University of Massachusetts-Amherst Top Questions

What are the most popular student activities/groups?

James

Personally I was in a Fraternity, but in no way is Greek life the majority of the school. I would say that there are so many different types of activities and groups that none are "popular", but there is a niche for every person here.

Jared

Not sure which is the most popular, but I joined many groups while on campus including my favorite so far Engineers Without Borders Kenya.

Vincent

All of them

Jessica

Students in the dorms leave their doors open, its a very open campus.

Sarah

All of the groups and clubs at UMASS are important. The ones that I have gotten involved with are greek affiliated and the student government. I was hoping to be apart of an intramural sport too because sports are so popular around campus.

Andrea

There are many popular activities and groups on campus. Hockey games are a lot of fun and often very well attended; UMass has an excellent, division one hockey team. In the fall, football games are often well attended, as well, mostly for the attraction of pre-game tailgates. Greek Life certainly has a presence on campus; there are always fraternities hosting parties over the weekend. However, it's definitely not as strong as it is on other college campuses. The pressures to join a fraternity or sorority is not high at all. I just became a writer for the Daily Collegian, which is the UMass daily newspaper. It is also the largest college newspaper in New England, so it is a very well-known student group on campus. UMass has a party school reputation, and it is certain that plenty of kids party - some party much harder than others. However, there are plenty of students who don't party. UMass is such a big school; you will find all types of people here.

Daniel

I think the most popular club, in terms of size, is the outing club. I've done a trip with them, and there all about the outdoors-hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting-you name it they probably do it. We also have a popular ski and snow board club, and clubs for every sport from tennis to quidditch. I'm in a few groups, one that's a sort of natural science community outreach (resume builder, but seems kinda cool too), and in another one we are raising chickens in a much more natural way than the food industry does so I'm really looking forward to eating that chicken because I've been a vegetarian for over a year due to previously mentioned conventional chicken. If I'm awake at 2am on a Tuesday it's summer or I am doing a ridiculous music video-ish project for an honors seminar (true story, well it was actually a monday but if you youtube "Honors 291A" project you'll see the proof). Plenty of people party and drink on the weekends, myself included sometimes, but I know people that don't. If I don't drink on a weekend I generally have to study or do something productive, but sometimes I'll go out to a party sober and it still can be fun. I met my closest friends in the marching band, there are some pretty cool bandos out there.

Daniel

I think the most popular club, in terms of size, is the outing club. I've done a trip with them, and there all about the outdoors-hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting-you name it they probably do it. We also have a popular ski and snow board club, and clubs for every sport from tennis to quidditch. I'm in a few groups, one that's a sort of natural science community outreach (resume builder, but seems kinda cool too), and in another one we are raising chickens in a much more natural way than the food industry does so I'm really looking forward to eating that chicken because I've been a vegetarian for over a year due to previously mentioned conventional chicken. If I'm awake at 2am on a Tuesday it's summer or I am doing a ridiculous music video-ish project for an honors seminar (true story, well it was actually a monday but if you youtube "Honors 291A" project you'll see the proof). Plenty of people party and drink on the weekends, myself included sometimes, but I know people that don't. If I don't drink on a weekend I generally have to study or do something productive, but sometimes I'll go out to a party sober and it still can be fun. I met my closest friends in the marching band, there are some pretty cool bandos out there.

Jaime

I wouldn't say anything is more popular than anything else because there are so many groups and so many people. I guess hockey may be relatively big, and football as well just because they're sports and school sports tend to draw the most attention. To say how important fraternities/sororities, what events happen, what is there to do on the weekend is completely subjective. It's like every other school, just bigger.

Annalise

Sports teams are pretty big. The Programming Council and Student Government Association are also popular, I think. There are so many groups though that I don't really know what is most popular. I am on the Ballroom Dance Team, in the co-ed fraternity Phi Sigma Pi, a volunteer for the Boltwood Project, and sometimes a dancer in the student choreographed dance show. My closest friends are those from my freshman year dorm, plus some of my hometown friends, though I am getting closer to the people in the groups that I am involved in. Greek life isn't huge, but relatively present on campus.There are always dirty frat parties happening on weekends, but there are other things to do as well. I hardly ever go to them. There are a few frats that are not simply social. APO is a coed service frat, and my frat, Phi Sigma Pi, is a co-ed honors social/service/academic fraternity. I wasn't originally interested in greek life, but PSP is service-oriented, doesn't haze, and is an overall friendly and welcoming group that I've happily found a place in. As for the other things to do, UPC has friday night movies; there are acting groups that give shows, performances at the FAC, theatre productions, concerts, etc. There are tons of faculty lectures happening all the time in every department it seems. CommColl has weekly lectures and workshops. Off campus has plenty of opportunities: movies, shopping, eating, shows and concerts, rallies, museums, etc. Basically you can always find something to do here.

