UVM or CU Boulder

[Squirrel99]

Well, in 4 years I never skied there so.....


it can be good but usually not great. (So, i've heard.) I rarely heard people raving about their amazing day at Eldora.

Except the random day when I was a frosh at CU and we got over 3 feet of snow in Boulder, shut down classes for the day, roads were all closed to I-70, but somehow they managed to open up the Canyon to Eldora and the entire student population was there- all in Corona Bowl. Super fun day; I guess everyone had the same idea. FKN blast. Short steeps, decent trees and thigh deep snow- not normal for Eldora, but that day was good.

As for not in 2nd or 3rd tier education... CU has been ranked anywhere from 45 to 75 in the US News College Rankings over the last decade, and anywhere from #1 to #7 in the party/things to do were not lame category.

[funkendrenchman]

Except the random day when I was a frosh at CU and we got over 3 feet of snow in Boulder, shut down classes for the day, roads were all closed to I-70, but somehow they managed to open up the Canyon to Eldora and the entire student population was there- all in Corona Bowl. Super fun day; I guess everyone had the same idea. FKN blast. Short steeps, decent trees and thigh deep snow- not normal for Eldora, but that day was good.

But that was what, 1985?

[MOHSHSIHd]

the last thing i am gonna say is dont just go to a school simply for academics....

sounds like you have your head on straight and understand a healthy balance between work and play...


college is not just about getting more book learnins'....its about all the experiences that happen in the 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 years you go to school...

[DJMingus]

But that was what, 1985?

I skied one day there this year with knee deep and another 16".

[MOHSHSIHd]

I skied one day there this year with knee deep and another 16".

yeah...there was a couple times this year when my friends from boulder would call and be like "dude, its randomly deep as fuck and soft at eldo" and I was in vail skiing ice for like 2 weeks between storms....i almost drove east to go skiing lol

[snowrider]

Just thought I'd throw in some UVM support. I can't say don't go to Boulder because that place it great too, but if you choose UVM, its awesome as well. UVM is smaller than Boulder, easier to get classes etc. My sis goes to Boulder so I know a bit about both. Boulder and Burlington are very similar towns except for weather. Coldness in the winter here is a fact, but if you enjoy seeing snow on the ground year round, you'll see it in Burlington, it'll be brown in Boulder.

The mtns are closer at UVM about 50 min and no pass traffic like CO. Mad RIver GLen, Stowe, Jay Peak, all excellent. THe exploring that can be don at these mtns is also half the fun. We have Lake Champlain and some awesome cliff jumping. Also cliff jumping at some cool waterfalls and gorges around the area.

Looks up some post by SkiJunky and you'll see what the skiing is like. Either way it'll be fun, I'm in my senior year at UVM and wouldn't trade it for the world. I remember vividly being in your position and it rocks.

Some stupid academics will tell you to go to Bates or "good" schools cause it will help you in life. False, who you meet and your experiences outside of the classroom will shape you life, not the classes you take at a "good" school.

Enjoy man.

[Squirrel99]

But that was what, 1985?

all right frankie muniz, you're off by almost a decade, but nice try making me feel like a dinosaur around here, focker!

but that was also when we had a much better football team (and more respected, I guess ) in the 90's, that is

[skier666]

I was there in 97 when we had a long-overdue snow day. I was even taking a climatology class elective at the time (as a finance major), and our teaching was freaking out with excitement.

I haven't read the rest of the thread but with an overnight driving trip you can be anywhere from Telluride, Crested Butte, Jackson Hole, to Alta....at least that's what I did. Hell, I've even thought that Eldora was half-way decent.

You also, by being near Denver....you have a plethora of music venues, and some really good record stores from Boulder to Denver.

That's my take...PM me for any other info.

[andyC]

First of all, sorry for bumping such an old topic, but I didn't want to start a new thread on something that has been discussed so much already.

So I just got back to the ice coast from a few days in Boulder visiting a friend who goes to school there. Now I find myself searching tgr about going to school in Boulder, and reading this thread as I have in the past.

