collageUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts, (UMass) Amherst is the largest public research university. Currently, the university has 31,642 students with an international population of 11.5%. With over 100 major subject areas leading to bachelor’s degrees, 79 master’s and 48 doctoral programs, UMass Amherst offers programs to suit everyone. In the Fall session 2020, the university received 40,253 applications for first year admission and accepted 26,282 students out of them.
Admissions at UMass Amherst are offered on a rolling basis and international student admission deadlines fall between December 15 and January 15. It can be noted that some programs only follow Fall applications. Students are required to send their standardized test scores like SAT or ACT for admission. For the Fall of 2020, 88% students sent their SAT scores and 18% applicants sent their ACT scores. Average SAT score was between 1190 and 1390 or an ACT score of 26 and 32. GRE and GMAT are required for graduate programs.
The university is inclined on innovation and research and has spent 223 million USD on research alone in FY19. International students planning to apply to graduate courses at UMass Amherst should be prepared to spend a minimum of 30,873 USD on tuition fees. Financial aids/scholarships for international students in the USA are available. The university is inclined to help research students financially in order to create more creative and innovative leaders.
University of Massachusetts Amherst Rankings
UMass Amherst is one of the most renowned universities in the US and has consistently ranked in the top positions owing to its world class academic infrastructure, intercultural relationships, qualified faculty and amazing campus facilities. It has been ranked by several popular ranking surveys and websites owing the university’s unmatched reputation when compared with similar universities. Some of the ranks achieved by UMass Amherst by popular ranking surveys are as follows:
- US News and World Report- #66 in National Universities, #38 in Best College for Veterans, #26 in Top Public Schools, #63 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs.
- QS Top Universities- #270 in World Universities, #26 in QS WUR ranking by subject, #201-250 in Graduate Employability Ranking, #60 in US UNI universities.
- Times Higher Education- #121 in US rankings 121
- Forbes- #44 in Public Colleges, #84 in Research Universities, #73 in the NorthEast.
Apart from these noteworthy rankings, UMass Amherst has also stood at #24 in Best Colleges for Sports Management in America, #32 for Best Colleges for public health in America and #37 in Top Public Universities in America by Niche. According to Yocket, it has been ranked within the top 50 universities in the US.
university of massachusetts amherst Acceptance Rate
The University of Massachusetts–Amherst has an acceptance rate of 65% and an early acceptance rate of 70.7%. Fifty percent of applicants admitted to University of Massachusetts–Amherst have an SAT score between 1200 and 1390 or an ACT. However, the range of scores used in admissions is from 300 to 480, but one quarter of admitted applicants achieved scores above this range and one quarter achieved scores below this range.
UMass Amherst has an acceptance rate of about 65%. Applications are accepted from in-state, out-of-state, and international students. UMass Amherst also encourages undocumented students and those in the DACA program (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) to apply, too.
Acceptance to UMass Amherst is never based on a single factor, like an applicant’s high school GPA or SAT scores. Instead, admissions committees review a range of factors. That is, applications are reviewed on the basis of prior academic achievements plus personal accomplishments and a perceived motivation for educational excellence.
Since the beginning of the new millennium, the number of applications to UMass Amherst has significantly increased as the school’s reputation has grown. In fact, although almost 29,000 students applied to the school in 2008, that number rose to 41,600 just ten years later. And as the number of applications has increased, the average GPA of accepted students has risen, too. Therefore, if this trend continues, students will need increasingly competitive applications if UMass Amherst is their school of choice.
Last year University of Massachusetts-Amherst’s acceptance rate was 58.32. However, check out how the acceptance rate has changed over time.
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 60.0 % | 58.0 % | 58.32 % |
As you can see, University of Massachusetts-Amherst is a little easier to get into than last year.
Acceptance rate alone does not indicate your likelihood for getting into UMass Amherst – it’s a very high level understanding of the true competition. Use the acceptance rate as a general guide for curating a list of 10-15 schools that fall into different ranges of competitiveness. Then, use the below data to get a deeper understanding of how your application will compare to the rest of the pool.
University of Massachusetts Amherst Highlights
| Type of university | Public |
| Faculty members | 1,554 |
| Number of undergraduate students | 24,333 |
| Number of postgraduate students | 7,409 |
| Percentage of international students | 11.5% |
| Annual acceptance rate | 64% |
| Basic tuition fee for international undergraduate students | 36,316 USD |
| Basic tuition fee for international graduate students | 30,873 USD |
| Test scores accepted | SAT, ACT, IELTS,TOEFL,Duolingo |
| Official website | https://www.umass.edu/ |
| Graduation rate | 82% |
| Employment rate | 94% |
| Application fees | 80 USD |
University of Massachusetts Amherst Campus and Accommodation
The 1463 acres campus of UMass Amherst houses a total of 12 schools which includes 11 schools (for undergraduate and graduate courses) and 1 exclusively graduate school. The campus is also home to Mount Ida College which is a small, private institution currently acquired by UMass Amherst.
