university of vermont college essay prompts

University of Vermont 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action/Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15

You Have: 

University of Vermont 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1 essay of 500 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Community , Oddball

UVM has come up with five very different prompts to help you show admissions a little bit more about who you are and what matters to you. So pick whichever question suits you and take this unique opportunity to speak to admissions in your own voice!

The optional essay is a chance for us to get to know you better — a wonderful way to share your interests while demonstrating your creativity. Please answer one of the five questions:

1) why uvm.

When all else fails, there’s always the classic Why essay. And we say this with praise! The why essay is not a fallback option, but it is a great choice for applicants who don’t feel inspired by the other prompts, or who just feel more inclined to plead their case in a more straightforward way. The secret to a successful why essay is research, so take some time to explore the school website or even visit campus and get to know all that UVM and Burlington have to offer. Jot down everything that excites you! When you have a solid list in hand, consider how it connects to your own interests and goals. Perhaps you’ve been wanting to find a way to lower your carbon footprint, and you see a lot of potential in studying Environmental Sciences at UVM and shopping at the Burlington Farmers Market. Just remember that the goal is to share something new about yourself, not to rattle off a list of facts about the school! Talk about your interests, goals, and dreams so admissions can understand what a UVM education will mean to you.

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?

Who doesn’t love ice cream? Our mouths started watering just reading this prompt. Like with all Oddball prompts, admissions just wants to give you the opportunity to get creative and think outside the box. UVM is going a step further this year by also asking you to talk about an issue that is dear to your heart. Don’t get too caught up in crafting the perfect blend of sweet and salty; instead,  start by choosing the social issue that you’d like to raise awareness for and/or celebrate and then break down the elements and see if they relate to tastes. Let’s say your topic is wanting to close the gender pay gap. Maybe it’s called “82% Vanilla” (since, in 2022, it was reported that women make 82% on the dollar that men make on average) and it features a mostly vanilla base with a topping of chocolate fudge and cherry swirl that represent the 12% women deserve to reach equal pay. WIth a thin layer of crispy bruléed sugar on top to symbolize the glass ceiling that needs to be broken! There’s really no wrong way to answer this prompt, so long as you are being creative, true to yourself, and revealing new information about an issue that is important to you.

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.

We all wear many hats, and UVM wants to hear about the ways in which your intersecting identities have shaped you. You’ll want to go beyond the standard “I’m a daughter/student/athlete” here and, instead, mine your life for other roles you play. Perhaps you’re a Vietnamese midwesterner foodie who can whip up fresh spring rolls with cilantro and shrimp for lunch and a steamy green bean casserole for dinner. How has cuisine and culture played a role in your identity and worldview? Maybe you’re a body-positive performer living with a physical disability who knows a thing or two about standing out in a crowd. How have the ways you move through the world and take up space impacted the way you interact with your surroundings? However your identities merge, get specific and explain what it’s like to be you and what the world looks like through your eyes.

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?

Calling all nature lovers! Do you feel a profound connection to this planet we call home? Then this prompt is for you. UVM is proud to exist among mountains, forests, and farms in Burlington, Vermont, and admissions wants to learn more about what the environment means to you. Whether you’ve always been the outdoorsy type—spending weekends camping, ice skating, or fishing—or you’re a city gal excited to study somewhere where you can bike, hike, and kayak all in one day, take this opportunity to elaborate on how your environment inspires you. Are you hoping to major in Environmental Studies? Do you like to sit in the woods, meditating on the breeze in the trees and how connected all living things are? Does nature ground you? Your experience with the environment is personal, and if you feel comfortable, admissions would like to hear about it in your own words.

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?

“Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey…Alright, fine, maaaybe that song is a bit cliché at this point. But don’t underestimate the first few songs that pop into your head. You don’t have to say that your soundtrack song would be “Requiem” by Mozart or something by Enya to impress admissions here (unless you really feel that way, and, if that’s the case, rock on 🤘). Be true to yourself. Maybe the soundtrack of your life would be “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen, because A) you’ve been itching to explore the world since you could walk and B) you and your sister sing-scream it at the top of your lungs anytime it comes on in the car. Or perhaps your song would be “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys 🔥 because you’re a tenacious competitor who has always had the fire in her belly. Whichever song you choose, be sure to include a brief explanation of your selection that reveals your personal connection to it, as well as new information about your interests or personality.

About Kat Stubing

View all posts by Kat Stubing »

Give our video course a try.

Contact us for information on rates and more!

• I am a * Student Parent Potential Partner School Counselor Private College Counselor
• Name * First Last
• Phone Type Mobile Landline
• Street Address
• Address City State / Province / Region Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czechia Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Macedonia Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Sweden Switzerland Syria Arab Republic Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania, the United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Türkiye US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands Country
• Which best describes you (or your child)? High school senior High school junior College student College grad Other
• How did you find CEA? Internet Search New York Times Guidance counselor/school Social Media YouTube Friend Special Event Delehey College Consulting Other
• Common App and Coalition Essays
• Supplemental Essays
• University of California Essays
• University of Texas Essays
• Resume Review
• Post-Grad Essays
• Specialized Services
• Waitlist Letters
• Private School Essays
• General College Counseling
• School list with priorities noted:
• Anything else we should know?
• Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

School Stats:

