University of Massachusetts-Amherst Top Questions

It should be a students choice when it comes to choosing a school. I think that if a student is not happy with where they are going, then they are less likely to succeed. Money is definitely an important issue but there are options. The best way to choose a school is to research what you want your school to have. I wanted a school with a strong music and science programs. I also wanted to go somewhere not to far from home. You can really narrow down a search just by adding a couple simple wants to school you choose to go with. It is always good to remember that a price of school does not guarntee the best education. The most important thing is to research and pick a school that the student wants to go to. A school that will allow a student to grow and mature into an adult with a solid future.

Pick the college that feels right for you. Go to the college to visit on your own during a school day and just walk around. If you can walk around and feel comfortable with your surrounding people and places, then there is no doubt that this school is right for you. Picking a college thats right for you is extremely important, if you don't feel comfortable, you wont feel right.

Find a college where there is balance of academics and non-academics. Parents and kids for the most part have different interests when it comes to looking at schools so those two sets of interests needs to be balanced. Ultimately, it is the student's decision where he or she wants to go but the parent often has to foot the bill. The student will probably want good extracurriculars, sports, and partying while the parent is concerned with academics and affordability. It is difficult to achieve all of this but if the parent and student can agree on a setting that facilitates academics as well as recreation then the proper balance has been found to interest the student and provide them with the education that they are there for.

Choose a college where you can have an experience, not just an education. Learning is important, but it is almost important to live.

Consider the cost of the school as a major factor in the college you pick. You can get a good education if you are self motivated at almost any school.

To all the kids and parents out there nervously awaiting to hear replies from colleges: stop freaking out! You are going to find the right school. Its not as bad as it seems. And if you don't make the right choice, its not so hard to transfer. I understand that the process of choosing colleges is really frusterating as well as mentally draining. Its scary even ponder how much money everthing is going to end up costing as well. Luckily, most schools offer scholarships, and there are some programs that can lower your tuition depending on your major. A good example of this is the New England Regional Program. Thanks to this program, I am a Connecticut resident who pays instate tuition at a Massachusetts school. When you finally get to college, you will meet many different types of people. Just stick with the ones you trust. By forming a close group of friends you create a niche for yourself. It makes your changing lifestyle much less intimidating. I would say the hardest part of college is the monetary aspect. Especially if you are in a single parent household. Thank goodness for scholarships!

Choosing what college to go to is an important decision, but don't get too stressed out about it. See what's out there, go visit during school session and sit in on a lecture, talk to teachers, eat at the dining hall, join a group tour and just walk around on your own. Think about the surrounding town, transportation availability, how comfortable you are with being closer to or farther from home, and how you will pay. A lot of school counselors will say don't worry about cost, but the truth is you have to accept reality and think about how you will pay and whether it's worth it to go to a more expensive school with a better name or not. Every case is different, but always think about what will be best for your happiness and your future. No matter where you go, chances are you will make friends and can do a lot to enhance your college experience by putting yourself out there and trying new things. In the end, if you feel you chose the wrong school you can always transfer, so don't worry too much and enjoy the process!

I would encourage kids to do whats right for them, not what their parents or anyone else wants, because they are the ones going to the school for four years. pick a school that fits what you are looking for, whether it be finacially, a certain major, etc. To make the most of you experience I'd say to find what you love and throw yourself into it and make the most out of what you have. I would also suggest figuring out and knowing your limits, in many ways, knowing what you can and cannot handle goes a long way in college. Get your work done but have fun too.

Relax!

Get out of your dorm room and participate in campus activities. Go study outside. Stay away from the drinking and avoid police involvement.

The most important rule is to visit the college many times throughout different season, and not to believe everything the flyers and tour guides say. Try to sit in on classes to make sure you can adjust to the type of teaching that is provided. In regards to a social life, school must come first. There is plenty of time to go out with your friends to have fun, but when there school work, it is far more important to do well in school, and try not to stress; it will get done. Try to get involved with people around the school in different groups because it creates more relationships, gives more opportunities to your social life, and academic work. Try to work on campus. College is expensive, and any little bit helps. Most schools work around class schedules so school still comes first. One of the best things about college is that is it about four years that you get to figure out who you are, who you want to be, your likes, and your dislikes. Don't take it for granted because college is some of the best times, and fastest years of your life.

You want to pick the right campus? Here's what you do. Tour the campuses you want to visit in person if possible, or take a virtual tour through the campus's website. Ignore your friends. Sure, it's nice to go to a place where you know somebody, but you'll make a lot of friends more quickly if you're on your own. Besides, you know Sarah wants to go to school near a Louis Vuitton boutique and Shawn will only go somewhere that has NCAA playoff chances, but all you really care about is the number of concerts you can see in a semester. And remember to browse the school's website. Check out the crazy classes you can take to figure out your major. Figure out how much it will cost you. And use your MySpace and Facebook page to contact current students to get their opinions - your parents can't yell at you for wasting time on the Internet if you're doing research. No matter which college you end up deciding on, remember: this is your life. Your four years. You own the outcome.

I would advise students to look for the best academic programs first and of course the right living environment because, even if you have the best education, it wont be worth it if your not comfortable in your living situation and if you can't make friends.

What I've learned from my time in college, including the time I spent picking the right college for me, was that you make your college education what it is. You can go to the most prestigious Ivy league school and have a horrible time, or you can go to the local public school and have a blast and learn alot along the way; it's all what you make of it.

state schools rock

find out about academics and advising foremost

Make sure you look at every school and make sure it offers an array of job possiblites because chances are you may not graduate for the same reasons you originally applied for. School will always be school and how much you enjoy from it and gain educationally really matters not only on the schools enviroment but on how much you are willing to put into it as well.

Do your college research early in your high school career. Junior year is an optimal time to completely know where and what you're getting into. I applied to UMass because I couldn't afford to go to Smith without the proper financial aid package. I did little college research before going into it and got hit with a ton of bricks. It's a life-changing experience and one that you can actually prepare for!

Make sure to really look around at different schools so you get a feeling of what you want

College is more than just a place where one attends classes. College is a developmental stage of life. Yes, college offers students a chance to further their education and get a head start on career options, but the most important part of college is the personal growth that occurs within the student. The four or five years in between when a student enters college as high school graduate and when they leave as an adult are some of the most important years of a persons life. When choosing a college, look for a place that not only matches your academic goals, but that also matches you as a person. Many students have said that they knew after a day at a prospective campus that this was the place for them. An experience similar to love at first sight. Choose the place that you can see yourself growing in. Where can you see yourself evolving as a learner and as a person?

I best advise to give is for any student to go with their gut feeling. You will know when you have found the right school.

Visit and take a tour of every campus you might plan on attending. Be sure to talk to students who you see walking around not only about academic aspects fo the college but especiialy of the housing. Ask what they think of the on campus housing, which dorms are the best for what type of person the student is. Also be sure to ask about the on campus food plans. If they are worth it, if the food is good, how often is the dining commons open, is there alternate plans like YCMP or such. And last but not least if you have a major picked out, tour the building and try to speak to either the course chairs or your upcoming professors even before classes start. You want to be familiar with where your going to be for the next 2-4 years and to be sure you have the best experience there.

I was say first off pick a college in an area where there is the type of things you like to do. One way or another, if you have a passion for learning you are going to walk away from the school of your choice with a great degree. If you want to make the best out of the time you have at that school don't just look at the school, but also at it's surroundings. Do you like to hike? Ski? Beach? Do you like the city or small towns. My school is huge, but in a small town so i get all the conviences of a city but i am more comfortable in small towns like the one a grew up in. For me Umass Amherst was the perfect fit.

The best advice I ever received while trying to decide on what college to attend is wherever I went, I could make the experience anything I wanted it to be. Although all schools offer different qualities, the experience that a student takes from college can be shaped entirely by them regardless of the school. Choosing the right college can be stressful, but to help the process I suggest talking to current students to see what kinds of groups and activities are available on campus because getting involved in things that interest you can make all the difference in having a well rounded and fulfilling college experience. College is about meeting new people and putting yourself in situations that challenge the way you think while helping to mold you into a person that reflects your moral and ideological viewpoints. Whatever your interests are coming into college, continue them but I suggest going outside your comfort zone to try new activities and to meet new people. Once the final decision has been made, relax because the best attitude to have going into college is a mix of nerves and excitement because wherever you go it's a once in a lifetime experience.

I really believe in looking into large schools. This is the time in your life that you have the opportunity to explore who you are and who you want to become. Not only that, but this is the time in your life when you find out who you are NOT. Big schools seem overwhelming in numbers, but you have to rememeber that there is strength in numbers. Whatever you are interested in, someone might already be there speaking up for the same things . Also consider what activities can you try at your school that you've never tried before? Goat herd, ski club, varsity sports, fashion design, republican club? Find your world and make it your own!

I go to a flagship state research university, and it's an incredible value. Obviously there are also downsides to bigger schools, so definitely visit before you bite...I was kind of socially awkward in high school...The self-initiative to go out and meet people the larger school setting forced me into worked out, but it might not work out for you. My advice: feel it out with two on-campus visits: take is do the on-campus tour, but also visit someone you know who goes there as well...you need to get both perspectives to get a proper pulse of social life. That said, it's sweet when you're taking a class and a professor in that department wrote your textbook, and at such a huge university I hardly ever get bored. Try to get the FAFSA done early senior year so you're in good position for financial aid, and lock up recommendations at the beginning of the school year before guidance counselors and teachers get rushed. If your school is huge, use ratemyprofessors and/or personal recommendations from friends to pick profs. The professor makes all the difference.

Remember that the alumni are number one, everything comes from them. If the school has nice facilities, nice location, easy to make contactss, or whether it has good teachers will all depend on its alumni. They are the ones who go make the money and give it back to attract good staff and allow the school to afford those nice buildings.

It is always a good idea to visit the college that you are interested in.

College is what you make of it. You can get caught up in what school has the right sports, or the right class sizes, or the least (or perhaps most) amont of drinking, but what it really boils down to is what YOU are going to do with it once you get there. Plenty of students blame the Universities if they end up hating it but the truth is very little of that blame has to do with the school, and very much has to do with how willing the student is to take what they've been given and make it work for them. People who want to play sports will play sports, people who want to make friends will make friends, and people who want to succeed WILL succeed. College is nothing more than an opportunity to gather the resources you need to make the rest of your life as good as you can. Real estate management couldn't be more wrong here; very little of college is location, for the experience is entirely your own. Just bring yourself to college, and you can't possibly go wrong.

Find something that clicks. You will know it when you walk on the campus and never rule anything out based on what you think you may like.

the advice i would give would be to visit each and every school that you are interested in. The worst thing a person can do is to apply to a school without looking at it. As for making the most out of college, one should understand right away that not everyone is going to be their friend. It is easier to sort through and find good friends instead of getting into drama that gets in the way of schoolwork. And the biggest thing is to be yourself.

I remember from an article that I read, that finding a school is a lot like shopping for a car or buying a new house. While everyone has their own preferences, it is often best to choose the school that best suits him or her. With a lot of students who are not sure as to what they wish to become in the future or where to go for their studies, a school such as The University of Massachusetts Amherst, is sometimes a good option. Schools that offer a wide variety of majors and courses can help a person explore their interests while becoming independent in their intellectual sense. To make the most out of any college experience, I would recommend socializing and getting to know the people who you live with or around. Sporting events as well as clubs are also a great way to meet new people as well as sharing the same interests a student might have. While there are shy people on campus, it is sometimes best to interact with a single person or two before moving on to meeting other students. You can get a good sense as to how you socialize with others.

Do a lot of research before deciding on a school

I suggest visiting the campus and speaking to students and faculty particularly in your area of interest. Think about trying this school for a year and do not become overwhelmed at the thought of picking a major and a school for a 4 year commitment.

I'd say consider carefully what is most important to you. It's always possible to choose a prestige school, but is that what you really want? Are the academics or the social aspect most important? How important is it that you get to work with professors, get real-world experience or be able to join a fraternity or sorority? How do finances figure in? How much emotional and academic support do you need? Do you want to stay close to home or go far away? Finding a balance between all your wants and needs isn't always easy, but it should be possible to make sure that you have just the college experience you want.

