll have also met some skiers (no guarantees on ability level). Also, I may just be lucky but I feel like every 5th kid I meet here has some connections to a ridiculous condo in the mountains, which is a plus.

Girls=unreal. Beware though, many seem to hibernate during the cold months.

I don't know what you are studying, but the sciences and engineering are pretty legit programs. I'm in engineering but I was still able to secure two weekday ski days this semester. I have to work my a$$ off to be able to ski 4 days a week, but that probably has something to do with my major.

Off campus housing prices are LUDICROUS here. Its way spendy so plan for that if you decide to enroll. Even with in state tuition that rent adds up.

Short answer: do it, you won't regret it. I did a little dawn patrol action at Vail Pass today and returned to 55 degree weather in Boulder. How many places can you do that?

[MOHSHSIHd]

Rent prices are generally very high, but you just have to find the gems. I pay $450 now and have friends with shittier places in the same neighborhood who pay almost double.

[Deep Days]

People bitch about Eldora. And when those who'd probably bitch ask, I like the Larry response: "It's cold, it's windy, and you probably wouldn't like it."

For $119 and free transportation, it is absolutely money. I've rolled up on the 8 am bus (arriving at about 10 minutes til opening) on 12"+ days and scored second or third chair. The terrain isn't fantastic, but it definitely facilitates letting you ski somewhere, and sometimes it can be a shitpot load of fun.

But you didn't hear that from me...

depressed skier, where did/do you go to school? I'd say maybe 1 in 10 or even 1 in 20 of the girls at CU are of the type you describe. (I'd also say that the Cali factor makes about the same ratio truly datable, but that's just my opinion). The other 90% are at least average looking, and most of them are well above.People bitch about Eldora. And when those who'd probably bitch ask, I like the Larry response "It's cold, it's windy, and you probably wouldn't like it."

One more thing: I hate (and I mean HATE) the sickter bro-brah "let's, like, go SHRREEEEEDDDDDD, brah!" vibe I get from Boulder Freeride. The majority of kids don't take school very seriously (which somehow irks me) and seem not to take skiing very seriously either. It's not a skiing club with a drinking problem; it's the other way around. But yes they do have good deals on stuff, and there are some legit skiers amongst the bunch. You just gotta dig beneath the surface to find them.

On a side note, pretty much all the people I hang out with regularly are people I know through skiing, and a lot of them are from the board. Almost all the rest are members of the CUFST (freestyle team), which is the bomb diggety if you're into the competition scene or just improving your skiing at all. I joined this year and made good friends very quickly despite no prior affiliation to any official CU skiing shit. So something like that's a great gig for getting plugged in after your freshman year.

For a $400 team fee, you get up to 4 days a week of coaching for the entire season and lots of pro-forms, and it's pretty much a given that you'll make good friends who are good skiers. Coaches specialize in different shit--park and pipe, techy freeskiing, bumps, etc.--, so it's good for fostering well-rounded skiing (despite a little bit of a park bias). For someone with a relatively low tolerance for the "schralping scene" it's a great fit, and it does wonders for your skiing. And a collegiate circuit for slopestyle, pipe, and skiercross just started up, and the CUFST dominated...

Rumor has it that one of the coaches, who just got his Level I Guide cert, may end up in AK in a couple years, and who knows what that means for CUFST team members' heli time prices...?

At any rate, it's freakin sweet, and I guess the point is to reiterate that CU is so big that there is a niche for you, and you can find it if you invest a little effort, regardless of your year in school.

[MOHSHSIHd]

Yeah, there are not nearly as many dirty hippies here as the majority of haters would have you believe....

[OverTurn]

I'm in a similar situation as this UVM or CU discussion. I'm considering UVM or MSU Bozeman. Obviously the skiing would be worlds away in Bozeman, but I'm not sure. I don't know if this deserves a separate thread, but feel free to split if off if it needs to be split. Any advice/experiences/discourse is welcomed. My intended fields would be engineering or meteorology. I'd prob end up doing a physics major, then a masters in engineering, or a physics major, and then into a meteo program.

[MOHSHSIHd]

How good are your grades OverTurn....you might want to look into Colorado School of Mines.


Tons of nerds, but Golden is a cool town and closer to the mountains that Boulder by about 20+ minutes......way closer on a weekday morning when all the jongs are going 50 in both lanes on 93.