Amherst College
Amherst, MA
Amherst College is one of the nation's premier private, national liberal arts and sciences colleges. The student body of 1,650 includes students from 50 states and 30 countries - 30% are students of color, 46% receive need-based aid, and 5% are non-U.S. citizens. Two distinctive features of an Amherst education are its "open curriculum" (no core or distribution requirements) and its membership in a five-college consortium of nearby schools (providing students with the resources of a much larger institution). Founded in 1821 as an educational institution for men, it began admitting women in 1975. Its 978-acre campus is located close to the center of Amherst, 55 miles west of Worcester, Massachusetts, 90 minutes west of Boston and three hours north of New York City.
Website: www.amherst.edu/
Admission
- Entrance Difficulty
- Most difficult
- Overall Admission Rate
- 13% of 9,285 applicants were admitted
- Early Action Offered
- No
- Early Decision Offered
- Yes
- Regular Admission Deadline
- January 1
Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen
- Average GPA
- Not reported
- SAT Math
- 710-790 range of middle 50%
- SAT EBRW
-
742 average
720-770 range of middle 50% - ACT Composite
- 33 average
32-34 range of middle 50%
Money Matters
- Cost of Attendance
- $73,966
- Tuition and Fees
- $56,426
- Room and Board
- $14,740
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 100%
- Average Freshman Award
- $60,141
- Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
- $13,710
Academics
- Academic Calendar System
- Semester
- General Education/Core Curriculum
- Not required for most or all students
- Full-Time Faculty Teaching Undergraduates
- 223
- Regular Class Size
- 2-9 students: 21% of classes
10-19 students: 42% of classes
20-29 students: 20% of classes
30-39 students: 10% of classes
40-49 students: 4% of classes
50-99 students: 1% of classes
Over 100 students: 1% of classes
Campus Life
- Amherst Population
- 34,874
- Nearest Metropolitan Area
-
- Freshman Housing Guarantee
- Freshmen are guaranteed housing
- Students in College Housing
- 97% of all students
- Athletic Conferences
- NCAA Division III
- Mascot
- Sororities
- Fraternities
Students
- Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
- 0.7% American Indian/Alaskan Native
15.7% Asian
12.5% Black/African-American
14.0% Hispanic/Latino
5.8% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
0.1% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
48.2% White
3.0% Unknown - International Students
- 9.2% from 58 countries
- First-Year Students Returning
- 96.0%
- Students Graduating Within 4 Years
- 89.6%
- Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
- Not reported
- Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
- Not reported
Freshman Admission Requirements
Entrance Difficulty
Most Difficult: More than 75% of freshmen were in the top 10% of their high school class and scored over 1310 on the SAT I or over 29 on the ACT; about 30% or fewer of all applicants accepted.
High School Preparation
- High School Graduation
- High school diploma or equivalent is not required
- High School Program
High School Units Required or Recommended
Subject | Required Units | Recommended Units |
---|---|---|
English | 4 | |
Mathematics | 4 | |
Science | 3 | |
Foreign Language | 3 | |
Social Studies | 2 | |
History | 2 | |
Academic Electives |
Examinations
Exam | Required Units | Scores Due in Admissions Office |
---|---|---|
SAT or ACT | Required | January 1 |
SAT Only | ||
ACT Only | ||
SAT and SAT Subject Tests, or ACT | ||
SAT Subject Tests Only | ||
SAT Essay Component Policy | Essay component recommended | |
ACT Writing Test Policy | Writing component recommended | |
ACT Writing Test Policy | Not reported |
Applying for Admission
Admissions Office
- Address
- PO Box 5000
- City, State, Zip
- Amherst, MA 01002-5000
- Phone
- (413) 542-2328
- Fax
- (413) 542-2040
- admission@amherst.edu
Application Dates and Fees
- Regular Admisson Deadline
- January 1
- Application Fee
- $65
- Application Fee Waiver
- Available
- Regular Admission Notification
- April 1
- Accept Offer of Admission
- May 1
- Waiting List Used
- Yes
- Defer Admission
- Student can defer admission
- Transfer Admission
- Transfer applications accepted
Early Admission
- Early Decision Offered
- Yes
- Early Decision Deadline
- November 1
- Early Decision Notification
- December 15
- Early Action Offered
- No
- Early Action Deadline
- Early Action Notification
Application Form
- Common Application
- Accepted, supplemental forms required
- Universal College Application
- Not accepted
