<p>Hi people, I am an international transfer student who got accepted into Chapman University and University of Massachusetts-Amherst. My major in Chapman would be B.A in PR & Advertising at the Dodge school while my major in UMass-Amherst would be B.A in Communication .</p>
<p>I can't make up my mind on where to go. Chapman is comparably smaller which has become a concern for me because I've always been to small schools back home. However, people tell me it could be good in the long run as you develop better relationships with professors which could help in the future.</p>
<p>Chapman has also offered me a $10k scholarship for an academic year.
However, what I like about UMass-Amherst is its size and diversity. </p>
<p>I know both schools are well known academically.</p>
<p>How are the people in the OC as compared to the people in Amherst?
I also like to have a good amount of fun so how would the night life scene be comparatively?</p>
<p>When you account for the scholarship, will Chapman be less expensive for you than UMass-Amherst?</p>
<p>These places are on opposite sides of the country, and in different climatic zones. Will transportation costs be different for you? What about that winter wardrobe you will need at UMass?</p>
<p>Which of these degrees and/or universities is better recognized by employers in your country? Will either of these degrees get you a better job when you graduate and go home?</p>
<p>@happymomof1, with the scholarship, Chapman will roughly be the same with UMass-Amherst per year. Transportation regardless I feel will be needed for both sides, it just depends where is cheaper and easier to get around . Of course, the extra winter wardrobe will incur extra cost if it’s colder. How cold does the OC get? Never snowing right?</p>
<p>These are very good questions to be considered before picking my school. With both schools’ reputation,getting an American degree will be good and recognized by employers in my country. However, if given the chance, I would not mind working in the States if I do find a job. I would assume “scholarship” in the CV would look good for the future tho.</p>
<p>By transportation costs, I meant between the university and where you live. If you go home once a year what will that come to? If you go home more than once a year, what will it come to?</p>
<p>@happymomof1 Ahh, it’s definitely cheaper to fly to LA as compared to the other side. However, the difference isn’t that much. And most likely I’ll just go home once before I graduate or not go home at all until I graduate.</p>
<p>Since you don’t plan to go home very often, you need to think about what you will be doing in the summer and winter vacations. Where can you live less expensively and/or where are you going to be able to get vacation period jobs/internships. Those are good things to ask the career center and/or international student office at each university.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about UMass, but I have several friends that went to Chapman and I know a considerable amount of information about the school. Feel free to ask away! :)</p>
<p>As for the questions you already asked:</p>
<p>No, it never snows in the OC. The coldest it gets in the winter is probably around mid-50’s and can reach highs of 70’s. </p>
<p>And the facilities at Chapman are top-notch. Dodge is its best-regarded college, and the school seems to constantly pour more money into it.</p>
<p>@happymomof1 Ahh those are good things to look at! Thanks I shall email them.</p>
<p>@Eiffel Thank you very much for the information! Sounds very promising. How are the people there? I’m a little worried about the people there, cause I keep reading how Chapman consists of possibly rich stuck up superficial kids, is it true? But I assume it’s the same for everywhere else. There’s bound to be some people like that.</p>
<p>^No problem! I’ve gotten mixed comments from my friends about the people there though. All of my friends are in Dodge, and some have said that–while there are quite a few stereotypical OC “rich kids”–there are still other types of people, especially in Dodge itself (where the film geeks and creative kids tend to flock). I do know of a few “hipsters” that go to Chapman as well, but one of them complained that there was a lack of similar people there.</p>
<p>It probably does happen everywhere, but I would definitely visit Chapman and stay overnight if you can. Try to talk to a variety of people on campus, get a feel for them, et cetera. See if you can find a visible niche you think you would fit into on campus. :)</p>
<p>Daughter is still in high school, but I have been taking her to Chapman for rehearsals once a week for the past few years. Most facilities appear to be newer, well maintained, and very nice. But, the campus is not very large and the main campus is basically one square block. The dorms are across the street and Dodge is a block or two away. The neighborhood is good and it feels safe. Daughter will not be applying because it is too small for her. I understand that what you like about UMass-Amherst is its size and diversity. I have driven through UMass-Amherst and it is certainly a much larger campus. I cant really compare student diversity, but I do not consider Chapman very diverse. I havent looked at statistics, just my opinion based on numerous walks around campus. I would be surprised if the majority of students are not from California, Orange County in particular. I am sure that most of the students are from relatively well off families, but the ones I have had contact with seem like nice, normal young adults. I am not sure, but it is my impression that fraternities and sororities may have a large presence on campus. Overall, I would say that Chapman is a very nice small college.</p>
<p>Thanks for the lovely insight on both schools. June 1st is approaching and I have to give a decision fast. I’m still stuck in a dilemma with both schools appealing to me for different reasons. But I appreciate your personal experience being around the schools, which will certainly give me another moment to think about them.</p>
<p>If only I could somehow attend both schools. Hhahaha.</p>
<p>Since no-one has really commented extensively on UMass Amherst, I will. My son is attending UMass Amherst in the fall. UMass is big enough to have pretty good racial/ethnic diversity, but not so much geographic diversity. About 80% of the students are from Massachusetts. Amherst is a lovely college town, also home of Amherst College. Three other colleges are fairly close by, Mt. Holyoke, Smith and Hampshire. UMass students can take classes at the other four colleges through the Five College Exchange, so that might give some additional diversity. The UMass campus is attractive in a random kind of way (IMO) but not really beautiful. It has some traditional college red-brick buildings, but also concrete buildings from the 1960’s and modern buildings. At the center is a large open area around a pond. There is a stunning new athletic center and they are building a new science center and an honors college. The cost is pretty reasonable out of state (about $32,000).</p>
<p>Amherst is located in the Pioneer Valley of west/central Massachusetts, an area of rolling hills and smaller mountains. There are several smaller cities within an hour’s drive or less: Northampton, Worcester and Springfield. Bradley International Airport is also about an hour away. Boston is a 2-hour drive, as is New York City. There is bus service available to all of these places. If you like winter sports, skiing and snowboarding are not far away. Fall (autumn) is probably the best season, when the leaves on the trees turn brilliant colors. Winters can be snowy and cold. Spring can be very random from year-to-year. I hope this gives you a bit more of an insight into UMass.</p>