Apart from the schools, there are several residential buildings, organization centres, recreation centres, libraries, laboratories, fields and fine arts centres in the campus. The university contributes a lot to the art culture and there are also sightseeing possibilities within the area. A few noticeable features of the campus can be jotted down as follows:
There are more than 400 active groups on campus for students to take part in.
Some of the finest art centres and galleries like Augusta Savage Gallery or Hampden Gallery are part of its campus. About 200 varsity events are held on campus every year. Athletics are a notable aspect in UMass University.
Housing facilities/Residence
UMass Amherst provides housing facilities for incoming students and promotes a very healthy culture of living and bonding on campus. There are fifty-two residence halls and apartment buildings which are grouped into seven different residential areas: Central, Commonwealth Honors College Residential Community, Northeast, Orchard Hill, Southwest, Sylvan and North. The undergraduate residence halls include North Apartments, NorthEast Area, Sylvan Area, etc.
The common housing facilities offered by all the residence halls in UMass Amherst campus are as follows:
- Residential houses offer recreational, social and cultural centres apart from basic facilities like bedrooms and study areas with furniture and amenities.
- Residence halls offer coed residence and are located in the Central Area with Lounges, vending machines.
- Commonwealth Honors College is apartment style living whereas North Apartments offer fully furnished four single bedrooms.
- The Southwest Residential Area is the largest residential house on campus. It houses 5,500 students. All buildings are coed, although many offer single gender floors.
- New Hall (in Mount Ida campus) houses 132 students in either single or shared rooms.
The room rates for the academic year 2021-22 can be summed up as follows:
| Type of room | Rate in USD (Per Semester) |
|---|---|
| Standard shared room | 3,731 |
| Standard single room | 3,731 |
| Single room in North Apartments | 6,720 |
| Sylvan shared/Single | 3,405 |
| CHCRC first year shared/Single | 4,057 |
| CHCRC apartment shared/ Single | 5,088 |
| CHCRC suite shared/ Single | 4,448 |
| Mount Ida single room/Shared | 3,731 |
University of Massachusetts Amherst Programs
UMass Amherst offers 110 undergraduate programs and 127 graduate programs in classroom and online. The university offers online as well as on campus MBA programs which is one of the top ranked programs.
The professional development and research programs of the university are also creating world leaders. Some of the most popular courses, graduate and undergraduate along with their annual course fees are tabulated below:
| Course | Annual fees in USD |
|---|---|
| MS in Computer Science | 30,873 |
| MS in Business Analytics | 27,900 |
| MBA | 32,392 |
| MA in Theatre | 30,873 |
| MSc in Statistics | 30,873 |
| MSc in Engineering Management | 30,873 |
| BBA in Marketing | 36,316 |
| BSc in Physics | 36,316 |
| BSc in Mechanical & Industrial Engineering | 38,512 |
University of Massachusetts Amherst Admission Process
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UMass Amherst offers programs leading to undergraduate and graduate degrees and the process for application is quite simplified. The following information can be kept in mind while applying as an international student:
- Application portal- Common Application (for UG applicants) and university graduate admission portal (for PG applicants)
- Application fee- 80 USD
University of Massachusetts Amherst Common Application Deadlines
UMass Amherst follows certain deadlines regarding admission of international students. They can be summarized as follows:
| Type of deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|
| Regular-Decision (First-Year) | January 15 |
| Spring Application (First-Year) | October 15 |
| Spring Application (Transfer) | November 5 |
| Early-Application (First-Year) | November 5 |
| Spring reply (First year and transfer) | December 15 |
University of Massachusetts Amherst Admission Requirements
UMass Amherst requires high school/college transcripts apart from the course specific requirements as stated in the official website from international students. English proficiency tests are also mandatory. The admission requirements for both undergraduate and graduate courses are compiled below.
- Academic transcripts along with their relevant english translations.
- English language proficiency test scores. The accepted english proficiency tests along with their minimum required scores are stated below.
- TOEFL iBT– 80
- IELTS- 6.5
- Duolingo- 105
- Financial information. Proper bank statements, affidavit of sponsor
- Academic letter of recommendation submitted by a recommender, preferably an academic teacher.
- Official SAT or ACT scores (optional). The scores generally achieved by admitted students are in the range of:
- SAT- 1190-1390
- ACT- 26-32
- Interview is optional.
- For graduate admissions Statement of purpose.
- Resume.
