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There are a few generic ‘get-to-know-you’ questions you end up quite familiar with as a first-year student at UMass. What’s your name, year, major, and residential area? What clubs are you in? What do you plan to do after school? And, of course, why did you pick UMass?

That last one is one of my favorites because there are so many answers I could give.

For one, UMass is an entirely new environment for me. I grew up hopping around between states before finally settling down in New Jersey, where I’ve lived since 8th grade. Most of the towns I’ve lived in have been quiet, white-majority suburbs filled with retirement homes and tutoring centers. In Jersey, I lived in a slightly more populated suburb known for its competitiveness and South Asian-majority schools.

Amherst is a totally different world. The town is entirely walkable, with plenty of public transportation. There are so many places to eat and shop. My favorite place to visit so far is Amherst Books, a cozy bookstore with new and used books alike (including some textbooks!). I love just sitting on the bus, zoning out, getting off at random stops around campus, and seeing what’s around.

UMass is also so much more diverse than any place I’ve ever lived. There’s a large South Asian community here for me to connect with and feel at home with, yes, but there are also so many other groups I never would’ve had the chance to interact with before. I’ve made friends with people here who are African-American, Japanese, Vietnamese-American, Russian, Native Canadian, and many other identities. UMass is the perfect school if you want to broaden your horizons and explore all different walks of life.

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I also picked UMass for its academics and career development. UMass is highly ranked across the board in the humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields. I’m being taught by professors who are distinguished experts in their fields. In terms of career development, UMass offers many resources to help guide students toward their dream jobs. I found two jobs within my first month via campus resources, such as the UMass student job board and the Handshake app. This position is one of them! You can also apply to receive credit for certain internships and jobs, meaning employment can count toward your graduation requirements.

As an R1 university, UMass is also a great school if you’re interested in conducting student research. You are surrounded by faculty members actively conducting their own research projects, many of which offer opportunities for you to participate. OURS, our Office of Undergraduate Research and Studies, is a great tool to guide you if you’re interested in exploring different research opportunities. This was a big draw for me when I was first applying to schools; research is an excellent way to explore different career paths.

As someone who can be quite socially anxious and introverted, UMass’ social scene was a big deciding factor for me. It has over 340 active Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), meaning there’s literally a community for everyone. The campus itself is always bustling. There’s always an event somewhere, be it on campus or in town. I’ve found the people here are quite friendly and sociable, making it easier to find your people if you struggle to make friends.

Overall, UMass ended up being the perfect fit for me. It had everything I wanted in a school—walkability, a nice college town, a lively school community, fun extracurriculars, and academic and career opportunities. This school has plenty to offer, and even more to discover.