<p>@TheGoodBook The school is pretty large (about 4500 students per graduating class), so it’s safe to say that it’s really diverse. It is about as far from conservative as you could get. It does have a slight reputation as a party school, but if you’re not interested in partying, you can just stay away from the housing complex that is responsible for all the noise. </p>
<p>Honors students have a couple of benefits, with the most obvious being that you can graduate with special distinctions from UMass. UMass also built (like 2 years ago) a brand new housing complex for honors students (complete with air conditioning), which has also attracted more students. Being an honors student also gives you a leg up with the professors, who might be more willing to take on an honors student into their research than they would with non-honors students. In short, the unwritten opportunities become a bit more available if you’re an honors student. </p>
<p>I think it would be a great safety for you. You seem like someone they would love to have. </p>