<p>Because there are SO MANY very good private schools in Massachusetts, there is an element of elitism and snobbism that looks down its nose at “ZooMass”, most of it coming from the eastern end of the state.</p>
<p>Don’t let the off-campus antics of some kids (many of whom were not even UMass students) diminish your opinion of UMass Amherst. UMass Amherst is an excellent academic institution offering an outstanding value for your hard-earned dollars. My daughter is a student there now and is thriving. She looked at–and was accepted to–several top private institutions in New England and beyond. But she (and I) were most impressed with UMass. Their open house for accepted students blew every other school’s away. Their communication regarding questions has been nothing short of stellar. Everyone I have interacted with at campus has been professional, courteous, and competent. Questions are addressed in a timely manner. My daughter has decided to double minor along with her major and her advising has been outstanding. As a hard-working parent with multiple children, I believe that UMass Amherst provides an outstanding value for the money it charges. As I said, my daughter willingly turned down more “prestigious” schools to go here and has NEVER looked back. She loves it, and so do I. So there are off campus parties once in awhile…I’m not condoning violence and disobedience against police, but don’t let the actions of a few bad eggs cloud your judgement of UMass Amherst. It’s a great school and getting better all the time. </p>
<p>pilgrim6</p>
<p>We also were very impressed with how well organized accepted student day was. We could not believe how efficient hundreds of students and their families were accommodated. S could not afford the private schools he was accepted to, enrolled at UMass, and like your child, hasn’t looked back and is a dean’s list engineering student in the honors college.</p>
<p>MADad</p>
<p>Like you, our family could not afford the private schools our daughter was accepted to, and as her parents, we prohibited her from borrowing excessively and told her that we would not either. I am grateful every day that we made that decision because during college decision time it is very easy to get sucked into the vortex of “well, we’ll do whatever it takes for daughter/son to go to Private College XYZ…” and before you know it parent and child are swamped with debt. Our daughter is also in the honors college (Isenberg) and on the dean’s list. She is working hard, getting an excellent education, and enjoying every minute of it. The value UMass Amherst offers for the money has exceeded my expectations.</p>