• Agnes Scott College
• Alvernia University
• American University
• Amherst College
• Babson College
• Bard College
• Barnard College
• Baylor University
• Bennington College
• Bentley University
• Berry College
• Bethany College
• Bishop’s University
• Boston College
• Boston University (BU)
• Bowdoin College
• Brandeis University
• Brown University
• Bryn Mawr College
• Bucknell University
• Butler University
• California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
• California Lutheran University
• Capitol Technology University
• Carleton College
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Catawba College
• Centre College
• Chapman University
• Claremont McKenna College
• Clark University
• College of Mount Saint Vincent
• College of William and Mary
• College of Wooster
• Colorado College
• Colorado School of Mines
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Culver-Stockton College
• D'Youville University
• Dartmouth College
• Davidson College
• Drexel University
• Duke University
• Earlham College
• Elon University
• Emerson College
• Emory University
• Flagler College
• Fordham University
• George Mason University
• Georgetown University
• Georgia State University
• Georgia Tech
• Gonzaga University
• Harvard University
• Harvey Mudd College
• Haverford College
• Hillsdale College
• Hofstra University
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Illinois Wesleyan University
• Indiana University Bloomington
• Ithaca College
• Johns Hopkins University
• Kalamazoo College
• Lafayette College
• Lehigh University
• Lewis and Clark College
• Linfield University
• Loyola Marymount University (LMU)
• Lynn University
• Macalester College
• Malone University
• Manchester University
• Marist College
• Mary Baldwin University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Meredith College
• Monmouth College
• Moravian University
• Morehouse College
• Mount Holyoke College
• New York University (NYU)
• North Park University
• Northwestern University
• Occidental College
• Oklahoma City University
• Olin College of Engineering
• Pepperdine University
• Pitzer College
• Pomona College
• Princeton University
• Providence College
• Purdue University
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Rice University
• Saint Elizabeth University
• Santa Clara University
• Sarah Lawrence College
• Scripps College
• Seattle Pacific University
• Smith College
• Soka University of America
• Southern Methodist University
• St. John’s College
• Stanford University
• Stonehill College
• Swarthmore College
• Syracuse University
• Texas A&M University
• Texas Christian University
• The College of Idaho
• The George Washington University
• The New School
• Trinity College
• Tufts University
• Tulane University
• University of California
• University of Central Florida (UCF)
• University of Chicago
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Colorado Boulder
• University of Florida
• University of Georgia
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• University of Maryland
• University of Massachusetts Amherst
• University of Miami
• University of Michigan
• University of Minnesota
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Oklahoma
• University of Oregon
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Richmond
• University of San Diego
• University of San Francisco
• University of Southern California (USC)
• University of Texas at Austin
• University of Tulsa
• University of Vermont
• University of Virginia (UVA)
• University of Washington
• University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Vanderbilt University
• Vassar College
• Villanova University
• Virginia Tech
• Wake Forest University
• Washington and Lee University
• Washington University in St. Louis
• Wellesley College
• Williams College
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
• Yale University

Want free stuff?

We thought so. Sign up for free instructional videos, guides, worksheets and more!

One-On-One Advising

Common App Essay Prompt Guide

Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

• YouTube Tutorials
• Our Approach & Team
• Undergraduate Testimonials
• Postgraduate Testimonials
• Where Our Students Get In
• CEA Gives Back
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Graduate Admissions
• Private School Admissions
• International Student Admissions
• Common App Essay Guide
• Supplemental Essay Guide
• Coalition App Guide
• The CEA Podcast
• Admissions Stats
• Notification Trackers
• Deadline Databases
• College Essay Examples
• Academy and Worksheets
• Waitlist Guides
• Get Started

College essay resources

How to pick the best prompt for your uvm supplement essay: great answers to oddball questions, school supplements.

UPDATE: Four of the five options for the UVM Supplement Essay have been changed for 2020-21. Check out our all-new guide!

In the University of Vermont application, you can answer one of five supplemental essay prompts. This is optional, but we recommend it. It’s an opportunity to show the admissions committee another side of you in 500 words or less.

Some of the prompts are pretty quirky, but this guide will help you pick the best one to show off your unique strengths. Let’s take a look at the UVM supplement prompts.

Imagine it is the morning of August 28, 1963 and Twitter has already been developed. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has contracted the flu. Rather than giving his historic “I Have a Dream” speech from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, he instead sends out a Tweet that highlights the central point of his speech. What does he Tweet (in true Twitter fashion, no longer than 280 characters) and why?

Pick this prompt if you’re really interested in at least one of the topics involved. For example, are you passionate about history? Are you fascinated by social media?

Keep in mind that you’ll need to explain exactly why you think that you’ve written a good “twitter version” of MLK’s speech. There’s no right or wrong answer, but your admissions reader will be looking for a thoughtful and clear justification for the tweet.

A time traveling connoisseur gives you a remote with two buttons: pause and rewind. Which would you prefer to use on your own life and why?

This prompt is really open to interpretation! For example, if you choose to rewind, you might decide to relive a great moment from your life, fix a mistake you made, or visit a historical time period. If you choose to pause time, you might talk about the interesting things you would do if you had extra time. For example, how would you use an extra hour in your day? What if you could pause time and do whatever you wanted for a year? There’s no wrong answer, so pick a topic that’s important to you!

Note: This might be a great prompt to use if you really want to talk about a past experience that was important to you.

Congratulations! You have been elected to give a TED Talk. You will give an 18-minute presentation on the topic of your choice to a room full of people who are eager to hear your insights. This talk will also be recorded and made available online, with the opportunity to go viral and affect millions. What is the title of your talk? What is the message you are trying to get across? What would you say in the final minute of the presentation that would leave a lasting impression? Explain.

If you choose this UVM supplement prompt, try to pick a topic that ties directly into one of your values, interests or goals. You don’t have to talk about your own life the whole time, but your essay will be more compelling to your admissions reader if you pick a topic that has personal significance to you.

At the University of Vermont, we have a set of core values called Our Common Ground, which define how we work, live, study, do research, and participate as members of the community. Each core value statement falls under one of the following words: Respect, Integrity, Innovation, Openness, Justice, and Responsibility. Choose one word from Our Common Ground and explain why it is important to you, how it has impacted you, and how you have incorporated it into your life.

Can you think of an experience where you put one of the core values into action? If so, this UVM supplement prompt is a good choice for you!

