Attacks, Rowdiness Rattling Many at UMass-Amherst

[Lafalum84]

I have often thought that the state's serious neglect of UMass Amherst and the UMass system in general stems from the fact that the legislature is on Beacon Hill and UMass is in Amherst - out in the boonies. I don't think folks in Boston remember that anything west of Worcester even exists. Top that with Harvard, MIT, BC, BU, Northeastern, Tufts, Emerson (I haven't even hit half of the privates in the immediate Boston area) all being right under Beacon Hill's nose and grabbing attention constantly. So UMass Amherst is just treated like a bastard step-child. (And UMass Boston hardly gets any money or attention either). Conditions at some of the state colleges are atrocious - Salem State had to CLOSE ITS LIBRARY because the building is structurally unsound! And yet Mass is one of the most highly educated states in the country? Sometimes I think our strong history of excellent private colleges has really not served us well in terms of public univs. When I see the pride people in the Carolinas and Texas have in their state univ systems... frankly, Massachusetts is just embarassing when it comes to higher ed. (Yes, I live here!)

[Muffy333]

It sounds like it would be child abuse to send my kid to UMass...is it way worse than the other New England flagships?

[midmo]

Lafalum, it isn't a matter of geography. Most of the very reputable public universities in the Midwest are out in the boonies, also. The difference is that most of the members of the state legislatures, and the governors as well, have been educated at either undergrad. or law school level at one of the state public institutions.

Even if the capitals of Midwest states were relocated to the large urban areas, the pride in--and sense of responsibility for--the public schools would still be present, as long as alums of those schools are getting elected to state offices.

[Gex]

I am a student that attends UMass Amherst. I am a sport management major and the program here is one of the best if not the top program in the country. I am a sophomore transfer from last semester and outside of the tuition "waiver" I received, I was not offered any other financial aid outside of a small loan. I think outside of UVM we are one of the most expensive public universities to attend.

The recent violent attacks on campus are awful, but if you ask me or most of the other students on campus it really does not faze us. The "gatherings" that took place last fall after the Red Sox won the World Series were fun- when looked on from a distance. I did not even want to be near those areas after the Superbowl this year.

Most of the faculty are very nice and supportive and when you e-mail them a question, they usually get back to you in 30 minutes or under. There are some professors that don't care, but I haven't encountered any in my department. I am also in Commonwealth College, the honor's college. I don't think there are any incentives to be in the program. We don't get any priority in registration, there isn't any special housing for us except for small honors learning communities only for freshman that are located in Orchard Hill, which is kind of a far walk from campus at the top of a steep hill, and I don't think there is any financial incentive as well. It is all just extra courses we need to take in order to put an additional line on our resume that we participated in the program.

The application process took forever as well. UMass really needs to hire additional admissions counselors. There is too much red tape on campus.

I really enjoy it here at UMass but I completely understand why so many people wouldn't want to come here. School sprit here is decent but I wish it was better. I really fought hard to come here, my stats weren’t impressive at all in high school, but I did great at my previous college to come here and get into my dream program. I just wish they improved the financial aid situation here. Too many middle class students attend UMass and receive nothing in terms of financial aid. I also hope the violence situation improves, but I guess it can help be prevented if kids don't go to sketchy parties here.

[Muffy333]

Gex, as an out of stater, I think it is about $27,000 room, tuition, fees and board? UVM appears to be almost 40,000 OOS and UConn and UNH about $34,000.00. URI looks about the same as UMass. Of course,there might be secret costs not displayed on website.

[JeepMOM]

GEX - consider yourself very lucky - yes - the program you are IS one of the best in that field. It does sound as tho you have discovered THE way to stay on the sidelines and out of the craziness there - keep it up

UMASS IS considered one of the top 5 expense wise for a state U in the country - along with UVM - UCONN - UNH - UMASS - and I can't reclall the other one - 4 out of 5 in the nor'east - uugghhh - it is really a shame that MA can't come up with a much better management plan for it's own students - and they wonder why MA students leave the state for their education. Much of our young talent leaves - and doesn't return.

My gal went OOS to NC state U - cost just about equal to in-state at UMASS - and without all the hassles - and much happier camper.

[Momneedsadvice]

Gex, nice to hear from you, and yes UMass's sports management program is quite well-known.

Muffy, UConn's website claims they are the "top-ranked Public University in New England." UVM is very well-regarded (although expensive). My husband has worked with UMaine system and says it is well run, and I think UNH has a pretty good reputation. Don't know much about URI. So to answer your question I don't know if UMass is "way worse" than the other New England flagships, but it's certainly NOT child abuse to send your kid there. It's just a shame it seems to be so short-funded and mismanaged., especially in a state that prides ourselves on being so well-educated!

[Chedva]

they wonder why MA students leave the state for their education. Much of our young talent leaves - and doesn't return.

They think it's offset by the kids who come from out of state to attend Boston's great private schools, and stay. There are a lot of them, too. Until of course they try to buy a house. But that's a different story altogether.

[SJTH]

It's really disappointing to read this, as we're scheduling a trip out there (from the west coast) in late March, and UMass/Amherst is on the list (for music). Now I'm re-thinking whether we should visit, argh!

[Muffy333]

SJTH - visit if you have time; there are four private colleges nearby that UMass students can take classes at. Some people really like the area.

[midmo]

I agree with Muffy. Visit anyway. I think the area is (or was when I was there) great. Students can get a very good education, although it is my opinion that it is more likely to happen if a student is mature and self-motivated, willing to take advantage of all opportunities--and that definitely includes making use of the five-college consortium when it can be done.

[MADad]

URI is underfunded--same thinking as UMass: most people live near Providence, and Kingston is in the boonies. At one point they solicited alumni to pay for periodical subscriptions for the library. If I lived in RI, I would steer my child toward RI College, the public in Providence. Fewer programs than the flagship, but lots of new dorms, nice new performing arts bldg, etc.

D is attending URochester for the same $ UMass would have cost. Colgate would have actually cost us LESS than UMass! The in-cost tuition for some great schools like UNC, UVA and UMich is much lower than UMass.

[Muffy333]

UMass Amherst: Financial Aid Services - University Costs

by my math, based on this info, UMass tuition, fees, room and board are $28,000 for OOS and $17,500 for in-state. Is that high? I thought the OOS was below average and in-state about average.

[-Allmusic-]

NOOOOOO way would I come from the west coast to UMass for music.

We're in state, and my son is an "Abigail Adams Scholar" (which means he can go to any state school for no tuition), and one look at UMass was all it took to say we will gladly pay for him to go elsewhere.

Wish we had a better situation with our state "flagship", but it definitely would not be a school I would cross the country for, since many of us won't even cross the state for it.

[mystery2me]

My daughter is an OOS applicant to UMASS from the midwest; the OOS tuition is definitely lower than some others she is considering. She has been accepted to College of Business, Commonwealth College, $5k merit. I thought it was an OOS safety for her (as different geographic region is among her screens), but when I bring up maybe eliminating it, she keeps saying she really liked it. Among other things, she likes that it shows up on lists of schools with good study abroad and Colleges with a Conscience and that the students associated with the Admissions office have all been personable and responsive (as have Admissions reps to phone calls.) How concerned should I be about the underfunding, professors, etc.? The news stories aren't that different from the ones coming out of our flagship U.?

Apparently, one disadvantage to having followed the advice to only apply to schools that you can see yourself attending is choosing among them if you get accepted at more than one. . .