University of Massachusetts-Amherst Top Questions

The best advice would be to go to the campus and talk to students who attend the university. Instead of going on tours and talking with people who 'are getting paid to make the school sound good.' Just go to the dining common and sit near some students and ask them what they really think about the school. Also, ask a student where a large (400 student) lecture hall is. Then just sit in on a class to get a feel for how classes are run at that university. If it is a large class, the teacher would never know that you werent a student in that class. Also, go in a dorm and ask someone if you can look at their room... this way you can see what the dorms look like once it is filled with soemone's belongings. Doing all of these things will let you get a feel for the real college life, instead of the college life that you see in movies and brochures.

Just choose a place with a nice campus that seems to have a diverse range of people. You should not go to this school if you are some kind of bigot or are otherwise closed-minded. If you do, you will miss out on meeting a lot of cool people for some really poor reasons.

dont choose your college for anyone else but yourself. stay open minded. visit before you attend. work hard. have fun!

I would advise parents and students to do as much research and preparation ahead of time as possible. The earlier, the better. Study and work hard in high school because college will be sneaking up on you before you know it. Take as many high level classes as possible, especially APs. Get on top of standardized tests and financial aid applications. Get involved in community service and extracurricular activities. It wouldn't be a bad idea to get a parti-time job during the school year and work over the summer either to save up. Even if your parents are generous about handing you money, you will need funds at your disposal in college! On that note, also be sure to get plenty of practice in self-control and fiscal responsibility before you come to college.

In choosing college all I have to say is that one should choose based not only on the obvious like financial aid offered, majors etc, but on how happy people look when you walk past them. Once you get there, for students I would have to say that first of all you should know that it's okay if you don't know what you're doing with the rest of your life when you start. A lot of people change majors in the middle of their four years anyway. Take time choosing and know that it isn't permanent, anything can change. So don't worry. The next thing, perhaps the most important, is that you must not let any outside pressure from anyone determine the major you choose, when you do choose one. Take advice from teachers, parents, and friends that you respect, but take it all with a grain of salt and if you really love some study, go for it, no matter what anyone says. And don't be afraid to take a semester or a year off and just learn to live.on your own. It is difficult enough without school at first.

apply to a variety of schools and visit as many as you can so you can find out what suits you best. If you apply to four schools with over 25,000 people and one with 3,000 adn then decide you like the smaller school atmosphere, then you really only have one option,. start looking early so you have as much time as you need. Dont be afraid to ask questions when you have one becasue finding the answer on your own is much more difficult and less reliable than asking the scource. dont be afraid to just do it comitting to a school is hard, and moving there is even harder, but once you do it, it becomes the most experiance. Enjoy the first year because it is full of so many firsts that you will never be able to relive. Go for the things you love and dont be afriad to do something you like to do. Get involved on campus, put yourself out there and you will be rewarded. Have fun and savor the tiem you have in college.

The most important thing is to tour the campus, but also experience the daily activities in a non regulated setting; rather than be led on a tour by a guide because often important features of campus life are neglected. I would also advize students to stay focused on maintaining a good gpa but also do become involved in otehr activities such as sports or other campus organizations- it is essential to keeping a balanced life style.

I cannot put enough emphasis on the importance on visiting schools beforehand. The deciding factor in my attending UMASS was not that it was cheaper than the other schools I applied to and checked out, but that it felt right. The second I got on campus I knew I belonged there, I could just kind of sense it. It was also incredibly helpful meeting and talking with people from the school. I was able to get a feel for the focus of the school, the environment of the dorms and the students. Ivy league or community college, I firmly believe the vibe and environment are what influences an education most. If a student does not feel comfortable and accepted at their school, they are simply not going to get the most out of their education. College is an experience, social and academic, not just a place you hang your hat for 4 years.

My first piece of advice is to make sure you're comfortable with things like the distance from home, the size of the campus, and the number of students that attend, because when you're comfortable with those three things, it takes a lot of the stress out of starting out at a brand new school. Parents, don't pressure your kids into going somewhere they aren't comfortable going. My second piece of advice is, once you're in college, don't let people sway your feelings. If partying or drinking alcohol or having a huge social circle scares the daylights out of you, you DON'T have to pursue those kinds of things! There are plenty of people just like you; it just takes a bit of digging around to find them. If those things are right for you, then go for them. This applies to any situation, though; those are just examples. There will be pressure and there will be many people telling you what to do with your life, but you must do what feels right to YOU. Parents and friends can give you advice, but part of the college experience is making decisions for yourself.

