UMass Amherst Campus RepsCarlie is a senior at UMASS Amherst. She is a communications major and psychology minor with a focus in interpersonal communication. Read more posts by her here!
Welcome to CampusRiot- UMASS edition. For those of you who are unfamiliar with UMASS Amherst, fasten your seat belts and get ready for a wild ride! The University of Massachusetts Amherst, or UMASS is often referred to as ZOOMASS or the zoo. Truth be told, the students who go here know how to have fun (responsibly). Don’t worry, we get our work done too.
UMASS has built its reputation over the past few years from a crazy party school to a much more reputable and sophisticated state university. We also pride ourselves on having an incredible business school, Isenberg School of Management, which houses many majors on campus including business, marketing, advertising, hospitality, hotel and tourism management, and several other. The university also offers over 90 various majors and departments of study, 76 masters’ programs, and 52 doctoral programs. UMASS is also home of the second tallest library in the world, and the first tallest university library ever, pretty impressive huh?
(photo via UMass Amherst Alumni)
Enough about academics. UMASS Amherst is home to 22,000 undergraduate students- that leave’s a lot of room for new friends, one night stands, parties, gym buddies, and classmates. We’re here to give you the inside scoop on everything UMASS. As an incoming freshman, Southwest is the place to be. Sure, the towers don’t look like much from the outside (or the inside) but trust me when I tell you it is the most fun residential area on campus. In Southwest, there is always something going on, no matter what time it is. Most out of state students live here so it gives everyone a chance to find new friends.
(photo via Wikipedia)
The dining halls on campus are all fantastic. Hampshire Dining Commons has recently been renovated and now serves locally grown and organic foods. The food on our campus is nationally ranked (third best in the country to be exact) so you never have to worry about going hungry. Trust me that is the least of your worry. With late night snacks available at Berkshire Dining Commons like Sundae night, Chicken Finger night, and Pizza night, you will be well fed any time of day or night.
(photo via UMASS)
On campus, there are dozens of extracurricular activities you can get involved in. UMASS offers every club imaginable, and if for some reason we don’t have the club you want, you can apply to start it! Greek life is another great way to get involved. Although Greek life is not as popular here as it is at many other schools, it has been expanding by the semester.
There is so much to learn about UMASS, check back next week for tips on the best places on and off campus to eat as well as tips on what to do in Downtown Amherst!