New and returning students began arriving on campus for the Fall 2022 term in early August, and this week will be the peak of the move-in process when first-year undergraduates arrive Wednesday and Thursday. UVM continues to see strong enrollment numbers for undergraduates, graduate students, and medical students.

The undergraduate Class of 2026 was selected from more than 30,000 applicants for admission, setting a record and allowing the university to continue its efforts to diversify and raise the academic profile of the student body. Over the past two years, UVM has seen a surge of more than 60 percent in undergraduate applications.

“The quality of our first-year undergraduate, graduate, and medical students illustrates growing recognition of the university’s academic reputation among the very best applicants,” said President Suresh Garimella. “As we continue to appeal to top students seeking intellectual challenges and immersive learning experiences, UVM’s position among the most sought-after universities will continue to rise.”

The Class of 2026 will arrive on campus better prepared than any class before them, with an average SAT score of 1,345, an average ACT score of 31, and an average GPA of 3.8. These figures each set all-time records. The Class of 2026 also includes the greatest number of students who identify as students of color, first-generation students, and students from outside of New England.

The university has frozen tuition at the same amount for a fourth consecutive year, an important part of UVM’s commitment to affordability and accessibility and a major factor as most students and families make their decisions. The university has also increased its investment in financial assistance and scholarships, especially for students from Vermont.

According to Executive Director of Admissions Moses Murphy, the undergraduate class includes some remarkable new Catamounts:

• A student from Waitsfield, VT, majoring in mechanical engineering, founded a lemonade company at age 7. The company has distributed carbonated maple lemonade throughout New England for 10 years.
• A student from Mill Valley, CA, majoring in neuroscience, is an emergency medical responder with the Marin County Search and Rescue logging over 720 hours of service.
• A student from San Juan, PR, majoring in biomedical engineering, has won awards in environmental science, chemistry, microbiology, botany, and engineering science fairs and was selected to represent Puerto Rico in international science fairs.
• A student who is a U.S. citizen growing up overseas majoring in global studies was elected vice president of the International School of Manila’s Black and Indigenous People of Color Club supporting indigenous peoples in the Philippines and facilitating discourse-centered programs in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• A student from Warren, VT, majoring in neuroscience, is a violinist who performed as a member of the Vermont Youth Orchestra strings program and played with local quartets.
• A student from Washington, DC, with an undeclared major, completed an internship with an Emmy-award winning video, film, and multimedia production company—and was the lead editor on an audio book project.

UVM also continues to see growing interest in graduate and medical programs. The Graduate College, which oversees admission to UVM’s 56 master’s and 31 doctoral programs saw a second consecutive year of strong applicant quality and quantity. The incoming cohort of graduate students is expected to include an increase of 12 percent in students of color. Students from outside the U.S. constitute the largest growing segment.

“This year, we’ve seen an 8 percent increase in incoming graduate students,” said Cynthia Forehand, dean of the Graduate College. “The number of international applications spiked 60 percent compared to last year and we are seeing more of them choosing UVM from among their options.”

Forehand attributes some of the increased interest to new programs. A doctorate in occupational therapy is the first OT program at any level in Vermont. The university recently launched a doctoral program in sustainable development policy, economics, and government that attracted new students this year from Brazil, Jordan, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.

The Larner College of Medicine received a record 9,340 applications for its M.D. program, a 6 percent increase over last year. For one of the smaller medical programs in the U.S. and the only medical school in Vermont, Larner attracts a remarkably diverse incoming class. Approximately 30 percent are Vermonters; 23 percent are from backgrounds underrepresented in the medical profession; and 19 percent identify as LGBTQA students.

“UVM is truly an intellectual and medical education destination,” said Leila Amiri, associate dean for admissions at the Larner College of Medicine. “We have first-year students from 29 states who have chosen Vermont for their medical education and home.”

“UVM students at all levels know the value of the degree they are pursuing continues to increase,” said Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Jay Jacobs. “We believe a leading factor behind the surge in interest is our commitment to maintaining affordability by keeping tuition frozen as well as the state of Vermont’s successful response to the pandemic.”

The university will publish official enrollment statistics next month, following a census taken a few weeks after fall classes begin.