Before You Start

Welcome to UMass Amherst

Discover which steps you need to take before you start your program.

Contact Your Advisor

We have a team of dedicated personal advisors whose job it is to make sure all your questions are answered and to ensure you have a smooth transition to the university.

Before you start on any of the steps below, contact your local personal advisor. Simply select your region of the world below, and send your advisor an email, Skype, WhatsApp, or WeChat message. We look forward to meeting you very soon!

Africa

China

Latin America

Middle East/North Africa

North America

North Asia

Russia/Central Asia/Eastern Europe

South Asia

Southeast Asia

UK and Western Europe

Nikita (India)

Tel: +91 9310587075WhatsApp: +91 9310587075Email Nikita

Isha (India)

Tel: +91 9953550789WhatsApp: +919953550789Email Isha

Rakesh (India)

Tel: +91 9096507300 WhatsApp: +91 9096507300 Email Rakesh

Sahil (India)

Tel: +91- 9811718710WhatsApp: +91- 9811718710Email Sahil

Laxmi (India)

Tel: +91 98183 96406WhatsApp: +91 98183 96406Email Laxmi

Daniyal (Pakistan)

Tel: +92 310 588 8648WhatsApp: +92 310 588 8648Email Daniyal

Valeria (Latin America)

Tel: +57 310 7880364WhatsApp: +57 310 7880364Email Valeria

Sanjukta (North America)

Tel: +91-9820162776 WhatsApp: +91-9820162776 Email Sanjukta

Alexis (North America)

Tel: +1 239-744-9468WhatsApp: +1 239-744-9468WeChat: alexis0426Email Alexis

Sofya (North America)

Tel: +1 347 399 35 72 WhatsApp: +1 347 399 35 72Email Sofya

Maya (Middle East/North Africa)

Tel: +971 58 156 0328WhatsApp: +971 58 156 0328Email Maya

Alsu (Middle East/North Africa)

Tel: +7 939 346 09 59WhatsApp: +7 939 346 09 59Email Alsu

Carol (North Asia excluding Korea)

Tel: +852 6745 3906WhatsApp: +852 6745 3906Email Carol

Evie (China)

Tel: +86 182 1096 7343WeChat: eseviewuQQ: 1034905349Email Evie

Kelly (China)

Tel: +86 15901806534WeChat: 447619658QQ: 447619658Email Kelly

Abbie (North Asia excluding Korea)

Tel:+852 8481 0532 Whatsapp:+852 8481 0532Email Abbie

Vicky (North China)

WeChatvickychen7910Tel:+86-135-2182-7910Email Vicky

Mark (Central China)

QQ:15800624575Tel:+86-158-0062-4575Email Mark

Lisha (North China)

QQ:18310168200Tel:+86-183-1016-8200Email Lisha

Jane (West China)

QQ:713070180Tel:+86.159.2876.6884Email Jane

Viraja (South & West India)

WhatsApp:+91 7028090894Skype:+91 7028090894Tel:+91 7028090894Email Viraja

Sonam

WhatsApp:+91-999-647-1494Skype:sonam.parashar3Tel:+91-999-647-1494Email Sonam

Sakshi (India)

WhatsApp:+91-995-351-0160Skype:arorasakshi187Tel:+91-995-351-0160Email Sakshi

Saranya (Excluding Vietnam)

WhatsApp:+66-96-982-0007Skype:awesome.saranyaTel:+66-96-982-0007Email Saranya

Chau (Vietnam)

Tel:+84-908-792-892WhatsApp:+84-908-792-892Skype:diemchau.dtEmail Chau

Marianna

Tel:+34-692-46-41-16WhatsApp: +34-692-46-41-16Skype:marianna.zubenkoEmail Marianna

Doris (South China)

Tel:+86-150-1870-6751WhatsApp:2282183545Email Doris

Bibiane (Korea)

Tel:+82-10-7711-6538WhatsApp:+82-10-7711-6538Email Bibiane

Ekta (India)

Tel:+91-965-001-0409WhatsApp:+91-965-001-0409Skype:ekta.aneja05Email Ekta

Ajith (India)

Tel:+91-971-722-2408WhatsApp:+91-971-722-2408Skype:ajitks10Email Ajith

Taha (Pakistan)

Tel:+92-307-333-6878WhatsApp:+92-307-333-6878Skype:tshahid29Email Taha

Chris (Southwest)

Tel:+1-508-948-7542WhatsApp+1-508-948-7542WeChat:chris040594Email Chris

Alice (Northwest)

Tel:+1-857-315-8730WhatsApp:+1-857-315-8730WeChataliceqinusEmail Alice

Tomi (Africa)

Tel:+234 703 414 1021WhatsApp:+234 703 414 1021Email Tomi

Complete Your Pre-Arrival Checklist

1. Mark your calendar for orientation

To find out your mandatory orientation please visit the important dates page. Schedules and zoom links will be distributed to you in emails leading up to the start of your program. 

2. Pay tuition and fees

Please refer to your statement of fees to make the tuition payment. Payments can be made through Flywire, and must be completed two weeks prior to the start of your program.

3. Log in to your UMass Amherst email

You will receive an email with activation instructions. The email will come from UMass Amherst’s IT team and will include instructions on how to log in for the first time. If you need additional support, you can find resources here.

4. Install Zoom

In order to attend your orientation, you will need Zoom. Additionally, Zoom is the audio and video technology used as part of the AC Live experience. All students regardless of location will need to download the zoom app at zoom.us. You can access it here. You must use the US app downloaded here. With this Zoom app from the US you will be able to access all the Live lectures.

5. Order textbooks

You will receive information about your textbooks as it gets closer to the start of class. Please be sure to check your email for the list of textbooks.

6. Purchase your second monitor

As part of the Live-to-Device experience, we recommend all students purchase a second monitor. The experience is designed to be optimized with a use of the second monitor. You can find recommended specifications to purchase the monitor here.

7. Install Google Chrome

Google Chrome is required for the use of UCommons. You will use UCommons, and therefore Google Chrome, for all of your Live lectures. You can download Google Chrome from the link here, if you are located in China, and the link here, if you are located anywhere outside of China.

8. Complete your UCommons profile prior to orientation

UCommons is the platform you will use for all Live lectures, assignments and course resources. You will receive an email 1-2 weeks before orientation with instructions on how to complete the UCommons set-up. This will be sent to your personal email address.

9. Register for Miro Whiteboard

Register prior to orientation. Follow these instructions to register for Miro Whiteboard. Miro allows you to access an interactive whiteboard along with other important collaborative tools inside the UCommons platform.

10. Ensure you have proper equipment for Live lectures

To ensure the best experience for you and your fellow students, there are certain technology requirements you must meet. Please ensure that you have:

    1. Either a Mac or Windows machine to participate in Live lectures. Please note that our technology is not compatible with phones or tablets.
    2. A camera on your laptop—it is a requirement to be on video to get credit for the course.
    3. The Google Chrome browser
    4. Headphones with a microphone
    5. Strong bandwidth (ie internet speed). You can test your bandwidth here. Please ensure that your internet bandwidth is a minimum of:
      • Receiving 1080p HD video requires 20.0 Mbps download speed
      • Sending 1080p HD video requires 10.0 Mbps upload speed
    6. A second monitor: Please refer to item number 6 in this checklist for additional details regarding recommended models and specifications.

11. Prepare for life in the US

You can set up a US bank account and sign up for a US phone plan before leaving your home country with our trusted provider, Ellis.

Ready to learn more about the programs offered in your home country through UMass Amherst?

Contact