This is my home. UMASS Amherst is unlike any place I have seen because it is this massive city cradled in a gorgeous, mountain-crested valley. Also, even though the campus is massive, you don't feel anything less than at home in your niche: U R UMASS.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Do exactly what you want, go exactly where you want, and say exactly what you mean. A school as big and open as this one ensures that you will find the people who fit you, so you should never squeeze into a friendship because that distracts from your growth.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
This place will not crush you and, to be honest, once you get there, there is an immediate sensation that your professors are pulling for your success as much as you are. There is work, but you need it. This institution gives people the tools to become whatever they want to be, but it is up to the individual himself/herself to make use of those tools.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Once again, just be honest with yourself and with who you are. The reputations about the different sections of campus are true; people do tend to fall into patterns of behavior based on their location on campus. Ironically, this does not necessarily create a divide. We are all a part of the culture and we know it: no matter what anyone jokes, UMASS wouldn't be the same without all of its edges. We need you to be you. That is sort of an unspoken mentality in the dorm life, and I have never been so comfortable in my own skin anywhere in my life the way I was in my dorm days.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
There are no words. Berkshire dining commons is almost ludicrously good: you cannot go wrong because there are simply so many options. They are also very good about making their foods as healthy as possible across campus and are constantly thinking up new ways to innovate the dining experience
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
This whole place is a party. There are always people ready to do something outlandish and it is an amazing feeling: when you think about it, this is the only time in your life you are every truly almost exclusively with people your own age. Also, the gym at UMASS is incredible and their fitness classes have the potential to bring the fighter out of anyone.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
For in-state residents this place is almost a steal, especially for nursing, business, and engineering majors. The reputation of the nursing and business programs are so well-known, that it virtually eliminates the supposed stigma of attending a public university. Also, engineering students here are just honestly worked so hard and pushed so far, that it cannot help but give them an edge.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Never. Ever. Ever. walk through the eye. This is a circle surrounded in a semi-circle by benches and across from The Cage. It may look like it is only a pattern in the ground, but a true UMASS student knows that the risk of terrible bad luck is NOT worth the five seconds extra that it takes to skirt it. Also, the area of grass extending from the basketball hoop in SW is called the Southwest beach because that is where everyone gathers to tan and to play frisbee when it is nice outside.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
1) You are ready to come into your own
2) You feel comfortable being a small (but integral) piece of a larger whole.
3) You're not sure what you want to do.
4) You're not sure who you want to be.
5) You want to really LIVE your college years.
6) You're prepared to be devastated when graduation rolls around.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Honestly, the clubs here do not have much opportunity to be truly active beyond the board. It seems like more of a Facebook thing at this point. With that said, intramural teams are great ways to meet people and have a good time and club teams revive any lingering desires for a varsity experience.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Greek life here is not crazy, but it definitely has the same element of drama and obligation. The truth is though that these people genuinely have each other's backs when push comes to shove.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
This campus could not be more safe. I have gone for walks at 3 or 4 am and there are STILL other students walking between dorms, walking back from the library, or picking up food. There are always PEOPLE. You will never be in a situation when you are without aid and the campus is heavily lit all night long. Also, there are help phones rigged across the entire campus and cops perched all over the place.
This is my home. UMASS Amherst is unlike any place I have seen because it is this massive city cradled in a gorgeous, mountain-crested valley. Also, even though the campus is massive, you don't feel anything less than at home in your niche: U R UMASS.
Do exactly what you want, go exactly where you want, and say exactly what you mean. A school as big and open as this one ensures that you will find the people who fit you, so you should never squeeze into a friendship because that distracts from your growth.
This place will not crush you and, to be honest, once you get there, there is an immediate sensation that your professors are pulling for your success as much as you are. There is work, but you need it. This institution gives people the tools to become whatever they want to be, but it is up to the individual himself/herself to make use of those tools.
Once again, just be honest with yourself and with who you are. The reputations about the different sections of campus are true; people do tend to fall into patterns of behavior based on their location on campus. Ironically, this does not necessarily create a divide. We are all a part of the culture and we know it: no matter what anyone jokes, UMASS wouldn't be the same without all of its edges. We need you to be you. That is sort of an unspoken mentality in the dorm life, and I have never been so comfortable in my own skin anywhere in my life the way I was in my dorm days.
There are no words. Berkshire dining commons is almost ludicrously good: you cannot go wrong because there are simply so many options. They are also very good about making their foods as healthy as possible across campus and are constantly thinking up new ways to innovate the dining experience
This whole place is a party. There are always people ready to do something outlandish and it is an amazing feeling: when you think about it, this is the only time in your life you are every truly almost exclusively with people your own age. Also, the gym at UMASS is incredible and their fitness classes have the potential to bring the fighter out of anyone.
For in-state residents this place is almost a steal, especially for nursing, business, and engineering majors. The reputation of the nursing and business programs are so well-known, that it virtually eliminates the supposed stigma of attending a public university. Also, engineering students here are just honestly worked so hard and pushed so far, that it cannot help but give them an edge.
Never. Ever. Ever. walk through the eye. This is a circle surrounded in a semi-circle by benches and across from The Cage. It may look like it is only a pattern in the ground, but a true UMASS student knows that the risk of terrible bad luck is NOT worth the five seconds extra that it takes to skirt it. Also, the area of grass extending from the basketball hoop in SW is called the Southwest beach because that is where everyone gathers to tan and to play frisbee when it is nice outside.
1) You are ready to come into your own 2) You feel comfortable being a small (but integral) piece of a larger whole. 3) You're not sure what you want to do. 4) You're not sure who you want to be. 5) You want to really LIVE your college years. 6) You're prepared to be devastated when graduation rolls around.
Honestly, the clubs here do not have much opportunity to be truly active beyond the board. It seems like more of a Facebook thing at this point. With that said, intramural teams are great ways to meet people and have a good time and club teams revive any lingering desires for a varsity experience.
Greek life here is not crazy, but it definitely has the same element of drama and obligation. The truth is though that these people genuinely have each other's backs when push comes to shove.
This campus could not be more safe. I have gone for walks at 3 or 4 am and there are STILL other students walking between dorms, walking back from the library, or picking up food. There are always PEOPLE. You will never be in a situation when you are without aid and the campus is heavily lit all night long. Also, there are help phones rigged across the entire campus and cops perched all over the place.