
Amherst College
Amherst College overview
Amherst College is a private liberal arts college in Amherst, Massachusetts, USA. It was established in 1821, and it is one of the oldest and most prestigious liberal arts institutions in the country. The college is known for its demanding academic programs, its diverse student body, and its beautiful campus. Amherst offers a broad range of courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The college follows an open curriculum, so you design your own academic path without required courses outside your major.
Amherst is a small college, with an undergraduate enrollment of around 2.000 students. That small size fosters a tight-knit community and keeps classes small, so professors can give you personal attention. The college is committed to promoting diversity and inclusiveness on campus. It has made significant efforts to increase financial aid and build a more socioeconomically diverse student body. Amherst is one of the few institutions that offer need-blind admissions to all students, including international students.
This means the college judges your qualifications without considering your financial situation.
Amherst also meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for every admitted student. The college has more than 100 student-run clubs and organizations, including cultural, political, and interest-based groups. You will also find opportunities for community service and leadership development. The college is a member of NCAA Division III and the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). Its athletic tradition is strong, and many students play varsity, club, and intramural sports.
Amherst has produced numerous prominent alumni, among them politicians, business leaders, academics, and artists. Some notable names include Calvin Coolidge (30th President of the United States) and Henry Ward Beecher (social reformer). Dan Brown (author of The Da Vinci Code) is on that list as well.
About Amherst College
Amherst College is a private liberal arts college in Amherst, Massachusetts, USA. It was established in 1821, and it is one of the oldest and most prestigious liberal arts institutions in the country. The college is known for its demanding academic programs, its diverse student body, and its beautiful campus. Amherst offers a broad range of courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The college follows an open curriculum, so you design your own academic path without required courses outside your major.
Amherst is a small college, with an undergraduate enrollment of around 2.000 students. That small size fosters a tight-knit community and keeps classes small, so professors can give you personal attention. The college is committed to promoting diversity and inclusiveness on campus. It has made significant efforts to increase financial aid and build a more socioeconomically diverse student body. Amherst is one of the few institutions that offer need-blind admissions to all students, including international students.
This means the college judges your qualifications without considering your financial situation.
Amherst also meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for every admitted student. The college has more than 100 student-run clubs and organizations, including cultural, political, and interest-based groups. You will also find opportunities for community service and leadership development. The college is a member of NCAA Division III and the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). Its athletic tradition is strong, and many students play varsity, club, and intramural sports.
Amherst has produced numerous prominent alumni, among them politicians, business leaders, academics, and artists. Some notable names include Calvin Coolidge (30th President of the United States) and Henry Ward Beecher (social reformer). Dan Brown (author of The Da Vinci Code) is on that list as well.
Amherst College faculties and programs
Astronomy
Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies
Statistics
American Studies
Anthropology and Sociology
Architectural Studies
Art and the History of Art
Asian Languages & Civilizations
Biochemistry and Biophysics
Biology
Amherst College scholarships and financial aid
Amherst College offers financial aid to international students in the form of need-based scholarships. The college has a need-blind admission policy for international students, so your financial status is not considered in the admission decision. If you are admitted and demonstrate financial need, the college is committed to meeting 100% of your demonstrated need. To be considered for need-based financial aid, you must submit the CSS Profile during the application process.
This information helps the college assess your family's financial situation and calculate the amount of financial aid needed. Financial aid packages at Amherst College typically consist of grants and scholarships that do not have to be repaid. They may also include a work-study component, which gives you the opportunity to work part-time on campus.
Amherst College Exam Requirements
Submitting at least one of the exams below with the required score is a prerequisite for application. The score threshold may vary by program.
How to get into Amherst College
If you are an international student applying to an undergraduate program at Amherst College, you must meet the admission requirements below.
- Completion of 12 Years of Basic Education
- 4-Year High School Diploma
- High Grade Point Average
- Official transcripts of the courses you took in 11th and 12th grade
- Standardized Test Scores (SAT or ACT)
- Certificate in English Proficiency
- Certificate in English proficiency from an internationally recognized proficiency test such as IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT.
- Personal Statement & Essay
Please note that academic qualifications from programs such as GCE A-Level, International Baccalaureate, and Advanced Placement are not sufficient for direct admission. If you study within these programs, you can still request course credits in line with the courses you have taken.
If you are an international student applying to a graduate program at Amherst College, you must meet the admission requirements below.
- 4-Year Bachelor's Degree Diploma
- High Grade Point Average
- Official transcripts of the courses you took during your college/university education
- Work experience may be required for certain programs
- Certificate in English Proficiency
- Certificate in English proficiency from an internationally recognized proficiency test such as IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT.
- A GRE/GMAT exam score may be required, in line with the specific admission requirements of certain programs.
Application Deadlines
* These dates are subject to change. Get in touch with our Dream Uni advisors to learn the up-to-date deadlines and all the details about the Amherst College application process.
Take a closer look at Amherst College
Amherst College is in the town of Amherst, Massachusetts, in the Pioneer Valley region of western Massachusetts. The college's 1,000-acre campus stands out for its architecture, its landscaping, and its views of the neighborhood. The campus buildings represent a variety of architectural styles, such as Gothic Revival, Georgian, and modern. Johnson Chapel, College Hall, and Fayerweather Hall are among the most historic and recognizable structures.
