<p>I am looking to major in Computer Science and my top 2 choices are University of Maryland and UMass Amherst. I have not yet visited Umass or Maryland but I hear from people who have that UMass is in the middle of absolutely no where. My friend was telling me that you are basically in the woods and its looks as if there is nothing to do. If someone can help me with the setting it would greatly be appreciated.</p>
<p>I lived in the area for about 10 years and my son will be attending the school this fall. You are very misinformed. I know nothing about Maryland, but I could simply say that Amherst is consistently rated as the Number 1 college town in America. It’s a great place to be and near Northampton, which is bigger and has even more to do. The center of Amherst is walking distance, and there’s a free bus to Northampton. Although there is a debate about the aesthetics of the campus itself, if you are an outdoors person, you are near great skiing, hiking, canoeing, etc. Amherst alone, is the stereotype or Platonic ideal–pick your metaphor–of the partying college town.</p>
<p>Your problem could be avoiding the distractions and concentrating on studying.</p>
<p>Oh so there is stuff to do there because they have a decent computer science program there I was thinking about looking there but just there that it is like dead there</p>
<p>UMass Amherst has a fabulous social life on campus, with tons to do. It’s in walking distance of the town of Amherst, which is a hopping college town. There are free busses to Northampton, which is one of my favorite small cities in the US. There are four other colleges in the area, and students from Amherst go to dances at UMass Amherst, students at UMass go to parties at Hampshire, students from Smith take classes at UMass. You’re able to use the resources of all the other colleges, and students actually do so. There’s shopping, restaurants, bars - lines for pizza outside of one pizza joint after midnight… </p>
<p>There’s a TON to do in the area, but on campus? UMass Amherst is a major venue for the region. Huge bands come to campus to play. They’ve hosted U2, Elton John, the Chili Peppers… comedians come to campus… touring shows… lecturers, dance troupes, musicals, concerts. Seriously, the action is constant. </p>
<p>No way is it in the middle of nowhere, nor is it in the woods. But one thing I like about UMass is that if you want nature and beauty, you don’t have to go far.</p>
<p>i visited umass yesterday and from what i could tell it isn’t the busiest campus but it’s not dead either.
although i really don’t see why amherst would “consistently be rated” the #1 college town because… not at all</p>
<p>You can’t judge the livelyness of the five-college area based on a summer visit. There are 30,000 fewer inhabitants during the summer!</p>
<p>UMASS during the summer or winter break is a completely different animal. It’s very quiet during those times as the majority of the student body is not there and on break. The moment school is in session, that place comes alive and is an incredible experience. Funnest four years of my life. I agree with some of the earlier points. For the outdoorsy type…so many hiking and biking trails and things to do. On campus, it’s almost impossible to get bored. It’s walking distance to a very fun uptown area, tons of places to eat and/or shop, movie theaters, etc. I saw SOOO many concerts for pretty cheap at the MUllins Center years ago when I was there. Every dorm experience is pretty different. I happened to have lived in Southwest and it was just fun all the time. You had to concentrate to get your work done because something was always going on…but once you did get the assignments finished, the fun never stopped. Once warm weather comes, hanging out at the horseshoe is fantastic. Come football season, you just walk down the hill to the stadium to every game. To me, it’s the epitome of the perfect college town. I can’t say enough about it and I’d recommend ANYONE to go to school there. However, if you’re looking for city life…this isn’t your place. But I’d pick a college town like this over a school in the city every day of the week and twice on Sunday.</p>