- Electronic Application
- Available
Other Application Requirements
- Interview
- Not Required
- Essay or Personal Statement
- Required for all freshmen
- Letters of Recommendation
- 3 required for all freshmen
- Other
- Amherst College Supplement required for freshmen
- Financial Need
- Financial need is not a consideration in the admissions process
Selection of Students
Factor | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rigor of Secondary School Record | X | |||
Academic GPA | X | |||
Standardized Tests | X | |||
Class Rank | X | |||
Recommendations | X | |||
Essay | X | |||
Interview | ||||
Level of Applicant's Interest | X | |||
Extracurricular Activities | X | |||
Volunteer Work | X | |||
Particular Talent/Ability | X | |||
Character/Personal Qualities | X | |||
First Generation to Attend College | X | |||
State Residency | X | |||
Geographic Residence | X | |||
Relation with Alumnus | X | |||
Religious Affiliation/Commitment | X | |||
Ethnicity | X | |||
Work Experience | X |
Profile of Fall Admission
- Overall Admission Rate
- 13% of 9,285 applicants were admitted
- Women
- 12% of 5,160 applicants were admitted
- Men
- 15% of 4,125 applicants were admitted
- Students Enrolled
- 488 (41%) of 1,198 admitted students enrolled
- Women
- 237 (40%) of 597 admitted students enrolled
- Men
- 251 (42%) of 601 admitted students enrolled
- Early Decision Admission Rate
- 34% of 502 applicants were admitted
- Early Action Admission Rate
- Students Offered Wait List
- 1,144
- Students Accepting Wait List Position
- 590
- Students Admitted From Wait List
- 60
Grade Point Average of Enrolled Freshmen (4.0 scale)
- Average GPA
- Not reported
- 3.75 and Above
- Not reported
- 3.50 - 3.74
- Not reported
- 3.25 - 3.49
- Not reported
- 3.00 - 3.24
- Not reported
- 2.50 - 2.99
- Not reported
- 2.00 - 2.49
- Not reported
SAT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
- SAT Math
- 710-790 range of middle 50%
- Score of 700 - 800
- 85%
- Score of 600 - 700
- 14%
- Score of 500 - 600
- 1%
- Score of 400 - 500
- 0%
- Score of 300 - 400
- 0%
- Score of 200 - 300
- 0%
- SAT EBRW
- 742 average
720-770 range of middle 50% - Score of 700 - 800
- 83%
- Score of 600 - 700
- 16%
- Score of 500 - 600
- 1%
- Score of 400 - 500
- 0%
- Score of 300 - 400
- 0%
- Score of 200 - 300
- 0%
ACT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
- ACT Composite
- 33 average
32-34 range of middle 50% - Score of 30 - 36
- 94%
- Score of 24 - 29
- 6%
- Score of 18 - 23
- 0%
- Score of 12 - 17
- 0%
- Score of 6 - 11
- 0%
- Score of 5 or Below
- 0%
Other Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen
- High School Class Rank
- Top tenth: 83%
Top quarter: 94%
Top half: 100% - National Merit Scholar
- Not reported
- Valedictorian
- Not reported
- Class President
- Not reported
- Student Government Officer
- Not reported
Tuition and Expenses
- Cost of Attendance
- $73,966
- Tuition and Fees
- $56,426
- Room and Board
- $14,740
- Books and Supplies
- $1,000
- Other Expenses
- $1,800
- Payment Plans
- Installment plan
Applying for Financial Aid
Financial Aid Office
- Web Site
- Financial Aid Web Site
- Net Price Calculator URL
- Net Price Calculator URL
Application Process
- Application Deadline
- Priority deadline February 15
- Award Notification
- On or about April 1
- Methodology for Awarding Institutional Aid
- Federal and Institutional Methodologies
Forms Required | Cost to File |
---|---|
FAFSA Code is 002115 |
Free |
CSS/Financial Aid Profile | $25 for first college, $16 each additional |
Business/Farm Supplement | |
Noncustodial (Divorced/Separated) Parent's Statement |
Profile of 2018 - 19 Financial Aid
Freshman
- Financial Aid Applicants
- 361 (72.2%) of freshmen
- Found to Have Financial Need
- 303 (80.3%) of applicants
- Received Financial Aid
- 303 (100.0%) of applicants with financial need
- Need Fully Met
- 303 (100.0%) of aid recipients
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 100%
- Average Award
- $60,141
- Need-Based Gift
- Received by 303 (100.0%) of aid recipients, average amount $58,880
- Need-Based Self-Help
- Received by 253 (83.9%) of aid recipients, average amount $1,984
- Merit-Based Gift
- Not reported
- Merit-Based Gift
- Not reported
All Undergraduates
- Financial Aid Applicants
- 1,230 (63.6%) of undergraduates
- Found to Have Financial Need
- 1,084 (88.1%) of applicants
- Received Financial Aid
- 1,084 (100.0%) of applicants with financial need
- Need Fully Met
- 1,084 (100.0%) of aid recipients
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 100%
- Average Award
- $55,908
- Need-Based Gift
