@1234dcba:
According to a recent UMass article I found admissions overall will be more competitive this year based on:
“The admission of students is largely an estimated projection based on an enrollment formula and percent enrollment by accepted student trends from previous years,” Sullivan said. “I do know that as this is the second year of over-enrollment, the University will be adjusting that formula for the upcoming year.”
It seems like the admissions department is completely overwhelmed. It does not instill confidence in the school. The number of apps should not be a surprise and other universities manage a similar or larger application load and still report results on a single predetermined day. Why cant UMass? Move back EA app deadline or dont offer EAif you cant handle it!
Getting answers like “I don’t know” on the phone when asking about timing of decisions (as reported by others on this thread) is ridiculous. UMass admissions Dept official Twitter account (@Umassadmissions) responding to twitter inquiries with memes or not at all? Moving their own previously set milestones? Not very professional.
Admissions said they would release results early each week but none this week. Prepare yourselves - last yr there was a 3 week gap between results (Dec 26-Jan 15th).
I really hope that is not the case this year and that RD applications do not get reviewed before all EA decisions are out.
This would be enough to consider writing the school off completely if it wasn’t for the cost benefit of going to a state school.
Makes me wonder how other offices at UMass function…
so frustrating.
Anyone care to explain why OOS and International candidates hear before instate? $ right?
(end rant)
BTW I’m surprised/suspicious to hear that someone is claiming that UMass is doing “yield protection” for a high-stats in-state student. There must be something else going on. Typically, state flagships accept their own in-state high-stats kids because many will go for financial reasons.
Also, I personally know many admits with perfect or near-perfect grades/scores this go-round.
I hate to suggest this, but sometimes new posters don’t tell the whole truth. Alternatively, there may have been a red flag of some kind in the application.
Apparently I haven’t sent in my ACT scores yet? I applied early action, does anyone know if I can still send my scores and get a decision? Also, is there any way I could send my scores without paying for it through ACT?
@gretchen101 I agree with you completely! Your “rant” was exactly what I have been thinking, word for word. I also know, that this is not new for admissions to string people along. A friend of mine has two sons who went to UMASS about 15 years ago or so, and both of them had to play this waiting game back then. In fact, one of her boys heard back almost at the last second. Both were accepted, but she said the wait was horrible!! Yes, it’s early and there is time to decide on another college, but this waiting is unacceptable! People applied early to hear a decision early!!
@gretchen101 and @Equinox1 I wholeheartedly agree with both of you. When other schools can manage admission milestones why cant UMASS do the same. Unfortunately this does not portrays a good image about the school and potentially encourages students to join other schools.
It is absurd. I’ve never seen another school do it like this.
I don’t want to sound negative but I do understand where you are coming from with the rant, but as an undergraduate myself i’ve been more worried than mad at the fact that it’s been so long and I haven’t heard back lol Vast majority of the people that applied to UMass from my grade heard back about two to three weeks ago and I am actually the only one who hasn’t and i’ve been worrying a lot.
I have heard of this happening to other people, and obviously this may help you feel better or maybe it doesn’t but sometimes there is such thing as getting rejected for being overqualified, not common but it’s also not unheard of. Maybe try revising your essay ? Your resume is beyond impressive which is why it’s very weird why you got rejected so much
@AlexHerrera I am hoping that they will still release acceptances in the next batches, and that the time it took doesn’t have anything to do with the outcome.
Get on Twitter and call them out. Tag state politicians and president of school.
Call them out on this BS. Seriously.
fyi, responses on social media and email is often handled by student interns, cut them some slack for not knowing, but I won’t lie, the waiting is ridiculous.
Hello all, my daughter recently heard back from Umass, and she was accepted! She found an Instagram page with the handle @umass.2024, and this Instagram page connects students of the class of ‘24. I thought I’d share with all of you since this is a great way for your children and or yourself to connect with future friends at Umass, and potentially help them find a roommate!
@AlexHerrera same with my daughter. Several people from her class heard mid December, but she did not. I hear what you’re saying, because you can’t help but worrying.
Congratulation @collegemomma2020! Is your daughter out of state or in-state?
@yeetmaster36
That goes to how unprofessional this entire process is. No one on phone or social media can answer simple questions.
How can they not have a system in place for releasing decisions when each year this same story plays out?
Parent of a rising senior and an EA class of 2024 applicant, and I promise - it really does all work out! The admissions process may seem excruciating, but it’s not so different at some other universities, including some that are much smaller (son applied EA to a small RI university, and they don’t hear anything until mid-January). To those still waiting - it DOES NOT mean a rejection based on the fact that others have gotten acceptances. My daughter and many of her friends/classmates/acquaintances from other HS heard at all different times, late November through the end of January, and they were almost all acceptances. You will end up at a school that is a good fit! It may be hard to wait, but these admissions counselors know what they are doing.
To parents - it’s hard to wait. But one of the hallmarks of a large university is that we sacrifice personal or one-on-one attention in many cases. Most departments are staffed by student interns (that’s a positive! There are many work-study and on-campus job opportunities!), most gen ed courses have TAs assisting and running SI (supplemental instruction) classes, and university staff WILL NOT speak to parents about most issues once the student is age 18 (the exception being regarding finances and only with a release on file from the student). This admissions process is not much different from many other experiences at the school, and the students thrive while we parents learn to step back. If this sounds awful, I would recommend looking at another school. UMass is large and is part of an even larger university system, and operates accordingly. It’s a very different experience than a smaller school.
My son continues to wait for an answer and is hoping he joins his sister in Amherst! He has applied EA with top choice of major in Isenberg, second (safety) choice of major is poli sci. Average numbers - 1230 SAT and 3.75 unweighted GPA, so he might not get Isenberg, but outstanding extracurriculars with multiple recognitions in community activism and most clubs holding an officer role. Who knows! The formula is different for each.
Good luck all! Hang in there! Your answer will come! 
@closebutnocigar this was very helpful and comforting. Thank you!
@1234dcba when we went through this with my daughter in late 2016, it was very stressful - all of her apps were to very large, competitive universities and she got her share of deferrals and rejections. THAT was awful at the time. But now she is set to walk this May (December 2020 grad) and not only does 2016 seem very far away, but we realize now she ended up at the perfect place for her.
The admissions process seems so long and difficult on everyone, but it’s the beginning of such an amazing growth process. She had (as many incoming freshman will!) roommate issues, dorm changes, changes in majors, an endless search for a work-study job, and on and on…I have not always been overjoyed with every process, but UMass has been a great place for her to stretch and learn how to navigate all of this (without me!) Now I hope her brother gets the same opportunity there, but regardless UMass has been fantastic.
Also…any parents whose students decide to attend UMass, I highly recommend joining the UMass Family to Family group on FB. Very supportive, active group and very informative!
My DS is out of state and hasn’t received any response. Submitted EA on 10/27