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As I write this I am approaching the finish line for the spring semester. This time signifies the end of a chapter for graduating seniors that are now off to pursue jobs, graduate school, or other opportunities. However, it also symbolizes new beginnings for incoming first-year students as they make the important decision of which university to enroll in.
While my experience in the college admissions process was skewed — the height of the pandemic occurred right as I graduated high school, I hope that this brief spiel of my experience in the college selection process, and the reasoning behind why I chose the University of Massachusetts Amherst, will help graduating high school seniors with their decision, and also help any incoming first-year students feel assured and comfortable in their decision.
You are viewing: Why Umass Amherst
Legal Studies Program
As mentioned in my previous blog, I had aspirations of being a lawyer when I was selecting universities to apply to. (I still do have those aspiration, to an extent). A critical factor in why I chose UMass Amherst was because it has a dedicated and diverse legal studies major.
I was also drawn to the prevalence of institutional support for those on the law track, exemplified by Pre-Law Advising within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences — which also made me feel secure about my decision.
Additionally, by looking through Campus Pulse, I was able to find, and eventually join, law-related student clubs such as the Legal Studies Undergraduate Board (which helps incorporate student feedback into the major) and the Pre-Law Club that offers alumni networking, LSAT prep sessions, and other support for prospective law students at UMass.
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It may seem like a given, but doing a little research on what you’re passionate about and what majors and support systems at an institution incorporate those interests can go a long way!
Best Campus Food
As a first-year student, you are required to have a meal plan and live in a first-year dorm. Due to this, first-year students are highly encouraged to eat at one of the four dining halls scattered throughout campus. That’s not necessarily a bad thing though, since the food at the UMass dining halls is one of the best in the country.
Of course, If you’ve seen the many banners and signs at the dining halls around campus, you know that UMass Amherst has been rated #1 for Best Campus Food by the Princeton Review for six consecutive years and counting.
As a college student, life can be very busy sometimes, and the dining halls provide a convenient opportunity to get a quick bite to eat in between classes.
While I did not consider it that much more than a bonus in the selection process, I can definitely say that it is a huge advantage of being here, even if we take it for granted sometimes.
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Diverse Campus & Close to Home
Due to the pandemic, part of my junior year and all of senior year of high school was fully remote. Following social distancing, and only carrying out absolutely necessary public activity, certainly helped in me not getting sick, but I acknowledge that I lost a lot of formative social development and forming my own identity.
Also, my high school was not the most demographically diverse place, and when I was selecting colleges, I actively wanted to attend college at a place where I could find myself, particularly a community of Latinx students.
Fortunately, UMass programs such as SBS RISE and UACT, as well as Honors programs such as the Emerging Scholars RAP were pivotal in providing invaluable community and support during my first-year.
While I was initially intimidated by the size of the campus, with the friends and mentors I met through these programs, I was able to find a small community to call home despite the grand size of the campus.
Also, since my family lives in Massachusetts, attending the flagship of my state’s university system was a great add-on, not to mention the ease of travel to and from home for breaks.
I hope that my reasons for why I chose UMass can help any prospective first-year students make their decision, as well as current UMass students, faculty, and staff appreciate the great campus community we have and the people that make it possible.
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHY
