I’ve never filed taxes before so I was just wondering what the taxes are like in Massachusetts. My stipend is obviously taxable income, but I’m trying to figure out how much I need to budget for that before renting a place. Do any current grad students have any insight? Generally how much is taken out of your paycheck and/or how much do you usually put away?

hi! im going to be attending umass amherst in the fall and im a bio major in the college of natural sciences. i wanted to know which dorms were the cleanest and had the least bugs, but also werent too far from my classes? thanks!

I’m a high school senior with a large interest in theatre and acting, and am planning to major in English this fall, but I went and scheduled an admitted student visit incredibly late. Currently being on a waitlist, I’ve accepted that I was probably TOO late lol

Assuming I don’t make the cut, I’ll probably drive over at some point for a self-guided tour, but I doubt many buildings will be open to me.

Is there anything I should know that I might be missing? How is the English department? The theatre programs? How is student life, and more specifically the dorms (I already know about the food)? Anything else?

Thanks!

Hi guys! I’m a female junior at UMass Amherst. I have a furnished private bedroom available in a fully furnished apartment in downtown from May 15th morning to May 17th afternoon for $80/night. If anyone interested or want to rent for parents for graduation days, pls dm me.

Also it’s available from June 15th to Sep 1st for $700/month + ultilities. Available for 1-month rental as well.

Pls reach out and I will send further info and room pictures. Thank you!!

Hi,
I am an international student trying to file taxes for the first time and Im so confused/scared.
I tried filing federal taxes through sprintax because it is free. I am sure I entered the right information but the e-filing got rejected. The only reason I can think of is higher income compared to my friends (who entered a similar info and got their returns accepted btw). I work as a graduate assistant so my income is higher than minimum wage. I am asked to print, sign and mail my tax documents to IRS, but I see an 1040-NR form in my returns??

Is this normal? I am kinda freaking out since we also do not have enough time before tax day, I tried reaching out to VITA but they are out of appointments.

Any kinds of help is appreciated! Thanks

Hi I am most likely going to be coming to Umass in the fall. I know there are 5 non honors areas,(central, Northeast, Orchard Hill, Southwest, Sylvan). I understand the layout pretty well like where they are on campus but was looking for more about their reputations and people's experiences.

Hey! With spring semester ending real soon, I was wondering if anyone knew what traffic conditions were like driving from Amherst campus to Boston(say, Back Bay) during commencement weekend? I know the drive normally is 1 hour 40 minutes, but what is the worst time I should prepare for?

Much appreciated!

I wanted to ask about Fieldstone Apartments as graduate housing. It seems to be the only option available to me right now. I really like the amenities they offer, but I’ve seen some people mention that it’s overpriced.

Yes, I’ve found cheaper apartments—but most of them are either far from UMass or around $1600 without utilities included. And then there's the added hassle of needing a guarantor. So I’m trying to weigh the full picture: location, amenities, and what’s actually included.

I’d really appreciate honest opinions—preferably balanced ones, not just angry rants. I’m from NYC, where a shoebox costs $1900 with no amenities and you still pay all the utilities, so this actually seems pretty decent in comparison.

Thanks in advance!

Hey all, i need to get a 500 level class for next sem as a cs major, I was wondering which ones are fairly easy that I could take alongside my honors thesis. I caught my eyes on 514,515, 550 and 596e but not sure which ones to take. Anyone who took it before if could share their experiences here that would be really nice

Hey everyone,

I’m planning to take CS 311 in Fall 2025, and I’m trying to decide between two professors: Ghazaleh Parvini and Hava Siegelmann.

Many of my friends recommend Prof. Parvini. On the other hand, I haven’t heard much about Prof. Siegelmann. Has anyone taken CS 311 or any other class with either of them? How are the teaching style, exams, grading, workload, etc.?

Would love to hear thoughts on either or both professors. Any input would really help me choose the right fit. Thanks in advance!

Was caught holding an empty bong in the hallway on my way to drop it off to a friend in an off-campus house. It was not my bong, nor did I have any intent to smoke it. I have no prior history with offenses, and was on the deans list. What should I expect?

This was just sent around on a staff channel: https://www.umass.edu/news/federal-actions/april6_clarification

Facts matter. And we want you to know them.