To help you decide whether this prompt is a good fit, here are a few topics from example students:

• Core value: Innovation
• Experience: Built a wall-climbing robot for a science fair
• Core value: Openness
• Experience: Started a school-wide campaign to end mental health stigma

If you really want to attend UVM, this prompt will let you make your case for why you’re a great fit! Pick it if UVM is one of your top-choice schools.

To really be convincing, you’ll need to include specifics. Head over to the UVM website and research the school. Look for specific opportunities that interest you, and make a list! For example, you might like:

• Academic opportunities, like the fact that CALS students can self-design a major
• Traits of the student body, like the fact that 80% of students are involved in a student club or organization
• Experiences, like living in the Dewey House for Community Engagement or joining the club figure skating team
• The way the school puts their values into action - for example, their diversity course requirement

For more help with writing a “Why School” essay, check out our guide !

{{cta('0aadb0fe-52bb-4495-8f3c-0ca18cc8ac11')}}

Related Articles

How to Write Your Waitlist Essay

Cassandra Cloutier

Your Waitlist Essay (aka, Letter of Continued Interest) serve two primary purposes: (1) share new (or additional) information that will make you a more compelling candidate and (2) confirm your level of interest in the school.

The Simple “Why Us” Essay Strategy that Works

Brad Schiller

A successful Why Us essay indicates you’ll likely enroll if admitted and shows why you’re a good fit. Focus on how your academic interests match what the college offers.

How to Write Every Ross School of Business Essay for the University of Michigan

This guide will help you develop compelling topics for both Ross School of Business essay prompts.

• Become a Writing Coach
• Writing Center
• Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
• Sign Up for an Essay Coaching Package
• College Essay Feedback for High Schools
• Prompt for IECs

University of Vermont College of Medicine Secondary Essay Prompts

These are the secondary application essay prompts for University of Vermont College of Medicine. To put your best foot forward and maximize your chance of an interview invitation, visit our secondary application editing page .

About University of Vermont College of Medicine

Secondary Deadline : December 14, 2023 Secondary Fee : $125 FAP Waiver : Full Fee Waived CASPer Required : Yes Screens Applications : Yes Accepts Application Updates : Yes/Email

Our mission at The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont is to educate a diverse group of dedicated physicians and biomedical scientists to serve across all the disciplines of medicine; to bring hope to patients by advancing medical knowledge through research; to integrate education and research to advance the quality and accessibility of patient care; and to engage with our communities to benefit Vermont and the world.

All prompts have a 500-word limit. 

1. Please reflect on a difficult and challenging non-academic experience you have faced. Include a description of the stressful event, how you dealt with it and what you have learned about others and yourself through this process.

2. Larner COM recognizes that diversity extends beyond chosen and unchosen identities, and encompasses the entirety of an individual’s experiences. Reflect on a time you learned something from someone or a group of people who are unlike yourself.

3. Additional Comments (optional):

1. Please reflect on a difficult and challenging non-academic experience you have faced. Include a description of the stressful event, how you dealt with it and what you have learned about others and yourself through this process. (500 words max)

2. The Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont strongly values diversity. Larner COM recognizes that diversity extends beyond chosen and unchosen identities, and encompasses the entirety of an individual’s experiences. These experiences embody many dimensions that include (but are not limited to) the personal, familial, geographic, intellectual, economic, professional, linguistic, and societal domains. Thus, each and every member of the Larner COM community brings a unique perspective to a shared goal of training compassionate and competent physicians.

With this in mind, please reflect on your own diverse experiences and how those will allow you to successfully participate in teams and engage in active learning with your peers at the Larner COM. When composing your response please consider how these experiences impacted your understanding of others and yourself as well as any new insights gained. (500 words max).

3. Additional Comments (optional): (500 words max)

Limit the following responses to 500 words.

2. The Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont strongly values diversity. Larner COM recognizes that diversity extends beyond chosen and unchosen identities, and encompasses the entirety of an individual’s experiences. These experiences embody many dimensions that include (but are not limited to) the personal, familial, geographic, intellectual, economic, professional, linguistic, and societal domains. Thus, each and every member of the Larner COM community brings a unique perspective to a shared goal of training compassionate and competent physicians. With this in mind, please reflect on your own diverse experiences and how those will allow you to successfully participate in teams and engage in active learning with your peers at the Larner COM. When composing your response please consider how these experiences impacted your understanding of others and yourself as well as any new insights gained.

1. Diversity Statement The University of Vermont College of Medicine values diversity as a driver of excellence. We actively seek diversity and inclusion within our academic community of students, faculty, and staff, as well as those we serve through teaching, research, patient care and community engagement. We are committed to building an educational community made up of members with diverse talents, experiences, opinions, and backgrounds.

In reflecting on your personal background, talents, opinions and life experiences, how might you contribute to the overall diversity of the UVM COM community (3000 characters maximum)?

2. Additional Short Answer Essay Topics (different from last year!) Please write a short response to one of the following prompts. For either question, when composing your essay, please consider the personal growth you experienced, an impact you may have had on others or a transformation you may have experienced (3000 characters maximum).

Topic 1: In your journey towards a career in medicine, what experience do you think most convinced you that you want to serve others as a physician?

Topic 2: There are many different types of teams. Effective teams are composed of people with diverse life experiences and varying viewpoints. Reflect on an experience you have had working on a team.

Disclaimer: The information on this page was shared by students and/or can be found on the medical school’s website. Med School Insiders does not guarantee the accuracy of the information on this page.

We're here to help

The secondary application is just as important as the primary. We'll make sure you get it right.

Join the Insider Newsletter

Receive regular exclusive MSI content, news, and updates! No spam. One-click unsubscribe.

Customer Note Premed Preclinical Med Student Clinical Med Student

You have Successfully Subscribed!

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Write the University of Vermont Essays 2019-2020

University of Vermont is a public research university located between the scenic Adirondacks and Green Mountains. Often called a Public Ivy, UVM offers students the opportunity to participate in hands-on learning in a broad range of academic programs. 92% of University of Vermont undergraduates participate in research, internships, or other forms of experiential learning during their time at the college.

