Thoughts on Champlain University in Vermont?

I'm thinking about applying to Champlain University in Vermont, but I don't know much about it. What should I know about its programs, campus life, and anything else important before deciding?

Champlain College, located in Burlington, Vermont, is well-regarded for its career-centric approach to education. The college thanks its Upside-Down Curriculum for this, which allows students to take courses in their major from their first year, giving them a practical start to their college experience and maximum time for internships and experiential learning.

In terms of its programs, some of their notably strong offerings are in the areas of Game Design, Computer Science, and Cybersecurity. Their Game Design program is amongst the top in the country. Their Business program is also quite strong, offering a hands-on, manage-a-business-from-the-start experience. The Digital Forensics program is another standout offering, being one of the few NSA-designated Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.

Campus life at Champlain is distinct due to its location. Nestled in the vibrant city of Burlington, it's surrounded by the beautiful New England landscape. Burlington, despite being a small city, is filled with cultural and recreational opportunities. Being near Lake Champlain, there's plenty of outdoor activities for students to engage in. The city also has an active arts scene and plenty of coffee shops, so there's never a lack of things to do outside of schoolwork. The campus itself is a mix of historic Victorian-era houses (used as residence halls) and state-of-the-art academic spaces which provide a unique academic environment.

Champlain College is also known for its 'career-focused' approach in giving education. There is a strong emphasis on getting internships and hands-on experience starting in your freshman year. This ensures that students are workforce-ready by the time they graduate, and there's a high placement rate for graduates, with many getting jobs within their field within six months after graduation.

However, it's important to note that Champlain is a smaller institution, with an undergraduate enrollment below 2,000 students. So, it offers an intimate learning environment which could be seen as a pro or con, depending on your personal preferences.

As with any college, I'd recommend reaching out to current students or alumni to get a sense of the school culture and their personal experiences. This can give you a more personal and detailed perspective than what you might find in a brochure or on a website.