University of Massachusetts-Amherst Top Questions

I believe our stereotype is "party animals", but you would get that label at ANY large state university. And truthfully, when I got here, I was expecting a much more intense, dangerous party scene. I believe what we have is normal at any college in America.

Absolutely not. UMass is a fount of opportunity, and anything you want from the school is yours as long as you reach out and take it. For the timid or the immature it can get overwhelming, but all you need to do is reach out and the closer community is yours.

No. There are partiers, to be sure. But I have seen riots and orgies at other colleges, such as Dartmouth, Holy Cross and UMaryland that completely put UMass to shame! Even the formerly "dainty" Anna Maria College in Paxton is known for wild times.

Its basically true, for the majority. But theres def those who don't go out at all, and youll know who they are.

UMass student talks about the stereotypes of UMass as a party school.

A UMass student talks about what he does with his spare time at UMass, and about stereotypes.

True.Mostly true.Not anymore.

At any college you can go out and drink if you so choose, but UMass gets a bad reputation -- it's a great school and students do work hard for a great education.

As for the first stereotype this is not the same school your parents, aunts and uncles went to in the 70s and 80s, the school has tried to crack down on in dorm parties you can no longer roll a keg over to Garber Field and drink beers during a sporting event. However, the opportunity to have a great time is still available. Areas such as; Pufton, Townhouses, and Hobart always offer an excellent party scene. The Hobart Ho-Down is now closely monitored by authorities however and open container laws are strictly enforced. As for the second stereotype it is somewhat accurate, this meaning that most likely you will find several people from these categories in the appropriate living area. However, they can also be found throughout the rest of campus; it is not strictly tied into where they live and with such a huge school it would be impossible to keep an order such as this and seperate the living areas into these generalized populations. How much you enjoy your residence is completely dependant upon yourself, basically it is what you make of it. So if you get stuck in an area you did not want to be in rather than moping around complaining about it make the best of the situation, put yourself out there and meet people. If atempting to this and you still feel out of place or that there is no one that you can really get along with talk to your RA and see if there are openings in different buildings and find an area in which you are more comfortable.

Some people are like this but not all students act this way.