Gabrielle

SGA, the student government, is very popular, along with sport clubs and intramurals. here is literally a club for anything: from sky-diving club to debate club, from a cappella and dance groups to cultural and religious clubs. Theres even a quidditch team.... Students always leave there doors open and are always welcoming; athletic events are very popular and always filled to the max with crazy fans; partying is popular on the weekends, but during the week is strictly a studying scene. However, there are many people that do not drink and there is plenty for them to do on the weekends.

Gabrielle

SGA, the student government, is very popular, along with sport clubs and intramurals. here is literally a club for anything: from sky-diving club to debate club, from a cappella and dance groups to cultural and religious clubs. Theres even a quidditch team.... Students always leave there doors open and are always welcoming; athletic events are very popular and always filled to the max with crazy fans; partying is popular on the weekends, but during the week is strictly a studying scene. However, there are many people that do not drink and there is plenty for them to do on the weekends.

Amanda

Many start going out thursday night till saturday. But you can always spot the wasto around campus on any given day. You'll just find 10 times as many from thurs till saturday/sunday morning. There aren't many popular clubs or anything only a few known ones. Frats and sorities are mainly there to supply their house for parties, in my opinion anyway. The sororites are really cliquey (most), and think there too good for you. The frats just always want to get wasted, and most are sleezy.

Nick

John of the Republican Club discusses what the political atmosphere is like at UMass and what students are talking about politically.

Cameron

Our football team is pretty damn good, basketball is good, and hockey games are fun. Last years spring concert sucked. Parties are pretty big, if you're not partying on a weekend you're studying or being boring. There's pretty much nothing off campus except a mall, but springfield has a pretty good clud scene.

Molly

Greek live isn't a big part of the UMass scene, especially since frat row has been demolished. A lot of kids are into intramurals or community service groups. Hockey games and football games are huge. In my experience, the first few years everybody partied a lot. Nobody was in serious relationships. But as we got older, our priorities changed and things were different. Everyone had jobs, teaching or research assistantships, or were involved with one particular extracurricular group. We still went out, but less frequently, more to the bars rather than at our place or at other house parties, and the quantity of drinking decreased. I think everyone just grew up. On a Saturday night, if you're not drinking, but you still want to go out, there are really cool concert venues/clubs in Northampton that are accessible via PVTA.

Dave

Go out and get involved. It helps to make a large school feel much more personable and less overwhelming. There is a club for almost any interest group. If you want to join the chess club because you love chess and your roommate smokes pot all day- do it! If you want to join the cannabis reform coalition because you need marijuana more than ever due to your super lame chess-playing roommate- be my guest.

Bridget

there are activites EVERYDAY all day.

Devin

There are tons of intramural sports teams. Tons of clubs, art lessons, ballroom dancing lessons, music lessons available for cheap. As a freshman it's good to live in an all-freshman dorm because doors are always open and everyone's looking to meet new friends. you get to be very very close to your floormates. People party all the time. Not all people. But enough that if you feel like partying on a Wednesday night, you can successfully find/ make a party if you're really up to it. There are a couple fraternities who frequently hold parties. There's a good greek scene at Umass but if you're not interested, they won't bother you either.

Royce

There is a club or everyone. It is easy to get involved even if you are shy like I was initially. I loved residence hall life and still all these years later have close friends that I met at U. Mass. Again, you can party harty or study........ the choice is yours.

Dennis

The social life is fantastic. It's laid back, open-minded, and perpetual for some people. It doesn't get much better than Umass.

Ben

The best thing you can do to better your social life at UMass is to join a sorority or fraternity. Joining a fraternity like Theta Chi or a sorority like Alpha Chi Omega can give you an amazing experience. These are the types of friends you will forever remember and cherish for decades after college. They have the highest retention rates, as in students who join enjoy their experience at UMass and are less likely to transfer elsewhere. These fraternities and sororities no longer have the terrible "Animal House" image. These are driven men and women who value academics, the community, all while having fun every second of their college years. The locations are on campus and are a better living experience than in the dorms.

