Our campus is made up of all kinds of students and we acknowledge the diverse experience they bring to the university. We have provided useful information below for families in these communities to share with their student.
First Generation | International | Off Campus l Out of State | Transfer | Veteran
First Generation
If your student is the first (or one of the first) in your family to attend college, you are both bound to have lots of questions about this new experience. First, let us say how proud and excited we are that you are part of the UMass community. There are several resources to help you and your student on this journey. Is your freshman starting this fall? Encourage them to visit the Student Success website to learn more about resources available to them. Many first generation students can find support through the Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success (CMASS) as well.
For important and useful information, visit these links: Financial Aid - Dean of Students - Academic Deans - New Student Orientation
International
Orientation :
International students have a two-part orientation process prior to their first semester at UMass:
1. Click here to learn about New Students Orientation where students meet with an academic advisor and register for classes. International students must register with New Students Orientation even if they cannot attend summer orientation due to travel plans.
2. Click here to learn about the required International Student Orientation which includes important immigration and cultural transition programming.
Travel:
There are many ways to travel to UMass Amherst. For information on transportation and the area, see the resources listed on the Visiting Amherst page.
Housing:
University residence halls close several times during the year for the Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring breaks. If your student doesn't have a place to stay in the local area during breaks, he or she may want to consider Break Housing, which allows students to live in the halls continuously for the academic year. International students arriving for the fall semester are eligible to participate in Residential Life's luggage program.
Off Campus
Off Campus Student Life is a great resource for students whether they are moving off campus for the first time, searching for new roommates or have questions about living in the community.
For assistance with reviewing leases and negotiating terms with landlords, encourage your student to take advantage of the resources provided by Student Legal Services.
Out of State
There are many ways to travel to UMass Amherst. For information on transportation and the area, see the resources listed in our webpage, Visiting Amherst.
When registering for New Student Orientation, students can select to share their information with other out of state students. By doing so, they are able to view other students from their home state to explore traveling and/or carpooling together.
University residence halls close several times during the year for the Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring breaks. If your student doesn't have a place to stay in the local area during breaks, he or she may want to consider Break Housing, which allows students to live in the halls continuously for the academic year. Out of state students arriving for the fall semester are eligible to participate in Residential Life's luggage program.
Transfer
Transfer Ready for the U: Everyone participates in our orientation & transition experiences to help ease the adjustment to UMass. This is also a great opportunity to meet other transfer students. We also offer Family & Friends Orientation sessions designed to give families the resources necessary to support their student throughout their undergraduate career.
Transfer Living and Learning Communities: There are also a variety of living options for incoming students. Many transfers choose to live in the Sylvan residential area's Transfer Community or as part of other wellness or cultural floors. Please visit Residential Life Student Services to see all of the options available to your student.
Veteran
Veteran Services: Veteran Services offers a broad range of support and resources to student veterans at the University. We encourage all veterans and their families to touch base with this office before their first semester.