Anonymous
10/22/2025 17:48
Subject: What’s the deal with Amherst?
Anonymous wrote:
I am one of the Amherst detractors. The Williams Inn was heaven. Even the sandwich and coffee places were nicer.
Students don’t go to the Williams inn.
My Williams student seems to live at Tunnel Coffee - and Spring St Market and Lickety Split (in season) seem to be in heavy rotation. When anyone has a parent in town, friends tag along for a meal at the Barn. But you are right that if they eat out, it's mainly Sproot or Blango.
Thanks to having friends with cars, my Williams student goes to Blue Benn in Bennington at least once a month for breakfast on the weekend. It's only about a 20-minute drive to Bennington, which has a good number of restaurants and shops. There are also some good places in North Adams.
When we come to town, we try to get a reservation at Mezze (in Williamstown)--much better food than the Inn. We do like to stay at the Inn. You would be surprised how many seniors you see at the bar there on the weekend.
Anonymous
10/22/2025 17:33
Subject: What’s the deal with Amherst?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wow. Pictures really say it all.
This really clarifies the critiques. It seems Amherst is too busy giving out financial aid and POC scholarships and needs to dedicate more time to resources and building quality academic departments. How disappointing for a once great institution.
This is exactly what a great institution should be doing. Money for financial aid rather fancy buildings? Fantastic.
Meh, most top schools do both. Sounds like a cop out.
Really? Name other LACs that are need blind for both domestic and international students and don’t have legacy admissions
No, they only rubber-stamp admission for rich athletes (who are often legaciesj to comprise 40% of their freshman class to pay for it. How noble!
Okay, so not real facts only you OWN facts
Amherst is 35% athletes. Freshman athlete admission proportions have to be much higher due to post-freshman year attrition. Facts. Had Amherst cut their athletes in half, and retained legacy, it would have helped non-wealthy families way more. Facts. Numbers don’t lie.
True, numbers don't lie. More than 20% of the freshman class is FGLI, and 76% of students receive financial aid.
My kid's roommate has a full ride. Families earning under $140K get full tuition.
Anonymous
10/22/2025 15:09
Subject: What’s the deal with Amherst?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wow. Pictures really say it all.
This really clarifies the critiques. It seems Amherst is too busy giving out financial aid and POC scholarships and needs to dedicate more time to resources and building quality academic departments. How disappointing for a once great institution.
This is exactly what a great institution should be doing. Money for financial aid rather fancy buildings? Fantastic.
Meh, most top schools do both. Sounds like a cop out.
Really? Name other LACs that are need blind for both domestic and international students and don’t have legacy admissions
No, they only rubber-stamp admission for rich athletes (who are often legaciesj to comprise 40% of their freshman class to pay for it. How noble!
Okay, so not real facts only you OWN facts
Amherst is 35% athletes. Freshman athlete admission proportions have to be much higher due to post-freshman year attrition. Facts. Had Amherst cut their athletes in half, and retained legacy, it would have helped non-wealthy families way more. Facts. Numbers don’t lie.
Why are we bringing up legacy? Amherst doesn’t have legacy- it’s entirely irrelevant to discussion.
PP is very confused
Anonymous
10/22/2025 15:02
Subject: What’s the deal with Amherst?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Ha! I just spent three days there at family weekend with my freshman daughter who is happier than she’s ever been in her life. Pretty much your entire post is untrue, particularly every group sticking to themselves and students being snobby and condescending. Not sure what your beef is with such a great community but if your child didn’t like visiting Amherst then it’s great that there are so many other options.
+1
I went to William’s and will even admit that most of what OP wrote is false.
William’s, huh? Did you go to John Hopkins for grad school?
Anonymous
10/22/2025 14:15
Subject: What’s the deal with Amherst?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wow. Pictures really say it all.
This really clarifies the critiques. It seems Amherst is too busy giving out financial aid and POC scholarships and needs to dedicate more time to resources and building quality academic departments. How disappointing for a once great institution.
This is exactly what a great institution should be doing. Money for financial aid rather fancy buildings? Fantastic.
Meh, most top schools do both. Sounds like a cop out.
Really? Name other LACs that are need blind for both domestic and international students and don’t have legacy admissions
No, they only rubber-stamp admission for rich athletes (who are often legaciesj to comprise 40% of their freshman class to pay for it. How noble!
