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 24,000 undergraduates, there are a wide range of clubs on campus. Noteworthy student groups include the Outing Club, an adventure group for outdoorsy types, and WMUA 91.1 FM, the student-run radio station.
As for majors, some of the school’s most popular programs include business, communications and health, but the university offers over 100 different subject areas to choose from.