UVM is somewhat selective with an acceptance rate of 68%. It uses the Common Application, and also invites applicants to respond to one of five supplemental essay prompts. UVM’s Music Program also requires that students submit an additional essay. Want to know your chances at UVM? Calculate your chances for free right now.

How to Write the University of Vermont Essays

If you would like an opportunity to further present yourself to the Admissions Committee, you may submit a response to ONE of the following prompts.

(While this essay is optional, we highly recommend that you complete it. An extra essay is another opportunity to share more of your story, and to demonstrate your interest in UVM).

Option A: Imagine it is the morning of August 28, 1963 and Twitter has already been developed. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has contracted the flu. Rather than giving his historic “I Have a Dream” speech from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, he instead sends out a Tweet that highlights the central point of his speech. What does he Tweet (in true Twitter fashion, no longer than 280 characters) and why? (optional, 500 words)

This prompt seeks to assess your creativity and communication capabilities. Before you begin writing your prompt, do some research into both Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and Twitter, specifically in the political or news sphere. 

Although you likely have some familiarity with Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous words, a close read will allow you to have a better grasp of its nuances and to write a more detailed explanation of your tweet. If you are unfamiliar with news and politics on Twitter, take a few moments to look at the Twitter profiles of news outlets such as the New York Times, or prominent political figures. How do these accounts condense nuanced main ideas into 280 characters or less? 

Your tweet should express the main idea you believe Martin Luther King wanted to send with his speech. Your tweet shouldn’t read simply like a synopsis or a book report though; it should show creativity and passion. 

Your explanation should take up the bulk of this essay, as your tweet will only be 1-2 sentences. You should be able to explain why you believe your tweet captures the heart of Martin Luther King’s speech. 

Consider incorporating literary and rhetorical elements into your explanation. Does your tweet capture some of King’s most powerful imagery for pathos? Does your tweet use parallel structure to reinforce King’s main ideas? Put what you learned in English class to use! 

Option B: A time traveler gives you a remote with two buttons: pause and rewind. Which would you prefer to use on your own life and why? (optional, 500 words)

This prompt seeks to assess your self-reflection skills and creativity. There is no right answer to the question, so long as you can provide a thought-provoking and well-reasoned response. 

Before you begin writing, think about the advantages and disadvantages of both alternatives. How would you benefit from having the ability to pause your life? On the other hand, how would pausing your life potentially cause unintended negative consequences? How would having the ability to rewind benefit your life and have negative consequences?

Avoid giving broad, generic responses that anyone would consider immediately. For example, review this response:

“I would like the ability to rewind my life so that I could go back and fix my mistakes”

Most people would think of this explanation right away. The rationale does not show any creativity or allow the reader to learn more about the author. Try to incorporate more personal details and creative insight. Consider this response instead:

“I would prefer to pause my life instead of having the ability to rewind. I often stay up wondering what would have happened if one event in my life went differently. If I had the opportunity to rewind and see the outcome of every alternative, I don’t think I would ever live in the present. However, if I could pause time, I would have a better opportunity to think everything through and make one choice confidently”

This response demonstrates more self-awareness and provides novel insight into the question. Your response should reflect an understanding of yourself and explain how you tackle problems. You should also show that you can think outside of the box. 

Be sure to incorporate a personal anecdote where you could have used a pause or rewind button for your life. For example, did you forget about a science test and wish you could take an extra hour to study? Did you ever say something unintentionally hurtful and wish you could go back and change your words to be more kind? Anecdotes help engage the reader and reveal more about your life experiences and who you are. 

Option C: Congratulations! You have been elected to give a TED Talk. You will give an 18-minute presentation on the topic of your choice to a room full of people who are eager to hear your insights. This talk will also be recorded and made available online, with the opportunity to go viral and affect millions. What is the title of your talk? What is the message you are trying to get across? What would you say in the final minute of the presentation that would leave a lasting impression? Explain. (optional, 500 words)

This prompt aims to evaluate your personal interests and your communication abilities. Your topic choice should reflect something meaningful to you that could also bring value to a broader audience. Some examples of previous TED talks are “ What I Learned from 100 Days of Rejection ” and “ How to Speak so that People Want to Listen .”

Before you begin writing, familiarize yourself with the format of a TED talk. Watch a few of the most popular ones , or search for some that align with your interests. If you’re having trouble thinking of a topic, ask yourself:

• What are the important lessons you’ve learned?
• What are you good at?
• What are you passionate about?
• What is an unusual experience you’ve lived?
• What do you want to teach others?
• What can you talk about for a full 18 minutes?

A good TED talk will most likely be a strong response to more than one of these questions. For example, maybe you’re passionate about slow travel, and even biked around the border of your state over the course of one month. You might give a TED talk called “The Art of Slow Travel: Biking Around My State in 30 Days,” where you discuss your experience and how others can travel in a more environmentally conscious way. Or, maybe you love chemistry and cooking, and want to teach others how to use science to improve their dishes. Your speech might be called “Molecules and Meatballs: The Chemistry Behind Our Food.”

Be sure to remember your audience when designing your TED talk. The average TED Talk viewer is quickly scrolling through their internet feed, so you want the title of your talk to be eye-catching. The ideal TED talk should also be easily understood by any viewer, so avoid using jargon or niche phrases in your title.

When discussing the message you would like to send in your final minute, imagine you are pitching your talk to the average TED conference.  Your final minute should have the greatest emotional impact on your listener and succinctly reiterate the key points of your talk. Why is your topic important and why should your listener follow your advice? What is your most persuasive point? 

As long as you pick a topic you’re genuinely excited about, and frame it in a way that makes it applicable to others, your TED talk should be strong. Definitely have some fun with this one!

