<p>Hello, I'm looking for some advice on Umass Amherst. I am out of state, from Pennsylvania. I was admitted to Umass Amherst and I am considering going to the school, but I'm afraid that I don't know enough about the school to make sure that is the right school for me. I am choosing between Umass and St. Joseph's University. I really like both of the schools but part of me wants to go away for school and St. Joe's is only about a half hour (max) from me. I would really appreciate someone who has experience with Umass Amherst who could help me make a decision. I have visited the campus and I liked it, I think. The problem is that it was the dead of winter and I didn't find the campus to be that appealing, and also, my tour guide was really rude and he "put a bad taste in my mouth". I really want to like this school, but I want to know more about it. If you have any insight, please let me know! Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Hey. I’m from Massachusetts and got into UMASS too. I’m considering going b/c the other school I got into so far, Williams, gave me zero financial aid and I need it. UMASS Amherst is pretty much considered decent. The campus is ugly, the class sizes border on huge and apparently aren’t too challenging. On the flip side, the five college consortium (spelling?) program is pretty cool and the Commonwealth College (which I got into) seems respectable. But honestly, did you apply to any public schools in PA? I don’t know anything about St. Joseph’s, but the only reason I would go to UMASS is if A) it’s cheaper, or B) it’s more respectable academically than St. Joseph’s.</p>
<p>Maybe repost your question here?</p>
<p>[University</a> of Massachusetts - Amherst - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-massachusetts-amherst/]University”>University of Massachusetts - Amherst - College Confidential Forums)</p>
<p>Good luck</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the input, I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>I did apply to one public school in PA, but I’m not really considering it. My aunt and uncle, and a few cousins, live in Mass. They really want me to go there because most of them have gone to Umass and all really enjoyed it. My cousin’s husband went there for undergrad and he especially liked it. I just feel like I need to know more before I make a decision, and I’ve been searching threads on this school for a while now. I think I’m going to visit again in April. Also, Umass is cheaper for me, even with oos tuition. St. Joseph’s is private and is nearly $48,000 a year. </p>
<p>And, T26E4, thanks for the link! I will repost it in one of those threads.</p>
<p>St. Joe’s may have a higher COA, but have you gotten your FA package from them? They may end up to be cheaper if you qualify for scholarships and stuff. </p>
<p>St. Joe’s is also much closer to your home, so you’d save a lot in transportation costs. Have you figured how much you’d spend going back and forth to Umass for breaks, Tgiving, Christmas, Spring Break, and to arrive in the fall and leave in the Spring. </p>
<p>My aunt and uncle, and a few cousins, live in Mass. They really want me to go there because most of them have gone to Umass and all really enjoyed it.</p>
<p>No offense to the relatives who mean well, but they got instate rates to go there, so unless they plan on paying the OOS costs or any costs that exceed a more affordable school, don’t let their pleas affect your decision…especially if you’ll have to take out loans to go to that school. I understand the situation, because my family all lives in Calif with the UC system, and they all wanted my kids to go to a UC school. However, the price just wasn’t worth it…and they sure weren’t going to pay for it. LOL</p>
<p>You’ve applied to UMass-A, St. Joe’s, and PA public…where else did you apply?</p>
<p>I applied to 11 schools actually haha. </p>
<p>University of Vermont – wait listed
Drexel University – wait listed
Hofstra University – accepted
Umass, St. Joe’s, Millersville (only PA public) – accepted
Temple University – accepted
Rider University – accepted
Pennstate – accepted to Altoona campus (appealing rejection to University Park)
University of Scranton – accepted
University of Delaware – rejected :(</p>
<p>So I have a few to choose from, but I would really like to get away I think. And as far as financial aid goes, I have only gotten two packages back and those were from Scranton and Hofstra with only $10,000… more than half in Federal loans. Money is a big consideration, but at the same time, my family wants me to go where I am happy. I would love to go to Pennstate, but the next best thing is Umass Amherst.</p>
<p>And yes, my aunt and uncle are in state so the tuition is a lot less, but regardless, they said that still love the school. My cousin’s husband is really encouraging me to give Umass a chance because he said that he hasn’t met anyone who did not have a good experience. </p>
<p>I’m also wondering, not that it matters that much, but, what is the reputation of Umass? I know about “zoomass”, but I mean academically. Is Umass considered a “good” school? I know around here in PA everyone always refers to a school as a “good”, “okay”, or “bad” school, as in… is it hard to get into/prestige/academics/etc. So, I’m just curious what the people of Mass.'s views are. Thanks again !</p>
<p>You’re wanting to know how “good” UMass is…a lot depends on your major. What is your likely major and likely career?</p>
<p>What do you want in a school outside of academics? Do you want greek systems? Big sports to watch and support? Cold/snowy weather? Warmer weather? anything else?</p>
<p>The OOS COA for UMass-A is…</p>
<p>Tuition/fees…$23,229</p>
<h2>Room/board…$8,276</h2>
<p>subtotal…$31,505</p>
