Who are VAST students?They are high school seniors from towns throughout Vermont and possibly surrounding states. Any 11th grade student is eligible to apply to either the Randolph Center main campus or the Williston campus.
How are VAST students selected?Prospective VAST students must have an academic average of at least 85 percent and a combined SAT or equivalent PSAT score of 1550 or higher. Interviews, recommendations from high school teachers and counselors, and a written essay also help determine what students will benefit most from this advanced college-level program. VAST students must have a successful academic record in math, science, and technology, and a continuing interest in those areas. Entrance into VAST is competitive. Applications to VAST must be complete for review by April 1st and decisions will be mailed out by April 15th. If there are available spaces after April 15th, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all spaces are filled. Thirty students are accepted to the Randolph campus and twelve are accepted to the Williston campus.
What classes do they take?Students may apply to any Vermont Tech academic program. Students follow the course map for this program (refer to the course catalog). Additional coursework may be required by the sending high school if the student elects to graduate from both their sending high school and VAST. Students with an undeclared major must take a minimum of 15 college credit hours per semester. They also must enroll in English, Math and Science each semester.
Where do VAST students live?Many students choose to live on campus, particularly those who live outside of a convenient commuting distance. They are paired with another VAST student as a roommate as often as possible. Other students whose home is within easy driving distance to campus choose to commute using their own transportation.
Do VAST students participate in campus life?When it comes to extracurricular activities, VAST students enjoy the best of both worlds. They can take advantage of the broad array of services, activities, and amenities at Vermont Tech, or are they can participate in sports and other activities at their high school.
Many choose some of each. Popular features of college life at Vermont Tech include:
- A health and fitness center with basketball and racquetball courts; a 25-yard swimming pool; weight-training room.
- Intramural and varsity sports for men and women, including soccer, baseball, basketball, and softball.
- College-operated ski tow/snowboard hill.
- More than 25 campus clubs representing such interests as the Adventurer’s Guild, alternative energy, astronomy, computers, creative writing, cross-country skiing, dairy, drama, fencing, golf, horticulture, ice hockey, motor sports, music, photography, and WVTC-FM, Vermont Tech’s student-run radio station.
VAST students can make new friends among their college peers without losing touch with high school classmates.
After-hours entertainment throughout the year features speakers, comedians, live music, and events like Sports Night and Casino Night. Group trips to professional sports games in Boston, or night skiing, are always popular.
The VAST class has its own special activities and its own graduation ceremony.
And of course, VAST students have access to Vermont Tech’s comprehensive academic support system that offers tutors, counseling services, academic advisors, and the advice and guidance of College faculty and staff.
What does it cost?To Vermont Residents not enrolled in the Practical Nursing or Dental Hygiene programs, tuition is free for two semesters. Practical Nursing students will be required to pay for the third semester. Dental Hygiene students will be required to pay the difference between the traditional program and Dental Hygiene tuition rates. Please refer to the online college catalog to review our current tuition and fees. All VAST students are required to pay for non-tuition fees, books, and room and board. Institutional financial aid is available for students with demonstrated financial need. Non-resident VAST students are charged the same tuition rate as first-year students at the college.
What is VAST's history?VAST’s first graduating class was in 1990. In 1998, the Vermont Legislature allowed the student’s block grant to follow him/her to VAST. Vermont Tech waives the difference of the block grant and the tuition rate. In 2004, VAST was expanded to the Williston Campus.
What are the options for students who graduate from VAST?Students have many options. The most common options are to remain at Vermont Tech to complete their degree, or enroll in a degree program at another institution.
Many students have been accepted to some of the nation’s most reputable colleges and universities. Here is a sample of where some recent graduates have been accepted: Bentley, Caltech, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, Northeastern, Pomona, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology, Stanford, UVM, West Point, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, to name a few.
How do I apply?Those interested in applying to the Academy must complete a Vermont Technical College application. You can apply online or download a paper application. Please click here to access Vermont Tech’s application.
Who do I contact?The Director of VAST is Diana Mellar. You can contact Diana at 802-728-1297, or via e-mail at dmellar@vtc.edu.
Vermont Academy of Science & Technology
Vermont Technical College
PO Box 500
Randolph Center, VT 05061
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