Just go all out. Don't be shy. Meet knew people. Visit the campus and see if you fit in. Don't choose a major right away because you will change your mind.

There is a lot of mistakes that I made when trying to find the college that was right for me. I looked for schools based mainly on sports, and went to the school that gave me the most money in scholarships. Umass is not the school I went to at first because I was misled into believeing I would be happier at another school. I would advise anyone looking at colleges to try to find out as much as you can about the school when you visit. Talk to students on the street instead of the students who are being paid to help you. Stay with a student in the dorm overnight, not in the varsity housing with all the athletes who are trying to convince you that this is the school for you, or the other band members who want you to come to the school. Attend as many classes at the school that you can, eat at the dinning commons, and see as much as you can while you are there. Maybe even come back for a second visit before making your final decision.

Parents should avoid pressuring their children about where or when they attend college. A parent's responsibility is to guide and support their child's decisions during this tumultuous time of maturation, while a student's responsibility is to honor the privilege of higher education by taking it seriously. By ceding authority to the student to decide where and when to attend college, parents acknowledge their child's ability to discover themselves and to be accountable for their actions. These are important aspects of the college experience. Both groups should take the time to discuss their expectations and to share with each other their considerations. For those students who, like me, don't have parents to guide their decisions, I encourage them to take heart! The applications and selections process can be daunting and confusing, but with the support of someone they trust a student can confidently determine how best to reach their goals through higher education. Independent students need to seek out an adult whose opinions they respect, and invite them to participate in the process of college selection. All things considered, the selection of what school to attend is less important than setting goals for oneself.

if your kids don't know what to do, have them go to a community college first. Remind them that they have to work hard and that grades are not just given out.

You really need to get involved within your school. Be proactive and meet people. When you are a freshman try to get in a freshman dorm. Everyone in that dorm is in the same boat as you, so there is no need to be worried about meeting you. The main challenge of your first year at college is trying to balance your social life, with your academic life. If you can find that balance you can succeed at college.

The best advice I can give to parents and/or students is to find a college that fits their personality and goals in life. A large college such as the one I attend has lots of opportunities for the ambitious student. However, this isn't for every student. Some students require more of a community surrounding their college, a closer circle of friends to interact with, and a deeper connection to their professors. In a university with 20000 students, keeping your individuality can be a challenging thing. On the other hand a small university sometimes doesn't allow a student to experience the responsibility that they will have to develop later on in their life. Whichever option they choose, the important thing is to keep their own goals firmly in mind and pursue those goals after they graduate from college. College is a stepping stone to fulfill your potential in life and picking the right one is a decision that encompasses a plethora of advantages and disadvantages. But when you find the right one you'll know. It may not be the best or the most prestigious, but it will be where you alone can succeed by your own standards.

Take your time don't stress and enjoy resposibly. College can be fun but finding a balance between fun and resposibility is the real essence to it and so to life it self.

It is helpful to know what field you want to go into and narrow down your choices by colleges that have the best programs. But what makes most people happiest is being in an area that fits their needs. If the campus is too large for them they feel lost, or if it's too small they feel to confined. The right amount of academic rigor is also . I love my school but there are things I wish I could change, like the red tape you have to go through in the beurocratic offices or the on campus housing. I also wish my school was more reputable academics wise, but I know there are ways to make my education more rigorous and to help me stand out. Going to visit the schools I had in mind was the best decision. My rank of the school I chose completely changed after seeing them. Good luck!

Pick the college you think would best fit you not where your parents want you to go. When you get to school get out there and make friends and do activities that interest you. Don't worry about making friends because you'll make plenty. Be confident and work hard and you'll do fine.

If you do not get into your top choice, you will be okay and always try to be involved in college but make sure you can handle your school work along with your social activities.

I would suggest going to visit the school during open house. UMass was my last choice school and visiting the school and other schools really helped influence my decision. To make the most of college experience, I would say to have fun, do your work, go to class, and don't stress out.

