UMass is trolling us.
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I can’t stand this releasing in batches - what is the purpose of it?
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to ensure a smoother process in their admissions office, they can’t deal with lots of questions and help if they released all decisions at same time
I know that is what it says on the website, but why is UMASS unable to handle releasing on one day and fielding incoming questions when every other school can manage that? Is UMASS really that short staffed? I hope there’s actually a better strategic reason that they are not disclosing, because it is definitely frustrating for those left waiting those extra weeks after intitial batches are released.
I am glad D only had to wait 2 extra weeks after the first batch was released. I feel sorry for everyone who is still waiting while their friends get their decisions.
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For real. I’m almost about to withdraw. It’s infuriating.
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Exactly! So many schools release on one day at the same time. If large schools like University of Michigan, University of Georgia and University of Florida can do it - so can UMass.
Yes. You start to wonder if this could be an indication of potential “red tape” frustration at UMASS. The kind of administrative red tape that students can run into at very large public universities - particularly state universities that are understaffed or do not prioritize their students over their systems. I am not saying this is the case at UMASS. But, it makes you wonder.
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Quick questions on UMass Amherst:
- Does the University give you your alternate (backup) major if the major you applied is not available?
- When do all regular decisions come out?
- They should
- Before April everyone should be out
I know what you’re saying and I think not in this case. Along with many other selective universities, they had an uptick in applications and the very large pool without test scores made it less easy to weed some out based on simple criteria. In theory this should be a good thing but it also takes longer. If you follow their admissions Instagram, they have been very transparent since the first wave of early action that they release admits, denies, honors college and scholarship recipients in every batch. It’s not done by major, region, or any of those patterns we are obsessively looking for. They do not drip out admits the way University of New Hampshire does (THE prime example of poor admissions administration in this cycle based on the 12 schools my son applied to).
People should follow the U Mass Admissions Instagram. And read through the posts over the past 4 months.
Not “every other school” manages it the way you want. Several schools my son applied to sent decisions out in waves over a period. It’s not uncommon.
My son applied to 19 schools and I think UMass has one of the worst processes, just my opinion. Nothing could be worse than the University of Pittsburgh though.
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That’s really interesting! We all see things through our own lenses and circumstances.
I don’t see anything egregious OR noteworthy about the UMass system for admissions. My son applied early action (I’m just following all current topics on U Mass for tidbits I can pick up) and he was notified in the second wave of decisions, just before Christmas. He was accepted to the honors college and received a scholarship and that was all in his acceptance letter. Financial aid came a few weeks later as well as an invitation to apply to the bioTAP program. It’s all been very straightforward. I do understand the frustration of waiting - we are waiting on four schools with vague release dates this month or “by April 1.” For us the two schools who have been the worst have been Villanova and University of New Hampshire.
My son is waiting on 6 schools still for RD, but they have all said by April 1, which is fine. BUT Umass sent an email out on Feb 10 that they were releasing them at the end of the week until early March. It’s now March 15th and no word still. I just don’t understand the batch system. If his acceptance is contingent on others not accepting their offers, then just say that. If not, then just let him know. I feel it was cruel to send an email over a month ago and no word yet.
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I’m sorry that is happening to you and your student!
Michigan does batches too. Meanwhile, Illinois released all on the same day, and they were criticized for not releasing decisions for people as they came available. There are pros and cons of the batch system, and there just isn’t a perfect way to handle these large-scale high-stakes notifications.
The anticipation is difficult and frustrating to be sure. I would like UMass to be more forthcoming about when the next batch is coming instead of making noontime announcements on the day of an afternoon release. But that’s a minor complaint. The process will resolve within a few weeks. Wish you and your student the best.
I applied to 23 colleges and I agree. UMass has the worst decision release process.
Did you get into some of the schools you applied to? Hopefully that will help an already miserable process feel a little better.
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I find this situation completely miserable. NYU, MIT and all the UC schools release at one time. Why can’t Amherst?
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guys eventually you’ll get your decision, practice patience