UMass v UConn v UNH?

[Anonymous]

How do they compare, price aside? DC wants to live in New England post college, but not sure where.

I think URI isn’t as respectable so leaving that one off for now.

[Anonymous]

UMass > UConn > UNH I think

[Anonymous]

We live in New England and visited all six state flagships last year. Liked them all to varying degrees although there was a clear order of preference for my DS. UConn and UMass carry the most prestige at the national level, they’re going to show up highest in the USNWR rankings. We both really loved UMass on our visit, we went on a beautiful spring day (for a campus that big the day and weather matters!) and the campus was vibrant and alive and had so much going on. I’ve known a few kids over the last five or six years who have gone there and they all seem to really love it . The first time we visited UConn was a quiet Sunday morning and it was just to get a sense of the physical place, it’s a nice campus with lovely facilities. But when we went back to visit on a day when School is in session, we found it really overwhelmingly Packed and sort of claustrophobic feeling. My DS has two good friends at UConn now, one seems to like it the other wants to transfer. UNH is a pretty little campus, if you’re looking for a New England feel you get much more of that there. Of the schools you’re considering it definitely will have the most regional feel to it, Lots of friend groups from New Hampshire high schools just move from high school to college there so it may be a little bit harder to break in socially but is also much smaller.

[Anonymous]

I've heard the social/high school group piece about UNH, too.

It sounds silly, but UMass really does have amazing food which students love.

[Anonymous]

^ I know the op didn’t ask, but what was your impression of uvm and Maine?

[Anonymous]

Is there a reason you aren't considering UVM? My child is a freshman there. She really likes Burlington and is pleasantly surprised by how accessible the professors are and how participatory the intro classes are. I think it's more prestigious than UNH, not sure how it compares to UMass or UConn. It's smaller, which was a plus for us.

[Anonymous]

UConn and UMass are ahead of UNH. The stats of UConn students are better than both, but UMass for CS is a better option than either.

[Anonymous]

If you are considering UNH I’d consider URI

[Anonymous]

Kid is a freshman at UConn out of state. Enjoying all aspects of school right now, including natural beauty of the area. School spirit and sports may be a differentiator between the schools with UConn in Big East and bball crazy. Her friends are both from CT and out of state.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^ I know the op didn’t ask, but what was your impression of uvm and Maine?

I’m the PP who went to all six. We live in Maine so applying there as a backup is just kind of a given. Everybody gets into UMaine it has like a 97% acceptance rate or something. It’s kind of in the middle of nowhere. We went during February break and TBH I expected not to like it at all, but we found it friendly and welcoming, a good amount of school spirit, lovely new athletic facilities, and my DS knew if he ended up there, he’d have friends around. TBH the friends he has there now don’t seem to love it there isn’t a whole lot to do there, but it’s our in-state option and it has some plusses including a pretty decent engineering program.
UVM, we loved! Didn’t expect to think it was a good fit but just had such a great experience at the open house and it quickly rose to the top of his list. That’s where he is a first year now and really enjoying himself. It’s a haul to get there, there really isn’t much in the way of good public transportation and that’s a bit of a pain. But otherwise so far at this early stage it’s been terrific and he’s happy there.

[Anonymous]

UConn grad here.

What is the considered major? That might guide the choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UConn and UMass are ahead of UNH. The stats of UConn students are better than both, but UMass for CS is a better option than either.

Agree major really matters. In a very general way as far as reputation I think most people would say it goes something like this: UMass/Uconn > UVM > URI/UNH > UMaine. FWIW my kid is the one who chose UVM over the higher ranked schools (he got into all of them) and so far no regrets

[Anonymous]

If want a career in Boston then UMass.

[Anonymous]

I live in NH and UNH doesn't have the prestige of UMass or UVM in NE but it definitely is a school with some strengths and would be a good fit for many smart kids who were more engineering/earth science/biology/env science/ag oriented, particularly if interested in research, vs a kid interested in humanities. Very attractive campus and decent location. They have a new Honors Program, which looks intriguing. Durham is small and "rural-ish" -- but its not like you're in the middle of nowhere. Portsmouth is fairly nearby and is a delightful (very small) city. Boston and Portland arent too far. Near enough to beach and mountains for kids who like outdoors. Strong environmental programs and research. School is much smaller than UMass, but its not small. Everyone I've known who attended, loved it. I think the cons are cost, the state does not want to spend money to support education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If want a career in Boston then UMass.

Agree. Honestly I’d pick Umass then UVM. I’d skip UConn. I agree UNH is for local New Hampshire residents. I think the system is also having financial stress.