Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Best Colleges 2010

University of Massachusetts--Amherst

Work University Admissions Center, 37 Mather Drive Amherst, MA 01003-9313
Work(413) 545-0222
Web site: http://www.umass.edu
  • 106Rank
  • 39Score
Tier 1
College Category:
National Universities

Overview : University of Massachusetts--Amherst

General Information  
Institutional Control: Public
Year founded: 1863
Religious affiliation: N/A
Academic calendar: semester
Total number of undergraduates: 20,539
Setting: suburban
Endowment: $168,241,350
Fall Admissions  
Application deadline: 1/15
Application fee: $40
Fall 2008 Acceptance rate: 64.3%
Selectivity: more selective
Expenses  
Costs: 2009-2010 In-state: $11,732; Out-of-state: $19,956
Mission  
School mission: The University of Massachusetts Amherst combines the academic resources of a nationally ranked research university with the support and individualized attention usually reserved for a small college. Students come from every state and over 100 countries, making this New England campus a national and international center for intellectual and cultural activity. With over 85 majors, UMass Amherst offers its students a wide array of academic disciplines and nationally known programs of study, including the Bachelor's Degree with Individual Concentration (BDIC), which allows students to create their own major. (If you are a legal resident of Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont, and the major you want at UMass Amherst is not available at your public college, you may qualify for reduced tuition through the New England Regional Student Program.) The outstanding full-time faculty of over 1,100 are the best in their fields and they take teaching seriously. Students complement their classroom work with internships, co-ops and research, working side-by-side their faculty. Students take what they learn in the classroom, and apply it in the studio, the lab, the concert hall and the field. With this intersection of learning and doing, students find their intellectual voice and independence. Commonwealth College, the honors program, welcomes students who seek additional academic challenge and meet the requirements for acceptance. The extensive library system is the largest at any public institution in the Northeast, and offers students a state-of-the-art learning environment through the Learning Commons, a place that fosters academic collaboration and social interaction. Through the Five College Interchange, students enroll in classes at nearby Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith Colleges at no extra charge. A fare-free bus system connects these five campuses, allowing students to participate in a wide array of social and cultural events. UMass Amherst first-year students participate in the Residential First Year Experience, choosing a living option based on themes and shared interests. Living and learning together, students take field trips, organize events and interact with faculty and staff. Other opportunities for personal development are found through the Center for Student Development, which brings together more than 200 clubs and organizations; groups include community service organizations, student government, ethnic and cultural groups, religious and spiritual organizations, fraternity and sororities, student run businesses, media related groups, groups that grow from academic interests, and groups dedicated to athletics and recreation, socializing, arts and entertainment, and politics. UMass Amherst competes in NCAA Division I Intercollegiate Athletics. Students attend every home game free in regular season, and wear their Minutemen and Minutewomen maroon proudly. Any student who enjoys athletic competition can participate in an extensive intramural sports program which supports the athletic interests of 5,000 students. Just off campus, the picturesque Town of Amherst offers scores of shops and restaurants from Mexican or Thai, to pizza, burgers and Indian. Appearing on the top ten lists for college towns, Amherst has a truly unusual combination of New England charm and international sophistication. Boston is less than two hours away, and New York City just three hours south. For outdoor enthusiasts, the mountains of Vermont are less than an hour away and offer skiing and hiking. Maybe you can't have it all, but the University of Massachusetts Amherst certainly comes close. Please see http://www.umass.edu/admissions

advertisement

COMPARE SCHOOLS

Looking to compare schools? Use our College Comparison Tool to see schools' information side by side.

advertisement

Spotlight

advertisement

advertisement

Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.