Interesting.
" A new report suggests that gaining admission to the University of Massachusetts’ flagship campus in Amherst is more difficult for Massachusetts residents than it is for those who live outside the state."
UMass published a rebuttal to the Pioneer Institute report here:
UMass’s rise in stature has done nothing but expand opportunity for
Massachusetts students. The impact has been greatest for hard-working,
highly qualified high school students with limited means. Each year, more
and more of these students are able to meet their educational goals at a
public university. At the same time, opportunity for students across the
spectrum continues via the community colleges and state universities. UMass
Amherst’s growing selectivity is direct evidence that we are serving these
students. Thousands of Massachusetts students now have a world-class,
lower-cost option where they can pursue their dreams.
No duh!
Almost every kid graduating from MA high schools seem to apply. I think parents want their kids to have a safety on their list, parents are also getting sick of 70K private tuitions, and lots of kids getting rejected by other in school options such as BU, BC, NU, Tufts, Brandeis, Babson, etc.
The school’s profile has raised in recent years, and now the good students like the option of the Honors college. It’s a hard deal to pass up if your kid wants to study something that UMass is actually well known for like CS or business, and now even engineering.
There are lots of parents in state who can swing 30k per year vs 70k+ per year at other schools, that’s a lot of cash.