another cornellian? blankguy how do you manage to find us? 😛 is this woman in orgo with us?
to the OP, i have found that the name of an institution means jack s*** if you don't get the grades and you don't learn anything. I'm also at UMB right now, and i'm very happy with my experience here. the profs actually care about you, and aren't trying to weed you out. The students i've encountered are, not only intelligent, but really willing to help each other learn and do better. There's no real sense of cutthroat competition at all, which is the biggest relief ever after my crappy undergrad experience at a university with a great name and enough gunners to start an army.
definitely check tufts out, but seriously consider umb as well if you are looking to the boston area for post-bacc.