You'll be able to be happy at most colleges if you try.

Go to the college campus before making a decision. Find out how colleges look in academic areas of interest. Decide whether you'd rather live on campus or commute. If you get homesick you might want to pick a college that's closer to your home and commute, otherwise living on campus is great for meeting people and getting involved. Don't be afraid to try a bunch of activities out or to go up to your peers and make friends. Getting an internship is probably the best way to go in order to decide where to go in life career-wise. Have fun, but know that school comes first. Try to pick a major in which you have fun AND have strength in. Most of all, get to know your teachers and form relationships with them. Letters of recommendation come in handy and they can help you find internships/jobs.

First, don't panic. The application process seems to be a difficult one, but there are a lot of people to help you through it. Second, how comfortable are you leaving your hometown? If you're very comfortable, applying to an out-of-state college isn't a bad idea. Also, do you have a Major in mind? Many students still don't, it's not unusual to declare your major your 2nd or 3rd year on campus. For those who have "Undecared" as their major, you should take as much variety in your courses as you can. For example, take Astronomy out of the sheer curiosity, or take a foreign language you've always wanted to learn but couldn't. Don't restrict your educational experience to strengthening up your major, as some students learn, the major you declare when you enter college, may be very different than the one you have afterwards. Don't forget to always, ALWAYS ask someone if you don't understand something. What's the worse that could happen, they don't know? And lastly, have fun! This may be your educational future, but what's the point if you did so in vain?

I took some simple steps for finding the right college. One of the first steps I took was finding the right major, which took quite a bit of soul searching. There are some questions that I answered about myself before I began my search for colleges: "How far away from home do I want to be?", "Do I want a concentrated system of learning or have a basis of self-reliance?", and ?What are some colleges that I can afford?? Once I had some colleges in mind, I decided to visit each campus, which helped me make all my final decisions. I am now a student at UMASS Amherst in one of the best chemical engineering programs in the country, along with being the closest to home and cheapest school I applied for. I would not change anything about my decision to attend college here. As far as making the most of college, I cannot shed that much light on the subject matter since I tend to be too consumed by my work load. I will say that one of the best parts of college is meeting new people and finding some of the best friends you will ever have.

The best advice I can give prospective students and parents is to visit every school you're interested in before applying. I thought I wanted to be in the city, but when I looked at big city schools, I hated all of them because there was no campus. Some campuses looked great in the brochure but when I visited, they were totally opposite in actuality. On your tours, ask your questions to current students. They're the window to the reality of the school you are visiting. Go in the buildings. Check out the dorm rooms. Try the food. This will be your home away from home for probably 4 years. Arrange to spend an overnight if possible. Once you find the right school and are accepted and attending, check out everything offered to you. Find all the services available to you such as health centers, gyms, transportation, research etc. Last but not least, introduce yourself to as many people as you can. Remember, they're in the same boat as you and are probably just as scared as you are. Make new friends.

Be true to yourself. There are lots of choices to consider; how far to travel, what your interests are, what you want to study... weight your options and make a college choice on WHAT YOU WANT. It is your life and your future. Start to live your dream now. Find a place that feels comfortable and where you see yourself. Get out there and make friends. Engage your professors both in and out of the classroom. Take responsible risks and be true to yourself.

Choose the college which will challenge your previously held opinions about political issues or non-political academic subjects. For instance, I hold conservative political beliefs, but I go to to a school with one of the most liberal student bodies and faculties in the country. Studying in such an environment has made me reexamine my own opinions and has allowed me to develop a more tolerant mindset. If you are interesting in engineering or the sciences, go to a school which has opportunities for you to use these skills in non-academic settings, such as helping with local construction or telecommunication projects in the surrounding town or interning at a local hospital. If you are interesting in education, go to a school in the innter city and teach at in a low income community. The best colleges are not the ones with the most prestigious faculty but the ones which allow you to use the skills you learn inside classrooms to face and overcome challenges outside classrooms.