Option D: At the University of Vermont, we have a set of core values called Our Common Ground, which define how we work, live, study, do research, and participate as members of the community. Each core value statement falls under one of the following words: Respect, Integrity, Innovation, Openness, Justice, and Responsibility. Choose one word from Our Common Ground and explain why it is important to you, how it has impacted you, and how you have incorporated it into your life. (optional, 500 words)

UVM’s Common Ground defines the university’s value system. Your response should make clear that you share these ideals. Although you are likely familiar with these words, take a moment to read UVM’s definition of the terms on their website . Tailor your response to this definition.  

The structure of this prompt lends itself well to a longitudinal essay structure. Begin your piece by explaining when you first realized the importance of this value. You can then transition into describing how you have incorporated it into your life and why it is important to you in the present. 

For example, you could begin your essay by telling the reader about the first time you learned the importance of responsibility after you lost your favorite Pokémon card when you were a child. You could then transition into how you then incorporated responsibility into more important areas of your life such as academics and your friendships. Finally, you could close out your essay by explaining what respect means to you today.   

Use personal anecdotes to enrich your response. Remember the classic writing advice to “show, don’t tell.” Instead of simply telling the reader that you embody integrity in your everyday life, provide specific examples of times that you upheld integrity in the face of adversity. 

For example, you could discuss letting a teacher know that they accidentally marked your wrong answer as correct on a test. You could also write about the time you returned a wallet full of cash to the police station without being tempted to take any money. These examples will allow your essay to feel more personal and authentic. 

Option E: Why UVM? (optional, 500 words)

The “Why School” prompt is a cornerstone of many universities’ undergraduate applications. Your response should clearly explain why you want to attend the University of Vermont. Aim to address at least one academic and non-academic reason to show a holistic interest in the school. 

Your response should focus on UVM-specific classes, programs, or activities. Do not discuss general aspects that could be found at any university, such as location or a low student to faculty ratio. Use UVM’s open course catalog, faculty biographies, school organization websites, and YouTube videos by current students to find school-specific subject matter.

For example, do not simply say that you want to attend UVM to be an ecological agriculture major. Many other schools have similar programs that would allow you to study similar subjects. What in UVM’s ecological agriculture program interests you?

Instead, discuss why you want to study ecological agriculture at UVM specifically. You could discuss your interest in taking classes at the Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory, whose research vessel would allow you to explore aquatic ecology on Lake Champlain firsthand.

Use the same approach when discussing the non-academic aspects of the school that interest you. For example, your desire to attend school in the Northeast is not a compelling response to this prompt. However, your love of hiking and your desire to join UVM’s Outing Club definitely show you’ve thought about your fit with UVM.

For more insight on campus culture, look to UVM’s event schedule—labeled the Bored Calendar on their website—or the school’s campus life page to gain more information about UVM’s extracurricular offerings.   

For Applicants to the Music Program

Please tell us why you are interested in majoring in music at the university of vermont..

Want help with your college essays to improve your admissions chances? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account and get access to our essay guides and courses. You can also get your essay peer-reviewed and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Get a 515+ on the MCAT. Guaranteed.

Medical School Applications Cost Estimator

Medical school secondary application essay library, medical school gpa calculator, search site.

5 MOST POPULAR PODCASTS

Secondary Essay Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

5 Common Med School Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Medical Ethics Questions You Can Expect In Your Interview

The MMI: Everything You Need to Know About the Multiple Mini Interview

Common Medical School Interview Mistakes and How to Fix Them

© Medical School Headquarters - All Rights Reserved. | Affiliate Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Website by MAP

• Secondary Essay Prompts

Secondary Essay Prompts – University of Vermont College of Medicine

Secondary Essay Prompts for the University of Vermont College of Medicine

Below are the secondary essay prompts for the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington, VT.

2019 – 2020

• Please reflect on a difficult and challenging non-academic experience you have faced. Include a description of the stressful event, how you dealt with it and what you have learned about others and yourself through this process. Word Limit: 500
• The Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont recognizes that diversity extends beyond chosen and unchosen identities and encompasses the entirety of an individual’s experiences. Reflect on a time you learned something from someone or a group of people who are unlike yourself. Word Limit:500
• Additional Comments (optional): Word Limit:500

2018 – 2019

This school requires CASPer (Computer Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) as part of the medical school secondary application.

• Please reflect on a difficult and challenging non-academic experience you have faced. Include a description of the stressful event, how you dealt with it and what you have learned about others and yourself through this process. (500 words max)
• The Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont strongly values diversity. Larner COM recognizes that diversity extends beyond chosen and unchosen identities, and encompasses the entirety of an individual’s experiences. These experiences embody many dimensions that include (but are not limited to) the personal, familial, geographic, intellectual, economic, professional, linguistic, and societal domains. Thus, each and every member of the Larner COM community brings a unique perspective to a shared goal of training compassionate and competent physicians.

With this in mind, please reflect on your own diverse experiences and how those will allow you to successfully participate in teams and engage in active learning with your peers at the Larner COM. When composing your response please consider how these experiences impacted your understanding of others and yourself as well as any new insights gained. (500 words max).

• Additional Comments (optional): (500 words max)

Below are the secondary essay prompts for the University of Vermont College of Medicine.

2017 – 2018.

