<p>I got accepted to UMass yesterday and I'm considering attending, probably with the intent to transfer to Smith.</p>
<p>1) How hard is it to get into the 2 in 20 housing program? Which building is it in (site doesn't say)? What about the Thatcher language housing programs?</p>
<p>2) How's the LGBT community on-campus? How big an presence is the Stonewall center?</p>
<p>3) I've heard there's some joke about a "rape trail"? Why? Sounds incredibly unfunny...I've heard other applicants talking about it too who were really just generally horrified by the "joke." What is this and is this actually a widespread thing?</p>
<p>4) Are any of the language programs particularly good or particularly bad? I study Spanish, French, Arabic and German in that order of proficiency. I know all four are offered. </p>
<p>I can't think of anything else but answers are very appreciated!</p>
<p>Hey! I know the answers to some of your questions.</p>
<p>1) I don’t think it’s too hard. Right now they’re keeping the location a secret because I think they’ve had problems in the past with people signing up for themed housing floors just to live in a specific residential area (like people signing up for the Native American floor not because they cared about it but because they wanted to live in Upper Central). </p>
<p>Right now 2 in 20 is in Northeast but they’re moving it to an undetermined Central building for next year. If demand is high enough they’re also going to have a second one in Southwest… I’m not sure if freshman will get to pick which one they’re placed in.</p>
<p>2) It’s Amherst, so it’s obviously here:) The Pride Alliance is a group of undergrads that meets almost every week; they do a lot of social stuff. The Stonewall Center does a lot more panel-type discussions and the occasional get-together. It’s definitely well-run, I’ve been there a few times and really enjoyed it. Overall the campus is accepting.</p>
<p>3) Yes, we do have a trail that was essentially a dirt road between OHill and Sylvan that was referred to students as the “rape trail”. I agree with you (as do a lot of others) that it’s not really funny at all. However they just paved a new trail and added lights so maybe the name will fall by the wayside.</p>
<p>4) I’m a science major so I know nothing about this. I do have friends who have taken Spanish classes and I haven’t heard anything particularly good or bad about them. I also haven’t asked.</p>
<p>Message me if you have any other questions! (It might take me a few days to respond)</p>
<p>I’m not sure if you’re interested in rankings or such but umass amherst was the #8 best gay friendly school in the us? ([The</a> Best Gay-Friendly Schools - The Daily Beast](<a href=“http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2010/09/12/the-best-gay-friendly-schools.item-8.html]The”>http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2010/09/12/the-best-gay-friendly-schools.item-8.html))
Also the rape trail is just a nickname to a pathway between o hill and sylvan. I agree as well, its not really a funny name, it was a much shadier place in the 70s. Now it is just a normal walked path with lights but you shouldn’t have that much reason to walk to sylvan anyways.
Also I guess I did feel compelled to respond however and say it might be funny but that all of my friends who have underdone the 5 college transfer have transferred FROM smith to Umass but of course everyone’s case is different. I do have a lot of friends that really do love it at Smith as well.
I am also a science major but I am at the moment. Umass offers exchange programs in all of those languages, from what I am doing now I would really recommend using one of Umass’ programs and taking classes directly at a foreign university. Most of the people I am with now are in fact language/linguistics majors.</p>
<p>@Fireandice: That link is really helpful! Thanks. Why do you think so many people have gone from Smith to UMass? I’m curious about that. Thanks so much for the post ~</p>
<p>I remember seeing a freshman from the class of 2015 (entered fall 2011) asking Res Life about getting into the 2 and 20 program, and Res Life responded that it was already filled by upperclassmen. So it’s probably very difficult if even possible to get into that as a freshman. Thatcher language program has an application process, and the deadline for that has already passed. Once again, I’m not even sure if freshmen can get into it.</p>
<p>can anyone tell me if ^ is true? The LGBT opportunities are a huge part of why I want to go. I’m actually typing this from the largest queer youth conference in the country. :P</p>
<p>I contacted them – freshman can apply for 2 in 20 (and other cultural wellness housing). You can indicate a preference on the housing application when it becomes available on June 1st.</p>
<p>Hi! I am a current UMass sophomore and can answer a few of your questions. I don’t remember them all so I’ll address the two that I do remember. First, as for the Thatcher language program, I lived in Thatcher last year (my freshman year) and the only way for you to live in that building as a freshman, is for you to be in the Global Opportunities RAP (if you don’t know what a RAP is, definitely look that up on UMass’ website) on the second floor. Then, when you’re asked to pick housing for the following year (usually happens in April) you will be given the opportunity to continue to live in Thatcher (this time on one of the language floors). If you do the RAP, you can stay in Thatcher even if you don’t take a language. But if you are just trying to live there after freshman year, you will have to fill out an application. I don’t think it’s that extensive or competitive, you will just need to be enrolled in a language class (for those specific languages: Chinese, German, Spanish, French, Japanese etc.) Definitely consider Thatcher for freshman year though (with the RAP) because the rooms are sooo much bigger than most others, and because it’s a mixed building, you get to meet upper-classmen!
As for your next question, UMass generally does offer really good language classes. The only one I can really speak to (because I took it for one semester) is the Arabic class. That class is really not good; the teacher cannot teach Arabic very well. But I’ve heard only good things about the other languages. But what’s great about UMass is that you have the 5 college consortium so close to you; so for the last 3 semesters I’ve taken Arabic at Amherst College and it’s been FANTASTIC! Just something to consider if you are unsatifisied with your language (or really any class) at UMass. Please write more questions if you have any!</p>
Why do you think so many people have gone from Smith to UMass? I’m curious about that. Thanks so much for the post ~</p>