UMass Amherst is a highly respected state university in the New England region. It boasts a wide array of academic programming, esteemed faculty across disciplines, and a high rate of employable students because of internship and cooperative education programs. UMass Amherst is well-known among employers across the East Coast and is a great option for professionally motivated students looking for a tight-knit but booming campus.
If UMass Amherst might be a good fit for you, here is an overview of what UMass Amherst is best known for.
Overview: What is UMass Amherst Known For?
UMass Amherst, or the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, is the land grant university for the state of Massachusetts. Their campus is located in Amherst, MA, which is about 90 minutes west of Boston. UMass Amherst is an R1 research university offering over 90 majors across 10 different schools and colleges, offering students a wide array of research opportunities.
With a student population around 25,000, UMass Amherst is considered a large public university. Although the university itself is large, each school and college maintains enrollment between 500–5,000 students, making it possible for UMass to maintain an 18:1 student:faculty ratio.
What Majors Is UMass Amherst Known For?
UMass Amherst is known for a wide range of undergraduate majors:
Business
The Isenberg School of Business is a highly selective and well-respected business school on the East Coast, currently ranked the second best public business school in the Northeast and 41st in the nation. Isenberg offers seven undergraduate majors, three 4+1 BBA/MS programs, and two certificates in Real Estate and Business Analytics. Students enrolled in Isenberg have gone onto illustrious careers with employers such as Dell, Fidelity, Pwc, and Marriott hotels, among many others. The university even has a UMass Hotel and Restaurant on campus run by students to give them hands-on experience in Hospitality Management.
Engineering
The College of Engineering, while a newer college to the university, has quickly risen in the ranks due to their stellar faculty and strong employer connections. It is currently ranked the 49th best engineering school in the country. The College offers nine majors, twn 4+1 accelerated master’s degree programs, and five certificate/minor programs. The College of Engineering prides itself on its collaborative and hands-on learning environment, as well as their flexible curriculum, which encourages academic exploration beyond engineering and allows students to complete internships, co-ops, and study abroad programs during their undergraduate studies.
Veterinary & Animal Sciences
The Animal Science program under the College of Natural Sciences is consistently ranked as one of the top programs in New England and is ranked as a top 5 undergraduate program for preparation for veterinary school in the nation. All students start as an animal science major, then can continue their studies or change their track to Veterinary Sciences or Veterinary Technology during their sophomore year.
UMass Amherst offers an early admissions program with Tufts University, which boasts one of the highest ranked DVM programs in the US. Regardless of where UMass Amherst students apply, all students who apply typically gain admission to at least one veterinary school of their choice, despite a national veterinary school acceptance rate ranging between 5–19%.
Computer Science & Informatics
The Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences is ranked 16th among public universities and 34th in the country. The college offers just two programs: a BS or BA in Computer Science and a BS in Informatics. The program also offers an accelerated 4+1 BA or BS/MS in Computer Science.
The Computer Science curriculum at Manning is designed to be flexible enough to allow students to determine their own track or concentration based on their specific interests. Faculty conduct research in a wide array of different disciplines to give students opportunities to try out and determine their specific areas of interest. Graduates from Manning have gone on to work for major tech companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Adobe, IBM, Oracle, and many other employers.
Plant and Soil Sciences
UMass Amherst’s Stockbridge School of Agriculture is the #1 agriculture school in the United States and ranked #5 globally. The Applied Plant and Soil Sciences program provides students with a solid foundation in science and technology to prepare them for modern work in the field. Students can also combine this major with a concentration, either through the School of Business or the College of Sciences, to further specialize. Graduates typically go on to work in horticulture, like managing greenhouses, or turfgrass management, like managing golf courses and other sporting stadiums.
What Else is UMass Amherst Known For?
Five College Consortium
UMass Amherst is a member of the Five College Consortium which also includes Amherst College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, and Amherst College. Benefits of the consortium for students include taking classes across all 5 colleges, joining clubs and activities at any of the 5 campuses, studying in their library, participating in their study abroad programs, and more.
