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 are 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 through the Admissions Office. With the exception of the Life Sciences LASP program, students can be in any CAS major, including Undeclared. (Life Science Scholar applicants must be in one of the following CAS majors: Biology, Biological Science, Plant Biology, Neuroscience or Zoology.)

The application to LASP consists of 2 to 4 short essay questions. Most questions can be answered in about 600 words. All applicants are asked to reply to a common question which gets at why you are interested in this kind of program and how you would contribute. The question in 2023 was: What appeals to you and what do you bring to a program in which students share a common area of interest, academic coursework and living environment? Following that, each LASP program has 1 to 2 specific questions. You can find the 2024 questions on the program web site. 

This program is limited to students starting in fall in the College of Arts & Sciences. If you have been admitted to a different UVM school or college, 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.

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