Okay, so not real facts only you OWN facts
Amherst is 35% athletes. Freshman athlete admission proportions have to be much higher due to post-freshman year attrition. Facts. Had Amherst cut their athletes in half, and retained legacy, it would have helped non-wealthy families way more. Facts. Numbers don’t lie.
Why are we bringing up legacy? Amherst doesn’t have legacy- it’s entirely irrelevant to discussion.
Anonymous
10/22/2025 14:11
Subject: What’s the deal with Amherst?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wow. Pictures really say it all.
This really clarifies the critiques. It seems Amherst is too busy giving out financial aid and POC scholarships and needs to dedicate more time to resources and building quality academic departments. How disappointing for a once great institution.
This is exactly what a great institution should be doing. Money for financial aid rather fancy buildings? Fantastic.
Meh, most top schools do both. Sounds like a cop out.
Really? Name other LACs that are need blind for both domestic and international students and don’t have legacy admissions
No, they only rubber-stamp admission for rich athletes (who are often legaciesj to comprise 40% of their freshman class to pay for it. How noble!
Okay, so not real facts only you OWN facts
Amherst is 35% athletes. Freshman athlete admission proportions have to be much higher due to post-freshman year attrition. Facts. Had Amherst cut their athletes in half, and retained legacy, it would have helped non-wealthy families way more. Facts. Numbers don’t lie.
True, numbers don't lie. More than 20% of the freshman class is FGLI, and 76% of students receive financial aid.
Anonymous
10/22/2025 12:44
Subject: What’s the deal with Amherst?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wow. Pictures really say it all.
This really clarifies the critiques. It seems Amherst is too busy giving out financial aid and POC scholarships and needs to dedicate more time to resources and building quality academic departments. How disappointing for a once great institution.
This is exactly what a great institution should be doing. Money for financial aid rather fancy buildings? Fantastic.
Meh, most top schools do both. Sounds like a cop out.
Really? Name other LACs that are need blind for both domestic and international students and don’t have legacy admissions
No, they only rubber-stamp admission for rich athletes (who are often legaciesj to comprise 40% of their freshman class to pay for it. How noble!
Okay, so not real facts only you OWN facts
Amherst is 35% athletes. Freshman athlete admission proportions have to be much higher due to post-freshman year attrition. Facts. Had Amherst cut their athletes in half, and retained legacy, it would have helped non-wealthy families way more. Facts. Numbers don’t lie.
Just want to pipe in as the parent of a freshman - yes there are that many athletes but many of the athletes (in the freshman class at least) are FGLI rather than wealthy.
That is great if it is true. I know Amherst was trying to make headway in that regard. Having said that, if there is any scrutiny of minority athletic recruiting efforts by the feds, it might be illegal.
Anonymous
10/22/2025 11:07
Subject: What’s the deal with Amherst?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Ha! I just spent three days there at family weekend with my freshman daughter who is happier than she’s ever been in her life. Pretty much your entire post is untrue, particularly every group sticking to themselves and students being snobby and condescending. Not sure what your beef is with such a great community but if your child didn’t like visiting Amherst then it’s great that there are so many other options.
+1
I went to William’s and will even admit that most of what OP wrote is false.
Not op, but how can an opinion be false? You feel differently, neither is right or wrong.
Not PP, yes it was an opinion but more of a rant
Anonymous
10/22/2025 11:05
Subject: What’s the deal with Amherst?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wow. Pictures really say it all.
This really clarifies the critiques. It seems Amherst is too busy giving out financial aid and POC scholarships and needs to dedicate more time to resources and building quality academic departments. How disappointing for a once great institution.
This is exactly what a great institution should be doing. Money for financial aid rather fancy buildings? Fantastic.
Meh, most top schools do both. Sounds like a cop out.
Really? Name other LACs that are need blind for both domestic and international students and don’t have legacy admissions
No, they only rubber-stamp admission for rich athletes (who are often legaciesj to comprise 40% of their freshman class to pay for it. How noble!
And how are rich athletes rubber stamped? Your’e so ignorant that you don’t know they don’t have legacy admissions
Anonymous
10/22/2025 10:58
Subject: What’s the deal with Amherst?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Ha! I just spent three days there at family weekend with my freshman daughter who is happier than she’s ever been in her life. Pretty much your entire post is untrue, particularly every group sticking to themselves and students being snobby and condescending. Not sure what your beef is with such a great community but if your child didn’t like visiting Amherst then it’s great that there are so many other options.
