<p>New update. I’m on campus for RA training and while I was driving past the stadium I saw a construction posting of a rendering of a new practice facility and press box that will be added to the stadium. Maybe that means added seating and a return but I would have graduated by then.</p>
<p>rlouisne - any talk if the new honors dorms will open on time for the fall honors class? Construction of this magnitude is always delayed one way or another.</p>
<p>rlouisne–My son has been accepted into and is seriously considering the comp. sci. program. I have been slow to warm up to the idea of UMass b/c of its hard partying rep, but having researched it quite a bit, I actually think it will be a good fit for him. A couple of questions: how likely is it that incoming freshmen will get their first choice housing? And is Central anywhere near the computer science building? Finally, we’re going up there on Mon. to check out the campus–any recommendations for places to eat in Amherst?</p>
<p>Hi Jcc1964 - my older son attends college in Amherst (he’s down the road at Hampshire). We love Judie’s restaurant on Main Street - it’s popover heaven and has nice atmosphere too. Antonio’s for pizza is great although the atmosphere of the place isn’t the best if you’re looking for a place to sit and talk. Two weeks ago, we went to Fresh Side, a relatively new place. We enjoyed it too. It was an interesting mix of Asian cuisine that was really good. I’m interested in what others have to say.</p>
<p>For Jcc1964 - Sign up for a RAP in your first choice housing area and it is guaranteed - RAPs make it easy to stay out of the towers if you are concerned about the partying. If you are really concerned sign up the first day you can do so to avoid being closed out of your first choice.</p>
<p>I understand the basic idea of RAPs, but if the RAP for computer science isn’t in the area he wants to be in, what would be the point?</p>
<p>Not sure where he wants to be but some RAPs are offered in two different places. If his first choice RAP doesn’t align with the first choice housing you might have to make some tradeoffs or pick a second choice RAP. Last fall there was a computer science RAP in Orchard Hill, which is very nice amd the rooms are good size. Not all that much partying there. It is next to Central. If he just had to be in Central he could join a service learning or more general interest RAP. </p>
<p>Most of my son’s friends are from the RAP - it has been a great way to quickly make a big school feel small.</p>
<p>I am sure the opening of the honors complex will shift most of the honors RAPs over there so the allocation of RAPs will likely be a little different next year. Good luck</p>
<p>Latest S heard was that a decision had not yet been made whether or not the science and engineering honors RAP’s would be moved to the new honors dorms. There is an advantage to keeping them in Northeast/O Hill (proximity to science and engineering bldgs)</p>
<p>Jcc1964 - My son is also seriously considering UMass’s Computer Science program and I have some of the same concerns that you mentioned in your post. We would be interested in hearing about your impressions after your visit.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the wealth of information. What a great resource! A few more questions about RAPs- where and when is the information for next year’ location posted? And someone mentioned a general interest RAP or service learning communities. What are these?</p>
<p>For people who are worried about the UMass Party image - my son does not drink or smoke and has had no issues whatsoever living in Orchard Hill. He says the Towers are where most of the on campus parties happen and is glad he doesn’t live there. Having said that, the worst party problems are generally at the frats and in off campus apartments. </p>
<p>If your kid kid wants to find a party or drugs they are there to be had, but, at least in my son’s experience, he has never felt that it intruded on his dorm life and he has never felt pressured into situations he wanted to avoid. He describes his dorm as low key overall. </p>
<p>There are over 20,000 kids at UMass - you have a pretty good chance of finding some like minded friends so, if your kid is not into the party scene they will do fine. RAPs can help with that process and give you some control over where you live. The UMass Amherst RAP home page is here </p>
<p>[RAP</a> About RAP](<a href=“Student Success at UMass Amherst”>Student Success at UMass Amherst)</p>
<p>They won’t post the Fall 2013 RAP specifics until later in the Spring but if you read the FAQ in detail and click thru the links you will learn a lot about the program and the wide range of options. There are RAPs for specific majors, RAPs for general interests and RAPs for undeclared Majors. Frankly, the topic isn’t all that important as long as the kid has some interest in the general topic. My son’s Politics Today RAP had econ, history, poli sci and a couple of other majors represented. The class they took fulfilled a Gen Ed requirement.</p>
<p>Enjoy your visit to Amherst!</p>
<p>
Pretty much every college is hard-partying, reputation or not. One of the benefits of a big school like UMass is that is always a ton of stuff going on, so there are lots of choices other than “get wasted” or “get drunk”.</p>
<p>One thing with RAPs - my S tried to sign up for one, but when he got to orientation he had to reselect his housing. He went to a relatively late orientation, and wound up not getting into a RAP or any of his other top 10 choices, i.e. SouthWest.</p>
<p>He was extremely fortunate to be able to switch to NorthEast (there was exactly one open spot).</p>
<p>I don’t know if he screwed up the original selection or what, but the moral is go to the earliest orientation you can, even if you have to miss school.</p>
<p>NewEngland2012 - thanks for posting the info about RAPs - I wasn’t sure what they were. My younger son applied to UMass RD - he’s interested in pre-med.</p>
<p>@BTMell I applied to UMass via ED and got in for pre-med! Good luck to him! (I plan on attending applying to a RAP and I hope to see him in it!)</p>
<p>Does anyone know what carrier is best to use in Massachusetts? I’m trying to work things out, even though I am overseas.</p>
<p>Hi FilipinoPepper! I hope you guys meet up as well :-)</p>
<p>Do you mean cell phone carrier? Verizon has good coverage in western Mass. [4G</a> LTE Network | Verizon Wireless](<a href=“http://network4g.verizonwireless.com/#/coverage]4G”>http://network4g.verizonwireless.com/#/coverage)</p>
<p>They also have a Verizon store in Hadley, which is the shopping area just next to Amherst</p>
<p>AT&T also has coverage in the area and a store in Hadley</p>
<p>Both AT&T and Verizon sell iPhones which may be attractive to you. They also have Droid and Windows phones, so a nice selection.</p>
<p>Our family cell plan is through a more local carrier - U.S. Cellular and it’s worked well there too but there are no local stores. </p>
<p>Amherst is a wonderful town - I’m sure you’ll love being in school there!</p>
<p>Thanks a ton! I am thinking of going Verizon because they also have it in South Carolina! (My family live there.) I am so very excited to live northern because I’ve been overseas for 3 years and stateside(south!) for six! (Lived in the Philippines for about 7.)</p>
<p>Hopefully your son gets his choice!</p>
<p>Once again, thank you for all of the helpful suggestions. I did look into the RAps, and they do seem like a nice way to create a more intimate experience for incoming students. Having attended a “hard partying” large uni myself (Syracuse), I am well aware of the culture of dorm living. And I trust that my son will be able to navigate the situation and find a healthy balance of work and play. My concerns are confined to the way the university mqy be perceived by future employers–people who make snap judgments in the three seconds they have to peruse a resume. Justified or not, U Mass does routinely wind up on lists of “Top Party Schools,” and fair or not, to a lot of employers, where there’s smoke there’s fire.
Nonetheless, it’s looking more and more likely that this is will be where he ends up, and I’m supportive of this decision. It looks like a great fit for my kid. Thanks again for all of the invaluable advice. Wish forums like this were around when I was a kid.</p>
<p>I work in computing support for a college and it’s generally recognized that Verizon provides the best coverage in the United States and can even provide overseas access. </p>
<p>I’m crossing my fingers for my son - thanks!</p>
<p>If it helps, I have a Verizon iPhone and have been successful with service basically everywhere I went in Massachusetts, with the exception of some select areas on the Cape. When I visited Amherst I didn’t notice any problems and the majority of the people here have Verizon, so I would say that’s your best bet!</p>