UCSD vs UMass Amherst (Computer Science)

MYOS1634
Sun, 06 Apr 2014 10:58:28 +0000

The key here is HONORS COLLEGE at Amherst. UMass is a party school, sure, but the honors college (while not without many parties!) will be more focused and will offer a better academic experience. The Honors Dorms are very good and the whole area where the honors college is located is very nice. Try to take an online tour, ask to be put in contact with current international honors students, etc.
Amherst is a college town… the opposite of a boring town. It’s like a city that centers on student needs and interests so there are lots of things to see and do. It’s actually one of the best towns in the US for college students.
However, the weather WILL be a shock. You’ll discover all 4 seasons and it’ll be both nice and taking some getting used to. Mid-August (when you arrive) and September will be nice, crisp, you’ll see the amazing New England foliage (the colors of the leaves turn to bright orange, yellow, red… people come up on weekends and take pictures because it’s so pretty. However it comes from the difference in temperatures between night and day, so that tells you something already.) October will start to feel cold, you’ll need thin woolen long sleeved clothes all day long, not just in the evening like in September. November to March will be colder than you can imagine, and very dry. You’ll have to put lotion on your face and hands otherwise the skin dries out and starts peeling off or “feeling tight”. However you won’t “feel” cold, because buildings are all very well heated and you’ll buy appropriate clothing&boots that will insulate you well (you’ll discover New England brands like LLBean. BTW don’t try to buy your winter clothes in India, wait till you are in MA.) There’ll be snow, icy pavement and sidewalks. Of course it doesn’t snow all the time, just from time to time, and the snow is removed with snowplows. At first, snow, is very exciting. You can discover new games and sports, go snowshoeing or cross country skiing for instance. But by February you’re kind of tired of it. And in March-April, spring comes, making everyone happy and energized.

In my opinion, UCSD isn’t worth $25,000 more, per year, than UMass Honors.