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University of Massachusetts - Amherst
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University of Massachusetts - Amherst - Local Atmosphere - Local Atmosphere - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.46

Local Atmosphere

B
Where does this grade come from?View all Local Atmosphere rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

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Quick Stats

Fun Local Trivia
  1. Movies "In Dreams" and "Malice" were filmed in Amherst.
  2. The town of Amherst was named after Lord Jeffery Amherst, a British Army Officer who served in three separate wars: the Austrian Succession, the Seven Years War, and the French and Indian War.
  3. Sylvester Graham, the Amherst native who was known as "the Philosopher of Sawdust Pudding," was an early advocate of vegetarianism and the man for whom the graham cracker was named.
  4. In 1885, Charles King had a barbershop on the second floor of Cook's Block in Amherst. He was, however, known less for cutting hair than for his feat of eating 50 raw eggs in 15 minutes. Two hundred people gathered on Main Street as he swallowed the eggs and collected a $30 prize.
  5. Emily Dickinson, the famous poet, lived her whole life in Amherst. Most of her poems were published posthumously—only about a dozen were published while she was alive, but they were heavily edited to fit conventional taste and punctuation.
Notable Natives
  • Emily Dickinson – poet
  • Robert Frost – poet
  • James Tate – poet
  • Noah Webster – dictionary author
Points of Interest
  • Downtown Amherst
  • Emily Dickinson Museum
  • Northampton

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Amherst is a lively college town that exemplifies the typical New England atmosphere, and the richness and volume of culture in Amherst and nearby Northampton contribute to a truly unique college experience. Amherst Center, which has many quality restaurants, cafés, and shops, is within walking distance of campus and is also accessible by bus. Northampton, only a short bus ride away, offers more quirky shops and lots of live music. The local museums and galleries are not to be missed, and there are plenty of bars and a few clubs in the area. During the spring and fall semesters, Amherst gets crowded and takes on the likeness of a metropolis due to the presence of all the students from UMass, as well as the four other local colleges. However, during summer and winter breaks, Amherst could pass for a rural farming community.

In terms of outdoor activities, there are many opportunities in Berkshire County. One of the most popular spots is Puffer’s Pond, where students go to hang out, swim, or even jump off a cliff! Bicyclists enjoy the Norwottuck Rail Trail, a path that spans 10 miles from Belchertown to Northampton. For golfers, there are three courses, the most popular being Cherry Hill, since it is owned by the town and is therefore the most affordable. The Mt. Holyoke Range State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities from climbing Mt. Tom to snowmobiling.

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UMass Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Local Atmosphere at University of Massachusetts - Amherst

luke246

Business Management '15

3.8
B+

There's Activity Everywhere

The entire area around UMass is great. There's constantly parties at Amherst College and the town has great late night deals on food and such. Police let you go about your business as long as your aren't stumbling drunk or stirring up trouble. Great environment.

May 01, 2012

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Local Atmosphere at University of Massachusetts - Amherst

cbgardne

Sociology '15

4.2
A-

Good Restaurants but No Shopping or Fun Things to Do

The town has a lot of good restaurants, so it's great to go into town for dinner. But there are hardly any cultural events, no shopping, and no other events. It's safe and good to eat in but not the most exciting.

Apr 10, 2012

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Local Atmosphere at University of Massachusetts - Amherst

rosielorien

Anthropology and Archaeology '15

4.2
A-

A Lot Going on

Amherst, Northampton and the surrounding area have a ton going on, you just have to go out and find it.

Apr 09, 2012

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Page 1 of 19
User rating for University of Massachusetts - Amherst - Local Atmosphere is 4.6 out of 5 based on 55 user reviews.

Photos of University of Massachusetts - Amherst's Local Atmosphere

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University of Massachusetts - Amherst - At the pondAt the pond
Photo by Mrgso42
At the pond It's a very nice, calm, and relaxing place to hang out when the weather is nice.
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Photo by Mrgso42
University of Massachusetts - Amherst - GreenhouseGreenhouse
Photo by cmdolim
Greenhouse A look at the greenhouse on campus.
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Photo by cmdolim
University of Massachusetts - Amherst - Beautiful snowy dayBeautiful snowy day
Photo by Mrgso42
Beautiful snowy day "Sam the Minuteman" statue in front of the Old Chapel, of course covered in beautiful New England snow!
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Photo by Mrgso42

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate the local atmosphere on the following topics

What is the local atmosphere like at your school?

What is the proximity to other universities? Is there much interaction?

Can you see yourself living here after graduation?

Facts

Shopping Centers
  • Hampshire Mall
  • Holyoke Mall
Major Sports Teams
  • Boston Bruins: NHL
  • Boston Celtics: NBA
  • Boston Red Sox: MLB
  • New England Patriots: NFL
City Web Sites www.amherstma.gov
Distances to Nearest Major Cities
  • Boston: MA: 2 hours
  • New York City: NY: 3 hours
Did You Know? One way to tell a local from an outsider in Amherst is the way they pronounce Amherst. Outsiders say "Am-herst," while locals say "Am-erst."

Movie TheatersWhat's This?

Amherst Cinema
28 Amity St.
Amherst
(413) 253-2547

Cinemark at Hampshire Mall
367 Russell St.
Hadley
(800) FANDANGO exp Code 1118#

Pleasant Street Theater
27 Pleasant St.
Northampton
(413) 584-5848

Tower Theaters
19 College St.
South Hadley
(413) 533-3456

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Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Danielle Muise
Hometown
Medway, Mass.
Major
Marketing and Communication Disorders

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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How do we get our information? Find out here or report an error here. The statistics on our site are from the National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS database.
We update this information twice annually, most recently in May 2012, but it may not be the most recent information available for a particular school.
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