University of Massachusetts-Amherst Top Questions

UMass party scene--awesome. Especially the bars. Go to a frat to experience it, but don't make a habit out of it.

Many sports teams to join. Many volunteer opportunities.

My experience in the university's Chamber Choir was incredible. Most of my fellow musicians were music majors, but the experience was no different for me than it was for any of them. The athletic events at UMass are pretty fun to attend. Our football team is perennially one of the best in division 1-AA, and hockey, basketball and lacrosse are all popular. The social scene is largely based on partying, though there are other ways of getting to know people. I made most of my friends through singing, my housing situation, and my work in the film studies program.

Football games are a big event, even though it's only a D1-AA school. The hockey games are great fun and we're usually pretty good. You'll definitely meet friends in the dorms, so drag them with you. Depending on your floor and area, most people will leave the doors open. The first few weeks try to meet as many people as possible. Usually there is at least one party per floor every weekend. Some get crazier than others. The frat houses usually have parties as well. They get pretty packed usually, but that may be your cup of tea. With so many people to meet, you'll probably find a gal/guy to your liking. Aside from the stuff on campus, you can go to a movie theater in the mall (bus ride), or check out the independent film theater, or just hang out around town. There are places to go on dates :) There are also places open late. I got a sub from Chicago pizza at 3am, as I was just wondering the town with a buddy of mine (somehow I still think it's the best one I've ever had). Antonio's has the best and strangest pizza combinations (pesto chicken is delicious). Bueno-Y-Sano has the best deal on a dinner - $5.75 for two tacos, rice and beans, and a jalapeno popper. There is also Black Sheep bakery with some good sandwiches, pasta e basta - good italian food, Amherst brewing Company - more traditional american food. When you turn 21, make sure to check out the Moan and Dove - bar for beer snobs. They have over 100 bottles on the bottle list and at least 10 beers on tap every night. It's a low key place - no one goes there to get drunk. Intramurals are great here. The only catch is you gotta find a team (if it's a team sport). Go to the singles meetings and they'll throw you on one. There is also a skating rink open to public. The skates there are pretty dull, but if you have your own, you're all set. There are great hiking trails here. Sadly, you'd need a car to get to some of them. If you get a chance, check out skinner state park - grab some stuff to grill and have a ball, the Mt. Holyoke range, Mt. Sugarloaf, to name a few. There is also a corn maze in Sunderland (north of campus). All in all, there are a lot of things to do, but some require a little bit of exploring :)

There's a group for just about everything. Dorm life varies depending on where you are on campus but its easy to form a tight group of friends. The resident communities where people of the same interest and major live together help a lot and I found that some of the best friendships are formed there. Partying happens frequently although its about on par with any other big school.

UMM we like to drink a lot. I know I said that was a stereotype but like, honestly, at least my group of friends likes to drink a lot. And like Southwest is where a lot of the drinking happens. I dont really know anything about the other parts of campus but its definitely not as crazy. The weekend starts on Thursdays and everyone goes to the bars and stuff or like to Puffton or Townehouses (where juniors and seniors live off-campus). Greek life isn't that huge but its a good place for partying. Its not necessary to join one or go to their parties though. Some of the frats are sketchy and I've never heard of a sorority hosting a party. I met my closest friends freshman year, we lived on the same floor and now we're inseperable. My roommate and I met at Orientation. Its important to be open in th ebeginning of college. Even if you wanna shut your door you should leave it open becasue you'll look like you dont wanna make friends and thats a bad first impression. Now that its my 2nd year everyone is like always going in and out of rooms and stuff. Its a ton of fun once you get used to it.

athletic events are not popular. did not join any clubs or groups. frat life is pathetic, don't join one. you cannot do anything that doesn't involve drinkin on a SAt nite unless you have no friends. People party 4 times a week at least. Not much off campus; driving range, movies, thats about it. The town of Amherst sucks

My experience witht the social life at UMass was not positive. The people here mostly care about partying. Living in a dorm I have been awoken at 3,4,5 a.m. on weekdays. If you want a school that lives up to its party stereotype then this is it.

Social life is great. I'm not even going to bother to list my social life experiences because no matter what your interested or like to do you can find it and do it here.

all RSO's are popular. there is a RSO for everyone and if not you can make your own. um in he dorms i leave my door open all the time when i am in my room but i do lock it when i leave just because my valuables are in the room . everyone goes to the games there free so why not go and act a little crazy. most relationships last 2 weeks but there are those select few that make it. being awake at 2am is normal for me i am usually in my room chillin, playin taboo, yesterday i was in the longue just talkin with my friends on my floor. or i am at a party because there is always a party sometimes there wack but hey not all of them can be good. the frats and stuff are nice you get that brotherhood or sisterhood but it is hard from what i have seen. last weekend i was at the library just because i had to catch up on my work cause summer is coming and it is suchnice weather outside that why not go out. and not everything invlolves drinking i know how to party without a drink it depends on who you are i dont need a drink to make me happy i am content the way i am cause truthfully i am allready crazy so a drink which just not be good for me