The University of Vermont Class of 2030 is the second most diverse class in the institution's history, with 17% of first-time, first-year students identifying as BIPOC, according to UVM's annual student census, which was completed this week. Fifty percent of the class hails from outside New England.
It's also one of the most academically qualified classes in university history: Students who enrolled at UVM this fall averaged a 1358 SAT score, placing them among the top 10% of test takers nationwide.
The class of ’30 includes 2,400 students — plus 324 transfers — representing 47 states and 33 countries. It also includes the Vermont’s Gatorade Athlete of the Year, the voice of Thomas the Tank Engine toys and games, and an army veteran who discovered a calling for forestry.
UVM received more than 25,000 undergraduate applications for fall 2026, which is the fifth highest number of applications the university has ever received. Of those who enrolled, 13% are first-generation students, meaning they will be the first in their families to receive a bachelor’s degree.
“I'd say the main reason why I came to UVM was the culture of kindness on campus,” said Jake Lomas, a graduate of Mahopac High School in Putnam Valley, N.Y. who will study Biological Sciences and participate in the Liberal Arts Scholars Program at UVM.
That unique campus culture also attracted Parker Newman. Before UVM, Parker had transferred from a large public high school to the Massachusetts boarding school Northfield Mount Hermon. That’s where she discovered the impact a strong sense of collaboration can make on your education.
“I realized quickly how important it was to have a community that is excited to be involved and motivated to push each other to be teammates, leaders, and friends,” she recalled. “In my college searches, I found this same energy at UVM.”
Parker loved that UVM students and professors value spending time outdoors and getting involved in their local community. “I wanted to be in a social and academic space where peers push each other towards academic excellence and create an atmosphere that shapes courageous and future leaders, and that is what I saw at UVM,” said Parker, who will study Zoology and participate in the Patrick Leahy Honors College.
Jasper Hammack, who graduated from Essex High School in Vermont, is a talented musician and dedicated community advocate. As a musician in Chittenden County, he had made connections with UVM music professors long before he applied, and they were a big factor in his decision. “I had gotten the opportunity to work with many of the teachers here and had always felt welcome and encouraged to grow and learn,” he said. Jasper will study chemistry and music at UVM.
“I chose UVM both because of the numerous research opportunities available and because the community I saw here on campus stood out to me as being very active and welcoming,” said Isona Baker, who grew up in Tokyo and graduated from International School of the Sacred Heart. “I could see that this is a school where people are constantly out doing and learning new things, and that academics are valued just as much as having a balanced, enriching life.” Isona will study biochemistry and participate in the STEM Scholars program
More Stand-out Students
During her senior year at Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg, Vt., Zoey McNabb (one of Vermont’s top basketball players) joined the cross-country team for the first time, capturing the Vermont State Championship and placing 14th nationally. She recently earned recognition as Vermont's Gatorade Athlete of the Year. At UVM, Zoey will study Biochemistry and participate in the Patrick Leahy Honors College.
Sascha Yurchak, a graduate of Midland School in Los Olivios, Ca., has an impressive resume of voice-over acting. As a SAG-AFTRA member, he has earned principal roles in multiple animated series and feature films for major studios and platforms. Perhaps most notably, he was selected to voice the iconic Thomas the Tank Engine for Mattel’s interactive toys and games. At UVM, Sascha will major in Art Studio.
Transfer student August Cook is a West Point graduate, Army veteran, and former elite javelin athlete. Following a medical retirement that ended both his military service and pursuit of Olympic-level competition, August redirected the discipline and determination that made him a three-time NCAA All-American, Academy record holder, and U.S. Olympic Trials finalist in the javelin toward a future in forestry and conservation. His extensive hands-on experience assessing forestland, restoring wildlife habitat, and stewarding natural landscapes has reinforced his desire to build a career managing and protecting forests on state, federal, and private lands. At UVM, August will study Forestry.
Graduate Students
The Graduate College received 3,728 applications from folks hoping to begin their studies at UVM this summer and fall. Of the 511 new students who enrolled this fall, one is Jada Gleeson, a UVM alum who joined the Sustainable Innovation MBA program at Grossman School of Business to scale up her impact. In her undergraduate studies at UVM, Jada majored in Community Development and Applied Economics with a concentration in Political Science; worked as an Electoral Fellow with Run On Climate; and served as Campaign Manager for Vermont State Representative Bram Kleppner.
“I aim to enter the workforce highly trained in equitable, purpose-driven enterprises, ready to redefine how businesses value people and the planet,” she said.
The university admitted a fresh batch of future doctors this fall, too. The 124 medical students in the Larner College of Medicine Class of 2030 were chosen from a record-breaking pool of 11,609 applicants — that’s about 12% more than last year’s 10,377.
One of them, Jake Brown is an elite biathlete, who competed and coached high school skiers in his home state of Minnesota before coming to UVM. From 2019 to 2025, he competed in biathlon World Championships in Sweden, Italy, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland, as well as in the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Jake wrote in his medical school application, “I’m ready to enter a profession where my performance and day-to-day mission is guided not merely by the question How do I make myself better? but ultimately How do I make others better?”
