StudentsReview :: The University of Massachusetts - Amherst - Extra Detail about the Comment
-or-
Search for Schools by Region
 

or within distance of city

Similar Schools
Harvard University -- Cambridge, MA
Boston University -- Boston, MA
Boston College -- Chestnut Hill, MA


  Who's got the Best?

Perceptual Rankings:
You Make 'Em.
We Post 'Em.
You Vote 'Em Up.
You Vote 'Em Down.
Aww yeah.


The University of Massachusetts - Amherst

How this student rated the school
Educational QualityA Faculty AccessibilityA-
Useful SchoolworkB Excess CompetitionC-
Academic SuccessC Creativity/ InnovationB+
Individual ValueF University Resource UseB+
Campus Aesthetics/ BeautyC FriendlinessA
Campus MaintenanceB- Social LifeA
Surrounding CityB Extra CurricularsA
SafetyA
Describes the student body as:
Approachable

Describes the faculty as:

Female
Super Brilliant
Lowest Rating
Individual Value
F
Highest Rating
Educational Quality
A
She cares more about Individual Value than the average student.
Date: Feb 22 2009
Major: Animal Studies (This Major's Salary over time)
I am from the Pioneer Valley, and chose Umass over Smith and Mt Holyoke to save money. I saved a LOT (10's of thousands) by attending Umass, and had no problem getting into graduate school.

Based on many of the reviews I have read, I tend to agree with the people saying college, ANY college, is what you make of it. Umass is a fairly large school, and yes, you are just a number to the university. BUT: all major RESEARCH universities are the same. Professors with research appointments are rewarded for bringing money into their respective college and dept. NOT for teaching. This is a fact.

Some negatives?

1. The campus is ugly. Oh well.

2. Too many TA's (not professors, in my experience) do not speak decent English. This is the fault of the dept for accepting low TOEFL scores OR ignoring the scores and letting them teach anyway.

3. Very liberal. It is tiring after a while, listening to professors (ESPECIALLY in the humanities) drone on about politics. By the time I graduated, I was very happy to be away from that aspect.

4. Crappy and expensive parking, but again, oh well.

5. Some of the living areas are absurd, but can be avoided.

Positives:

1. 5 College System. Take advantage of it! I have a friend who is a professor there, and the vast majority of people come TO Umass to take courses, not the other way around.

2. There is a huge selection of courses.

3. If you are interested in science/engineering, you will get very good value for your money. I cannot speak for the other depts.

Yes, there are better schools in MA than Umass. But I cannot think of one that is cheaper for the education you can receive. Again, if you are used to mommy and daddy holding your hand, then go to a smaller school. Also, depending on what you want to do with yourself, there may be schools that will better serve you. I really don't understand the complaints about the size…did you fail to VISIT before you came? And Umass is 25K students, which really isn't that big, compared to Ohio State, Penn State or Illinois.

Bottom line, no matter where you go, YOU have to make it work, not blame the school for every little thing that goes wrong. Do you think you can do that at a job?

Ask a Question or add a response!
Compare UMass-AmherstSave UMass-Amherst