Being an out-of-state student at UMass from Connecticut, a lot of people ask me why I didn’t just go to UConn instead. Not being from Massachusetts can have its perks, as I’ve realized since becoming an out-of-stater.

Pro: Start Fresh

I knew three people on this campus of 30,000+ people when I came here. Sure, it was scary trying to meet people when you had nothing to bond over as a someone from a different state, but it also gave me a clean slate. So, I used this as an opportunity to start fresh, make new friends, improves up my grades, and so much more.

Pro: Diversity

My hometown was lacking tremendously in diversity, which is why I was keen on going to a college with lots of it. Luckily, UMass was able to provide me with that. Coming to a college made up of people from various religious, ethnic, and financial backgrounds after graduating from a high school of the opposite, it was a nice change that allowed me to learn more about new people. The diversity of UMass has made my time here more interesting.

Pro: New Surroundings

Sure, it’s intimidating when you’re not familiar with your new home, but it’s also exciting to be able to explore your new surroundings. Connecticut isn’t (geographically speaking) much different than Massachusetts, but it was still an exciting transition to acclimate to. There are small, cultural differences between the two states that I’ve noticed, too. For example, like saying “wicked’ or going to a Peet's Coffee. Neither of these are common in Connecticut.

Con: Cost

It’s known that out-of-state tuition is higher than in-state, but tuition for a state school in general is usually less than that of a private school anyway, no matter what state you’re from. Also, UMass offers great financial aid packages if you need it, and there are hundreds of scholarships to sign up for.

Con: Homesickness

Going home for long weekends may be a little harder, and even as a sophomore I still get homesick. However, while I’m not that far from Massachusetts (I’m closer to my hometown than some in-state students are to theirs), it can still be a hard adjustment when you’re transitioning to living in a state other than where you grew up. Luckily, with a friendly campus like UMass, it makes the transition a bit easier.