I am a member of the class of 2019 and OOS. Ask me anything. I promise honest answers.
MODERATOR’S NOTE: Anyone is free to ask or answer questions in this thread.
anxiously awaiting decision. I attend private catholic school. I’ve carried honors classes all four years with a B to B+ average. First quarter this year I averaged B+ in honors classes and an A in AP stats.
SAT combined 1800. Math 620, Reading 580. What are my chances?
was just accepted two days ago, and i was wondering how umass is with FA. I live in a single family home and my moms income is below 50000, also I’m a twin so me and my sister are both going to college next year (she might actually also be going to umass) and my moms actually enrolled in school online right now getting her bachelors. the only problem i fell is my dad. while my parents are divorced my dad does (i think) make over 150000, and I’m worried that is going to really hurt me, even though he is my non custodial parent. But i am under his tax return over other year and he and my mom switch off on me and my sister ever other year i guess. the net price calculatror said they can give me a decent amount. but from a student how true is that, are they decent with FA? I’m out of state also so 
Hi. So I don’t actually know that much about FA because I don’t really qualify for much. Overall, most of my OOS friends get more than the in-state kids. And I attend on a special OOS scholarship. One of my friends had a similar issue with his parents (he was not applying to UMass, but VERY similar financial status and his dad’s income did pose a problem). My best suggestion is to call the financial aid office and try to reason it out with them. Make it very clear how much you want to be able to go to UMAss next year.
Sounds like you have a pretty good chance! I wouldn’t count on getting into the Honors Program, or some of the harder majors/schools such as Isenberg. But you should get into UMass! Go UMass!
@studiesandlists how was your financial aid package?
ok thanks so much for the advice!!
What do you wish you knew as an OOS student before attending?
@kchs7616 It can be really hard to adjust. Especially if you live a distance that is farther away (I live 6-8 hours driving distance). I was also brutally cold outside, which I, a “southern belle” was not truly prepared for (if you come south of the Mason-Dixon no amount of preparation will be enough. There are a number of cool things I discovered, though, first of all, I’m considered “exotic” here and people think its cool to have a friend from outside of MA. Second, every Sunday the dining halls serve a food which is traditional to my home state. I decorate my room to remind me of home, and I meet my parents half way in between here and home. It’s hard, but it’s not all bad.
@studiesandlists I’m from Texas and I think I’ll be able to deal with the weather, my key concern is going someplace so far from home and realizing I don’t really like it. I plan on visiting in the spring to hopefully see for myself, but in the meantime I was wondering. Are there were any cons with the school that I should be warned of?
@kchs7616 just the amount of travel time that you’ll need. I highly recommend applying to be in “break housing” (dorms that you are allowed to stay in over the breaks).
I am still available this summer to answer any questions!
Do you know anything about off-campus apartment complexes? I may be interested in renting at Sugarloaf Estates in Sunderland.