A lot of firsts for the Class of 2016

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - This year proved to be a little different for UMass Amherst and its freshman class.  An easier move awaited students on Thursday as the university rolls out a new game plan; first-year students can now make reservations before moving in. 

The day was filled with heavy lifting, hugs and excitement as thousands of college bound UMass students flooded the flagship campus.  Lisa Bernard traveled from Westport, CT to help her youngest daughter move and says the school's move-in day reservations made for an easy transition.

“We moved in within a half an hour and just doing the room organization, we did it at our leisure. So, right now it's less than two hours and we are heading to lunch,” said Bernard outside the Central Residence Halls Thursday afternoon.  

The nearly 4600 freshman students are not only the first ones to move into campus but they are also the smartest class in the history of the university. UMass officials say the average SAT score was 1196 and the average GPA, 3.66.

“The college application process is getting more intense there's more and more students that are applying to schools,” said freshman Chelsea Steinberg, whose GPA was 3.6.

A record 34,400 students applied, but only 4,560 have been heralded as the Class of 2016. Some students told 22News being the most accomplished sets a precedent.          

“I mean we are setting the bar high and hopefully the kids after us will be even smarter,” said freshman Sam Feinberg, the Needham native scored 1910 on his SATs. 

But it wasn't all smooth sailing in Amherst on Thursday.  Traffic moved slowly on Routes 9 and 116, with drivers making small progress most of the day.

“This stretch right here is really bad, it's pretty hard to find an alternate route cause there's only two ways of getting in and out of here,” said Jeff Isabelle of Granby.

Returning students move in this weekend.  University officials say drivers should expect additional traffic on Routes 9 and 116.