I'm in my first year at UVM, and can fully agree with all the things people have mentioned in this thread comparing Boulder and Burlington. I found myself in the position of deciding between these two schools exactly a year ago, and now find myself considering transferring to Boulder.

Main reasons:
-Weather: Burlington is fucking cold, and to be honest, it sucks. it blew my mind how warm/sunny Boulder was these past few days. I want that.
-Size: UVM is significantly smaller than CU, which I thought would be better. However, I've found the opportunities to meet new people are slowing down, and I've fallen into kind of a stagnant group of friends. It really isn't a big deal if classes are huge the first couple years.
-Housing: If I stay at UVM, I am required to live on campus another year. I don't know if I can handle that.
-Better Skiing: Goes without saying.
-Farther away: I'm from Maine originally, and though I can't really explain it, I just have the urge to get away from here. I feel like Vermont wasn't far enough.
-Good looking women: That's all.
-Proximity to Denver and all that it has to offer
-More things to do: Football games in particular, you don't get that at UVM.

In my eyes (and apparently most other people's here), Boulder just seems like the better choice.

What I'm wondering is if anybody can offer some insight from a transfer point of view, rather than first-year. Is it going to be difficult to transfer my credits? Make friends with people that have already been there for a year or more? Find housing?

Also, I'm a business major, planning on concentrating on Finance. Everybody talked a lot about Science here, but not much else, so some info on that field would be great.

Just though I would throw this out there for some feedback, can't seem to get my mind off the idea. Thanks for any help.

[todug27]

correct me if I'm wrong, but i looked at both these schools 2 years ago now, ended up at ubc instead, but isnt uvm a lot better academically than CU? If thats an issue to you, at the time i remember ruling out CU pretty early because of that.

[snowswine]

First of all, sorry for bumping such an old topic, but I didn't want to start a new thread on something that has been discussed so much already.

So I just got back to the ice coast from a few days in Boulder visiting a friend who goes to school there. Now I find myself searching tgr about going to school in Boulder, and reading this thread as I have in the past.

I'm in my first year at UVM, and can fully agree with all the things people have mentioned in this thread comparing Boulder and Burlington. I found myself in the position of deciding between these two schools exactly a year ago, and now find myself considering transferring to Boulder.

Main reasons:
-Weather: Burlington is fucking cold, and to be honest, it sucks. it blew my mind how warm/sunny Boulder was these past few days. I want that.
-Size: UVM is significantly smaller than CU, which I thought would be better. However, I've found the opportunities to meet new people are slowing down, and I've fallen into kind of a stagnant group of friends. It really isn't a big deal if classes are huge the first couple years.
-Housing: If I stay at UVM, I am required to live on campus another year. I don't know if I can handle that.
-Better Skiing: Goes without saying.
-Farther away: I'm from Maine originally, and though I can't really explain it, I just have the urge to get away from here. I feel like Vermont wasn't far enough.
-Good looking women: That's all.
-Proximity to Denver and all that it has to offer
-More things to do: Football games in particular, you don't get that at UVM.

In my eyes (and apparently most other people's here), Boulder just seems like the better choice.

What I'm wondering is if anybody can offer some insight from a transfer point of view, rather than first-year. Is it going to be difficult to transfer my credits? Make friends with people that have already been there for a year or more? Find housing?

Also, I'm a business major, planning on concentrating on Finance. Everybody talked a lot about Science here, but not much else, so some info on that field would be great.

Just though I would throw this out there for some feedback, can't seem to get my mind off the idea. Thanks for any help.

Sounds to me like you have yourself convinced, I would transfer for all those reasons. Yes Burlington is cold as fuck.

[jpcski]

The weather you saw in Boulder this past week is very typical for this time of year and most of the winter. Though the 60 degrees yesterday is more towards the later half of the winter though not totally uncommon in January.

