Is UMASS really that bad?

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Massachusetts - Amherst
1

<p>So...basically I thought my parents could afford college, but now my parents are saying that my dad's business isn't doing well and isn't getting contracts and we need to cut down our expenses. My parents are paying out of pocket for my sister's med school UGH. So basically, I have to consider UMASS Amherst which i really really really don't want to do. But tuition is so CHEAP.<br>
So...I was sort of looking forward to going to UVM because I got into the Honors College while I didn't at UMASS. My family will NOT qualify for financial aid. My mom makes almost 100K and my dad makes roughly 200K. Because of this, i'm not really looking at private schools. I'm applying, but honestly doubt the chance of me getting enough money to go because most of these schools are reacher.
But so far here is my list of pros and cons for UMASS. Anything to add?
PROS:
1. CHEAP
2. In Massachusetts-closer to home, I want to get a teaching credential and get a job in MASS so it would be easier
3. more diversity than UVM (right?)- I am a minority, so this is somewhat important to me
4. better math ed program than UVM, allows me to take more math courses
5. parents would probably give me a car
CONS:
1. No honors college, no scholarship money- got both at UVM
2. ugly campus
3. party school
4. everyone from my school goes there</p>

2

<p>

Tuition may be dirt-cheap at $1714, but tuition+fees is over $12,000. Maybe you consider $12K cheap too. [Tuition</a> and Fees | UMass Amherst Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://www.umass.edu/admissions/facts-and-figures/tuition-and-fees]Tuition”>http://www.umass.edu/admissions/facts-and-figures/tuition-and-fees)</p>

<p>

UMass is about 20% minority, where minority = African-American, Latino/a, Asian and Native American: [Student</a> Body and Admissions Statistics | UMass Amherst Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://www.umass.edu/admissions/facts-and-figures/student-body-and-admissions-statistics]Student”>http://www.umass.edu/admissions/facts-and-figures/student-body-and-admissions-statistics)</p>

<p>I don’t know what the breakdown is for each, you can probably find it on the web site somewhere.</p>

<p>

You can join the honors college later if you keep a 3.2 GPA. UMass gives very little in merit aid to in-state students.</p>

<p>

It’s not like it is a slum. Does this really matter that much to you?</p>

<p>

You can party or not, it is entirely up to you.</p>

<p>

My S goes there, and there’s a bunch of kids from his school there. He rarely sees them.</p>

<p>I think UMass is much better academically than UVM. If rankings make you feel better, the “Times Higher Education World University Ranking” puts UMass at #36 in the US, and #17 or so of public universities in the US. UVM did not make the top 400.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2011-2012/top-400.html[/url]”>http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2011-2012/top-400.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>ILOVEFEDERER, UMass is definitely a lot cheaper for MA residents than UVM, even with max OOS scholarship. I think the area with the buildings around he pond is far from ugly, but all the concrete architecture is not attractive. Go visit on one of the welcome new student days with an open mind. </p>

<p>As far as that Times Ranking goes, it was basically an international poll of reputation. I suspect UMass got some votes that were meant for MIT from people in other countries that were a little hazy on the names. Not that I think UMass is a bad school. My son is there. I was helping him with his calculus class last semester. It was first rate and challenging.</p>

4

<p>Yes I consider 12K to be cheap. I got 11K per year at UVM. I guess you guys are right- academically for my major, UMASS is probably better. They require more math courses to get teaching certification which is important to me. Financially, it’s obviously better. And diversity wise, definitely better. UMASS has 20% minority, while UVM has 2% lol</p>

5

<p>

Only 1/3 is based on reputation. I doubt that academic people are mixing up MIT with UMass. It is heavily biased towards research, though.</p>

<p>[Change</a> for the better](<a href=“http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2011-2012/analysis-rankings-methodology.html]Change”>World University Rankings 2010-11 methodology | Times Higher Education (THE))</p>

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<p>As far as the “everyone from my school goes there” issue, consider the dilution factor of 20+ thousand students. My son never sees anyone from his high school unless he wants to.</p>