Wouldn't want to be anywhere else…

Introduction
UMass is a very exciting place. The sports are fun to watch, lots of big names play shows locally, and the area is great. I would not go UMass if you wanted an intimate student body. Most of the people you see on campus any given day are complete strangers. There's something nice about that though. I have heard from students who go to smaller schools that they hate running into people they don't want to talk to all the time. I find you do see people you know frequently, but usually you are both in too much of a hurry to have an awkward conversation. Some people say that the campus is ugly, but there are some parts of campus that are truly beautiful, especially if you are partial to brutalistic architecture.

Campus Life and Social Life
There are thousands upon thousands of students, so finding people who share your interests isn't hard. People party hard, it's true. It's not hard to find a good time. However, it is very possible to find places to live that are calm and quiet, but not boring. Academics
The science and engineering majors are very respected, as is nursing. Communications, Psychology, and Socioloy are all quite easy. What kinda stinks is that TA's run most labs, and don't run them very well. Although one may think that the academics at a place like this may stink, I talk to my friends from MIT and Harvard who are taking the same courses, and it sounds like we pretty much learn the same stuff, although they do tend to be faster paced.

Student Body
The "typical" student is probably a big partier from Easton or Revere Mass, or something. Also a lot of people from New Jersey and Asia. They are into partying, getting drunk, and drinking. And maybe playing frisbee, if they happen to be a hippie.

In Closing...
I have really enjoyed UMass over the last two years and really think it's a great place because of the opportunities presented to you and the fun you can have. If you can't find something to do on campus, chances are one of the area colleges will have something you can attend. Northampton is always exciting with concert, bars, and bowling. Football and hockey games are heavily attended and the teams usually do quite well.