Shannon

Hockey and football games were my favorite sporting events to attend! My closest friends were people that I met in my dorm second semester. My first semester I hated where I was put to live, so over winter break I requested a new housing assignment, and got placed into one of my top choices of where I wanted to live! Whether or not students leave the dorm room doors open depends on where you live and the people you live with. Leaving your door open is one way that can make getting to know people easier!

Erika

There is always something going on. Whether is be a concert, sporting event, lecture, musical performace, guest speaker etc. It is very easy to make friends. In my freshman dorm our doors were always open. At any given time of the day you could find someone to talk to. Some people party every weekend and some don't. You dont alwasy have to go to big parties either, you will meet people that know people etc.

Jessica

The most popular sports teams are the hockey and basketball teams. The most attended games are probably the hockey games. I am involved in a group called Alpha Lambda Delta which is an academic honors society for freshmen who had GPAs of 3.7 or higher..I think. They have academic, fundraising, and community service events. I've heard that students keep their doors open, but mostly during freshman year. (During my freshman year, almost everyone kept their doors open, but I heard that after freshman year, more people start to keep them closed..I'm not sure why.) I met my closest friends in my dorm. Almost all my friends that I spend the most time with were in my hall. If I'm awake at 2am on a Tuesday, I'm just hanging out with my friends, maybe watching tv. A lot of people party often, maybe every weekend, including some Thursdays. Frats and sororities don't seem to be that important, but a lot of people go to frats on the weekends to dance and party. If you don't want to drink, there are movies at the campus center on Friday nights, or you can go to the mall or movies in Amherst (or maybe it's Hadley, a town nextdoor), or take the bus to Northampton. There are many arts events at the Fine Arts center or at the surrounding colleges (Amherst, Smith, Mount Holyoke, and Hampshire), you just have to find out when they are. Off campus there is a small mall and movie theater nearby and places like Northampton a bus ride away.

Devin

For three years, I have lived with many of the same people (in dorms) who I met my freshman year. Our dorm halls have always been places conducive to socialization. I've heard good things about most of the athletic events, but have only attended football games. The easiest thing to find to do on a weekend night? Definitely drink/party. Off campus, there are always lots of alternative activities though: independent movie theaters, concerts, great restaurants, etc.

Robin

Typically pretty boring. There are a lot of clubs and activities but they're not all that interesting and not many people attend.

Erin

The Marching Band is GREAT amounts of fun. We go to away games every once in a while, and the people you meet will be lifelong friends. I met my boyfriend while in Marching Band, and I don't regret it at all. Lots of people choose to leave their doors open, and some don't. If you want to make friends on your floor, it's a great way to meet people. Finding potential relationship people isn't so hard either. You can reach out to a club or activity, go to sporting events, or to frat/sorority parties and meet lots of great people, just be careful about the parties.

Kyle

There is so much to do on campus, its amazing! The sporting events, which are free for all Umass students, gain a lot of attention and are usually packed with a sea of maroon and white. Since there are so many clubs and organization on campus, over 300, there are a lot of different performances or events that are hosted to attract students. Aside from that, there are thousands of lecturers and speakers coming to campus to either gain political interest or explain the newest research. I've attended some worldly performances like the Moscow Ballet and Symphony perform the Nutcracker, or an improvisational group from Chicago. The great thing about most of these performances on campus is that they are either free or have reduced ticket prices for students, which is wicked awesome. Aside from the different performances hosted by clubs or organizations, the University hosts barbeques, concerts, and fun events for students. During the spring, Umass is booming with different events like the Taste of Umass, which different restaurants and companies dish out free food and drinks for students. Point is, there is too much to do on campus.

Kristen

Most of the dorms are pretty friendly. Sylvan can be really quiet and weird. I lived there for 3 years and people don't usually come out of their rooms or suites it seems. As long as you put yourself out there though it is not hard to make friends. There are a ton of frats and sororities and parties every weekend if you are into that thing. Night life is pretty busy on the weekends down in the center of town. There are lots of things to do without drinking such as movies, the mall, bowling and many other activities.

Alex

UMass party scene--awesome. Especially the bars. Go to a frat to experience it, but don't make a habit out of it.

Allison

Many sports teams to join. Many volunteer opportunities.