Academically, I would think that UVM has better overall standing than CU does. I am not going on anything except my own impression. A lot of people (me included) look at CU as just another big western state school. Nothing wrong with that, but seems like UVM might have a better reputation. Just so you know, I have an MBA from CU so I am not unfamiliar with the school or the business school in particular.

That said, Boulder is a great place to go to school and live. Way too many eastern transplants here (myself included) to discount that.

Good luck.

[MOHSHSIHd]

The B-school here at CU is supposed to be pretty good, I know people currently in it, grads, and people going into the MBA program.


UVM is just way too fucking cold and the skiing just doesn't even compare.

[roorfan]

CU hands down.

I have lots of friends at UVM and have spend a lot of time there.

I also moved from MA.

[yemntftb]

Everyone I know loves UVM (is loving it) and I've had a sick time hanging out in b town the last few years. Although, everytime I party with my buddies there, its the same kids...

CU - 3 family members went through there, my parents never let me they all fucking love it and they all rip on skis...so much terrain, so many stories, so many hot chicks. Personally if I wasn't on my third year of school, i'd try to transfer. Its such a dope place to hang out and would be awesome to go to school there, everyone seemed chill but not overly ridiculous when I was out there.

I would vote CU.

[rometheworld]

CU has great finance profs., a new building, access to a variety of terrain, and super hot chicks. Done and done.

[GoEhuge]

Partying with the same kids... dude you are only a freshman in college. If you are hanging out with the same kids after 6 months and think thats gonna last all 4 or so years, you are either wrong, or socially retarded. I would say I was only chilling with about 5 or 10 of the kids from freshman year by the time I was a senior. I personally hated a lot my first year at UVM b/c I got in serious trouble and it sucked. Plenty of things can throw a spin on your perception during that first 8 or so months. But it's like riding... you get like it more every year.

I'm not saying anything about the comparison of Boulder and UVM aside from the fact that if you want to have a good time and feel like those locational factors etc are fully determining your decision, go to Boulder dude. Its a fuckin sweet place. If you really like Burlington and are more concerned with getting a degree with a slightly better reputation, stay at UVM. I'm an East coaster at heart, and I felt my college years would better be spent in an environment I beleived had more of an rough edge and familiarity. Plus, I'm not super down with hippies, and UVM is a little more bearable in that respect, but not by much.

[smmokan]

I'm one of the grad students Phish may have been referring to.... but to address some of the other comments, CU is a much better school than they're giving it credit for. Depending on where your studies are focused, it could be one of the top programs in the country (specifically sciences related).

If you plan on sticking around CO after you graduate, you shouldn't have any problem getting a job with the network of CU alums in this state. As a grad student, I've got more opportunities than I know what to do with.

[skiingsamurai]

Partying with the same kids... dude you are only a freshman in college. If you are hanging out with the same kids after 6 months and think thats gonna last all 4 or so years, you are either wrong, or socially retarded. I would say I was only chilling with about 5 or 10 of the kids from freshman year by the time I was a senior. I personally hated a lot my first year at UVM b/c I got in serious trouble and it sucked. Plenty of things can throw a spin on your perception during that first 8 or so months. But it's like riding... you get like it more every year.

I'm not saying anything about the comparison of Boulder and UVM aside from the fact that if you want to have a good time and feel like those locational factors etc are fully determining your decision, go to Boulder dude. Its a fuckin sweet place. If you really like Burlington and are more concerned with getting a degree with a slightly better reputation, stay at UVM. I'm an East coaster at heart, and I felt my college years would better be spent in an environment I beleived had more of an rough edge and familiarity. Plus, I'm not super down with hippies, and UVM is a little more bearable in that respect, but not by much.

UVM's hippies are more tolerable than CU's? Damn, im never going to CU.

