The University of Massachusetts - Lowell

Date: Mar 27 2016
Major: Civil Engineering (This Major's Salary over time)
My opinion of this school and Lowell often fluctuates. I have made a lot of friends here, and I have had a lot of great professors, But I have also had a lot of crappy professors. North campus is not the best environment in my opinion, and alot of times I just go to south to sort of get away from the North Campus environment. I played womans rugby last semester and really enjoyed it but unfortunately I dont have time to play anymore due to the magnitude of school work I have to do. With that being said, there is hardly anything to do socially on this campus unless you are involved in a super active club. Lowell is not a place I enjoy or feel safe in most of the time. Mill number 5 is great, and some other shops near down town, but other than that, this might be the most boring city in America. On top of that, if you dont have a car (luckily I do) there is hardly anywhere you can really go for things you might need or want. Alot of students go to target and walmart which you need a car to get to, as well as nashua b/c that is where all the good stores and mall are. Moving on to living arrangements, I live in Leitch hall, which is above average living situation for a freshman here. I am in the honors program, so I got better living placements than most. If you want to avoid fox, I highly suggest you join a living learning community, so you can get the best and most suitable living arrangements possible. Leitch is newly renovated and is a good environment, with ample spaced rooms, nice bathrooms, and great common rooms with designated study rooms. The only thing I hate about living here is a lot of the people in honors housing are not very friendly or approachable, and the RAs in my building practically get off on getting people in trouble. Almost everyone on my floor has gotten written up at some point. I understand this is there job, but some of them take it to the extremes (I have even caught one putting his ear against a persons door). I constantly am pushed back and forth between transferring or not. To be honest, im not exactly happy here, and Im not sure if its because its college, or if its because its THIS college. all I can say is, if you are not a very motivated student, or struggle in school at all, dont go here for engineering. The program is super rigorous straight of the bat. I did very well in high school, taking all AP and high level classes, and I was not prepared at all for the content or work level of these engineering classes.