Living at UMass Amherst
One of the things that makes life at UMass Amherst so great is the variety of living options that you have.
You’ll request your housing preferences and any living-learning opportunities that interest you during orientation, but it doesn’t hurt to start thinking about these choices now. We're providing some of the highlights here, but be sure to visit the Residential Life website for everything you need to know about living at UMass Amherst.
Types of Housing
There are a few different types of housing at UMass Amherst. You may live in a traditional style room with a roommate, or in a suite—a mix of doubles and singles with a common bathroom and living room. Married students may consider unfurnished and furnished apartments in family housing. Fraternities and Sororities are also an option, (though you need to be a sophomore to live in your chapter house).
There are six different residential areas on campus: Central, Northeast, Orchard Hill, Southwest, Sylvan and the North Apartments. Each has its own distinctive characteristics, inspired in part by location, architecture, and the different cultural or academic living/learning programs housed within.
First-Year Programs
UMass Amherst has special programs for first-year students to help make the transition to college easy and fun.
Residential First Year Experience
This special first-year program is designed to facilitate and support a smooth transition to UMass Amherst and enhance student success and satisfaction.
Located in 4 different residential areas – Southwest, Central, Northeast and Orchard Hill, the Residential First Year Experience offers a variety of programmatic and academic focus areas.
Residential Academic Programs
Live and Learn. A Residential Academic Program (RAP) is a community of students with similar academic interests or majors who enroll in specific classes and live together in a designated residence hall.
By joining a RAP you will…
• be part of a small community on a large campus
• connect easily with classmates and faculty members
• enroll in General Education classes, many of which are taught in the residential areas
• explore educational opportunities as they relate to your interests and goals
RAP program spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested, visit the RAP website to explore the available options before you come to orientation.
Living & Learning Communities
UMass Amherst makes it possible for you to live with a small group of students who share your academic interests, lifestyle preferences and/or cultural bonds. These Living and Learning Communities include:
• Asian/Asian American Student Program
• Harambee: African Heritage Student Program
• International Program
• Kanonhsesne: Native American Student Program
• Nuance: Multicultural Student Program
• Thatcher Language Program
• 2 in 20 Program
• Wellness Program
These communities are especially good choices for transfer students and upper-division students who are looking for their niche on campus. For a full description go to Living & Learning Communities for more information.
Special Housing Options
You may also consider one of our other housing options, which give you some specific choices on how you want to live.
· Alcohol Free Residence Hall
· Break Housing
· 24-Hour Quiet Floors
· Nontraditional Student Program
· Single-Sex Housing
· Gender Inclusive Housing
· Coed Suites option for transfer students
Go to Special Housing Options for more information.
Please Note: Students who wish to join one of the First-Year Programs or Living & Learning Communities but require accommodations due to mobility or other disabilities should contact Disability Services at 413-545-0892 for assistance and additional information, as all such students must first register with Disability Services in order to qualify for services.
Disability Services and Residential Life Student Services will work with otherwise qualified students to accommodate their needs. The University has a practice of relocating programs and activities when necessary to make the programs and activities accessible to persons with disabilities.