- Received by 1,084 (100.0%) of aid recipients, average amount $54,715
- Need-Based Self-Help
- Received by 954 (85.6%) of aid recipients, average amount $1,944
- Merit-Based Gift
- Not reported
- Merit-Based Gift
- Not reported
Borrowing
- 2018 Graduates Who Took Out Loans
- 30%
- Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
- $13,710
- Parents of Students Receiving Aid
- 4.0%
- Parents of Students Not Receiving Aid
- 1.0%
Financial Aid Programs
Loans
- Federal Loans
- Direct subsidized Stafford loans, direct unsubsidized Stafford loans, direct PLUS loans, Federal Perkins loans
- State Loans
- Other Loans
- College/university loans
Scholarships and Grants
- Need-Based Available
- Federal Pell grants, SEOG, State scholarships, Institutional scholarships, Private scholarships
- Non-Need–Based Available
- None
Non-Need Awards
- Academic Interest/Achievement Award Areas
- Not reported
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Creative Arts/Performance Award Areas
- Not reported
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Special Achievements/Activities Award Areas
- Not reported
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Special Characteristics Award Areas
- Not reported
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
Employment
- Work-Study Programs
- Federal work study available, other work study available
- Average Earnings from On-Campus Employment
- $1,546
- Academic Calendar System
- Semester
- Summer Session
- Not offered
- General Catalog/Bulletin
- Online Catalog
Undergraduate Education
Undergraduate Majors
- African-American/Black Studies
- American/United States Studies/Civilization
- Ancient/Classical Greek Language and Literature
- Anthropology
- Asian Studies/Civilization
- Astronomy
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General
- Chemistry, General
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Computer Science
- Dance, General
- Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
- Economics, General
- English Language and Literature, General
- Environmental Studies
- European Studies/Civilization
- Fine/Studio Arts, General
- French Language and Literature
- Geology/Earth Science, General
- German Language and Literature
- History, General
- Latin Language and Literature
- Legal Studies, General
- Mathematics, General
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General
- Music, General
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy
- Physics, General
- Political Science and Government, General
- Psychology, General
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Russian Language and Literature
- Sociology
- Spanish Language and Literature
- Statistics, General
- Women's Studies
- Most Popular Disciplines
- Social sciences, Biological/life sciences, Mathematics and statistics
- Combined Liberal Arts/Professional Degree Programs
- Engineering
- Special Programs
- Student-designed major, Double major, Independent study, Internships, Study abroad
- Study Abroad
- Offered
- Online Degrees
- No online degree programs
Curriculum and Graduation Requirements
- General Education/Core Curriculum
- Not required for most or all students
- Computer
- Students not required to own/lease a computer
- Foreign Language
- Not required
- Math/Science
- Not required
Faculty and Instruction
- Full-Time Faculty
- 223
- Part-Time Faculty
- 68
- Full-Time Faculty with Ph.D./Terminal Degree
- 68%
- Regular Class Size
- 2-9 students: 21% of classes
10-19 students: 42% of classes
20-29 students: 20% of classes
30-39 students: 10% of classes
40-49 students: 4% of classes
50-99 students: 1% of classes
Over 100 students: 1% of classes - Discussion Section/Lab Class Size
- 2-9 students: 24% of discussion sections/labs
10-19 students: 45% of discussion sections/labs
20-29 students: 27% of discussion sections/labs
30-39 students: 1% of discussion sections/labs
40-49 students: 3% of discussion sections/labs
50-59 students: 1% of discussion sections/labs
Advanced Placement
- International Baccalaureate
- Not accepted
- Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
- Not accepted for placement and credit
- Sophomore Standing
- Not available
Academic Resources
- Library Available on Campus
- Yes
- Holdings
- Computer Ownership
- Students not required to own/lease a computer
- Computers Available on Campus
- Not Reported
- Internet/E-mail Access
- Not reported
Academic Support Services
- Remedial Instruction
- Not Offered
- Tutoring
- Available
- Services for Learning Disabled Students
- Available
- Services for Physically Disabled Students
