What's the appeal for Amherst?

[Anonymous]

Tiny, mediocre campus in a lackluster town. No academic highlights (like Williams tutorial, Swarthmore Honors, etc). Racial and socioeconomic diversity on paper, but every group sticks with themselves. Snobby, condescending students who think they're big shots. This struck us because the students we met at Yale and Brown were so much more friendly and humble. They tout small classes but only 62% are under 20 students- every other top ranked SLAC and nearly every top 20 university is ahead of them. They themselves said few utilize the 5 College consortium, so that's a moot benefit.

What is the big hype behind this school? I don't get it.

[Anonymous]

So don’t apply.

[Anonymous]

Snobby, condescending students who think they're big shots.

We didn't get this vibe at all on our tour and both guides had taken classes at one of the other colleges in the consortium - for our guides that was Smith & Mt. Holyoke. They'd both been to Greek parties at UMass, but that wasn't their go to party scene. I thought the campus was beautiful, but I know that's subjective (for reference I also liked the campus at Wellesley & Elon, but not Vassar or Duke).

[Anonymous]

Work with some private equity guys from Amherst. Really arrogant. I find Yale folks the most humble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Work with some private equity guys from Amherst. Really arrogant. I find Yale folks the most humble.

Oh you work with PE guys who you find arrogant? How unusual. Definitely the fault of their college.

[Anonymous]

I don't think there is a tremendous appeal. Has always been for near-miss kids. They all want to be at Harvard or Brown. That's the chip on the shoulder that you are observing.

[Anonymous]

You sounds very bitter, OP. Did your child get rejected?

[Anonymous]

I don't think there is a tremendous appeal. Has always been for near-miss kids. They all want to be at Harvard or Brown. That's the chip on the shoulder that you are observing.

Did you visit the school? Not being snarky, but genuinely curious how you reached that conclusion. We specifically asked several students why they chose Amherst and it was a top choice for everyone we spoke to. The students were into the small, liberal arts experience and generally had other SLACs on their list (Williams & Middlebury were mentioned). Brown and Harvard would be very different schools/experiences.

[Anonymous]

Amazing you have formed opinions on the student body of multiple schools without actually being there.

[Anonymous]

We were seriously interested in liberal arts colleges. I found their faculty in CS and STEM to be second rate (look at how many CS faculty they have).
I know research is not its main focus.. then what’s the difference from good private high schools?

[Anonymous]

Wait—so you’re saying Williamstown is bustling college town? You’re kidding, right? The town of Amherst and nearby Northampton are fabulous college towns. Come on, OP. Your post reeks of bitterness over your kid not getting in. As another poster said, comparing to Yale and Brown is ridiculous. They are not SLACs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think there is a tremendous appeal. Has always been for near-miss kids. They all want to be at Harvard or Brown. That's the chip on the shoulder that you are observing.

I know someone who turned down Harvard for Amherst.

Personally, I remember not liking it that much when I was looking, I applied to Williams instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think there is a tremendous appeal. Has always been for near-miss kids. They all want to be at Harvard or Brown. That's the chip on the shoulder that you are observing.

8% acceptance rate. Only Swarthmore and Pomona were lower among LACs last year. It is a highly coveted school that many consider their dream school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were seriously interested in liberal arts colleges. I found their faculty in CS and STEM to be second rate (look at how many CS faculty they have).
I know research is not its main focus.. then what’s the difference from good private high schools?

You were seriously interested in LACs and you found Amherst lacking?

Bullshit.

ps I count 8 CS faculty. How many should a liberal arts college with less than 1,800 students have?

[Anonymous]

This thread is hilarious.