- LOR A minimum of 2 is required and some programs may require even more.
- GRE/GMAT scores if required.
- Additional requirements based on the programs like auditions for music majors and portfolio for art majors.
Note- Auditions are required for dance and music majors and portfolio submission is mandatory for architecture and art majors. Students should file an admission application with the Admissions Office early to begin the audition or portfolio review process.
COVID 19 update- The University of Massachusetts Amherst has made standardized tests like SAT and ACT optional for the first-year incoming applicants.
University of Massachusetts Amherst Cost of Attendance
Aspirants who seek admission at UMass Amherst are advised to look up an estimated budget for international students looking to study in the US. The cost of attendance of an academic year includes tuition, room, meal plans, books, medical insurance and miscellaneous costs. The cost structure for UMass Amherst can be tabulated in the following manner:
| Expenses | Undergraduate costs in USD per year | Graduate costs in USD per year |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 36,316 | 30,873 |
| Technology fee | 400 | – |
| Student activities fee | 248 | – |
| International student service fee | 400 | 1,270 |
| Student Health Plan (SHP) | 1,736 | 2,960 |
| Graduate senate tax | – | 158 |
| Room fee/Rent | 7,574 | 13,325 |
| Meal Plan | 6,573 | 8,206 |
| Vacation/living expenses (winter and spring break) | 2,145 | – |
| Miscellaneous (books, supply, laundry etc) | 1,375 | 3,000 |
| Total | 56,767 | 60,613 |
University of Massachusetts Amherst Scholarships
There are several grants, financial aids, scholarships and loans available for students looking to study at UMass Amherst. International first-year students may qualify for financial awards based on academic merit. The following scholarships are available for undergraduate and graduate students:
- The Gates Millenium Scholarship- Undergraduate students from any course can avail this. Graduate students must be pursuing studies in mathematics, science, engineering, education, or library science to be eligible. Students must display financial need and excellent merit to be considered.
- Other scholarship resources- Can be availed through external funding from other colleges/organizations, or online.
Students can also apply for loans from various resources to fund their educational expenses.
For graduate programs, a number of fellowships are provided to students as a form of internal funding. They can be tabulated as follows:
| Fellowship | Eligibility | Deadlines | How to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre Dissertation research grants | Doctoral students who have completed one semester of graduate study. | March 23, 2021 | A grant application, budget table, budget justification and a letter of recommendation. |
| Dissertation research grants | Doctoral students who have achieved candidacy. | March 9,2021 | A research grant application, project description, budget justification and a letter of recommendation. |
| Dissertation Fieldwork grants | Doctoral students in good academic standing. | March 9, 2021 | A research grant application, project description, budget justification and a letter of recommendation. |
| Return to research grants | Doctoral students in good academic standing. | March 15, 2021 | A research grant application, project description, sources of funding, budget justification and a letter of recommendation |
UMass Amherst Alumni
There are more than 240,000 alumni from UMass Amherst all over the world. The alumni enjoy a lot of benefits from the institute and some are:
- The alumni can save on insurance by enjoying exclusive savings from Liberty Mutual Insurance and Mercer Consumer.
- The LifeLong Learning Connection provides the alumni opportunities to gain knowledge after they have graduated.
- They can avail special discounts from UMass online store and Project Repat.
- The alumni can save on finances through UMassFive College Credit Union and Car Loans.
- The alumni can get membership for UMass Club Boston.
UMass Amherst produced a lot of distinguished alumni. Some of them are named below:
- Jack Canfield, Author of Chicken Soup for the Soul
- Natalie Cole, Singer
- Marcus Camby- Professional Basketball player
- James Kallstrom- Former FBI Assistant director
- George Ditomassi- Former CEO of Milton Bradley
University of Massachusetts Amherst Placements
UMass Amherst has always witnessed very strong employment records, with the top recruiting companies being Google, Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, Apple etc. The median starting salary is 112,000 USD. 83% of BS/BA graduates from the 2020 batch are employed or pursuing higher education and about 90% of MS graduates are doing the same.
Some of the placement records from the institute graduates can be summed up as below:
| Program | Average salary in USD |
|---|---|
| Financial services | 122,000 |
| Executive Management and Change | 120,000 |
| Programme and Project Management | 114,000 |
| IT and Software Development | 108,000 |
| Marketing, Product and Communications | 98,000 |
University of Massachusetts Amherst is one of the most renowned universities in the country with even the colleges under it gaining noteworthy ranks in several ranking surveys. The graduate programs from the College of Engineering ranked #56 according to US News and World Report. Based on the rich academic culture, appreciable campus facilities, research outputs, intercultural bonding and experience, artistic contributions UMass Amherst is inarguably a very appropriate choice for international students.
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