<p>So I've been waitlisted to Case Western and RPI and rejected from BU. R</p>
<p>The only schools I got into were Umass Amherst and Umass Lowell. </p>
<p>I'm not sure however, if I should bother pursuing a spot from the waitlist at Case (which usually leads to disappointment) or if I should just accept Umass Amherst and maybe transfer in a year or two. </p>
<p>I really don't like Umass Amherst. Hopefully that will change when I visit in a couple weeks, but I get the perception that it's a huge party school, "ZooMass Slamherst," while Case seems to have the reputation of being a quiet and 'nerdy' with a socially awkward focused student body, (I can identify with that). I'm frankly very put off with the apparent culture at Umass Amhest. I have friends there and basically I only ever hear about the parties and the riots following the loss of the patriots at the Super Bowl. </p>
<p>If I do get off Case's waitlist what are the prospects for financial aid? I can't really pay much and I was eligible for Pell Grants as well as an institutional grant from Umass Amherst (I'm In-State so it's even cheaper).</p>
<p>As for future ambitions, I'm mainly interested in physical sciences, and I'm torn between chemistry and physics.</p>
<p>I believe there is about a 25% chance of being taken off of Case’s waitlist (someone in one of these threads has the actual link to the stats). I feel as though financial aid might not be as strong for someone taken off the waitlist, but it never hurts to try, especially if you don’t like the other school.</p>
<p>Waitlists aren’t very easy to predict though. Last year was a great year to be waitlisted at Case, but I find that at some schools, the statistics vary widely. </p>
<p>I did, however, enjoy the optimistic air in Case Western’s waitlist letter.</p>
<p>Take a closer look at UMass Amherst, in particular the housing options such as the substance-free dorm and 24-hour quiet floors. Once you get there you will find students just like you who are serious about their studies, and who just want a great education at a great price! You will find <em>SOME</em> drunken idiots at any school, even the nerdy schools like Case or RPI, so you will learn how to avoid those people no matter where you go.
My son was also eager to avoid that scene just like you but he has since discovered it exists to SOME extent everywhere, even at the “nerdy” schools (he is at WPI, but also considered Case!).
Get great grades on your freshman courses and if you still feel like UMass Amherst is not a good fit for you, then transfer. UMass Amherst might surprise you though!
Good luck!</p>