Ive never been to CO at all, so I cant comment about it, but I love Burlington and UVM. Im a mech engineer and I do have my gripes about the dept, but its a solid program.
Living in the dorms isnt too bad, as long as you fuck around using common sense. I did plenty of dumb shit and never got caught. I love the class sizes and pretty much everything about UVM. Im a junior so im off campus and cook for myself. The food on campus isnt good, but its not bad. If this is your first year in Burlington, youve got nothing to complain about, other than the rain. Last year I walked to class at 8am and it was 25 below. This year the rain/snow cycles have been sucky, but its not the end of the world.
If you can survive the winters in Vermont, you deserve to enjoy the summers.

but to each his own. CO gets better snow, hands down. But as my parents constantly remind me, were not majoring in skiing.

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

[samthaman]

i think its really what you make of it too, i'm constantly finding new things to go explore up in the mountains, new cliffs, new lines, i've been getting into ice climbing, and i've gotten to be really good friends with a solid crew. i'm not into clubbing or w/e and i get a little sick of the massive house parties full of freshmen so i like my small familiar gatherings now. If you're bored as a freshmen, join the club, everyone was bored as a freshmen. you have a hard time getting to the mt, you're stuck with a (likely) shitty roommate and you eat crappy dining hall food, but hopefully you're making good friends and figuring out what you want to do. this year i live in a house with 4 close friends and my dog and i ski 7 days a week, i'm pretty much full time on vacation. Dont get hung up on the bad aspects of either area while looking at just the good of the other

also i hear colorado is flat

[MOHSHSIHd]

Also, we have Liquormart....

[Mgof]

In general I'd say if you can transfer without delaying your graduation timetable, affecting your grades, or taking a step down in quality of program then transfer. If not, then stick out UVM. I took 4 years worth of college courses but took 7 years to graduate (in Cali) because I constantly took leaves of absence to go be a dirtbag climbing bum. Many folks I know rave about how they wish they'd done something like that... I say, take as many credits per semester or quarter as possible while studying your ass off, graduate ASAP, then w/ quality degree in hand go dirtbag/skibum it for a few years (or more). On the other hand, no one lives in the future and present quality of life is certainly important. Not much help I know...

[SterlingSpikeDancer]

I was lucky enough to grow up down the road from Boulder, but I went to school in Ft. Fun. So even though it is a RIVAL school, Boulder is laid back, super active, close enough to ANY kind of skiing you want, and full of beautiful girls (or boys if you like those). Denver is close enough to experience everything that a major city has to offer, but far enough away to ensure that Boulder is it's own world (and it is, just ask). Academically, there are a TON of CU grads still on the Front Range, and most of them aren't hurting for jobs because they went to CU. Quite frankly, if I was interviewing candidates for jobs, I wouldn't give a shit if they went to UVM or CU, potato/potatoe. Also, my grad school classmates from Boulder were just as prepared as I was, and I feel like I got a great education, state school or not. And I didn't have to deal with the pretentious chumps from Least Coast schools.
Plus the skiing rocks, hands down. Best snow. Best Weather. Just be prepared for the fact that you may never leave Colorado...Just like everyone else!

[patrickski]

going to school in boulder is awesome

make sure you're in the business school- it makes it way easy to shape your schedule for 75+ day ski seasons, even with a part time job on the side.

i must warn you that going to school in boulder means skiing a lot, skipping lots of classes and drinking like a champion 5 nights a week. this equals great times and lots of credit card debt.

i had a great time in my 4 years at CU, but if you are already at UVM maybe you should give it some time. My experience at CU definitely improved as it went along...

[MOHSHSIHd]

going to school in boulder is awesome

make sure you're in the business school- it makes it way easy to shape your schedule for 75+ day ski seasons, even with a part time job on the side.

i must warn you that going to school in boulder means skiing a lot, skipping lots of classes and drinking like a champion 5 nights a week. this equals great times and lots of credit card debt.

i had a great time in my 4 years at CU, but if you are already at UVM maybe you should give it some time. My experience at CU definitely improved as it went along...

Yep...I considered transfering. Happens to lots of people when they are in a new and crazy place, but I am very glad I stayed.

Maybe stick it out for another semester and see if you still want to transfer. Shit, you can always move out west once you graduate. Don't really know what you are missing until you are here....knowhatimsayin?