DD attended UMass Amherst Decision Days last weekend and walked away feeling disappointed. She was accepted into Isenberg, attended the session for her major and was not impressed by the department head who gave the talk. She also felt the “oldness” of the campus and the dorms. She really wanted to like it, and it’s not the first time we’ve visited. She talked with students on campus in the dining hall and was not shy about asking a few questions. As a parent, I feel Isenberg will provide an excellent academic environment and internships/job opportunities. I’m hoping she’ll give it some more careful thought.
I am curious to hear from others about Isenberg impressions, including the quality of the breakout sessions for other majors. DD’s major is marketing and we’re OOS.
So funny, we were there for marketing as well. My son actually liked the speaker. The campus (in my son’s words) was an old, concrete jungle. The lack of green space was noticeable and even if you were able to filter out the fact it was bitterly cold and know there are warmer days, the outside space was so limited. That dragged the visit down for him. He is an active guy. The students we met were very, very friendly and helpful (everyone, not just the ones hosting). That made a great impression. This isn’t our first rodeo and the internships etc are clearly there, but the reality is they are at other places as well. I thought the main presentation in the auditorium was weak. Super disappointing in terms of other college presentations I have attended in the past. That was the chance to lock in some energy and excitement that comes with attending UMass–and my son didn’t feel any of that. That aside, it is still a great program and will still be a consideration–but more for a closer location to home (if that ends up being a consideration) than anything we learned on Sunday.
We were there for Accounting. Yes the campus is old, depressing and looks like it was designed by the Soviet Union’s top architect. The food was great though and after about 20+ college visits with my older two kids it ranks at the top.
That said we are in MA and people here love love the business school and the prospect for a great education and good jobs after graduation are a big reason to come here.
Its a tough sell though especially since our DS got into Clemson as well. Hard to compete with that Southern weather and pretty campus.
UMass instate has a price you can’t beat so we are trying to convince our 18 year old to thing long term to avoid debt and get a great education in state.
Sunday did not make it any easier to sell it though!
Would love to be convinced otherwise.
Here is something to ponder. I have hired and worked with accounting students from UMASS ( I was a partner at a big 4 accounting firm). UMASS has a great reputation for accounting/business. The students I hired were great and have done very well. He will get great opportunities coming out of Isenberg. Funny enough, it was one of my staff who came out of Isenberg who convinced me that my son should apply to UMASS. He loved it that much. Yes, the campus isn’t pretty but everyone who goes there seems to love it. I do think the overall culture and feel is important and does the school offer your son activities he wants but pure aesthetics, I would place much less emphasis on.
@Scarlett21 thanks for taking the time to respond. More feedback is always helpful. Yes the looks of a campus are not the “be all, end all” - my DS is coming from an old, run down and leaky high school but the teachers, students, parents are all A+ and dedicated and he is getting/got an excellent education there. It is not all about “pretty”. It would help, as well as being warmer though!
For anyone else still following this thread I spoke to two different people at Chase (the Isenberg Career Center). They were both incredibly helpful, engaged and moreover took all the time in the world to speak with me regarding internships, recruiting, and opportunities there. I think they would have spent more time on the phone with me but I was beginning to feel guilty about the time they had spent answering my questions! So impressive, and so much going on there it is a special place where an engaged student can be very successful. Hoping he chooses Isenberg!