University of Mass or USD?

[Bostonian08]

Originally Posted by ChelseaRave

I've heard about Umass Amherst, but they don't have the major I need (International Relations)-but it sounds like a very good school. And besides just the school-factor, it's much cheaper to live half hour out of Boston than it is to live in San Diego..I'm working full time here in SD just to pay for $750 in rent for a (literally) minuscule studio.

Finding a minuscule studio in BOS for $750 would be a pretty good feat unto itself. My 500 sq ft studio rents for about $900 now w/o the $150 extra for a private parking space.

I think there's more to BOS than just the schooling itself. If you want to experience a dense old world city while you school, than perhaps BOS is for you. If you just plan on schooling with no interest or perhaps even an aversion to old world city living, BOS might be way wrong for you. I think you need to come to BOS to visit to decide.

My feeling about Bridgewater is there is no reason to go there whatsoever much less cross the nation for it.

[ChelseaRave]

Originally Posted by Bostonian08

Finding a minuscule studio in BOS for $750 would be a pretty good feat unto itself. My 500 sq ft studio rents for about $900 now w/o the $150 extra for a private parking space.

I think there's more to BOS than just the schooling itself. If you want to experience a dense old world city while you school, than perhaps BOS is for you. If you just plan on schooling with no interest or perhaps even an aversion to old world city living, BOS might be way wrong for you. I think you need to come to BOS to visit to decide.

My feeling about Bridgewater is there is no reason to go there whatsoever much less cross the nation for it.

I absolutely like the "old-world"-city feel. I believe I concur about Bridgewater..it doesn't seem to have the best reputation. and how abut the rent once you get say 30 minutes outside if the city? Does the rent drastically reduce? I don't know where these areas are..but I was looking on Craigslist and found a lot of decent and inexpensive places to rent in brighton, Somerville, Medford and Quincy.

[RemiJP]

If you were going to attend UMass, Quincy would be a fine choice, as it's on the Red Line (where UMass has a stop). Particularly because it would be unwise to move here thinking you would drive in to school every day. Traffic and the drivers in Boston truly are as bad as you've heard! But Quincy, while it is technically a city, wouldn't been an ideal location for college student. Quincy residents are mostly families and young professionals. I'm 23 and it never appealled to me as a fun place to live. Parts of it have a bit of "old world" charm, but it doesn't come close to other areas within Boston proper, that have more going on for college students. There are more students in Allston/Brighon and Somerville, but your commute on the subway of 45 min to an hour would make you wish you were back in CA pretty quickly! I still think it be a smarter move financially, academically, and just for overall quality of life to go to a community college, CalState or UC. If you want to go to med school, I think you should consider the Boston area THEN. Of course we have Harvard Med, but there is also Tufts, Boston University and UMass.

But if you really think the Boston area is right for you, come for a visit to check out the campus and potential neighborhoods!

[anouk_pantoufle]

Originally Posted by ChelseaRave

..but I was looking on Craigslist and found a lot of decent and inexpensive places to rent in brighton, Somerville, Medford and Quincy.

As a student, you could easily get into a roommate situation - that's what my daughters did (my youngest, btw, just graduated from UMass Boston on Friday - woo-hoo!! )

As far as Craigslist goes - I'm currently looking for an apartment - watch out for the scammers. I've noticed that most of them (scammers) use email rather than a phone (but that doesn't mean they can't - or won't). I'm familiar with rents in the area, so when I see $750 or $850 for a gorgeous 2 brm in Somerville or Cambridge - complete with granite countertops - hey, that doesn't exist! (Actually, the best one was an ad for an apt somewhere on the Northshore. The photo had palm trees outside the bay window. I want to see THAT Massachusetts apt.. )

Above all - never, ever, EVER send any money for an apartment (or anything else w/craigslist, for that matter). The emails I got were quite consistent.."I'm in West Africa right now.. and have the keys with me...") Yeah, right!

I agree - UMass Boston doesn't have as good a rep as UMass Amherst. But a lot depends on what you choose as your major. I was really impressed when I visited - the Chancellor is very charismatic, and, despite the downpour (hey - it's New England!), I actually enjoyed the graduation. One thing that really impressed me is the great diversity of the student body. Yes, it's considered more of a commuter's school - but, to me, that's also an advantage - I feel that you come across more students who are really serious about what they are studying. At the graduation, it was mentioned how many of the students did a variety of volunteer work during break. I also attended the Honors event they had Wed night (my daughter had did an Honors thesis), and listening to some of the accomplishments was amazing.

I was/am very impressed - and am considering transferring there myself. I'm obviously an older student , plus, I'm currently attending a community college here - they have a pre-approved transfer program with the state universities. If I graduate w/a 3.0 GPA, they reduce the tuition by 33%. Even better, with a (I think) a 3.5 GPA, the tuition is reduced even more (maybe free - I forget). Plus, UMass Boston always has huge scholarships available if your GPA is up there...

Many people don't realize there are some advantages to attending a community college. Take a look at how much money you might save if you became a resident first, too - add up the student loans w/the interest you'll owe.

As far as Bridgewater goes - I think that would limit you immensely. If you want to go to med school, you'll also need a certain amt of pre-reqs in math and sciences, too, I think.

Why not contact the med schools you are considering? They might even have some documentation as to where the students they accept get their bachelors.

[OuttaFlorida]

How long does it take to establish residency for MA colleges/universities to be eligible for in-state tuition? I remember reading somewhere that it takes 5 years?!! Is that true? Most areas are 12 consecutive months or residence.

[RemiJP]

UMass Boston says 12 months. UMass Boston: Bursar's Office

[akeinyene]

Please dont waste that kind of money on a bachelor degree.. try a 2 yr college and then transfer to any of the cali. public schools. This way, you can still work and attend school at the same time. I have a $50000 for grad school and it is driving me crazyyyyyyyy... dont do this to your self. If you were studying pharmacy, CRNA, or Med school, i would have said, pack your bags and run but please stay in cali and try community college for the first 2 yrs to cut cost.