nothing chose what you can afford and also get best education

The best advice I have for students and parents is make sure you know that you really want to go to college. I see a lot of people around my campus stressed or dissatisifed because they believed that going to college was the "right thing to do." You need a strong and innate desire to learn, otherwise you will feel incomplete and wasted. If you do know what college you want to attend, make sure you get as strong of a glimpse as possible before enrolling. For the most part , it is a crap-shoot, but sometimes people just know. Speak to professors in the department you are the most interested in because the rest of the programs won't be of use to you in the process of college. As for the experience of college, try anything (if it doesn't hurt you). You are at an institution of learning and personal growth, so have an open mind to everytrhing. It will only make things more enjoyable and could potentially open doors to a new passion or hobby. Having you arms outstretched can be scary, but it is the only way to live life at college.

Picking a college is not about the name, the status, or the price. Rather it is about the other students and feel of the school. When you enter on campus, do you feel like you are at home? Is it some place that you can imagine yourself living? These are the type of questions a student should ask themselves when visting a school. If you do not feel at home on campus, even though it is the best name around, you will never be happy. Though the prestige of the school is important, it can not be the sole decider for selecting a college. A school with high prestige may not have professors who are eager and approachable. Students should select a school that makes them feel comfortable and safe. Once on campus, students should seek out opportunities and help. Most professors look forward to meeting students during office hours and can be a great resource for selecting classes and internships. This is a great way to make connections. Ultimately, school is what you make it. If you look for ways to get ahead and make the best of your time, college will be the best time of your life.

I recommend going on college tours, just walking around the campus and imagining yourself living and studying there is a great way to get a sense of what life at this college might be like. Also go on tours and listen to what the guides have to say, they're really knowlegeable about the campus and can answer any questions that you might have. Most importantly you should always research your college, look online and see what other students say about it. A great source to get a sense of what your professors might be like is ratemyprofessor.com and though you won't know who your professor is, it lists the types of classes that they teach, so you can get a sense of how other students rate their professors. College is a great experience for so many students, its a way for you to grow up and hopefully get a great career, so no matter where you go make sure that you make the most of it. Get involved on campus, even if its something that you're somewhat interested in, you can try it out to see if you'd like to explore it further.

People should, especially in today's economic circumstances, re-evaluate the high cost of education. Is it worth it to pay for a private school? Giving large public universities a chance can be really rewarding; In my experience, UMass Amherst offers everything (and more) than a smaller school. The resources available are so numerous, and we have amazing professors. It's sometimes harder to get things accomplished (paperwork, dealing with an overloaded administration) but I think that's made me a lot more independent than if I had had more support at a smaller school. I learned to do things on my own, and that's one great skill I'll be leaving UMass with in the spring.

While choosing the right college is very difficult, the best thing to do is to go with your gut feeling. When visiting schools, try to picture yourself at the school, walking to classes everyday. If you can see yourself there, and it feels like a home away from home, then it is a school for you. Making the most out of your college experience is very important. Finding the right balance between school work and a social life is essential. You should not focus solely on either one. While graduating with a degree is what college is for, making friends and having fun is just as important. Getting involved with school supported activities, sporting events, and the nightlife around campus is a great way to meet people and make your college experience worthwhile.

Visits! Look at every place you apply. Ask questions, look at dorms. Looks at everything! IKnowwhat you want then find it. Once you find a place, get ready for a whole different world. You are an adult; you budget your time, spend your money, do things on your own. This independence makes or breaks a first year student, but get involved, have a ton of fun on the weekends, but assignments creep up so definately study FIRST. Also, don't be afraid of big state schools; they're a great value and usually just as good as those private universities.

Get everything done early! If the fasfa is due March 1st, have it done by January 1st! You never know what can happen to you in the course of a year. For example, I come from a "poor" family, and I am the first to go to college. Due to a forclosure that left my family homeless in the winter of 2007, and the lack of credit of the rest of my family, I am fighting to stay in school. Getting loans is not easy when your family is not well off. So take my advise, get everything done early, do well in school, and appy for scholarships!