Gene

My experience in the university's Chamber Choir was incredible. Most of my fellow musicians were music majors, but the experience was no different for me than it was for any of them. The athletic events at UMass are pretty fun to attend. Our football team is perennially one of the best in division 1-AA, and hockey, basketball and lacrosse are all popular. The social scene is largely based on partying, though there are other ways of getting to know people. I made most of my friends through singing, my housing situation, and my work in the film studies program.

Andy

Football games are a big event, even though it's only a D1-AA school. The hockey games are great fun and we're usually pretty good. You'll definitely meet friends in the dorms, so drag them with you. Depending on your floor and area, most people will leave the doors open. The first few weeks try to meet as many people as possible. Usually there is at least one party per floor every weekend. Some get crazier than others. The frat houses usually have parties as well. They get pretty packed usually, but that may be your cup of tea. With so many people to meet, you'll probably find a gal/guy to your liking. Aside from the stuff on campus, you can go to a movie theater in the mall (bus ride), or check out the independent film theater, or just hang out around town. There are places to go on dates :) There are also places open late. I got a sub from Chicago pizza at 3am, as I was just wondering the town with a buddy of mine (somehow I still think it's the best one I've ever had). Antonio's has the best and strangest pizza combinations (pesto chicken is delicious). Bueno-Y-Sano has the best deal on a dinner - $5.75 for two tacos, rice and beans, and a jalapeno popper. There is also Black Sheep bakery with some good sandwiches, pasta e basta - good italian food, Amherst brewing Company - more traditional american food. When you turn 21, make sure to check out the Moan and Dove - bar for beer snobs. They have over 100 bottles on the bottle list and at least 10 beers on tap every night. It's a low key place - no one goes there to get drunk. Intramurals are great here. The only catch is you gotta find a team (if it's a team sport). Go to the singles meetings and they'll throw you on one. There is also a skating rink open to public. The skates there are pretty dull, but if you have your own, you're all set. There are great hiking trails here. Sadly, you'd need a car to get to some of them. If you get a chance, check out skinner state park - grab some stuff to grill and have a ball, the Mt. Holyoke range, Mt. Sugarloaf, to name a few. There is also a corn maze in Sunderland (north of campus). All in all, there are a lot of things to do, but some require a little bit of exploring :)

Dan

There's a group for just about everything. Dorm life varies depending on where you are on campus but its easy to form a tight group of friends. The resident communities where people of the same interest and major live together help a lot and I found that some of the best friendships are formed there. Partying happens frequently although its about on par with any other big school.

Meagan

UMM we like to drink a lot. I know I said that was a stereotype but like, honestly, at least my group of friends likes to drink a lot. And like Southwest is where a lot of the drinking happens. I dont really know anything about the other parts of campus but its definitely not as crazy. The weekend starts on Thursdays and everyone goes to the bars and stuff or like to Puffton or Townehouses (where juniors and seniors live off-campus). Greek life isn't that huge but its a good place for partying. Its not necessary to join one or go to their parties though. Some of the frats are sketchy and I've never heard of a sorority hosting a party. I met my closest friends freshman year, we lived on the same floor and now we're inseperable. My roommate and I met at Orientation. Its important to be open in th ebeginning of college. Even if you wanna shut your door you should leave it open becasue you'll look like you dont wanna make friends and thats a bad first impression. Now that its my 2nd year everyone is like always going in and out of rooms and stuff. Its a ton of fun once you get used to it.

Jamie

athletic events are not popular. did not join any clubs or groups. frat life is pathetic, don't join one. you cannot do anything that doesn't involve drinkin on a SAt nite unless you have no friends. People party 4 times a week at least. Not much off campus; driving range, movies, thats about it. The town of Amherst sucks

Sarah

My experience witht the social life at UMass was not positive. The people here mostly care about partying. Living in a dorm I have been awoken at 3,4,5 a.m. on weekdays. If you want a school that lives up to its party stereotype then this is it.

Matt

Social life is great. I'm not even going to bother to list my social life experiences because no matter what your interested or like to do you can find it and do it here.