First and foremost, before choosing any school to attend the parent or the student must have of who their kids are or what of student he or she is. Some people likes rural areas to attend school where they will not have many choice in activities to do in the community others like urban type, they want be surrounded by as much fun related activities or places as possible. So, with that being said, I think the decision be a compromise between the parents and the students. I would personal tell the parents to send their kids to a school that does not get crazy with partying and stuff and provide the necessary courses for the particular major the student is intersted in. As for the student if it is the student that is making the decision solely based on his own interest, likes and dislikes my advise to them is "It's your future and your life, choose wisely"

Be open minded and choose one that is right for you.

I would suggest that prospective students speak to current students - NOT employed by the university - to get a gauge on what the academic atmosphere is like.

Take as many tours as possible for the right college, ask questions only to undergrads about campus life and hear their stories about their college and their experiences as first year students. Take a walk to some of the classes to understand the class size and the lecture halls. Try to get into as many campus organizations as possible to be more social and to be very well rounded. Also, it is also wise to ask professors around your major about research opportunities in the near future.

Research as much as you can about each college your interested in attending. If your not sure what your majoring in, go to a school with alot of options. If your social, got to a big school. If you lived in the city all your life, go to a rural school. Mix up your life a bit. Don't just stick to whats safe. Partake in college activities, like concerts, shows, sporting events etc. Make as many friends as you can. Have fun, but study hard too.

What you believe in, how you act, and the kind of influence you will have on the world is shaped and created during college. The people you meet will change your perceptions and open your mind. The things you learn in classes will challenge things that before seemed stone and sure, and will make them fluid and maluble. In choosing a college to go to, you don't need to know who you are or where you are going, but what you enjoy. If you love people and different experiences, options and freedom, look towards large schools filled with eclectic people and numbers of paths. If you like closeknit networks and discussions, articulate and direction driven learning, look to a school that has your interests in mind, as well as a small community with individual ammenties. And once you get to your college, bursting with oppurtunities, new people, and future woven into every inch of the campus, make sure to experience everything. Be open to people's ideas. Take a class you don't know anything about. Never again in your life will you be able to explore so many corners. Simply, enjoy the freedom to create youself.

To parents: don't give your kids any opnions on schools or sway their own opinions in any way. Offer support from the background. Your child needs to make this decision on his/her own and be pleased with it. Don't talk about finances - if you child LOVES a school you have to try to make it work with the school. Just let the entire application and selection process be in the hands of your child and offer tons of support along the way. To students: Go on tours of campuses, but don't invest everything in a walk around. Campus life is ALWAYS different than as-advertised on the tour. Soak it all in and picture living there. Choose a school with a million options academically, socially, and physically. When you get to school: don't ignore everyone that tells you "get involved"...and everyone will. You'll hear it at orientation and throughout the first year. Actually do it. Getting involved can mean showing up at a sports event, joining a club, donating blood, attending a program, you name it. DO IT!

To the students: Don't be afraid to dig deep within your own subconscious and find your true aspirations. Find what it is that excites you, what motivates you, and what you feel will be not only a career but a true calling. Then, find a Univeristy or program that suits those needs. Whether it be a school dedicated to your field of interest, or a challenging and exciting environment for you to thrive and flourish in. Don't let the pre-college jitters hinder you. College is great. It is your last "hurrah". You're one true experience where finding who you are is not only allowed, it is nurtured. The people at your school want this for you. For you to strive for excellence, and suceed. Never back down from a challenge. And find happiness on your path, where ever it may lie. To the parents: Help your children find what it is they love. Nurture whatever dreams they have regardless of scope or scale. Let them find what they love and try and achieve it. Help then in anyway you can. Support their dreams and aspirations. And everything else will fall into place.

I think the most important piece of advice for parents and students looking for the right college is to make sure the college is the right size. It may sound trivial., but if a new student is intimidated by the size of the campus and the number of other students, it makes it that much harder to find a place to fit in. Students should be comfortable and feel at home at their school, because they will be there for a while. Once having settled on a school, it is vital to get out there and meet people. There is nothing worse than feeling alone and having no friends at a new school. I know a lot of people say this, but speaking from experience, its true that there are always other people looking for friends too. Sometimes the easiest way to meet someone is just to sit next to them in class or in the dining halls and start a conversation. Most people are friendly. A good group of friends and acquaintences really makes your college experience a good one.

