University of Massachusetts-Amherst Top Questions

Describe the students at your school.

Nicole

The student body is very diverse. Everyone will find somebody. The campus is a very liberal school, but there is a Republican group. Most students will wear normal clothing to class, but there are the girls in Uggs, a Northface and huge sunglasses at an 8am class. No student would feel out of place.

Laura

What I've found is that UMass is full of students who either weren't smart enough or didn't have enough money to go anywhere. That doesnt mean that there aren't people who really wanted to come here, but the majority fit into that category. I thought that it would be really easy to be a student here, but I've found it depends on the major, and if you're looking for more academic rigor, theres always the Commonwealth College, which allows for honors-level classes. The student body is a big mix of well dressed and very sloppy people. Most students are from MA, but there are people from other states.

Hunter

I have found Umass students to be quite friendly and laid back people. Most people I have encountered seem to come from middle- or lower middle-class backgrounds, although there are people from all parts of that spectrum. "Cliques" are not very prevalent, and there's not much "who's who" around here since there's so many people, which will be a relief if you came from a clique-y high school. Most people here are liberal-minded. Also, 80{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the students here are in-state.

Nicole

There are a lot of hate crimes here. Its not an unknown fact that Umass is one of the most violent campuses in the country. I don't feel unsafe here though. There are 3 different kinds of people here: ----the stereotypical Brahs and Chicks, usually very involved in Greek Life, sports, and alcohol. Very bitchy, very dick-ish. ----hipsters. They are pretentious and rude until you find a way to make them think you're one of them. Unfortunately, I am a hipster but its not bad. They always have the latest music/movies and they read Keruoac and bemoan the fact that they were born after 1970. Most of the grad students are hipsters. ----everyone else. Everyone else just kind of. Is. Normal, average, everyday people.

Charlie

Umass is predominately students from Massachusetts and New York. I find everyone is either from there or random states like New Jersey or PA. Different students to interact, I mean it all depends on who you meet within the first weeks of school. When I was a freshman, I lived in Crampton in southwest and on an all girls floor only. Everyone pretty much becomes friends with everyone but there are those few students who are not a part of a group and find friends else where. Students are NOT politically aware of what is happening on campus. We had elections for the SGA a month or so ago and about 3,000 students out of almost 18,000 voted. Students tend not to get into politics here, and they need to be.

CJ

Again, i don't pay much attention to the rest of the campus. i have made it very small for myself, and i tend to ignore the majority of my fellow collegiates. you can refer back to my opinion on living areas for this one.

Amy

The student body is definitely diverse here at UMass. There's all different races and religions. The students come from all over the country and the world, but no student should feel out of place here.

Kris

Since there are so many students here, it seems almost impossible for one to feel left out because there are so many types of students here. Students are generally laid back and tend to wear sweatpants and hoodies. Most of the students are from MA but there are some students from NY as well. The student body is pretty diverse, mostly because the school is big.

Nick

The student body here at UMass is very diverse indeed. When I came to the school, my neighbor was a very conservative republican, who I became great friends with. Although we rarely talked politics, he made his opinions well-known as a member of the Republican Club. The best thing about it was, he seemed so normal, like one of my buddies from home, and did not have to hide his political associations in order to be accepted by a large group of people. Also, my roommate for my sophmore year, I later found out was a very devout Muslim. Although his mother was Irish and his father Arab, he decided to become a Muslim, but did not sacrafice any social issues in the process. In fact, although he is a very strong believer in the religion, his everyday life is extremely like that of mine: He enjoys Family Guy, likes the same music, etc. However, he is also the President of the Arab Student Club, and goes to the West Bank every summer. His amazing story is one that I truly learned much from, and it has helped me keep in touch with my religion in the process.

Elizabeth

In freshman year, I lived in Crampton, in Southwest. The dorm is located across from the Stonewall Center. I never had direct experience with anyone involved in this association, however, I remember feeling glad that such a service existed. I am the typical UMass student--white, english-speaking. However, my roommate is black. She is also a dear friend whom I have known since freshman year. We are frequently seen together, and it never fails--someone will always give us a double-take. However, it is oftentimes not students, but adults that give us sidelong looks. ~Despite what I have just said, UMass is a campus that welcomes diversity--There are about 17,000 students on this campus, and everyone can find their place among this number.

Jennifer

There is a lot of diversity at UMass so there is a place for every type of person. People who are very conservative might find themselves out of place since things like homosexuality and mixed-race relationships are widely accepted.

Evan

We are an extremely diverse campus, everyone is so different from everyone else, and we all come from different backgrounds, but that is what brings us together.

Billy Pilgrim

The student body is primarily from New England but otherwise is very diverse and, in one of the benefits of a large university, there are many groups for everyone to enjoy. Overall the student body is very far on the left. Only a small group are truly aware of the reasons, and the majority hop in on the trend.

Brett

I don't really have experience with racial, religious, LGBT, socio economic groups on campus, mainly because I don't want to. I shy student would feel out of place at UMASS. Most students wear what ever they want to class. Yes, different types of students interact. 4 tables may include, usually will almost always include friends, I don't look at them as different groups. Most UMASS students are from Massachusetts and New Jersey. Most students are middle class, but UMASS does offer a great financial department to its students. Students are very politically active. Im not sure where they reside. Students talk about future aspirations.

Lindsay

A great number of engineering students are minorities. I barely notice the difference though. There is nothing but equality in this college and I love it. All students feel comfortable with each other, in my opinion. Most wear jeans or sweats to class (depending on the day of the week). I think most students are from MA, but ...there are many many students who aren't. The difference in numbers of in state and out of state is very small, I think. I've no sense of financial backgrounds. No one talks about it and you can't notice anything that would distinguish someone either way. Most engineering students are politically apathetic. We'd rather stick to our science. This election seems to be an exception though with the democrats. Everyone's interested..in Obama.

Vincent

The student body I think is very mixed at UMass. On one side you have students who really want to get a good education and put school first. Then on the other side you have all the jocks and preps who just want to cruise through school and try their best to have UMass live up to it's "zoo" stereotype. But at such a big school, it's really easy to fit in and find a group of friends that fits you and your personality. And the school has many different RSO's and student groups to join that it's near impossible not to find friends at this giant school.

Ashley

Many different groups on campus hold events or rallies that I will attend, but I don't necessarily participate in any of the groups themselves. There are a LOT of different groups so there's basically something for everyone. Most students at UMass Amherst are White middle class Christians, so anyone outside of that group would feel out of place. There definitely needs to be more diversity at the university. Most students where comfortable clothes to class - usually either sweatpants or pajama bottoms and a sweatshirt. It is very rare to see someone dressed up on campus unless it's career day. Different types of students don't generally interact. Everyone mostly lives and hangs out with people from their own racial or religious group, which results in certain groups being in specific living areas on campus. Students at Umass Amherst that are politically active are predominantly left. Our daily newspaper tries to give both sides as much as possible, but it is still very evident that it is written and produced by liberal Democrats.

Dawson

pi kappa phi sucks. dont let them brainwash you. no students are out of place. 4 tables in the dining hall- art kids, band kids, meatheads, orange girls. A lot of the kids ive met are either filthy rich or dirt poor. yes to politcally aware, predominantly left, and yes all the time. money in the future tense is an important subject to everyone who attends any college.

Ryan

Everyone is segregated, the black kids sit with black kids, white kids with white kids and so on. There is racism and violence everywhere around campus. Some kids are rich and some kids are poor and you can tell. This school is filled with angry liberals who try to change the world one stupid social issue at a time....they never accomplish anything. tough luck