Sarah

The best thing about Amherst is the people, i've already met a lot of really nice people who i know will be lifelong friends. I would definitely change the food at val. It might be a little small, i feel like i know most people already, but i like it. when i say i go to amherst people usually say wow what a great school. It feels like i spend most of my time at the gym, especially surind basketball season, but probably the dorm, i usually do work there and just hang out with friends. I love the town of amherst, there's enough to do on campus that it doesn't need to be anything more than it is. I haven't had much experience with the administration. I've met our class dean and he was very nice and personable, the secretaries, offices, etc are pretty helpful. the big controversy this year was the start or amherstconfessional.com where people starting posting obscene and cruel comments. there's a fair amount of school pride, people come to big games and we drew some decent crowds at some of our big games. I feel like amherst student have a certain quirkiness to them, in a very good way, but it's nothing specifically unusual. one experience i'll always remember was winning the nescac tournament by beating tufts for the second time that season. the most frequent student complaint is far and away the food.

Yes, all of my professors know my name. My favorite class is people and pollution (history 28). it deals with really relevent issueas of pollution and human impact on the environment and it's done really well, we also have pretty good discussions. my least favorite is spanish 3 (intermediate). i haven't taken spanish since jnr yr in high school and i am just taking this to refresh my spanish, but it's not really doing much. the people in the class dont talk much and the only talking we do is give answers to exercised where each part is basically the same. i would love to have more conversation and vocab, but it is hard to have that kind of class at 9 in the morning... i find that most students study pretty hard every week night. class participation is common, especially when there are upperclassmen to lead it, but freshmen still participate too. i've had several intellectual conversations outside of class, but it's not the norm. most students are not that competitive. the most unique class i've taken is either the history class i mentioned above, or my first-yr seminar, called genes, genomes, and society which was very interesting. my major will be biology. i've made several appointments with profs outside of class, but only when i have questions. i love the fact that amherst has an open curriculum but will still take advantage of different departments and the typical "liberal arts" education. i'd say some of both to the last question, certain classes are geared toward jobs or grad school (like econ, maybe some sciences) but a lot are just for learning.

I know a pretty diverse group of people. i haven't had much interaction with any formal groups representing these parts of society, but they are visible, by which i mean i see flyers for student groups like BSU and GSA. I can see how a student from a lower socio-economic background could initially feel uncomfortable, a lot of students wear a lot of designer clothing, etc, but everyone becomes pretty included, and definitely not necessarily with people exactly like themselves. Different types of students interact all the time. If asked to describe four tables at the dining hall, it will sound like people stick to people like themselves but its not always true: one table is huge with football players at it, one table has black students at it, one table has freshmen girls and boys who everyone knows because they party and one table has a mix of people from different races and backgrounds (that is true, there are always tables like this). most amherst students are from the northeast/mid atlantic states. the most visible financial background is upper class. students are very politically aware and active. most are left, but there is a visible right group. some talk about their future bank accounts, but the conversation mostly focused on jobs and careers, not payrolls.

I mostly know about the teams, the football, hockey, lacrosse and basketball teams are all popular. other groups that are big include GSA, BSU, and Asian club. I'm a basketball player and i loved this past season. I am also doing track for the first time this year and throwing discus and shot put after one of my floor mates convinced me to do it. a lot of people on my floor leave their doors open. we've been a very close floor from the first day and we all bought door stops together. i don't see it as much on other floors. athletic events are reasonably popular, especially when a team is doing well. there are a lot of guest speakers and the ones i've been to have been good. i don't hear much about the theater happening here. i went to one play put on by a company outside the school for a class. the dating scene is almost non-existent. basically, if you repeatedly hook up with someone you may eventually start dating. if, like me, you don't want to do that, you feel stuck. i met my closest friends because they're my floor mates. if i'm awake at 2 am on a tuesday it won't be for long but i'm finishing up any work i have to do. there are a several parties thrown by the social council that happen every year and they're pretty fun. people party quite often, you could probably find at least a small party/groups of students drinking, etc, every night of the week. frats aren't supposed to exist, but there are underground frats that basically serve to throw parties. i've never been to one and i find them annoying. i did nothing last weekend b/c we just got back from spring break, but i usually go out to a party on campus on saturday nights, and for the past four months, i've either had a game or practice, and i always have a lot of work. on some saturdays i just hang out with friends and watch movies or play (non-drinking) games, which i think is really fun. i go out to eat in restuarants in town and shop.

I've heard a few different ones. Everything ranging from very athletic to nerdy. i've also heard students have a rep for being awkward

I think both ends of the spectrum are true and that some, but definitely NOT all athletes follow some typical athlete stereotypes (not as smart, cocky, etc). But i've also met some of the nicest people here who happen to be athletes. It might appear to an outsider that these stereotypes hold true, but i think that would be the excception more than the rule. so, no, the stereotypes are not entirely accurate. the awkward this is pretty true, people look down as they walk to avoid people. it's stupid they should just say hi, there's nothing awkward about that.

As much as i love amherst, the whole college set-up bothers me sometimes. first, we're worked to the bone by classes, which i guess is important b/c the "real world" can do that, but sometimes all the busy-work isn't necessary. i just feel like people might be burnt out after college. second, the social dynamic bugs me sometimes. it seems people have to drink to have fun, and while i do have fun when i go out, it just annoys me sometimes. Also, i hate that people just want to hook-up and aren't looking for serious relationships. i'm just not the type of person to hook-up with different people every weekend...but overall i really love this school