The University of Massachusetts Amherst offers the extensive academic resources of a major research university, while providing support and individualized attention for its student body.  UMass Amherst is a classic American research university in a quintessential college town.  The campus is committed to undergraduate education which begins in the classroom and extends far beyond it.  Close to sixty percent of undergraduates enhance classroom learning through practice, internships, co-ops or community service.  The campus???s world-renowned faculty involve undergraduate students in research projects that span almost ninety academic majors.  Academic variety is bolstered by the availability of the latest technology in places like the Learning Commons, a collaborative hub of study space, student services, and state-of-the-art connectivity.  UMass Amherst is the first-in-the-nation Microsoft showcase school for applying information technology to higher education.  The campus is making major investments in its buildings and facilities including new student apartments, and new classroom, laboratory and studio space. 

The campus affords students a wide variety of outstanding learning opportunities.  Commonwealth College, an honors college within the University offers students an academic community with small, intensive classes, community service learning opportunities, and research experiences.  Students can participate in the Five College Collaborative, a program that allows cross-registration with area colleges (Amherst, Hampshire, Mt.  Holyoke and Smith Colleges).  And, almost half of UMass Amherst first-year students live in learning communities that foster connections between living-spaces and intellectual and social life at the University.  While UMass Amherst students take their academic work seriously, a big part of their education comes from time spent outside of class.  Students are able to complement their intellectual lives with opportunities for involvement in one of more than 200 registered student organizations.  Students may write for the Daily Collegian, New England???s largest college daily paper or may join the Student Government Association and help make important decisions about campus life.  The campus also boasts a unique student run business program where students can get hands on experience in one of several different businesses that range from bicycle repair to vegetarian food service.  These are just a few of the endless possibilities students have, not to mention first-rate athletic competitions, student activities on other Five College campuses or concerts, dramatic performances, guest speakers and other cultural events that happen on campus.  Students come from every state in the nation and over seventy countries to have a rich university experience in one of the nation's best college towns.