The University of Massachusetts - Boston

Date: Nov 16 2007
Major: Biology (This Major's Salary over time)
While the buildings are falling apart and Umass could use…well…a new campus (with the exception of the new and shiny campus center), the education's of high quality. Some of the classes are huge, but you can get individual attention if you really want, as long as you're reasonable about what you're asking. Professors are great and approachable, most will take you seriously, but like in any school, there are some much hated profs here and there.

Ross center for disability's great. I have the attention span of a 2 year old, so I get extra time on exams, and they're very accomodating and very friendly and nice about helping get the things you need.

The biology department's great. When you start taking courses at the sophomore/junior level, you start seeing the same people, professors included. And whether a professor knows you or not, they WILL help you. One of the cell bio professors (not mine) hooked me up with a microbio lab when I asked her if she had any lab positions open (and she didn't at the time).

It's really too bad the buildings are crappy though. UMB has great professors who work hard with what they have, which is often material that is old and falling apart in the labs. You get what you pay for I guess?

Parking sucks. Generally, don't drive if you don't have to. Getting a monthly pass on the T is much cheaper and the shuttle buses are there ALL the time. Nice system, really.

Social life—yeah that part generally sucks. People work, have kids, deal with school. They don't have time for a social life or to hear you complain about the lack of partying on campus.