Amherst College is known for its immaculate lawns, its abundant trees, and open areas that give you a calm and motivating setting. Several gardens, nature paths, and outdoor recreation facilities sit on the campus. The Amherst College Wildlife Sanctuary is on campus too, with walking routes and room for birdwatching and studying nature. The college's main library is named after Robert Frost, the well-known American poet who once taught here. It holds a sizable collection of publications, including books, periodicals, and digital media.
It also serves as a hub for research and academic support services.
The Mead Art Museum at Amherst College holds a collection of more than 19,000 pieces. It covers Asian, African, and pre-Columbian art, in addition to American and European paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. For its sports programs the college provides contemporary amenities, such as LeFrak Gymnasium, Pratt Field, Orr Rink, and its swimming and diving pool. You also have access to a range of outdoor activity areas and indoor fitness spaces. Every student at Amherst College can use on-campus housing, and most live in conventional resident halls.
The college offers a range of living options, including flats, theme homes, and dorms.
Amherst is a pleasant and energetic college town with a wide range of leisure, shopping, and cultural possibilities. Amherst College is also part of the Five College Consortium. The consortium consists of Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Through these institutions you can attend classes and take part in events and activities, which enhances your college experience further.
Campus life at Amherst College is active and engaging. It gives you many chances to get involved, make connections, and grow personally and intellectually. More than 100 student-run clubs and organizations let you explore your interests, develop leadership abilities, and widen your network among like-minded peers. These clubs cover a wide range of areas, including cultural, political, recreational, community service, and academic interests. Amherst College requires students to live on campus, which fosters a strong sense of community among the student body.
The college offers a variety of housing options, such as dormitories, theme houses, and apartments. As a first-year student you join an orientation program that helps you settle into college life and meet your classmates.
Throughout the year Amherst College hosts social events and activities, including guest lectures, concerts, theater productions, and art exhibitions. Campus traditions such as Fall Festival and Spring Fling belong to the calendar as well. These events let you connect with your peers and enjoy diverse cultural experiences. The college offers several on-campus dining options, from the main dining hall to cafes and grab-and-go spots. Amherst is also known for its commitment to sustainability, and its dining services use locally-sourced and organic ingredients whenever possible.
Amherst College has a strong athletic tradition, and many students take part in NCAA Division III sports, club sports, and intramural activities. The college's athletic facilities include LeFrak Gymnasium, Pratt Field, Orr Rink, and the swimming and diving pool. You also have various outdoor recreational spaces and indoor workout areas. Amherst College is a member of the Five College Consortium. The consortium also includes Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
This membership lets you take classes, attend events, and participate in activities at the other member institutions, which expands your academic and social opportunities.
The town of Amherst offers a lively college-town atmosphere with a variety of cultural, recreational, and shopping opportunities. The Pioneer Valley region, which includes neighboring Northampton and South Hadley, provides additional attractions. These include art galleries, museums, music venues, and outdoor recreational opportunities.
Amherst College has produced many notable alumni in various fields. Some of the best-known and most accomplished among them include:
- William Smith Clark
- William H. Webster
- Uhuru Kenyatta
- Uchimura Kanzō
- Thomas Eagleton
- Talcott Parsons
- Stephen Collins
- Stephen Cole Kleene
- Scott Turow
- Robert Morgenthau
- Rob Brown
- Richard Wilbur
- Melvil Dewey
- Matt Besser
- Larry Miller
- Ken Howard
- Julie Powell
- Joseph Stiglitz
- Joseph Hardy Neesima
- John Michael Higgins
- John M. Deutch
- John J. McCloy
- John Bates Clark
- Jim Steinman
- Jeffrey Wright
- James Merrill
- Henry Ward Beecher
- Harlan Stone
- Harlan Coben
- Hamish Linklater
- George Papandreou
- Francisco Flores Pérez
- Eric T. Schneiderman
- Drew Pinsky
- David Suzuki
- David O. Russell
- David Foster Wallace
- David Eisenhower
- Daniel Goleman
- Dan Brown
- Clarence Birdseye
- Chris Coons
- Chelsea Cutler
- Charles R. Drew
- Carl Woese
- Calvin Coolidge
- Burgess Meredith
- Antonis Samaras
- Albert II, Prince of Monaco
- Aatish Taseer
Amherst College awards and achievements
- 6 Nobel Prize Laureates
- 20 Rhodes Scholars
- 1 Crafoord Prize Winner
- 5 National Medal of Science Winners
- 10 Pulitzer Prize Winners
- 9 MacArthur Fellowship Winners
- 50 Senators, Representatives and Politicians
- 37 Diplomats and Government Officials
- 14 Professional Athletes and Coaches
Amherst College Frequently Asked Questions
Amherst College Location
Amherst, United States
Amherst College Contact
Amherst College
Take a Closer Look
How to Get Into Amherst College
In your first meeting with a Dream Uni advisor, your academic background, goals, and expectations are analyzed in detail.
By assessing your English level and academic grades, your eligibility for the universities and colleges Dream Uni partners with is determined.
The application process is managed meticulously by our professional team, and your acceptance letter is delivered to you.
Why Amherst College?
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