+1
I went to William’s and will even admit that most of what OP wrote is false.
Not op, but how can an opinion be false? You feel differently, neither is right or wrong.
Anonymous
10/22/2025 10:21
Subject: What’s the deal with Amherst?
Anonymous wrote:Ha! I just spent three days there at family weekend with my freshman daughter who is happier than she’s ever been in her life. Pretty much your entire post is untrue, particularly every group sticking to themselves and students being snobby and condescending. Not sure what your beef is with such a great community but if your child didn’t like visiting Amherst then it’s great that there are so many other options.
+1
I went to William’s and will even admit that most of what OP wrote is false.
Anonymous
10/22/2025 10:12
Subject: What’s the deal with Amherst?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wow. Pictures really say it all.
This really clarifies the critiques. It seems Amherst is too busy giving out financial aid and POC scholarships and needs to dedicate more time to resources and building quality academic departments. How disappointing for a once great institution.
This is exactly what a great institution should be doing. Money for financial aid rather fancy buildings? Fantastic.
Meh, most top schools do both. Sounds like a cop out.
Really? Name other LACs that are need blind for both domestic and international students and don’t have legacy admissions
No, they only rubber-stamp admission for rich athletes (who are often legaciesj to comprise 40% of their freshman class to pay for it. How noble!
Okay, so not real facts only you OWN facts
Amherst is 35% athletes. Freshman athlete admission proportions have to be much higher due to post-freshman year attrition. Facts. Had Amherst cut their athletes in half, and retained legacy, it would have helped non-wealthy families way more. Facts. Numbers don’t lie.
Just want to pipe in as the parent of a freshman - yes there are that many athletes but many of the athletes (in the freshman class at least) are FGLI rather than wealthy.
Anonymous
10/22/2025 10:00
Subject: What’s the deal with Amherst?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wow. Pictures really say it all.
This really clarifies the critiques. It seems Amherst is too busy giving out financial aid and POC scholarships and needs to dedicate more time to resources and building quality academic departments. How disappointing for a once great institution.
This is exactly what a great institution should be doing. Money for financial aid rather fancy buildings? Fantastic.
Meh, most top schools do both. Sounds like a cop out.
Really? Name other LACs that are need blind for both domestic and international students and don’t have legacy admissions
No, they only rubber-stamp admission for rich athletes (who are often legaciesj to comprise 40% of their freshman class to pay for it. How noble!
Okay, so not real facts only you OWN facts
Amherst is 35% athletes. Freshman athlete admission proportions have to be much higher due to post-freshman year attrition. Facts. Had Amherst cut their athletes in half, and retained legacy, it would have helped non-wealthy families way more. Facts. Numbers don’t lie.
Anonymous
10/22/2025 08:45
Subject: What’s the deal with Amherst?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wow. Pictures really say it all.
This really clarifies the critiques. It seems Amherst is too busy giving out financial aid and POC scholarships and needs to dedicate more time to resources and building quality academic departments. How disappointing for a once great institution.
This is exactly what a great institution should be doing. Money for financial aid rather fancy buildings? Fantastic.
Meh, most top schools do both. Sounds like a cop out.
Really? Name other LACs that are need blind for both domestic and international students and don’t have legacy admissions
No, they only rubber-stamp admission for rich athletes (who are often legaciesj to comprise 40% of their freshman class to pay for it. How noble!
Okay, so not real facts only you OWN facts
Anonymous
10/22/2025 08:23
Subject: What’s the deal with Amherst?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wow. Pictures really say it all.
This really clarifies the critiques. It seems Amherst is too busy giving out financial aid and POC scholarships and needs to dedicate more time to resources and building quality academic departments. How disappointing for a once great institution.
This is exactly what a great institution should be doing. Money for financial aid rather fancy buildings? Fantastic.
Meh, most top schools do both. Sounds like a cop out.
Really? Name other LACs that are need blind for both domestic and international students and don’t have legacy admissions
No, they only rubber-stamp admission for rich athletes (who are often legaciesj to comprise 40% of their freshman class to pay for it. How noble!