These programs are designed for highly motivated first-year students with strong academic records. LASP courses are discussion based and work best when students are willing to share experiences, opinions and observations. LASP students certainly get involved in classes and clubs that are not LASP-related, but applicants should be students that embrace the idea of having some shared coursework and housing with peers. 

To be eligible to apply, students must first be admitted to UVM’s College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) for Fall 2026 through the Admissions Office. For 5 of the LASP themes, students can be in any CAS major, including Undeclared. For Life Science Scholars only, applicants must be in one of the following CAS majors: Biology, Biological Science, Plant Biology, Neuroscience or Zoology. 

The application for the Liberal Arts Scholars Program opens by February 1 and accepts applications through April. Note – programs do fill so applying earlier is recommended. You will get a reply in approximately three weeks.

This program is limited to students starting in Fall 2026 in the College of Arts & Sciences. If you have been admitted to a different UVM school or college, or for the January 2027 semester, you will not be able to access the LASP application. Feel free to contact the Student Services Office of your school or college to inquire about any special programs or opportunities for close faculty and peer connection. 

The six themes are Arts, Earth & Environment, Humanities, Life Sciences, Social Sciences, and  World Languages & Cultures. Many admitted students are interested in the concept of the Liberal Arts Scholars Program and would be open to participating in a number of the different themes. The application allows you to express interest in multiple programs.

The application is brief, taking the form of a survey, gathering some information about you and your interests. The only program requiring a written short essay is Life Science Scholars.

The application collects your interest level in the programs, letting you rank those that are most compelling to you, then prompts you to share 3 adjectives that describe you as a student, a favorite book you recently read, and which classes in high school were the most interesting to you and why.

For students who list Arts Scholars as one of their interest areas, you are invited to, but not required to, share a link to some of your work. Send that to Eve.Alexandra@uvm.edu with the subject line LASP application supplemental material.

Feel free to contact program coordinator Catharine Diamond at Catharine.Diamond@uvm.edu