Research
Nine UMass Amherst professors are ranked among the nation’s top 100 researchers and scholars in their respective fields, according to research.com’s Best Scientists by Discipline rankings.
Top Value College
UMass Amherst is ranked in the top 50 of Best Value Colleges by the Princeton Review. A “Best Value College” is scored based on its academics, affordable cost of attendance/generous financial aid, and strong career prospects for graduates.
What Does UMass Amherst Look For In The Admissions Process?
UMass Amherst considers several factors when it comes to undergraduate admissions:
Academic Achievement
UMass Amherst looks for students who have performed well in academically rigorous coursework such as Honors, AP, IB, and Dual Enrollment. Additionally, as UMass Amherst admits students into their major, admissions counselors look for students to have taken rigorous courses specifically in their major area of interest. For example, students who are looking to major in Computer Science should pursue rigorous STEM courses like AP/IB sciences, Precalculus, and AP Calculus.
Course Requirements
UMass Amherst follows the rules set by the MBHE, otherwise known as the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. They require students to have completed at least 16 credits of coursework in high school, including 4 years of math AND a math course during senior year. They also require 4 years of English, 3 science courses with a lab, 2 social science courses including a US History course, 2 years of the same foreign language, and 2 years of electives. While students are able to gain admission to UMass Amherst without completing these requirements, it is preferable to meet these requirements to put your best foot forward.
Contribution to Community
In addition to other personal qualities, one that UMass Amherst especially looks for in the admissions process is community involvement. The final of their three supplemental essays asks students to speak directly to a significant community they have belonged to and how that experience will shape their involvement in the UMass community.
Other Factors
UMass Amherst also considers your extracurricular involvement, each of the four required essays, and two letters of recommendation in the admissions process. UMass Amherst also pays extra attention to your fit for your major, since they admit students to a major or school/college rather than to the university at large. Any student that would be happy attending UMass Amherst regardless of the major they are admitted for should make that clear both in the major-specific essay question and in an email to their admissions counselor.
How Can I Learn More About UMass Amherst?
UMass Amherst typically hosts an Open House every fall on campus; attending this event is a great way to learn more about the university. UMass Amherst also hosts in-person campus tours, virtual information sessions, and virtual visits with high schools. You can also reach out to your regional admissions counselor, follow UMass Amherst on social media, or use the website to conduct research. HelloCollege counselors also have a wealth of experience and resources they can recommend to help you learn more about UMass Amherst and other universities.
FAQs
What financial aid options are available at UMass Amherst?
UMass Amherst offers need-based aid in the form of loans, grants, and work study through the FAFSA as well as admissions and merit-based scholarships. The admissions office awards scholarships automatically based on academic performance, with out-of-state merit scholarships ranging as high as $16,000. Students can also apply for merit-based aid after gaining admission on the Financial Aid website.
What is life like at UMass Amherst and Amherst, MA?
UMass Amherst has over 300 clubs and organizations for students to join. Their Division I Hockey is also excellent, and many students attend their games. Students also have access to other clubs, organizations, and activities through the Five College Consortium. The town of Amherst, MA is a small, picturesque suburban town, boasting lots of small shops and restaurants. It’s within walking distance of the UMass Amherst campus. Students can also take the free campus shuttle to the town of Northampton, MA about 10 minutes away with more shops, restaurants, and other cultural centers.
What is housing like at UMass Amherst?
First-year students are required to live on campus at UMass Amherst in traditional single, double, and triple rooms. The dorms are spread across campus to allow students to choose a living option that works best for their needs. After their first year, housing is not required or guaranteed. At that point, students are welcome to continue to apply for campus housing, such as dorms or suite-style apartments, or can work with the Off-Campus Housing office to find accommodations in the Amherst area.
Conclusion
UMass Amherst stands out for its top-notch academics, dynamic professors, and a lively campus experience boosted by the Five College Consortium. Whether you’re drawn to its strong programs, collaborative community, or all-around college vibe, it’s definitely a school worth a closer look.
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