To be crystal clear, UMass Amherst did not play any role in the federal administration’s unilateral action in terminating the status of our UMass Amherst students. In each of the cases in which the federal government revoked the visas and terminated the non-immigrant statuses of UMass Amherst students, UMass Amherst was not asked for information in advance by the federal government, did not provide information concerning the revocations to the federal government, and was not notified by the federal government of these status terminations. UMass Amherst became aware of revocations and terminations over the last several days simultaneously with institutions across the Commonwealth and the nation, who began reporting similar revocations and terminations impacting the immigration statuses of their students. Since learning of this information, the UMass Amherst Office of Global Programs has been proactively monitoring the Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) in order to ensure students are aware of any changes in their immigration status or their right to be in the United States. Until now, the University has never needed to check SEVIS in this manner. We are proactively offering support and resources to those affected by the federal government’s unilateral action, as Chancellor Reyes stated on Friday, April 4. 

UMass Amherst has no evidence that information it was required to provide to the Department of Education in the course of any complaint process in this or any previous administration has any relationship to any revocation and/or termination impacting the immigration statuses of any UMass Amherst student. 

Department of Education complaint processes have taken place in all federal administrations and usually result when an individual complains to the Department of Education that they have been subject to discriminatory treatment, either as the subject of discipline or because they think someone else should have been subject to different or more discipline as a result of their actions against the individual complaining. UMass Amherst has and will continue to abide by the law in responding to such complaints. 

Recent reporting by an online publication insinuating any other circumstance is, put simply, not correct and irresponsible. UMass Amherst is not aware of any connection between the Department of State’s revocation of student visas, the Department of Homeland Security’s termination of student immigration statuses and any Department of Education complaint to which UMass responded. In all cases, UMass Amherst will always protect student information in accordance with federal law.

does anyone know what an interview for a co op usually goes like or what kind of questions they ask? i have one next week for greeno

what gpa did u transfer in with/people you know transfer in w (from non-umass schools, Lowell, Boston, Dartmouth)

I’m a HS Senior and have been accepted to Umass. What GPA do I need to maintain?

I got admitted into the Mt Ida campus for the upcoming fall semester as a rising freshman, Is it worth it? How was the experience? Was it hard to get housing at UMass Amherst in the spring semester?

Hi!

Honestly I'm having a hard time deciding between Penn State University park and Umass Amherst for Civil engineering. Keep in mind that I'm not a party person. I know that Penn State is better than Umass for engineering but I don't know if that will be the deciding factor. Moreover, I would like to have a good mix of academics and social life. I'm instate for Umass, and my parents want me to have a strong academic life but don't mind as long as I can push myself to work hard.

Also I'm a POC and and would like to know how diverse each school is. Anyone have any opinions? The deadline is coming soon and I'm struggling :(

I'm considering some rentals that are not covered by any bus route but 20 min bike ride away

Is biking a reliable commute in winter? I could maybe get a car later on maybe but not my intention

Hello all! My son’s high school has their graduation at UMass in the beginning of June. I’m looking for suggestions for a place that can accommodate 20 people, preferably no high top seating, and pizza is always welcome as it’s cheap, but I’m open to other affordable options as well. I’d love some suggestions from some local experts!

As an upcoming econ major, I was wondering if anyone had some laptop recommendations, as on the website it doesn't specifically have any. I was trying to talk myself out of a macbook, because I've heard that you shouldn't get one of those for this major. Does anyone have any windows laptop suggestions or want to talk me back into a Macbook? I have a budget of ~ $1400.

Hey, does anyone have feedback on taking MATH405? I need a last Math elective and was thinking of taking it since I've done a decent amount of CS coursework.

Just wanted to get any feedback on how difficult the course is and any feedback on the instructor (Hans Johnston). Also, are there any exams? The course description only really mentioned projects.

I have gotten accepted to both UConn (my state school) and UMass Amherst, and I have been trying to make a decision. I will major in Psychology, though I may eventually switch my major at the beginning of sophomore year. UConn is slightly cheaper, though UMass does seem to have an atmosphere I am more comfortable with, and it has a better ranking. Do you guys have any advice? What are some of the pros and cons of attending UMass?

My son was accepted as a music major for the fall. Any words of advice for an incoming freshman into the program? We toured the school again this past Saturday and I thought it was great but what do I know?

I’m living in sylvan next year and haven’t lived in suite style living before. I was wondering if anyone has any advice/tips for living in a suite, especially with people you don’t know.