University of Massachusetts--Amherst

School mission (as provided by the school):

The University of Massachusetts Amherst combines the academic resources of a nationally ranked research university with the support and individualized attention usually reserved for a small college. Students come from every state and over 100 countries, making this New England campus a national and international center for intellectual and cultural activity. With over 85 majors, UMass Amherst offers its students a wide array of academic disciplines and nationally known programs of study, including the Bachelor's Degree with Individual Concentration (BDIC), which allows students to create their own major. The outstanding full-time faculty of over 1,100 are the best in their fields and they take teaching seriously. Students complement their classroom work with internships, co-ops and research, working side-by-side their faculty. Students take what they learn in the classroom, and apply it in the studio, the lab, the concert hall and the field. With this intersection of learning and doing, students find their intellectual voice and independence. Commonwealth Honors College, the honors program, welcomes students who seek additional academic challenge and meet the requirements for acceptance. The extensive library system is the largest at any public institution in the Northeast, and offers students a state-of-the-art learning environment through the Learning Commons, a place that fosters academic collaboration and social interaction. Through the Five College Interchange, students enroll in classes at nearby Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith Colleges at no extra charge. A fare-free bus system connects these five campuses, allowing students to participate in a wide array of social and cultural events. UMass Amherst first-year students participate in the Residential First Year Experience, choosing a living option based on themes and shared interests. Living and learning together, students take field trips, organize events and interact with faculty and staff. Other opportunities for personal development are found through the Center for Student Development, which brings together more than 200 clubs and organizations; groups include community service organizations, student government, ethnic and cultural groups, religious and spiritual organizations, fraternity and sororities, student run businesses, media related groups, groups that grow from academic interests, and groups dedicated to athletics and recreation, socializing, arts and entertainment, and politics. UMass Amherst competes in NCAA Division I Intercollegiate Athletics. Students attend every home game free in regular season, and wear their Minutemen and Minutewomen maroon proudly. Any student who enjoys athletic competition can participate in an extensive intramural sports program which supports the athletic interests of 5,000 students. The new Recreation Center boasts 2 floors of weights and fitness areas, a 3 court gymnasium, jogging track and juice bar. Just off campus, the picturesque Town of Amherst offers scores of shops and restaurants from Mexican or Thai, to pizza, burgers and Indian. Appearing on the top ten lists for college towns, Amherst has a truly unusual combination of New England charm and international sophistication. Boston is less than two hours away, and New York City just three hours south. For outdoor enthusiasts, the mountains of Vermont are less than an hour away and offer skiing and hiking. Maybe you can't have it all, but the University of Massachusetts Amherst certainly comes close. Please see http://www.umass.edu/admissions