r/umass • u/CardiologistAble9009 • 2h ago
Admissions or Prospective Student Prospective Transfer Student
Im a current student elsewhere. I feel very isolated here and don't have a lot of interdisciplinary options. I am a neuroscience and film major and don't like it here. The town area is not great lol. I got into UMass when I applied in high school with a huge merit offer and would be paying about 20k there, which is how much I pay here. My dad, uncle, and cousin went. My dad and uncle were pretty into partying; my cousin was not, and he is introverted and had a pretty good time. He graduated about 2 years ago. I consider myself in the middle of introvert and extrovert. Here, I am in my room a lot, and the frat culture is a lot. I know it's similar at UMass, but I am just wondering if it's easy to make friends who are more into low-key get-togethers and studying together. I would like to attend the Honors College as well. I am also worried about the downtown part; I want it to be pretty accessible. I would be in a good spot tuition-wise, and I definitely prefer other schools that I am looking to transfer into, but if it comes down to cost, then I would probably choose UMass. Basically im looking for some insight on party life, interdisciplinary options, making friends, and Greek life (which im not a fan of personally), especially with safety risks, etc.
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User: CardiologistAble9009, Flair: Admissions or Prospective Student, Title: Prospective Transfer Student
Im a current student elsewhere. I feel very isolated here and don't have a lot of interdisciplinary options. I am a neuroscience and film major and don't like it here. The town area is not great lol. I got into UMass when I applied in high school with a huge merit offer and would be paying about 20k there, which is how much I pay here. My dad, uncle, and cousin went. My dad and uncle were pretty into partying; my cousin was not, and he is introverted and had a pretty good time. He graduated about 2 years ago. I consider myself in the middle of introvert and extrovert. Here, I am in my room a lot, and the frat culture is a lot. I know it's similar at UMass, but I am just wondering if it's easy to make friends who are more into low-key get-togethers and studying together. I would like to attend the Honors College as well. I am also worried about the downtown part; I want it to be pretty accessible. I would be in a good spot tuition-wise, and I definitely prefer other schools that I am looking to transfer into, but if it comes down to cost, then I would probably choose UMass. Basically im looking for some insight on party life, interdisciplinary options, making friends, and Greek life (which im not a fan of personally), especially with safety risks, etc.
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u/Joe_H-FAH Alumni, retired staff 2h ago
Okay, from your statement that you got a large merit aid offer when you applied as a high school student, I am assuming you are out of state. That will matter as a transfer student, those large merit awards are not offered to out-of-state transfer applicants. You will just be eligible for regular needs based aid in the form of grants and loans. There are outside scholarships you can apply to, and some on-campus ones not restricted to in-state students but usually require you to already be a student at UMass.
Whether or not you got accepted to UMass Amherst before will not be part of the transfer admission decision. They will mostly look at your college level grades, possibly your HS grades if you are applying during your first semester at another school.
You mention a "downtown part", not sure what you mean by that. There is a welcome center and branch of the campus store located there, but that is not part of the regular academics. Even then it is just a 5 minute trip by the bus service which does not charge fares, that is part of the fees paid.
Greek life is a minority aspect at UMass. While there are a few dozen greeks, only 8 have recognized chapter houses. A few others have unrecognized houses, those can be problematic. You can easily go your entire time at UMass without having contact with them.
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u/pandazaiii CNS, Major: Psych, Res Area: Sylvan 35m ago
I'm a transfer student this semester and in the Honors College. Im pretty introverted but i do go out sometimes with friends.I think UMass is good for transfers. I still wish I got put in honors housing but I'm not sad that I got put in McNamara (transfer housing), because I've met so many other people in a similar boat as me. Transfer housing is a good idea. They also did a transfer mixer where I met cool people. I want to participate more in honors college events, but I genuinely do enjoy it here. Im studying abroad in Ireland in the spring!
Downtown is very accessible via bus! It's also fairly quiet here unless you're in Southwest.
I avoid frats and you're not seen as different if you do go to frats. I actually only know one person who goes to frats. I want more friends who are into low-key get togethers and studying!
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u/little_chimera 2h ago
its a lot quieter than it sounds, especially if you’re not in southwest. (make sure you’re not in southwest.) there are tons of people here who prefer low-intensity activities! the campus buses make the nearby towns pretty easy to access! there are LOTS of interdisclipinary options that i know of— although im sure it depends on your major. if you join a club or activity, or just talk to people around campus, i would say its decently easy to make friends. there is NO requirement to participate with or interact with greek life. you may see them walking around campus in matching outfits or doing fundraisers, but me and my friends dont ever have to be involved. you can have a 100% greek free life haha. please message me if you have any more questions!