• The University of Vermont College of Medicine strives to ensure that its students become respectful physicians who embrace all dimensions of caring for the whole person. Please describe how your personal characteristics or life experiences will contribute to the University of Vermont College of Medicine community and bring educational benefits to our student body. (1000 characters)
• Is there any further information that you would like the Committee on Admissions to be aware of when reviewing your file that you were not able to notate in another section of this or the AMCAS Application? (1000 characters)
• Why have you chosen to apply to the University of Vermont College of Medicine and how do you think your education at University of Vermont College of Medicine will prepare you to become a physician for the future? (1 page, formatted at your discretion, upload as PDF)

2016 – 2017

• Diversity Statement The University of Vermont College of Medicine values diversity as a driver of excellence. We actively seek diversity and inclusion within our academic community of students, faculty, and staff, as well as those we serve through teaching, research, patient care and community engagement. We are committed to building an educational community made up of members with diverse talents, experiences, opinions, and backgrounds. In reflecting on your personal background, talents, opinions and life experiences, how might you contribute to the overall diversity of the UVM COM community (3000 characters maximum)
• Additional Short Answer Essay Topics (different from last year!) Please write a short response to one of the following prompts. For either question, when composing your essay, please consider the personal growth you experienced, an impact you may have had on others or a transformation you may have experienced (3000 characters maximum).
• Topic 1: In your journey towards a career in medicine, what experience do you think most convinced you that you want to serve others as a physician? –OR–
• Topic 2: There are many different types of teams. Effective teams are composed of people with diverse life experiences and varying viewpoints. Reflect on an experience you have had working on a team.

Secondary essay webcast with Dr. Jessica Freedman, founder and president of MedEdits Medical Admissions.   Read more about Dr. Freedman.

University of Vermont College of Medicine

Topics covered in this presentation:

• When should I submit my secondary essays?
• Pay attention to the word/character limits.
• Can I recycle secondary essay prompts for multiple schools?
• Identify topics that you left out of your primary application.
• And, much more.

University of Vermont College of Medicine Admissions Requirements

Learn more about this school:

Secondary Essay Prompts for Other Schools

Do you want to see secondary essay prompts for other medical schools?

Select a school below:

Secondary Essay Prompts By School

*Data collected from MSAR 2022-2023, 2022 Osteopathic Medical College Information Book, and institution website.

Disclaimer: The information on this page was shared by students and/or can be found on each medical school’s website. MedEdits does not guarantee it’s accuracy or authenticity.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Secondary Essay Prompts – Baylor College of Medicine

Secondary Essay Prompts – University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine

Secondary Essay Prompts – University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine

Secondary Essay Prompts – Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

Secondary Essay Prompts – Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Website Disclaimer
• Terms and Conditions
• MedEdits Privacy Policy

2023-2024 Common App essay prompts

• Facebook icon
• Twitter icon
• Linkedin icon

We are pleased to announce that the Common App essay prompts will remain the same for 2023-2024.

It’s not just for the sake of consistency that we have chosen to keep the essay prompts the same for the upcoming application year. Our past research has shown that overall satisfaction with the prompts exceeded 95% across our constituent groups - students, counselors, advisors, teachers, and member colleges. Moving forward, we want to learn more about who is choosing certain prompts to see if there are any noteworthy differences among student populations.

We know some schools are beginning to have conversations with juniors and transfer students about their college options. As we’ve always said, this is not a call for students to begin writing. We hope that by sharing the prompts now, students will have the time they need to reflect on their own personal stories and begin thinking about what they want to share with colleges. As you assist students with their planning, feel free to share our Common App Ready resource on approaching the essay (in English and Spanish ). You can also visit our YouTube channel to view our breakdown of all 7 Common App essay prompts . 

"Moving forward, we want to learn more about who is choosing certain prompts to see if there are any noteworthy differences among student populations." Meredith Lombardi, Director, Education and Training, Common App

Students who are ready to start exploring the application can create their Common App account prior to August 1. With account rollover , we will retain any responses to questions on the Common App tab, including the personal essay.

Below is the full set of essay prompts for 2023-2024.

• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
• Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
• Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
• Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

We will retain the optional community disruption question within the Writing section. 

News and updates

Common App’s Student Advisory Committee

Driving Growth: See how these universities boosted enrollment

Financial aid is complicated

Northern Vermont University

• Cost & scholarships
• Essay prompt

Want to see your chances of admission at Northern Vermont University?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

Northern Vermont University’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Common app personal essay.

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

Our Services

College Admissions Counseling

UK University Admissions Counseling

EU University Admissions Counseling

College Athletic Recruitment

Crimson Rise: College Prep for Middle Schoolers

Indigo Research: Online Research Opportunities for High Schoolers

Delta Institute: Work Experience Programs For High Schoolers

Graduate School Admissions Counseling

Private Boarding & Day School Admissions

Online Tutoring

Essay Review

Financial Aid & Merit Scholarships

Our Leaders and Counselors

Our Student Success

Crimson Student Alumni

Our Reviews

Our Scholarships

Careers at Crimson

University Profiles

US College Admissions Calculator

GPA Calculator

Practice Standardized Tests

SAT Practice Test

ACT Practice Tests

Personal Essay Topic Generator

eBooks and Infographics

Crimson YouTube Channel

Summer Apply - Best Summer Programs

Top of the Class Podcast

ACCEPTED! Book by Jamie Beaton

Crimson Global Academy

+1 (646) 419-3178

Go back to all articles

Can You Answer These Bizarre (But Real) College Essay Prompts?

With the release of universities 2022-23 supplemental essay prompts, we take you through some of the most unusual and bizarre US college supplemental essay prompts of all time, featuring universities such as UChicago, Tufts University and UPenn.

To get into a top US college , you’re going to need more than stellar grades, test scores, common application and extracurricular achievements. You’ll have to demonstrate, in your supplemental essays, that you are the kind of mature, driven, interesting person that would thrive at the particular university. This is much easier said than done — standing out from the crowd with a unique college essay can be very difficult.

Luckily, over the years some colleges have given their applicants a helping hand on this point by providing some really bizarre essay prompts. These warrant truly inventive responses, and let applicants really show off their writing prowess, creativity, and individuality.

Here’s out our list of some of the most creative, unusual and bizarre supplemental essay prompts from all time. How would you have responded to these questions? Check it out below!

Bizzare Supplemental Essay Prompts in 2022

We thought that it would be a good idea to include some of the more creative supplemental essay prompts from this year’s admission cycle (2022-23). We hope that this gets the creative juices flowing and helps you get a good early start to the essays!

University of Chicago

What advice would a wisdom tooth have?