I know this isn't what most people say, but for me it worked out fine. I chose the school that was least expensive because I knew that I wouldn't want to be in debt for the next 40 years of my life. Although cost is always a deciding factor at least of me, I also chose a school that I knew had things that I was involved with in High School or that I knew interested me in general. It was really important that I found people with my common interests. That's the one thing that I advise anyone to do. Find a school that you feel you can fit into.

Advice I would give to parents and/or students would be to make sure you actually visit different colleges. It's important to know what the school is really about. Visit when they are having open houses because if it's an engineering school and you want to major in English, then you will realize this isn't the school. You also get to speak with professors and see which ones will cater more to your needs. Visiting the campus will give you a sense of what is to come in the next 4 years. To make the most out of your experience, definitely join a club or do a sport. You want to make friends and enjoy yourself and activities are the easiest way to do it. Be outgoing and try new things. This is college and it will be the best time of your life if you want it to be.

I would strongly advice parents/students to visit any college they are considering before accepting an admission offer. If at all possible, stay overnight with a current student that you may know. For four year college students, in oreder to make the most out of their college experience, I think that an outgoing attitude will go a long way. Being active in class will not only improve your grade due to participation, but it will also make you learn more material, and feel better about yourself. Make friends all over campus, and if you are usually shy, just try to talking to everyone. Most students at college enjoy meeting new people and making more friends. Parents and students need to decide what is most important to them in terms of a college: cost, location, majors available. They should make sure that they understand what type of classes they must take at any college; sometimes, although you might be really interested in a major, the classes required might be surprising. To look at everything with an open mind once you arrive on campus is another piece of advice I would give; also, everyone has different expectations when it comes to college!

When looking for a college there are multiple things to consider. First one needs to decide how big of a school they wish to attend. You also need to consider which colleges have the major you are looking for, and if you don't know what you want to learn about yet, then make sure that your future school has enough options to offer you so you can make the right decision, including double majoring or minoring if thats the path you choose to take. Another thing to consider is what type of extra curricular activities, greek life, religious experiences, traveling, and any sports you would like to take part in (varsity, club, and intramural). Also, figure out how far away from home you are comfortable going whehter it be a half hour or across the country. In general you need to go into college being open minded and ready for new experiences. If you go in expecting things you won't come out happy. College is about new experiences, academic and social learning, and most importantly college is about having fun.

After going through the whole college process first-hand, I definately have a few words of advice for future parents and students entering into this exciting time period in life. First of all, during your years building up to college, make sure to try hard and put in as much effort into your academic work because it definately pays off in the long run. When picking colleges, make sure they are places that seem like a comforting environment because afterall, you will be spending a lot of time there. Each individual has their own personal preference, so chose based on academic performance, social life, size, location and anything else that critically matters to you. Definately live up every second of your college life. I've been told by many that 'time flys by so fast while you're in college' and now I actually believe it! Take up opportunities that you typically wouldn't consider, try different things, create new friendships, study hard, and live it up! College years are literally the best years of one's life, so don't leave anything out or you just might regret it! Enjoy!

Find a school that fits your needs. If your looking for a school with alot of social oppertunities you probably want to look at medium to bigger size schools. However if you need more attention and extra help avaliable to you academically you might want to go to a smaller school where the class size will be small. Choose a location you feel comfortable in whether it be the country, or the city. Reach out to as many people as you can in college. Theres no such thing as having too many friends. The more people you meet the more oppertunities may arise for you in the future. Some of these people will be in your life way past college. As important as it is to do well in your classes, be able to enjoy school. Your only this young once. But be safe and smart about your decisions. Make sure your school has a good security system on campus. Also keep financial aspects in the back of your head. Look at which schools are going to give you the most financial aid. But most of all you'll know when a school feels right to you.

Find a school that you know you'll be comfortable with socially; things can't always be all work and no play. Otherwise you won't enjoy your college experience.

To find the right college I would recommend you do a lot of research and really find out what you want to do and where you'd like to be. College is a time where you really come in to your own and so the decision on where to go must not be rushed. As for making the most of your college experience, try to be outgoing and meet people as soon as your there. This creates a solid group of friends and will relieve some of the stress of settling in. Also, get involved in as many activities as you feel comfortable with so you have other outlets for relieving stress and having a good measure of fun.

my advise in terms of diciding for a college is...finding a school that you know you will love and afford. No matter where you go to school, you will be studying what you like. What matters is that you find a school that reflects your personality and lifestyle.

