Why I Chose UMass

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The Old Chapel at UMass Amherst

The first time I visited UMass Amherst, I thought I was in the wrong place. 

We had been driving for over an hour, and all I could see were trees and farms. Occasionally, I’d spot a horse or a cow grazing on grass until we drove right back into a winding road framed by trees or onto a sleepy street with a couple of cars and houses, perhaps a farmstand or two selling local produce.

I wasn’t sure where this alleged university was, and I was really starting to question if we were in the right place until my dad nudged me. All of a sudden, we had emerged from the forest and I was greeted by a maroon sign that read “University of Massachusetts Amherst: The Commonwealth’s Flagship Campus.” 

Something inside me stirred, and I still can’t really explain this feeling to this day, but I’d describe it as a mixture of excitement and later, pride. 

Since then, I have been back on these winding roads numerous times, climbed one of the mountains, Mount Sugarloaf, visited dozens of small shops, attended football, basketball and hockey games, gone thrifting, eaten at several restaurants, watched my friends perform and performed myself in several concerts, and so much more. 

But at that moment, I was just a junior in high school shivering in my puffy jacket clutching a map of the campus and listening to a tour guide talk about the W.E.B. Du Bois Library. It was an extremely cold day in February when I visited, and UMass did not look its prettiest: all the buildings looked gray and brutalist, and all the trees were bare. Still, there was something about the buzz of campus that drew me to it, especially when we entered the Student Union. I looked around at all the activities that were going on around me: students eating food from Blue Wall, Earthfoods Cafe, and taking part in activities at WMUA, the Daily Collegian, and the Craft Center. I could see myself there. After that visit, I decided to apply as a journalism major. 

Getting Accepted to UMass Amherst

My dad says that he had a feeling I would receive news about my acceptance to UMass the day I got my letter. I remember that it was a dark day in December and we were in the car when I humored his hunch by opening my email. To my utter surprise, an email was waiting for me, and I opened my acceptance letter. 

Other universities had enticed me with their facilities, programs, and promises of opportunity, but UMass appealed to my heart, as cheesy as it sounds. It was academically excellent, of course, but it also had personality and offered the chance to live in a college town, something that I will probably never experience again. What really drew me was the fact that there was so much going on on campus alone, not to mention the perks of living in Western Mass, like the unparalleled farmers and artisans’ markets, the fall foliage that takes your breath away, and the lively UMass traditions. 

It also had the UMass Minuteman Marching Band, an organization that I will have dedicated three years to by the time I graduate. As a longtime musician and appreciator of the arts, UMass has creativity in abundance, and having had two amazing seasons with the marching band, I can say that I have also made lifelong friends in the process. Also, I got to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade — how many people can say that?

There’s something about the vibe of campus that really spoke to me, and those little moments really made me feel at home. I love the quiet beauty of Franklin Dining Commons (aka Frank) and how I’ve had some of the deepest conversations of my college career at one of its high-top tables. I love checking out the nearby graffiti wall and seeing people pull out their hammocks and blankets on Orchard Hill to watch the sun set. There’s something special about marveling at the sun illuminating 400 people marching on the Recreation Fields near the Honors College. I could go on about my favorite experiences: waving at Southwest residents during the Minuteman March on football game days (I’m sorry if that was you), drowning sorrows in ice cream at Sweets and More with friends, and having lively discussions at the weekly Collegian news meetings. 

From Uncertainty to Belonging: Finding Home at UMass

That is to say, my first trip to UMass was pretty symbolic. I was confused at first, wondering if the university was really for me, and it took some winding paths to get there, but it all became clear when I arrived. 

Now when I drive back to school and see the Southwest towers, I think about the first time I survived band camp and met all my friends. When I pass by the Integrative Learning Center, I reminisce about all the journalism classes I’ve taken and feel a little pang that my next one will likely be my last, as I’m graduating next spring. And of course, seeing the tallest academic research library in the world reminds me of countless late-night study sessions on the 22nd floor, where the view makes finals week feel slightly more bearable. 

The drive back feels different now because when I arrive on campus, I know that I’m home.