Chapman University

Name one dish you would cook for the school’s admission team.

Pomono College

Marvel or DC? Pepsi or Coke? Instagram or TikTok? What’s your favorite ‘this or that’ and which side do you choose?

University of Vermont

Which Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor (real or imagined) best describes you?

In approaching these essays, it's essential to keep in mind why they are important and how they add context to your application. Admissions officers at top universities look for candidates that display creativity, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, and a unique perspective.

Interested in learning more? Attend one of our free events

Build your application strategy with the latest 2023-24 admissions trends & analysis.

Friday, May 31, 2024 12:00 AM CUT

Join this exclusive webinar to learn about the latest trends in college admissions and discover the key to getting accepted to top universities in upcoming application cycles!

REGISTER NOW

Unusual Supplemental Essay Prompts From Previous Years

When it comes to asking creative and wacky essay prompts, the University of Chicago is the leader. To come up with the best and most creative prompts, the college takes suggestions and inspiration from their own students, who are allowed to email their ideas annually. If you look on the UChicago website you can even see who submitted each essay prompt.

UChicago also allows you to answer a past prompt making these options for you to choose.

Due to a series of clerical errors, there is exactly one typo (an extra letter, a removed letter, or an altered letter) in the name of every department at the University of Chicago. Oops! Describe your new intended major. Why are you interested in it and what courses or areas of focus within it might you want to explore? Potential options include Commuter Science, Bromance Languages and Literatures, Pundamentals: Issues and Texts, Ant History…

This prompt was an excellent opportunity for students to show their creativity and humour, as well as their academic interests. The best ideas that we could find online were probably Visual Arms (Visual Arts) and Pig Problems (Big Problems).

Have you ever walked through the aisles of a warehouse store like Costco or Sam’s Club and wondered who would buy a jar of mustard a foot and a half tall? We’ve bought it, but it didn’t stop us from wondering about other things, like absurd eating contests, impulse buys, excess, unimagined uses for mustard, storage, preservatives, notions of bigness…and dozens of other ideas both silly and serious. Write an essay somehow inspired by super-huge mustard.

Have you ever written an essay about a giant jar of mustard? In 2004 UChicago applicants had their chance, and while there are absurd elements to the prompt, there are many creative and serious directions essays took.

The elusive goal of mathematics, but with no context. What is “x”, and how did prospective UChicago students find it? We’re sure the students brought in a novel discussion of a diverse array of mathematical theory, as well as philosophical and personal matters.

Elvis is alive! OK, maybe not, but here in the Office of College Admissions we are persuaded that current Elvis sightings in highway rest areas, grocery stores and Laundromats are part of a wider conspiracy involving five of the following: the metric system, the Mall of America, the crash of the Hindenburg, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, lint, J.D. Salinger and wax fruit. Help us get to the bottom of this evil plot by constructing your own theory of how and why five of these items and events are related. Your narrative may take any form you like, but try to keep your theory to under two pages.

If there were any conspiracy theorists applying to UChicago in 1999-2000, they would certainly have been in luck with this prompt. Who would have been the mastermind behind your evil plot?

Tufts University

If UChicago is the champ of creative college essay prompts, Tufts might be considered a close second. Check out their unique prompts below.

Kermit the Frog famously lamented, 'It's not easy being green.' Do you agree?

This prompt is inspired by a Muppets song, whereby Kermit laments how green seems to blend in with so many other ordinary things and how he thus fails to stand out from the crowd. Of course, many students in their essays took this quote in a totally different direction, demonstrating their critical thinking and creativity.

The ancient Romans started it when they coined the phrase “Carpe diem.” Jonathan Larson proclaimed “No day but today!” and most recently, Drake explained You Only Live Once (YOLO). Have you ever seized the day? Lived like there was no tomorrow? Or perhaps you plan to shout YOLO while jumping into something in the future. What does #YOLO mean to you?

Back when this prompt was released, Tufts’ #YOLO question caused quite a stir. Lee Coffin, the dean of Undergraduate Admissions at Tufts admitted that the question was inspired by his affinity for pop music and his desire for applicants to have some fun when they introduce themselves to Tufts.

It’s been said that something as small as the flutter of a butterfly’s wing can cause a typhoon halfway around the world. History is filled with such linchpins – small events or decisions that have huge effects on the future. Make your own change somewhere in history and show us the effects on the world.

This is one for fans of alternative history, perhaps invoking visions of a distorted universe where life as we know it has taken a turn for the better or worse. Again, a challenge for applicants would have been how to say something about themselves and their interests in a creative way.

University of Southern California

(Short Answer) Hashtag to describe yourself

It is common for college essay prompts to have a few short answer questions to get to know the student. For a few years starting in 2017 USC adopted a unique question, making students describe themselves with a #hashtag as they would on twitter or instagram. But what a difficult task that is - how would you describe yourself with a single hashtag?

Wake Forest University

Give us your top ten list.

Many Buzzfeed enthusiasts applying to Wake Forest in 2017-18 would have enjoyed the opportunity to make a top-ten list about anything of their choosing. What topic would you have written about, and what does this say about you?

UC Berkeley

If any of these three inanimate objects could talk, how would your room, computer or car describe you?

Imagine all of the time you’ve spent in your room, at your computer or behind the wheel; these objects might be the only things in the world that know your real identity. This question would have certainly prompted some deep reflection from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business applicants.

University of Notre Dame

You have 150 words. Take a risk.

Students could have taken this anywhere - so long as what they wrote was risky. There are even reports that some students took the ultimate risk and wrote nothing at all.

University of Pennsylvania

You have just finished your 300-page autobiography. Please submit page 217.

This is an iconic prompt that UPenn asked for about 20 years. It encourages students to consider their story, and to use this to introduce themselves to UPenn. For added realism, many students liked to start their responses in the middle of a sentence.

So, How Do I Write the Essay?

