There's an urban legend that the characters in Scooby-Doo were based on each school in the "Five College" consortium. If true, UMass Amherst might be the over-excited, ultra-lovable main character.
Students have been known to live up to their Scooby-like reputation, with rowdy parties and ample school spirit. And when it’s time to buckle down and get the job done, they’re committed to their goals: 76% of students graduate on time (within four years) — a high rate compared with other public universities.
With nearly 23,000 undergraduates, there are a wide range of clubs on campus. Noteworthy student groups include the Outing Club, an adventure group for outdoorsy types, and Not Ready for Bedtime Players, an award-winning sex-education theater troupe.
As for majors, some of the school’s most popular programs are in business, communications and health, but the university offers over 100 different subject areas to choose from.
