Amherst College
Amhest, MA
The Philosophy
Small (1800) national highly selective liberal arts college
Focuses on broad a base of knowledge, flexibility, and adaptability
No pre-professional programs
Open curriculum - NO required classes
Sustainably minded - newly built Greenways dorms, new science building with solar panels and rainwater collection; compost bins in dining hall, 5 clubs focused on sustainability
No Greek life
The Classes
Average class 16-18 student
Largest classes 80-100. If classes over 30, have at least one class with professor with smaller size
Never taught by TA
850 courses offered each semester
Oldest neuroscience program in nation
Community members can audit classes
The Path
RD Jan 1, notified April 1
ED Nov 1, notified Dec 15
Financial Aid Priority February, notified April 1
40 majors
Requirements to graduate - Senior thesis and 32 courses (8-12 major requirements, first year seminar)
80% go on to grad school within 5 years
Popular majors include Economics, Chemistry, Biology, English, Psychology, and History
Can acquire certificates in other subjects that majors are not offered in
The People
Close relationship with professors
98% live on campus
Students from 48 states (no North Dakota or South Dakota)
54 countries - 10% international
54% People of Color
25% Pell Grant
17% First Generation College Student
13% Acceptance Rate
40% Double Major
50% of students study in the consortium, most do 2-3 courses in other schools (6000 courses within 5 colleges)
Students recently protested over the lack of diversity of professors, forcing Amherst to hire more teachers of color
Known as the "Singing college", 6 a cappella groups
30% involved in 27 varsity sports, plus clubs draw another 50% of students
The Aid
Need blind, need based, no merit scholarship
Meet 100% of demonstrated need without loans
70% of students graduate without loans, 30% who have loans, it averages $16,000
Financial aid is for domestic or international students
Every financial need student has $2200 work study available
The Resources
Career Center with 8 experts in their field to counsel on pre law, arts and communication, pre med, etc
$4500 offered for unpaid internships
2.9 Billion endowment
40% study abroad, financial aid follows, semester or full year. 180 pre-approved programs
Professors only teach 2 classes per semester, therefore expected to do research
Research as early as freshman year
400 students summer research programs. Students get paid. College also pays for students to present at conferences
95% do research
Part of the 5 School Consortium
150 clubs, which receive one million dollars total
All clubs at other colleges available
Speakers and performances are drawn to the 5 college area
Free bus system to all 5 colleges and local stores
1000 acres, 500 acres of which are a bird sanctuary
15 minutes from one end to end of campus