The college selection process is one of the most exciting yet intimidating processes that any high school student can go through. My advice is to first think about where you see yourself region wise. Think about what kind of temperatures you would want to live in for most of the year.Once that is set its time to think of study habbits and class size. Decide weather you are better suited for large lecture halls, or a smaller more intimate setting of a classroom. Once those basics are covered, you can decide which schools you would like to apply to based on what you think you will be majoring in. Sometimes it takes a few tries before you find the right fit for your personal taste but eventually every one gets there. As for the college experience on a whole, my advice is to get involved and network with people. There are so many things to get involved in during your college years. Making constructive decisions to join clubs and activities that will help you in the right direction are presented to you every day. It?s just up to you as a student to take the first step.

I would just say really pick a school on what you like and do not let anyone else effect your decision

to look for a school that has the career that the student is interested in. also to look for diversity and extracurricular activities the student is interested in. the size, location and reputation of the school is also important. so the student and the parents should look into these because they are very important. but most important of all is where the student wants to go and where they will feel most comfortable going.

If you ask me, i think the best way to get to know a campus is to go their. Dont do the tours, instead, ask people where stuff is. See how nice the people are, what they are doing adn talking about. Eat a meal at the worst dinning common on campus to know how bad it could be. Sit in on a class and ask a question. Talk to random students about housing, sneak into a building if you have to. That is how you get to know about the campus. Only through hands on interaction can you begin to understand what your day to day life will look like and that is what is really important. This will show you how the student body is, not just the marketers in the administration.

Consider your personality: do you thrive in a large facility/group setting or do you do better being in a small classroom? What type of college will best suit your educational and career goals: do you need research or practical experience? Are you better at teaching yourself and working on your own or at having the instructor work with you in the learning process? Once you pick the college, get involved in a few groups and find some people in your classes to connect with.

Make sure that you love your college campus, and know as much about the people who attend, as well as extra curricular activities, and what there is to do around the college town. College is a time for you to truly learn who you are, and to open up, so make sure you are extremely comfortable on your college campus. Try new things, and you dont have to party to make a name for yourself. Make sure you do what you want to do, and not what everyone else is doing.

Find out what you are looking for by visiting a bunch of different colleges prior to making your decision. You may think you want something, but in the end it might not be the right fit for you. Talk to other college students and about their experiences. Look into different activities you think you might want to get involved in because it is a great way to meet new people and looks great on a resume. Make sure it is an atmosphere you feel comfortable in, for example don't pick a larger school like UMass if you won't be able to focus in large lectures and get your work done. Go into your college experience with an open mind and make it the best experience it can be.

I believe that the right school for your child will be obvious when you see the sparkle in their eyes the first time they visit a campus. Regardless to how much tuition costs or where it's located, what is most important in choosing a school is the feeling the student gets when they walk on campus. I know that my parents were concerned about the size and overwhelming diversity of UMass Amherst when I first visited it, since I come from a very small community. All the worries and concerns vanished when they saw my face light up at the first sight of the Arts Center and Music Hall. Helping your child realize that their dream is attainable through unlimited and unbiased support is the most valuable thing you can do for them to help them through their college application process.

Before even looking into colleges, you want to ask yourself what you want to get out of it. Do you want a career right out of school... start looking into schools which offer a variety of internships and major-related jobs. Will you be looking to further your education at professional or graduate schools... try finding schools with strong academic programs and data on number of students accepted into post-undergrad universities. If you're still unsure about what you want to do with the rest of your life, as most students are at the inexperienced age of 18, try to find a school which offers a variety of programs and options for you to figure out what you want to do without having to take extra semesters and increasing that dreaded student loan bill. Most of all, you want to feel comfortable at your school. You are going to be spending the next 4 years of your life here, and you don't want to do so in misery. When visiting potential schools you want you ask yourself "Do I see myself here? Does this feel right for me?" Feeling comfortable at your school is the key to success.

Always keep money and environment into consideration. A lot of parents tend to choose colleges based on who offers the most financial aid; however, some student s are best served in a very small college, others are best served in a college with a lot more people. Choose where you are comfortable, and don't put yourself in a situation wherby you hate the environment where you are trying to study.

Find a college that's right for you, not for your parents and or friends.

Look into and apply to as many different types of schools as possible and make sure you visit.