Since more than three quarters of US universities no longer require students to take standardized tests, college essays are becoming increasingly important in your application.

The key piece of advice we give to our students is to start on these essays early. If you are applying to several universities, you will have many different supplemental essays to complete, as well as the common application essay . Many of our students attest that writing all of their essays is by far the most stressful part of the application, and a part of the application that is easy to neglect.

Our other key piece of advice is to make the content of each supplemental essay very specific to the university you are applying to. You need to do your research about what each university looks for in a candidate and show a clear desire to attend that particular university.

As the world’s leading university admissions support company, we at Crimson know how to approach each supplemental essay and maximise your chances of gaining admission to a top university.

If you want to feel confident when submitting your college application essay, get your essay reviewed by us at Crimson. Our experts have assisted students who have gained admission to Harvard , Yale , Princeton , Stanford , Oxford , Cambridge and many other top universities!

What Makes Crimson Different

More Articles

How to answer the 2024-25 common app essay prompts.

What Would Megan Fox's (Hypothetical) Harvard Essay Look Like?

Unleashing Creativity in Research: How High Schoolers Can Find Unique and Engaging Research Topics

Today's e-Edition

• The Bennington Banner

• Print Edition

Bennington, VT (05201)

Mainly clear. Low 53F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph..

Mainly clear. Low 53F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph.

Updated: May 18, 2024 @ 8:30 pm

• Full Forecast

Rep. Tristan Roberts takes 'paternity leave from politics'

Vermont department of mental health set to release accused hatchet killer to department of corrections, threat of 'harm' at bellows falls union high school prompts police presence, banyai released on $15,000 surety bond.

Six Mount Anthony seniors made their college choices official on Wednesday. From far left: Landon Brimmer (lacrosse, Roberts Wesleyan University), Tanner Bushee (football, UNC-Charlotte), Tyler DeBoer (lacrosse, St. Michael's College) Nevaeh Perkins (track, St. Anselm College), Luke Rizio (Nordic, University of Vermont) and Carter Thompson (football, Middlebury College). 

• Photos provided by Kristen Barrett

The Mount Anthony student athletes will continue to play their respective sports at the next level. 

Six Mount Anthony student athletes gathered in the school Wednesday afternoon to make their college choices official.

Mount Anthony athletes make college choices official

Michael Mawson

Sports Editor

• Author twitter
• Author email
• May 16, 2024

BENNINGTON — Six Mount Anthony student athletes gathered in the school Wednesday afternoon to make their college choices official.

The MAU seniors have been standouts in their respective sports for years, and will continue to play collegiately.

Landon Brimmer has shined on the lacrosse field for the past two seasons, protecting the Patriots’ cage. Brimmer will play at Roberts Wesleyan University.

Tyler DeBoer has been a mainstay for the boys lacrosse program since his freshman year, helping lead the Patriots to a state championship game appearance last spring. DeBoer will stay in Vermont as he continues his lacrosse career, choosing St. Michael’s College in Colchester.

Tanner Bushee quarterbacked MAU to its first state championship win in nearly three decades in the fall of 2022. The three-sport athlete played his senior football season for Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology in Charlotte, North Carolina before transferring back to MAU this winter. Bushee will head back to North Carolina, where he’ll play for the University of North Carolina-Charlotte 49ers.

Carter Thompson was one of Bushee’s main weapons during that championship-winning season. Also a three-sport athlete, Thompson provided the bulk of MAU football’s offense this past fall. He will continue his football career in the Green Mountain state – signing to Middlebury College.

Luke Rizio’s dominance on the mountains of Vermont during his high school career was impressive. Not only was he a multiple-time individual champion and helped MAU Nordic win the state championship in 2023, but he was also a two-time All-American. He will continue his skiing career for the University of Vermont.

Nevaeh Perkins has been a constant for the track team, competing in the shot put, discus and javelin. She will continue her track career at St. Anselm College.

The Oliver Ford dealership proudly supports our local athletes. Michael Mawson can be reached via email at [email protected] .

• Mount Anthony
• Track And Field
• University Of Vermont
• Middlebury College
• St. Anselm College
• Unc Charlotte
• Roberts Wesleyan University

Featured Local Savings

• Notifications

Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.

• Getting Results.
• Newsletters

BREAKING NEWS

Dangerous heat and scattered storms possible

A college puts the 'cat' into 'education' by giving max an honorary 'doctor of litter-ature' degree.

Associated Press

©2023 Vermont State University

This photo provided by Vermont State University shows Max the Cat stands in front of Woodruff Hall at Vermont State University Castleton on on Oct. 12, 2023 in Castleton, Vt. Vermont State University's Castleton campus has bestowed the title of Doctor of Litter-ature on Max, a beloved member of its community, ahead of students' graduation on Saturday. The school is not honoring the feline for his mousing or napping but rather for friendliness. (Rob Franklin/Vermont State University via AP)

CASTLETON, Vt. – A Vermont university has bestowed the honorary degree of “doctor of litter-ature” on Max the cat, a beloved member of its community, ahead of students' graduation on Saturday.

Vermont State University’s Castleton campus is honoring the feline not for his mousing or napping, but for his friendliness.

Recommended Videos

“Max the Cat has been an affectionate member of the Castleton family for years,” the school said in a Facebook post.

The popular tabby lives in a house with his human family on the street that leads to the main entrance to campus.

“So he decided that he would go up on campus, and he just started hanging out with the college students, and they love him," owner Ashley Dow said Thursday.

He's been socializing on campus for about four years, and students get excited when they see him. They pick him up and take selfies with him, and he even likes to go on tours with prospective students that meet at a building across from the family's house, she said.

“I don't even know how he knows to go, but he does," Dow said. “And then he'll follow them on their tour.”

The students refer to Dow as Max's mom, and graduates who return to town sometimes ask her how Max is doing.

Max won't be participating in the graduation, though. His degree will be delivered to Dow later.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.