<p>We have two kids attending school in the valley, and we have AT&T—no reception problems.</p>
<p>Sorry for the late reply. Have been caught up in RA stuff. </p>
<p>But to answer some question… As far as cellphones all my friends have not had a problem with Verizon, AT&T and tmobile. Sprint on the other hand not too good. Verizon being the best. I have an unlocked iPhone for tmobile that works beautifully. </p>
<p>In terms of partying. My first year I was also afraid of the partying rep so I chose to live in northeast. What I was quick to find out is that it didn’t matter where you were because people party if they want to party. I now live in southwest in a tower and I don’t really see any difference. Those who don’t want to party don’t and those who do go to off campus apartments and frats to do so. I feel that the change in the type of students that are accepted is the reason for this. Having friends in places like MIT, Brown, Northeastern and BC they party as much. After all it is college.</p>
<p>To answer the question of housing choices. Join a RAP in your area is the best way to secure a spot. Not doing that just leaves it to chance when the priority numbers for new students are determined. Lower priority number means your assigned first</p>
<p>Answer to the honors dorm opening. Construction goes on 7 days a week. The grant that umass received to build the honors dorm has a deadline for when it should be completed so I expect it to be. Walking past the buildings it looks like most exterior work has been done so they are doing the interior now.</p>
<p>As a parent of a UMass senior about to graduate, I highly recommend students joining RAPS, especially the Honors RAPS. My S had several new friends within weeks, and they were all science/math honors students. Talk about getting in with the right crowd…! He’s still friends with all of them. I think RAPS group like people together, so that LARGE campus feels smaller right away. My S lived in O-Hill for 2 years and really enjoyed it! Then moved to North Apts and REALLY loved that !</p>
<p>Well, we took the journey up to Amherst today and…U Mass it is! My son loved the campus, the surrounding areas, all of it. Thanks to everyone here for all of your input and sage advice. You’ve all been tremendously helpful.</p>
<p>Jcc - the most important question - where did you eat???</p>
<p>Took someone’s advice here and went to Judie’s. We’re all still full and the meal was 8 hrs ago! Really enjoyed it.</p>
<p>We LOVE Judie’s - the popovers are amazing. I’m glad you enjoyed it and glad you have a decision!</p>
<p>" I feel that the change in the type of students that are accepted is the reason for this. "</p>
<p>Just curious what you mean - we are from CT - there has been an enormous change in who attends UCONN - at least over that last 10 years or so (much more competitive). Is this/has this happened at UMass Amherst, as well?</p>
<p>Debhome–</p>
<p>Yes–it is much tougher for instate students to get into UMass-Amherst than it used to be. Guidance counselors tell me pretty much you need all A’s and B’s nowadays. They see more and more kids getting rejected.</p>
<p>Yes it is becoming more competitive. When I got in back in 2010 the average high school gpa for our class was a 3.6. The most previous class was a 3.75 I think. So it is becoming more difficult to get in. Doing this allows for a campus that has students with different mind set from previous incoming class.</p>
<p>From the UMass Amherst web site:
2012 Freshman Class:
34,326 applicants for a class of 4,600
For those students whose high schools report class rank, the mean high school class rank was top 20%
Middle SAT: Critical Reading 520-620 /Math 540-640
Mean GPA is 3.66 on 4.00 scale</p>
<p>I’m sure that is the reason my son was accepted Undeclared rather than directly into engineering. His SATs are good, 1980, but his GPA is currently 3.37. when I graduated from HS back in the dark ages, UMass was a joke. Since the economic downturn in 2008, it has gotten much harder to get in.</p>
<p>SATs haven’t gone up all that much in the last 10 years according to the CDS - about 50 points or so. Acceptance rate is still well over 60%,.</p>
<p>But the number of apps has gone way up, and anecdotally it is tougher to get in. A lot of it is financially driven.</p>
<p>Hi</p>
<p>I’ve applied to Umass Amherst and am really nervous about my potential acceptance there. I unfortunately are one of those “nervous test takers” so my standardized test scores are extremely low, the ACT was basically the equivalent to my SATs. I got a 1510. I know, pathetic. My weighted GPA is a 102 and I believe a 4.1 on that scale (UW 3.5). The only decent test I sent was a 600 on a US history SAT II.</p>
<p>My question is do you know anyone who has ever been accepted with this very low test score but very high GPA? I also am in the top 19% of my class which consists of 400 students.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>^ With your GPA, I don’t think you have much to worry about, unless you are trying for one of the more choosy majors like engineering or nursing.</p>
<p>A 1000 M+CR is only a little outside the 25th percentile range, and a 4.1 GPA is way at the top end. So your chances are excellent.</p>
<p>Remember that UMass accepts almost 70% of everybody.</p>
<p>Thanks so much!!</p>
<p>D (college junior not at UMass) would like to attend a summer program and we need information on summer housing.
Thanks</p>
<p>Do you know if freshmen can get break housing? And do freshmen have to live with other freshmen?</p>