Frequently Asked Questions

Where is UMass Amherst located?

UMass Amherst is located in the quintessential, New England town of Amherst, two hours west of Boston, and one hour north of Hartford, CT. Amherst is also the home of Amherst College and Hampshire College, and is close to Mount Holyoke College and Smith College.
More on Our Great Locale

How do I contact admissions?

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Mather Building
413-545-0222
mail@admissions.umass.edu

How do I get a copy of the UMass Amherst Viewbook?

Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions:
Mather Building
413-545-0222
Online inquiry form

Do you have _________ major?

We have nearly 90 academic majors at UMass Amherst and a program that allows you to design your own major. This is known as the Bachelor's Degree with Individual Concentration (BDIC). Students may elect this option during their sophomore year. Among the majors we do not have: Architecture and Physical Therapy.
Majors, Minors, and Certificate Programs at UMass Amherst

How many students attend UMass Amherst?

Undergraduates: 19,823
Graduate Students: 5,770
More UMass Amherst Facts

Am I guaranteed housing?

All first and second year students must live on campus. There are a variety of housing options—from traditional small brick halls to high rises with great views. Special programs include: the Residential Academic Program and Talent Advancement Program (taking classes in your hall); the foreign language suites; and special interest programs (wellness, fitness, non-traditional, international, etc.). There are single rooms on campus, although most students live in doubles. After their second year, students may choose to remain in their room or move off campus.
Housing at UMass Amherst

How much does it cost to attend UMass Amherst?

Estimated costs for 2009-2010: (subject to change)

	In-State	Out-of- State	NERSP*
Tuition/Fees	$11,732	$23,229	$13,018
Room/Board	$ 8,276	$ 8,276	$ 8,276
Total	$20,008	$31,505	$21,294

*New England Regional Student Program

Do you have financial aid/scholarships?

Yes. You can start with Financing Your Education to learn more about the financial aid process. For information about scholarships, go to Scholarships on the Financial Aid web site.

What academic credentials do I need to get accepted to UMass Amherst?

For a complete application, freshmen need:
• Completed application form
• High school transcript (official copy including first term senior year grades)
• SAT-I or ACT scores
• Essay
• Letters of recommendation
• Application fee
• Verification of english language proficiency (for non-native speakers of english)
More in requirements section
• Achievement tests are optional

Transfer students and international students have some different requirements. Visit the Transfer Student or International Student sections for those details.

Music, Art and Dance applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow sufficient time for portfolio reviews or auditions. Applicants planning the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (BFA) are required to submit a portfolio of their work to the Art Department. The Art Department website will give you the details you need on how to prepare your portfolio, and when and where to send it.

Music and Dance applicants must contact the department directly to arrange for an audition. Audition requirements and/or audition request forms may be requested by phone (Dance: 413-545-2413, Music: 413-545-6048), or on the Music and Dance Department website. Music and Dance auditions must be requested at least three weeks prior to the desired audition date. Students must have their admission application on file in the Undergraduate Admissions Office before scheduled auditions will be allowed to occur.
All of the Application Process Details

I heard I can take classes at Amherst College. Is that true? What is the Five College Consortium?

After your first semester, all students in the Five College Consortium (Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, Smith, and UMass Amherst) may take up to three classes per semester at no extra cost at any of the other campuses. The Five College advisor on each campus handles registration. This is a great way to take advantage of the benefits of a small, private, traditional, nontraditional, or all women's liberal arts college while attending a large public university.
More on the Five Colleges

How large are the classes?

68% of all classes at UMass Amherst have 30 or fewer students enrolled. A full 22% have 11-20 people in the class, 19% have 10 or fewer, and only 9% have more than 100 students. Students will encounter the full range of class sizes while at the UMass Amherst. Of course, if it were not for our size, UMass Amherst would not have the wide range of academic and social opportunities available to our students.
More at Fast Facts

Is the campus safe?

UMass Amherst is a self-contained campus in a relatively safe and secure suburban-rural setting. Security features include: an escort service, emergency phone kiosks located throughout campus, security guards, and a professional police force on foot, horseback, mountain bikes, or in patrol cars (UMass Amherst Public Safety Department). All residence halls are locked after 8 p.m. and a security attendant is on duty. Using common sense by locking doors or walking in well-lit areas is the rule-of-thumb.
UMass Amherst Safety Overview

What is the situation with drug and alcohol use on campus?

UMass Amherst has in place a clearly articulated policy on illegal drugs and alcohol. Additionally, we promote educational efforts and offer substance abuse counseling for all students. Remember, students bring their home-nurtured values and morals with them to campus! Contact the Dean of Students Office for more information.
Dean of Students Office

What athletic division is UMass Amherst in?

UMass Amherst has 23 NCAA Division I athletic teams. Football is Division I-AA. Coaches' names and phone numbers may be found in the Guide to Undergraduate Programs.
More on Athletics

Are there support services for students of color at UMass Amherst?

Yes. The Office of Programs and Services for ALANA Students (OPSAS) is a multicultural and educational support agency that exists to serve the needs of African, Latino/a, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Native American students. By working closely with UMass Amherst departments, staff, faculty, and Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), OPSAS demonstrates a commitment to addressing issues of access, learning, and campus life for ALANA students. UMass Amherst also has four ALANA support programs:

• Bilingual Collegiate Program (BCP)
• The Committee for the Collegiate Education of Black and other Minority Students (CCEBMS)
• Native American Student Support Services (NASSS)
• The United Asian Learning Resource Center (UALRC)

Are there support programs for Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Students?

Yes. The Stonewall Center provides support for UMass Amherst’s LBGT community. They provide cultural and educational programming, video, audio, and text library holdings, educational resources, information and referral, harassment and discrimination response, advocacy, training and support, and community outreach through QueerE, the activities and information listserv for queer western Massachusetts.
Stonewall Center

Does UMass Amherst have a women’s support center?

Again, yes. Everywoman’s Center is a multicultural center that serves the very diverse cultural and linguistic populations at UMass Amherst. Their programs include information and referral on a variety of issues and concerns, 24-hour rape crisis service, counseling, support groups, training and community organization on issues of violence against women, as well as advocacy and cultural, educational, and social programs for women of color.
Everywoman’s Center

Are there services for Veterans on campus? Where can I get information on the GI bill?

The Veterans Affairs staff is located in the Dean of Students Office. The staff is prepared to assist you with all matters concerning GI benefits.
More for Veterans

If I am accepted by another UMass campus, can I attend UMass Amherst?

Each campus maintains its own admission process. After matriculating at a UMass campus, a student may interchange to another campus.
More information on interchange under Transfer Students

When are the deadlines?

The application deadlines are November 1 for freshman Early Action fall admission, January 15 for freshman Regular Decision fall admission, March 1 for Stockbridge fall admission and April 15 for transfer fall admission. The application deadline for spring admission for freshman and transfer students is October 1. We generally do not accept applications to the Stockbridge School for the spring semester.

Financial Aid Priority Deadline: We recommend that you complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after Jan. 1, but before February 15 in order to meet the March 1 deadline.
More on Deadlines

How do I sign up for New Student Orientation?

Once you pay your $400.00 enrollment fee, you are eligible to sign up for orientation. Go to the New Students Orientation website to register online for an orientation session.