<p>I am hoping to make contact with someone who can provide fairly detailed
information on the University of Massachusetts at Amherst engineering programs.
especially at the undergraduate level. We live in Mass, so it would be in-state
tuition for us. </p>
<p>UMass Amherst Engg is quite decent, but my son also got into UIUC
(University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign) and prefers that. As parents,
we concede UIUC is better (higher-ranked) but we don't want him to go far
away, and also wonder whether the cost-differential ($25K/year) is worth it,
especially for undergraduate education. Hence our interest in making contact
with someone at UMass who is knowledgeable about Engg there. My son is
most interested in Mechanical Engg, but he could change his mind.</p>
<p>We want to make a rational decision, weighing the cost-benefits of each
choice carefully. We know UIUC Engg is great, but it is also extremely rigorous
and tough, and some kids are not able to handle it. However the UMass
program is easier but still pretty decent and definitely the better value, I feel. </p>
<p>I would like my son to be convinced of that and hence my desire to get in
touch with any knowledgeable folks who know about the UMass Engg program
and can answer questions or provide reassuarance abut it.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>