UMass Amherst Computer Engineering program opinions

I'm pretty interested in the computer engineering program at UMass Amherst. Could anyone who's in the program or graduated from it tell me about their experiences and what they liked/disliked about it? Thanks in advance!

While I'm not a student at UMass Amherst, I can definitely give you some insights about the Computer Engineering program based on what I've heard from students and alumni.

Students in the program generally enjoy the strong curriculum and supportive faculty at UMass Amherst. The program is ABET accredited, which shows that it meets high standards and provides a solid foundation for your career as a Computer Engineer. Moreover, the program offers a variety of electives, which allow you to tailor your education depending on your interests in specific areas like hardware design, software development, and more.

The collaborative environment among students is also highly appreciated. Many students work together on their projects and engage in numerous group activities, which can help form long-lasting connections and grow your professional network.

Outside of the classroom, UMass Amherst provides opportunities for hands-on learning through research and internships. Students can work with professors on research projects in various domains or take advantage of the numerous connections the university has within the tech industry for internships and co-ops.

One downside that some students mention is the class size—since UMass Amherst is a public university, you may encounter larger classes, especially in the introductory courses. However, as you progress in the program, class sizes tend to decrease, and you'll find more opportunities for one-on-one interaction with professors.

Additionally, the course workload can be quite demanding, but this is true for most engineering programs. Balancing your schedule and staying organized can help you tackle the workload successfully.

Overall, the Computer Engineering program at UMass Amherst is well-regarded, and many alumni successfully find employment or continue their education in graduate programs. It's important to weigh the pros and cons based on your personal preferences and learning style, but the program definitely offers a strong foundation for a career in computer engineering.

If you end up applying and want tips on how to maximize your chances of acceptance, check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which breaks down how to tackle UMass Amherst's school-specific supplemental essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-umass-amherst-essays

Alternatively, you might consider participating in a summer program related to engineering. CollegeVine's blog has a list of reputable ones for high schoolers: https://blog.collegevine.com/high-school-engineering-summer-programs/. Many of them will allow you to focus on computer engineering in particular, and admissions officers love to see that you're taking initiative and pursuing your interests outside of the classroom!