University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMA)

Pioneering research and “readily available internships” are just a few of the offerings at the University of Massachusetts—Amherst, where students have access to “many different degrees and routes to further education.” There are “lots of resources for just about anything,” including “access to networking opportunities and professional events.” As a member of the Five College Consortium, the university allows students to take courses at nearby institutions, and one student notes that this “is really cool when looking for a specific class.” Many local students appreciate the affordability, with one commenting that “it is not too expensive for in-state tuition, and it offers a huge variety of classes.” The courses themselves offer a range of formats, including those that feature “open conversations during class,” fostering an environment where students can “come together, see different ideas, and create a better environment.” Other courses incorporate “field trips, engaging lectures, group activities,” or “peer-led team learning where one person who took the class leads a discussion of current students working through a problem set.” One student in an electrical engineering course (designed for non-engineers) describes its innovative approach: “Instead of traditional lectures, we learn by doing through building and programming a functional robot over the semester.” No matter the format, professors are widely regarded as “unique individuals” who “really bring classes to life with their own teaching styles,” with one undergrad sharing, “I love my professors and they make me eager to learn.”

The student body at UMass is made up of “a true variety” of “fun, energetic, [and] motivated” individuals who are typically “open and expressive about their orientations” and place an “emphasis on diversity and belonging.” As one of the largest schools in the state, it attracts “a lot of people from different areas and backgrounds into one place, which is really interesting and exciting.” One student shares, “I feel like we get a little bit of everyone here, and that’s what makes it unique. There’s someone for everyone.” Students note that UMass has “a strong campus culture that makes it so that you can easily connect with most people,” so it’s “really easy to make friends.” One student adds, “Anyone can find a great community here with a lot of support.” While “most are from Massachusetts,” the different backgrounds and experiences create a “welcoming and enthusiastic mixing pot of communities representing [different] cultures…identities, and interests.” Most here are “academically motivated” but “also like to have fun on the weekends,” and the overall student dynamic “is very social.” One student notes that one of the best things about UMass is that it’s “very diverse and gives me a very well-rounded social experience.”

Amherst offers a wealth of activities, and “there are many options available to you on campus, [so] it’s easy to get your schedule filled.” A booked calendar suits many students, who “balance classes with club meetings, campus events, and time spent at the Rec Center or hanging out in the dining halls.” Meals are events unto themselves since the “food here is really awesome,” and “four dining halls help reduce the crowd size at each one.” The student-run University Programming Council organizes popular events such as game nights, movie nights, and “UMass comedy nights,” while hockey games draw large crowds. Students appreciate the scenic 1,450-acre campus and find that “sunset yoga and walking around the pond and seeing the ducks is very relaxing.” The climbing gym and Outing Club are common ways for students to get active, while over 400 student clubs—ranging from the Robotics Club and Fiber Arts Club to the Investment Club—help forge both personal and professional connections. As one student says, “This school has done a really good job making this place a community.”

The university’s Career Development and Professional Connections Hub provides career centers at different schools across the campus in one central location, which allows for more specialized advising, workshops, recruiting, and career fairs. Internships and co-ops are available throughout the year, and the hub maintains a database of available opportunities that is updated daily. “Many opportunities are presented to students for discovering a major, practicing interview skills, [and] writing their résumés,” and there are “plenty of resources on campus to help you access internships and research for out-of-class learning experiences.” The school also offers several scholarships to support students who wish to complete unpaid internships or research.