- Hearing impaired services, speech disorders services, visually impaired services, wheelchair access
Graduate/Professional School Education
Master's Degrees Offered
Not reported
Master's Programs of Study
- Not reported
Doctoral Degrees Offered
Not reported
Doctoral Programs of Study
- Not reported
Location and Setting
- Amherst Population
- 34,874
- Nearest Metropolitan Area
- Campus Size
- 1,020 acres
Weather
- Temperature
- 21.6 average low in January, 76.3 average high in September
- Rain
- 127 rainy days per year
Getting Around
- Campus Map
- Map
- Nearest Bus Station
- 1 mile(s) from campus in Amherst
- Nearest Train Station
- 1 mile(s) from campus in Amherst
Housing
- College Housing
- College offers housing to students
- Types of Housing
- Women only housing, coed housing, cooperative housing, disabled student housing
- Students in College Housing
- 97% of all students
- Housing Requirements
- Freshmen are required to live on campus
- Freshman Housing Guarantee
- Freshmen are guaranteed housing
- Students Living Off Campus/Commuting
- 3%
- Off-Campus Housing Assistance
- Assistance in locating off-campus housing is available
Security
- 24-Hour Emergency Phone/Alarm Devices
- Available
- 24-Hour Security Patrols
- Available
- Late-Night Transport/Escort Services
- Available
- Electronically Operated Housing Entrances
- Available
- Other
Personal Support Services
- Health Service
- Offered
- Personal Counseling
- Offered
- Child Care
- Not offered
Sports and Recreation
Intercollegiate Athletics
- Athletic Conferences
- NCAA Division III
- Mascot
- School Colors
Intercollegiate Sports Offered
Sports | Women | Men | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Offered | Scholarships | Offered | Scholarships | |
Baseball | x | |||
Basketball | x | x | ||
Cross-Country Running | x | x | ||
Field Hockey | x | |||
Football | x | |||
Golf | x | x | ||
Ice Hockey | x | x | ||
Lacrosse | x | x | ||
Soccer | x | x | ||
Softball | x | |||
Squash | x | x | ||
Swimming And Diving | x | x | ||
Tennis | x | x | ||
Track And Field | x | x | ||
Volleyball | x |
Women's Sports | Offered | Scholarships |
---|---|---|
Baseball | ||
Basketball | x | |
Cross-Country Running | x | |
Field Hockey | x | |
Football | ||
Golf | x | |
Ice Hockey | x | |
Lacrosse | x | |
Soccer | x | |
Softball | x | |
Squash | x | |
Swimming And Diving | x | |
Tennis | x | |
Track And Field | x | |
Volleyball | x |
Mens's Sports | Offered | Scholarships |
---|---|---|
Baseball | x | |
Basketball | x | |
Cross-Country Running | x | |
Field Hockey | ||
Football | x | |
Golf | x | |
Ice Hockey | x | |
Lacrosse | x | |
Soccer | x | |
Softball | ||
Squash | x | |
Swimming And Diving | x | |
Tennis | x | |
Track And Field | x | |
Volleyball |
- Women's Club Sports
- cheerleading, crew, equestrian sports, fencing, rugby, sailing, skiing (downhill), ultimate Frisbee, water polo, wrestling
- Men's Club Sports
- crew, equestrian sports, fencing, rugby, sailing, skiing (downhill), ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, water polo, wrestling
Recreational Sports
- Intramural Sports
- badminton, basketball, golf, ice hockey, rock climbing, soccer, softball, squash, tennis, track and field, volleyball
Student Activities
- Activities and Organizations
- choral groups, drama theatre, radio station, student newspaper, association of amherst students, black students union, student publications (e.g., amherst student, indicator), a capella groups (e.g., zumbye's, bluestockings), amherst dance
- Sororities
- Fraternities
- ROTC
- Army ROTC is offered off campus, Air Force ROTC offered off campus
Student Body
- Coeducational
- Yes
- All Undergraduates
- 1,836
- Women
- 908 (49.5%)
- Men
- 928 (50.5%)
- Full-Time Undergraduates
- 1,836
- Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
- 0.7% American Indian/Alaskan Native
15.7% Asian
12.5% Black/African-American
14.0% Hispanic/Latino
5.8% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
0.1% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
48.2% White
3.0% Unknown - International Students.
- 9.2% from 58 countries
- Average Age
- 20
- All Graduate Students
- Not reported
Undergraduate Retention and Graduation
- First-Year Students Returning
- 96.0%
- Students Graduating Within 4 Years
- 89.6%
- Students Graduating Within 5 Years
- 93.3%
- Students Graduating Within 6 Years
- 95.0%
After Graduation
- Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
- Not reported
- Average Starting Salary
- Not reported
- Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
- Not reported
- Disciplines Pursued
- Not reported
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