Isabel

all RSO's are popular. there is a RSO for everyone and if not you can make your own. um in he dorms i leave my door open all the time when i am in my room but i do lock it when i leave just because my valuables are in the room . everyone goes to the games there free so why not go and act a little crazy. most relationships last 2 weeks but there are those select few that make it. being awake at 2am is normal for me i am usually in my room chillin, playin taboo, yesterday i was in the longue just talkin with my friends on my floor. or i am at a party because there is always a party sometimes there wack but hey not all of them can be good. the frats and stuff are nice you get that brotherhood or sisterhood but it is hard from what i have seen. last weekend i was at the library just because i had to catch up on my work cause summer is coming and it is suchnice weather outside that why not go out. and not everything invlolves drinking i know how to party without a drink it depends on who you are i dont need a drink to make me happy i am content the way i am cause truthfully i am allready crazy so a drink which just not be good for me

Dana

I am involved with a co-ed a cappella group and we sing at both on campus and off campus events. I joined my sophomore year and have been extremely involved ever since. It is great because it is a commonality that brings together all different types of people and I am so happy to know people of different years. Athletic events are not as popular as at most Division 1 schools, but there is attendance at most games, depending on the sport. Greek life is not very popular and most students do not participate in anything Greek accept for maybe the parties. The bars downtown are very popular and are packed on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Nicole

There are many fraternities and sororities but its not important to join them. People party a lot. You can find anything to do on a Saturday night that doesn't involve drinking. UMass Amherst is right next to downtown Amherst, a mall in Hadley, downtown Northhampton and a big mall 20 minutes away in Holyoke. Southwest is the big party living area on campus, so if you don't like to drink, don't live there. Students leave their doors open when they're inside. If they're gone and leave their doors open, something is likely to be stolen.

Laura

Depending on the dorm, people can be very social or very antisocial. The best advice I have is to talk to a student currently attending the school or use the stereotypes for the living areas to help you make your decision. Most of the nightlife is in off-campus parties and frat parties, both of which have their upsides and downsides.

Hunter

In dorms you don't want to leave your door open but that's just common sense. We had someone last year who was stealing things from dorms that had been left open. I really enjoy First Week when they have lots of events going on. That is the first week in the fall semester when all the new freshmen come in. In my first year they had Bob Saget do stand up in the Curry Hicks cage. Everyone was dying from laughter, it was amazing. This year it was Lewis Black, a lot of people liked it though I'm not a big fan. Especially during the spring there are lots of events that happen near the library and around campus. The Pride Alliance recently put on Queerfest, which was like a carnival; they had a couple giant inflatable "moonwalk" things, and free cotton candy, sno-cones, and t-shirts. Umass also periodically puts on big barbeques when weather is nice. These types of events you can just drop by between classes and enjoy.

Nicole

In my building, the only people who leave their doors open are the kids who want everyone to know that they like Mariah Carey. Its very strange. Frats/sororities are very big here but no one is obligated to join.

Sarah

The hockey games are a big thing here on the weekends. The football team and basketball team are pretty popular too.

Charlie

The most popular groups on campus (in no particular order) are Greek Life, Athletics, and inter murals. Personally I am only a part of Greek Life, I am a member of Iota Gamma Upsilon, one of the oldest local sororities in the United States and the only local on the Umass Amherst Campus. I am highly involved in this organization, it has helped me gain leadership skills and given me opportunities to network and go to different places. Fraternities and Sororities are small but are actually important in the end. Everyone drinks, and usually its multiple nights Tuesdays through Saturdays. Drinking is a huge part of social life here and if you don't drink usually you will be left out.

CJ

I've never actually been interested in any of the activities that are available at Umass. none of them seem interesting to me. it seems like they have a wide variety of options, but they're just not really up my alley. as far as things to do in the area, downtown amherst has some coffee shops and restaurants, and a great movie theater, or you could venture into the every great northampton if you don't mind the half hour haul. otherwise, your only option is to grab a party cup and go wild. not exactly my cup of tea

Amy

There are SOOOO many groups, clubs, organizations and teams on campus. It seems like everyday I hear about 10 new clubs that I didn't know existed here. It's amazing. I am part of the UMass Figure Skating Club and Synchronized Skating Team (The MassachusETTES). It has been the best experience of my life. I've always been a figure skater, but before I came here I never was part of a team. Now, I don't know what I'd do without my team mates. We're like family.

Kris

Athletic events are huge at UMASS. It is not hard to get into the dating scene since there are a lot of students. Guest speakers attract a lot of students, including students from neighboring colleges: Mount Holyoke, Smith, Amherst, and Hampshire. People start partying as early as Thursday night. Frat houses and sororities are big. Last weekend, I went to Bertucci's for dinner with a group of friends.