<p>The above is from their website, but they oddly left out the things that many other schools include in their COAs… so be sure to compare “apples” with “apples” and add those things in…</p>
<p>books (about $1,000),
transportation (usually about $1500 or so)
misc/personal expenses (about $1800)</p>
<p>So, I would say that the true COA is about $35,800.</p>
<p>Well as of right now I’m interested in Law, so possibly a polisci major or even biology to psychology. I’m interested in all of that stuff.</p>
<p>Outside of academics, I would be interested in greek life, but it isn’t a deal breaker to me. I do like big schools and the feel of the big school’s sports life. And for weather, that isn’t a huge deal to me whether it’s cold or hot.</p>
<p>Yes, it still does add up for being oos, so that is something to consider. I’m just so confused. I want to know when I’ll just “know”.</p>
<p>Ok…now that we know that you’re interested in going to law school, you must consider this…</p>
<p>Talk to your parents about the whole undergrad/law school expense. What are their thoughts? </p>
<p>Will they pay BIG MONEY for undergrad, but nothing for law school?</p>
<p>Will they expect you to do some loans for undergrad and all loans for law school?</p>
<p>Will they “set aside” some money for law school, if you spend less on undergrad? For instance, instead of costing them $35k per year for undergrad, if you spend $20k per year, will they contribute the $60k they saved towards law school?</p>
<p>It would not be a good idea for you to “drain the well” for undergrad, and then have to borrow $150k or more for law school. Right?</p>
<p>What are your best choices that will also be your least expensive options for undergrad?</p>
<p>Also…if you’re considering pledging a sorority…that can be another $4-6k+ per year - depending on the campus. Will you have to pay for that? And, if you do a study abroad…will your parents pay for that, too?</p>
<p>ahh there are so many things to consider. My parents don’t want to spend biggggg money, but they are okay with spending what is necessary.</p>
<p>At this point, my best shot is probably Pennstate because it is the cheapest.
Although, my parents are split. My dad LOVES Pennstate, but my mom loves Umass.
I just want to go some place that I will really enjoy/get something out of it!</p>
<p>laxgal, Temple is public…</p>
<p>I meant that was the only state school I applied to… sorry…</p>
<p>Well all things considered we ARE a state school…</p>
<p>okay… I am just saying that I applied to only ONE of the state schools in PA. I’m aware about Umass. </p>
<p>I’m not considered going to any other schools besides Umass, St. Joe’s, or PennState… so the other schools do not matter at this point. All I want to know is what the life is like there and just more information about the school in general so I can figure out if that is the school for me.</p>
<p>Well that’s a shame, because Temple is an infinitely better school than St. Joe’s and significantly cheaper.</p>
<p>Have you ever seen Temple’s campus…?
It’s not in a safe place nor is it attractive, unlike St. Joe’s.
It all depends on what you prefer, and I happen to prefer St. Joe’s campus better.</p>
<p>“the class sizes border on huge and apparently aren’t too challenging”</p>
<p>Do you really believe that organic chemistry, for example, at UMASS is an easy A compared to Williams?</p>
<p>Actually, it’s in the Ivies that you hear so much about grade inflation. Many of the students at the so-called elite schools are filled with students who have a sense of entitlement and expect As.</p>
<p>I’ve been listening to a podcast of a Yale history class in which the professor says if you show up you’ll get a B. Do a little more and you’ll get an A.</p>
<p>From an article in the Columbia Spectator:</p>
<p>[Over</a> Past 12 Years, Grade Inflation Increases](<a href=“http://www.columbiaspectator.com/2008/12/01/over-past-12-years-grade-inflation-increases]Over”>Over Past 12 Years, Grade Inflation Increases)</p>
<p>Grade inflation at elite universities has been a hot topic for years. Last March, a faculty forum on grading policy revealed that the number of A’s given at Columbia has increased by 22.2 percent in the past 12 years.</p>
<p>“While grade inflation occurs at both private and public universities, it might be more prevalent at Ivy League schools to help the schools preserve their brand name and keep their edge,” Rebecca Chan, CC ’12, said. “Parents don’t want to pay to have their kids get failing grades.”</p>
<p>Faculty members acknowledged the existence of grade inflation in certain courses, and outlined preventative measures.</p>
<hr>
<p>50.6 percent of grades at Brown for 2007-2008 were in the A range, up 1.1 percent from the previous year and 15.8 percent from 1994-1995, according to the Office of Institutional Research at the school. 21.7 percent of grades were in the B range.</p>
<p>Harvard faced criticism in 2001 after a Boston Globe article reported that 91 percent of the graduating class received honors. In response, the university capped the honors distinction at 60 percent of the class.</p>
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<p>Yes I have, considering I go to Temple. The area is fine and our campus is very nice for an urban campus. St. Joe’s is a dump and if you think Bala Cynwyd (which I live 5 minutes from) is nice, then you deserve to pay $200,000 for your worthless St. Joe’s degree.</p>
<p>It’s almost laughable that you don’t realize that nationally and internationally no one knows what St. Joe’s is. You would be better served going to UMass. SJU is a joke.</p>
<p>So let me just ask you this, why are you even posting on this thread? I was asking about Umass… not Temple.</p>
<p>No, you were asking about multiple schools. I did, however, apply to UMass too, and know many people there; It’s a much better choice than St. Joe’s.</p>