Amherst College
Located in Amherst, Massachusetts, Amherst College was established in 1821 and is now considered one of the finest liberal arts colleges in the nation. Just over 1,600 students are enrolled at the College and 194 full-time faculty members are employed there.
Just under 90 percent of classes at Amherst have less than 30 students enrolled in them. The average class size is 17 students. At Amherst, the student-to-faculty ratio at Amherst is a very low 8:1.
Programs at Amherst College
Students attending Amherst can choose from 34 different areas of study to major in. Program offerings include:
• American Studies
• Astronomy
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Film and Video Arts
• Law, Jurisprudence, and Social Thought
• Mathematics
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Theater and Dance
First-year students are not expected to take a core curriculum of courses. Freshmen at Amherst sign up for First Year Seminars with a view to engaging them in a liberal arts education.
Since the fall of 2007, students at Amherst have been able to go to the College’s Center for Social Justice to learn more about opportunities that await them in the fields of social justice and community service. The Center provides information about research and internship opportunities, as well as programs that allow them to study abroad or study in an off-campus location.
Getting Admitted to Amherst
Prospective students at Amherst are evaluated on a number of factors by the Admission Committee. No single factor is used to eliminate an applicant, and each person’s materials are reviewed by a minimum of two admission deans before being forwarded on to the Committee.
Along with your application form, you will be asked to submit your high school transcript, SAT or ACT test results, and letters of recommendation from teachers and counselors. The College also evaluates the quality of each candidate’s writing. Being involved in quality extracurricular activities is another factor that this institution considers when reviewing applications for admission.
You have the option of applying early (before December 1) and receiving a decision by December 15. In early March, regular applications for admission are reviewed and decisions are mailed out by April 1. Applicants who live outside the United States will receive an e-mail with the decision in addition to a letter.
Amherst Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition, room and board at Amherst will cost $46,760. Students will also need to pay for books ($1,000), health care coverage ($1,038), and student fees ($670). Amherst is known for having a very generous financial aid package and as of the 2008-2009 school year, Amherst students graduate from school debt-free.
The College will meet the full financial needs of all students that are admitted. All admission decisions are made on a need-blind basis at Amherst. Gaps between the student and his or her family’s resources to pay for education are filled by scholarships.
Sports
Life at Amherst isn’t all (school) work and no play, though. The College has 27 varsity teams in such athletic endeavors as basketball, hockey, swimming, diving, track and field, lacrosse, squash, and more.
Reviews of Amherst College
Amherst College consistently makes the list of the top 50 liberal arts colleges on several lists. Reviews are almost always positive. You can find some online reviews here:
