Amherst College Top Questions

I think most students at Amherst can find some sort of niche to become a part of, but the interactions and divisions among students from different social, ethnic and financial backgrounds is probably more significant than the college would like to admit. The sports teams some times tend to take over the social scene, but really most people can probably find some sort of social network. I would recommend that people get involved in some sort of activity or on campus organization so they can meet people.

equal opportunity to everyone, diverse backgrounds, should have more internationals and blacks

There are certainly cliques and groups but many different people do come together. Athletic cliques, however, are very common.

The student body would benefit from more interactions outside of their comfort zone. Opening up to new experiences and learning about other peoples journeys is a piece of education that is overlooked and unused far too often. People could be a bit more friendly on the path toward each other too. I mean, life can be rough, but sometimes just one smile can lift you or someone else out of a ditch and realize that crap happens to everyone but you don't have to focus on that.

I don't think any person would feel out of place at Amherst. Amherst has the most diverse student body I have could imagine. There is a friend here for everyone. Most people where clothing to class. What kind of stupid question is that? No, sorry, most people where gorilla suits. I'd say the majority of students are from New England. I am one of two people form Louisiana in my class. I'm not sure about the political leanings of most students. People that I hang around don't talk about how much they will make one day, although I am pretty sure anyone who goes here is going to make a ton of money someday.

There really is no single type of Amherst student, and I can honestly say that this is the most diverse group of people I have ever come across. The school is committed to making college affordable for students, regardless of their financial situation, and the aid office is really great about working to make the costs to students and their families manageable. The campus is very inclusive, and students hailing from all sorts of backgrounds and experiences mix and interact. Diverse perspectives make class discussions an incredible opportunity to learn from your classmates. Almost everybody you meet is passionate about something, whether it's a cause, a sport, an instrument, or an activity. The energy on campus is truly astounding. Any student who is hard-working, motivated, and willing to approach things with an open mind will fit right in. We're all a little quirky in our own ways, and this is what gives Amherst its allure.

I don't think there is a particular kind of student who would feel out of place at Amherst--although it's small, there are all different kinds of people and groups. There are definitely some very intellectual, somewhat pretentious people here, and there are also some somewhat frivolous superficial types, but for the most part, people are friendly, engaging, and interesting. Some students are very politically aware and active, and get frustrated with those who aren't, but overall the student body is well-informed.

I have never once felt that there was not enough to do at Amherst. Most of the student body is involved in something, which is reflected in the broad range of activities.

Student body is VERY open and accepting of all walks of life and belief systems.

At first I thought everyone was middle class just like me, but I've started to notice a slight subculture of students who come from very rich families, who wear very preppy clothes, all have Iphones, read the Wall Street Journal, and somehow know all about finance and banking jobs. There students are involved in the party and athletic scene, but very little in cultural, community service, or academic (ie debate team) kinds of groups. Different types of students interact when on sports teams and in common clubs. Students wear jeans, sweatshirts, sneakers, brown shoes, polo shirts, t-shirts, northface jackets, etc to class. A little preppy, but rarely do I see sweater vests and loafers. Some kids are politically active, but overall the campus is apathetic. Most kids are liberal since we are in the Northeast, but many kids, especially from other regions or rich backgrounds are conservative. As seniors, kids talk about the salaries of the jobs they are applying too, but thats it, and only among close friends.

I have not felt any discrimination on campus personally. I am in a group called the Men's Project that addresses issues of masculinity, sexism and domestic abuse on campus. Certainly there are comments thrown about that can be construed as hateful. The Black Students Union has felt that the political magazine The Indicator. There was an episode a few months ago where gay and lesbian people from Hampshire were having a party and were discriminated against by students in a dorm. I'm sure that minority (ethnicity, race, sexual orientation) students feel alienated and overwhelmed and forgotten at times by the predominantly WASP, rich student body. Students wear all different things to class. Different types of students do interact but the segregation is extremely evident in the cafeteria. The black kids sit together, the "nerdy" kids sit together, the athletes sit together. The various sports teams sit together, etc. Most students are from the northeast and are not on financial aid. Most students are politically aware, it's hard not to be, but most are not politically active. I'd say most are liberal politically but there are more conservative kids here than i had expected. Alot of students go into investment banking and talk about economics and making lots of money

The student body is very tolerant. But not as integrated. There is still a black table and an asian table and sport team tables in the dining hall. However, I would argue that Amherst far more integrated than other schools. Since it's small, it's easier to reach across social barriers. I rarely notice divisions of wealth among students. It doesn't come up much in conversation and people are more interested in academics than the latest fashion trends. Sometimes I feel out of place for being religious. The student body is traditionally liberal so if you're very conservative you will want to be able to explain why.

Kids here are great, lot of diversity but everyone gets along and is open to whatever.

For the most part Amherst students are very accepting of on e another and of each other's differences. I don't think many students would feel out of place at Amherst. Students wear anything from skirts and dresses, to sweats, to sweaters and jeans to class, you can really wear whatever you want, and odds are someone will be wearing something similar. Amherst students are from a variety of geographic areas, with a lot coming from the New York Area as well as California and a lot of international students too. There are students from a variety of financial backgrounds; no one is going around asking if people are on financial aid, it is very easy to keep that type of information private, and for the most part people aren't particularly interested in that aspect of students' backgrounds. Many students are politically active- Amherst has a reputation for being liberal, and there are definitely some very vocal liberal students, however I do not feel that students with other political leanings feel separated or awkward about it.

My experiences with the affinity groups on campus - The Racial groups tend to be a bit self-important, the religious groups are mild but the kids seem to all hang out with each other, and the Pride Alliance is pretty chill. You would feel out of place at Amherst if you dressed too gothic or punk-y. But it doesn't mean they don't exist here. Students usually where casual clothing - sweaters, jeans, sweatshirts, tee-shirts, and the like. Nothing too fancy. All types of students interact here. Most Amherst students are from New York, Massachusetts, California, and New Jersey. Four Student Tables: The athletes who just got back from practice, the sub-free kids who travel in packs, the racial affinity group table, and the table of the kids who play Super Smash Brothers as an extracurricular activity. More than half of students are on some sort of financial aid. The rest pay in full. Most students are not politically active (too apathetic), but the ones who are REALLY are. And they are predominately liberal, but the few conservatives get their voices out there, trust me. Students definitely talk about how much they will earn one day. And that's not a bad thing at all.

very moderate: no super gothic or anarchistic students at all. as long as youre not too off-putting you can find a core group of good friends here. Most students are from Northeast or California. Seems like a mix of financial backgrounds, but it's not totally visible. It's a really broad spectrum, some students come from the richest families in the country and some are very poor. As long as you come in with an open mind and dont let your past hold you back, you will make friends Students are obsessed with either changing the world or making 6 figures after they graduate.

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.

Amherst encourages all races, religions, sexual preferences, etc. to interact and discuss as much as possible. However, while this is a nice fantasy the reality is that most people prefer and do hang out with people who are more like themselves than different. There aren't feelings of animosity between these groups, however, and the atmosphere of the school is incredibly welcoming to anyone. Anyone who is very conservative and not willing to tolerate liberalism would feel out of place here. Students mostly wear jeans to class. Shirts range from nice sweaters, polos, designer tops, to sweatshirts.

The students really do come from entirely different backgrounds and from all sorts of places throughout the United States as well as the world. There is alot of interaction between students of different backgrounds.

Amherst is a very diverse and liberal campus. The student body tends to be very accepting of differences. A social conservative would probably feel must out of place at Amherst. Amherst students come from a wide variety of backgrounds, from including both wealthy and poor families and from countries all across the world. Amherst is generous with financial aid and has recently replaced student loans in financial aid packages with grants.

I feel that no one would feel out of place at Amherst. The student body is very diverse and in the case that anyone feels alienated, the Resident Counselors and staff will do the best they can to help that person feel more comfortable in Amherst. However, I have to admit that the campus is extremely liberal. There are conservatives, but not as many as there are liberals so they might feel a little uncomfortable. Still, I have conservative friends and they feel at comfortable at Amherst. Students do not usually talk about the money they might make in the future, but it comes up in conversation once in a while. However, Amherst has a network of successful alumni that come to speak and have provided their contact information on our Amherst site. So this makes it easier for Amherst students to learn more information about their profession or get internships if our alumni offer any.

There are many different identity groups on campus. I personally am involved with the Global Rights of Women and there is certainly a lot of interest on campus in affinity groups. The campus is not as active as I would like, but has a core group of very dedicated activists and people who at least contribute money if not time to good causes. People wear all sorts of things to class - from sweatpants to popped collars to dresses to skinny jeans and ripped tees. Different students do interact although I would say that there is definitely a divide between the athletes and the non-athletes. Amherst students are mainly from New York, Florida, Connecticut, DC and California, although I have many friends from all over the world - including Zimbabwe and Venezuela.

identity groups are abundant and active. a lot of club events (and especially organization meetings) struggle with low attendance rates, even with bribing students to come with the promise of food. most students are liberal, and the liberals are definitely loud. there are three or four good (and entertaining) student publications. most people don't keep up with news off campus. there's virtually no pre-professionalism. there are a few off-campus frats, but it's easy not to know anything about them. though the admissions office is quite proud to present the school as a bastion of liberalism, the political discourse on campus can be close-mindedly liberal, which even a self-described liberal student like myself can find distasteful.

Students are generally quite liberal. This often means that they are "accepting", but don't do much in terms of liberal action (aka protest, campaign, etc.). A majority of students are relatively wealthy, but there is a range of socio-economic backgrounds, which often gets glossed over (and not discussed). There is good racial diversity, though race as an issue isn't often discussed by white students. The LGBT community is stronger than it's ever been. The Pride Alliance is a very active group on campus.

A lot has been made of certain recent incidents on the Amherst campus involving race and gender questions. However, the school has met them head on. Anyone of any background can feel comfortable in the inviting environment. However, some self-segregation does exist. Most Amherst students come from an upper-middle class background, with a majority coming from the largest states, New York and California. Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the D.C. area are also well represented. A decent number attended prep school, but not an overwhelming number. Amherst remains a relatively apathetic campus politically, but during an election year, things heat up. Certainly left leaning, with the breakdown following 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} Liberal, 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} Conservative, 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} Very Liberal and 30{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} Moderate. Many juniors and seniors are concerned about their futures, especially the job hunt. However, it does not dominate conversation as it does at some schools like Wharton-UPenn and Stern-NYU.

There is no "average" student on the Amherst College campus. At the core we are academics, but there are several layers that make up personality for each individual. It is important here not to automatically put up barriers of "us" and "them" because everyone has something to offer and you can miss out on getting to know some great people that way.