Green Mountain College: FAQ

FAQ: Student Life

Do only "environmentalists" go to GMC?
We attract all types here and most students love the range of viewpoints, from very liberal to very conservative with most people falling somewhere near the middle. In a sense, we're very traditional -- beautiful New England campus, liberal arts courses, dormitories -- but of course we've got a cutting edge mission, which we think gives you an advantage when you get into the "real world." Wherever you fall on the political perspective, you'll find a very open and welcoming community here. Green Mountain College students graduate with a sophisticated understanding of the natural and social forces that shape our world. That doesn't mean they'll always agree.

What is there to do in Poultney, Vermont?
Poultney has a lot of the best in small-town rural living - a beautiful lake, lots of hiking trails, two great diners, a cozy pub, a café with legendary Philly cheese steaks (veggie version too), library, hardware store where the owners will learn your name, and lots of beautiful historic houses and churches. But guess what? No matter how much we love Poultney, we all get the urge to get away - to find a mall, go skiing, get to some great clubs. Fortunately, that's all within an easy drive of campus. Killington's world-class ski resort is about 40 minutes away (and you can get a great discount as a student); great shopping towns like Burlington, Middlebury, Manchester, and Queensbury are all less than an hour and a half away. And, of course, when you need a big city, Boston, New York, and Montreal are all within reach by car, bus, or train.

What is a typical day like for students?
A typical student's day includes bouncing between classes, students activism groups, film screenings and colloquia, work-study, sports like Ultimate Frisbee, rugby or soccer, or regular wellness events like Yoga and kickboxing. And on their down-time students can head to the Gorge for a concert or another form of live entertainment, offered most Wednesdays and many Saturday nights; or they can attend an art opening in the Feick Arts Center, go to a spring barn dance or, in the fall, check out the Welsh Harvest Festival.

Is partying a big part of life at Green Mountain?
Like most college students, GMC students love to have a good time. This plays out in many ways, but our campus community fosters a social climate that is respectful to others and allows students with common interests to find each other and form friendships. When you visit campus, you'll find students engaged in active, fun social lives. So what happens on a Friday night? There will certainly be parties of all kinds, from dances to potluck dinners, to alcohol-free events. There are also plenty of on-campus events like movies, concerts, comedians, game shows, and other events sponsored by the student-run College Programming Board. You'll also find students working in their art studios or finishing a paper so they'll be ready for a Saturday-morning kayak trip. Also keep in mind that the residence halls offer a wide range of living options, including the Honors Floor, Substance-Free Floor, Quiet Floor, Recreation Majors Floor, Creative Arts Living Floor, and others. Whatever college you attend, you'll find students with widely differing lifestyles. But if you're interested in learning and meeting new people, you'll find a like-minded community here.

Is Green Mountain right for me?
Many of our students say that they knew Green Mountain was the place for them as soon as they stepped on campus, that it was just a feeling. We are proud of our faculty and staff who are interested in helping you develop professionally, intellectually, and personally into a well-rounded person ready to approach life in adventurous ways, and do it successfully. If you have a curiosity about the environment or a desire to be educated where teachers will see you as a person as well as a student, Green Mountain may be the place for you. Visit us to find out.