How to Apply: First Years | Undergraduate Admissions | The University of Vermont(title)

UVM welcomes applications from students of diverse backgrounds. Through a holistic admissions review, we select students with potential for academic success who will contribute to our community.

The rigor of an applicant’s academic program; grades; and trends in performance are considered. Essays, recommendations, and other evidence of each student’s life experience also assist our evaluation. Admission decisions are made without regard to family financial circumstances.

First Year Applicants Are:

  • U.S. citizens, permanent residents, refugees or asylees only
  • Those who have completed (or will soon complete) secondary school coursework and have not yet attended college or university

Important Dates and Deadlines

  • November 1: Early Action or Early Decision I application due
  • January 15: Early Decision II or Regular Decision application due 

View All Deadlines

Prepare to Apply

Required Application Materials

Body

Application Options 

There is no advantage or disadvantage to using either application format. 

Application Fee

$55 USD (nonrefundable) 

Vermont first-year applicants who apply Early Action or Early Decision will have their application fee waived. 

 High School/Secondary School Grades

  • Official high school transcripts (must be sent directly to UVM Admissions by your high school) 
  • First quarter and/or mid-year grades (send when they become available) 
  • Mid-year grades

Letter of Recommendation

At least one letter of recommendation is required, preferably from a teacher.

Standardized Tests (Optional)

Body

Standardized Test Scores

Applicants through Fall 2026 are not required to submit standardized test scores, but are welcome to do so if they feel it contributes to their academic record. Both the Common Application and the Coalition Application allow you to indicate if you want your standardized test scores considered. 

All applicants will be considered for admission, merit scholarships, and selection to the Honors College, regardless of whether test scores are submitted. 

Submitting Your Scores

  • UVM’s College Board/SAT Code: 3920
  • UVM’s ACT Code: 4322

Send your official scores to the University of Vermont (official only if submitted directly from the testing agency*). You may send results for all tests you take; our admissions evaluation will consider your highest scores. 

*Students applying through the Apply Coalition on Scoir can upload scores directly through their application. 

Minimum Entrance Requirements

Body
  • Four years of English 
  • Three years of mathematics (Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry or equivalents) 
  • Two years of the same foreign language (American Sign Language meets this requirement) 
  • Three years of a natural or physical science, including laboratory science 
  • Three years of social science 

For college/school specific requirements, please visit our course catalogue. 

Optional Short Answer

Body

The optional short answer question is a chance for us to get to know you better–a wonderful way to share your interests while demonstrating your creativity. Applicants can submit their optional short answer through the Common Application or the Coalition Application; you can also submit it after the application deadline by uploading through your application status page.  

Answer one of the following questions: 

  1. Why UVM? 
  2. Established in Burlington, VT, Ben & Jerry’s is synonymous with both ice cream and social change. The “Save Our Swirled” flavor raises awareness of climate change, and “I Dough, I Dough” celebrates marriage equality. If you worked alongside Ben & Jerry, what charitable flavor would you develop and why? 
  3. UVM is a community that celebrates the unique identity of every student, faculty and staff member. Tell us how your identities have shaped the ways you interact with the world. 
  4. From the Green Mountains to Lake Champlain to our campus, UVM students are inspired by our location to think about their relationship to the environment. What does your relationship with your environment look like? 
  5. If you could pick one song to be the soundtrack of your life, what would it be? What is your connection to the song?'
  6. What is your favorite sentence from your application essay?

Transfer Credit (AP/IB/College Courses)

Body

You may be eligible to transfer credit to UVM for AP, IB, or other courses or exams taken prior to enrollment.

  • Advanced Placement (AP)
  • International Baccalaureate (IB)
  • College credit taken in high school 
  • Credit for international post-secondary examinations

Admitted Student Profile

GPA: 3.8 (4.0 scale)

Test Scores - Middle 50%

SAT EBRW: 670-740

SAT MATH: 650-740

ACT: 31-34

Test scores reflect applicants submitting them. Applicants for fall 2025 are not required to submit standardized test scores.