University of Massachusetts-Amherst Top Questions

One of the best things about this school is also among its greatest flaws, and that is the size. While the size can mean there are a lot of options and resources, UMass is so vast that it's easy to get lost, and it's also very easy to get caught up in the many bureacracies when you're trying to get something done. You are also competing with over 20,000 other people for financial aid and class space, which increases the likelihood that you won't get the aid you need or the class you want.

The worst part of my school is that the students lose focus. I am someone who is extremely ambitious, and students seem to rush to get classwork done so they can go out on the weekends. I wish there were more people that would want to sit down and have philosophical discussions instead of going out drinking.

My school has garnered a reputation as a major party school, which it is not, but that doesn't stop the student body and their guests from trying to assimilate scenes of utter chaos in order to sate our misguided moniker. In short: we try too hard to live up to expectations that shouldn't even be considered acceptable, nevermind respectable.

UMass Amherst is by no means perfect but overall it is very good. However, the school tends to have a political bias to liberalism. Even mildly conservative views will be discriminated. As a student be prepared to see clubs condoning socialism but never speak a word of support for the second ammendment. Although many professors will surprise you and will approach political views openly, the overall vibe is liberal.

I wish there was more emphasis on the liberal arts; all recent building projects/amenities have gone into the research sciences and business, despite the fact that the liberal arts here (I've been in French, History, English, and Anthropology) are really excellent.

UMass Amherst is a large school, so it can be easy a student to fall through the cracks if he/she doesn't stay on top of not only academics but administrative affairs. As an off-campus transfer student I have interacted with UMass only remotely, and it can be difficult to find necessary information through their webpages. However, their staff is fairly prompt in their correspondence when assistance is needed.

I dont really consider anything about Umass Amherst "the worst" because everything the campus offers is very good, but if I did have one complaint it would be that the student-professor relationship can feel more like a boss to worker relationship, although I understand that due to the fact there are so many students that its almost impossible to have this, I feel like it could help in the overall learning experience and understanding of the material taught.

Some of the classes are far too big containing over 200 students. Class selection can be a real pain because classes fill up sp quickly

Partying.

The worst thing about the school is the distance from home.

I consider the segregation of the diversity of the campus is the worst thing at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. There is so much diversity on campus but everyone mostly stick around their own race. Also the food is not that great. Most people praise the food at the school but I personally believe the food is not as great as people say it is.

The one downside about going to school in Amherst is that you are not in a city environment which means that if you do not own a car or know someone that does then it can be difficult to get what you need since busses are not always on time or reliable. Growing up in New York you do not need a car to get around because public transportation is always running, however, this is not the case in Amherst. I wish I would have brought a car to campus. Freshman are allowed to bring cars but get parking early!

Because the campus is so large, I have found at times the administrative paper work tends to get lost. I have had health forms there one day and not another. Also, received warning that my tuition not paid, but in fact my records show paid in full.

It is such a large school that it is difficult to establish yourself upon arrival and find your circle of friends. You may feel lost or out of place among such a massive group of undergraduates as opposed to studying at a private university which offers a smaller and more intimate community.

The worst thing about UMass Amherst is the "Thirsty Thursdays" where students in the dorm building talk loudly, drink, and sometimes smoke. Although there are plenty of on-campus study areas that are quiet, it can be difficult to study in the dorm room while partying is going on.

The cold weather.

Some of the buildings are in need of repair

A lot of students do not care about about their academics like they should.

One of the problems at UMass is simply the reputation as it is has been seen as a party school for many years. Although it is true that many parties do occur on campus, there are also many other opportunities to have fun without social pressure. There needs to be a realization of applicants that any college is a party school and at each school there are opportunities to avoid compromising personal beliefs. Choosing the right college is a difficult task for anyone, but choosing simply based on reputation is not the best way to choose.

I feel like the worst thing is some services such as parking and financial aid do not care as much as other services like dining when it comes to pleasing students.