Information Sessions for Prospective Undergraduate Students

We are so pleased you are interested in learning more about the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences community! 

The Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences offers on-campus and virtual information sessions for prospective undergraduate students throughout the academic year. In-person sessions are held in the Lederle Graduate Research Center Lowrise, Room A114. 

Sign up for our information sessions through UMass Amherst Undergraduate Admissions. 

All sessions are Eastern Daylight Time. Our information session schedule follows the University Academic Calendar. There are no information sessions when classes are not in session. 

Please send any questions to our e-mail %20cics-ambassadors [at] umass [dot] edu (cics-ambassadors[at]umass[dot]edu). We look forward to hearing from you!

Meet Our Student Ambassadors

Roshan P.

Hometown: Needham, Massachusetts
Major/Minor: Computer Science and Philosophy
Favorite Course(s) at UMass: COMPSCI 210 Data Structures, COMPSCI 250 Introduction to Computation (Discrete Math), COMPSCI 360 Introduction to Computer and Network Security PHIL 160 Introduction to Ethics, PHIL 310 Intermediate Logic
Co-curricular Activities/interests: Intramural Basketball (I'm very bad), Pickleball, Chess, MMA/ Boxing (watching), Board Games, Fishing
Something I love about CICS/UMass Amherst: A bit cliche, but I really love the community and opportunities in CICS. In my experience, students are always willing to help each other, and there is a strong sense of shared experience when taking classes together. Even if you don’t have everything figured out, there are also endless ways to explore your interests through classes, clubs, or research.
Advice for prospective students in your college search: No matter what college you choose (hopefully UMass!), take the time in high school to plan how you want your college experience to look. This could mean finding student organizations that align with your interests, identifying classes that excite you, or having a rough idea of your major. When I was getting ready for college, I had a lot of broad ambitions but struggled to actualize them right away. Looking back, I realized that having a clearer, more specific plan would have helped me get involved and accomplish my goals sooner.

Lorna S. 

Hometown: Springfield, MA
Major/Minor: Computer Science major/Economics minor
Favorite Course(s) at UMass: CS 240 Reasoning Under Uncertainty; CS 420 Software Entrepreneurship; CS 360 Intro to Computer and Network Security; and CS 377 Operating Systems
Internships/Research: Cyber Security Intern @ Liberty Mutual; Product Manager Intern @ Johnson and Johnson
Co-curricular Activities/interests: National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), going to the gym, watching movies, reading novels 
Something I love about CICS/UMass Amherst: Something I love about UMass is the abundance of resources available to students. Since my freshman year, I have taken advantage of so many of these opportunities, whether it’s finding internships through organizations like NSBE, getting help preparing for exams through tutoring services, improving my resume with guidance from CS Advising, or finding on-campus jobs through the connections I have made. There is always a resource available to help you succeed. Beyond academics and career opportunities, being part of the College of Computer Science has also helped me find my people and build a family away from home.
Advice for prospective students in your college search: When searching for a college, I would encourage prospective students to look beyond academics and rankings. Think about the kind of environment you want to be in, the resources available to help you succeed, and the opportunities to get involved outside the classroom. I would also encourage students to ask questions, attend information sessions, and talk to current students to get a better idea of what life at each school is really like. Most importantly, choose a school where you can see yourself growing and feeling at home.

Mishti G.

Hometown: Mumbai, India
Major/Minor: Informatics major (Data Science concentration), with minors in Computer Science and Business
Favorite Course(s) at UMass: CICS 420 Software Entrepreneurship
Internships/Research: Project Management Intern at LearningMate. I also served as an Undergraduate Research Volunteer (URV) at CICS, researching AI-driven program synthesis and comparing AI-based code generation approaches. Additionally, I participated in the CICS Open-Source Apprenticeship Program (OSAP) for two summers, first as an apprentice contributing to open-source projects and later as a sub-mentor supporting other students.
Co-curricular Activities/Interests: Founder and President of UMass CodeCollab, Head of Mentorship & Growth for the UMass Entrepreneurship Club, Product Manager & Project Lead at BUILD UMass, CICS Student Ambassador and Student Leader, member of MUSIC (Manning Undergraduate Students Impact Committee), and Residential Life Peer Mentor. I've also served as a mentor in UMass's Mentor-Mentee Program. At Technica 2024, my team developed ContractScout, an AI-powered contract analysis tool, winning first place for Best Hack for Real-World Change and an Honorable Mention for Bloomberg Industry Group's LegalLeaks challenge. I was also selected as a CICS-funded attendee for the Grace Hopper Celebration 2026. I'm passionate about entrepreneurship, organizing events, mentorship, and building communities that bring people together.
Something I love about CICS/UMass Amherst: I love that UMass gives students the freedom to explore different interests, take initiative, and turn ideas into something real. I've been able to combine my interests in technology, business, entrepreneurship, and leadership in ways I never expected. What makes CICS especially meaningful to me is its supportive community of students, faculty, and advisors who encourage you to try new things, pursue your ideas, and create opportunities not just for yourself, but for others.
Advice for prospective students in your college search: Don't choose a university based solely on rankings or academics. Look for a place where you can see yourself growing, finding your community, and exploring interests beyond the classroom. Talk to current students, ask questions, and consider the opportunities available outside your major. Once you're in college, don't wait for opportunities to come to you. Get involved, build relationships with professors and mentors, and don't be afraid to try something new. If something you're passionate about doesn't exist, consider creating it yourself! You don't need to have your entire future figured out at 18. Some of my most meaningful experiences at UMass came from saying yes to unexpected opportunities and taking chances on ideas I believed in. Be curious, take initiative, and make your college experience your own!