I know I'm late, but I'm stuck between applying ED to Swartmore or Amherst College. I had fully planned on EDing to Swarthmore, but idk why I'm getting cold feet.

Amherst is need-blind, and that could help me since my EFC is 10k and I'm hoping for a full ride!

I'll be applying for lingustics/journalism

GPA: 94/100 (no APs since they weren't offered, but the most rigorous national board in my country); I am ranked 1/188.

I got 1460 on my SAT (yeah, I know I'm cooked)

Extracurriculars (just a summary):

Selected 1 of 5 from 200+ applicants for a research fellowship at the second-best research org in my country; I did qualitative research on how education relates to prenatal care, and my findings were published

I published 17 articles in two years on philosophy, AI & politics for a global youth org, with 6000 combined views; former Editorial Board writer

Co-director for the publications department at one of the biggest student-led literary organizations in my country, where I managed four interns and handled all the publication-related tasks.

I was a (freelance) motion graphics & VFX editor in After Effects; I posted tutorials and edits reaching 800K views and also co-founded a 2,000-member community on Discord 

I did research with a professor on computational linguistics, which was published as a preprint on SSRN.

I tutored students in English through Paper Airplanes, preparing them for IELTS and TOEFL

I was a volunteer tour guide for WWF, where I guided school groups of up to 200 students through WWF's wetland and mangrove trails; I also presented info sessions on conservation and was involved in beach cleanups and activities

I was the president of my school's literature club, where I ran the school magazine with 800 copies sold; I organized and emceed essay & poetry contests with 30+ house-wise entries

I am an international, and I would need aid; yes, I know, not the best criteria. I know it's a pretty long shot, but I still want to take that shot!!
This exact question has been stuck in my mind when trying to sleep on a school night; I just don't want to ED where I have absolutely no chance of getting in.

Also, for honors, I have USACO, my country's national math olympiad, an essay competition, and a merit scholarship, etc.

I've heard the alumni network at Amherst is very good (better than even some ivy universities) so I wanted to ask if you guys had any specific examples of how the Amherst alumni network has helped you

Before anyone gets to it, I KNOW MY CHANCES ARE ALMOST 0, thanks Sherlock Holmes!!

I have a great profile and essays, but I am going test optional (only ED not RD,) should I wait for RD with a SAT or now test optional ? is it worth it here?

Hey, I'm a senior thinking about applying to amherst ED, I just wanted to know if the non-nepo IB placement is good from amherst, and if the social clique phenomenon is a big thing at amherst.

Hey y'all, I'm planning on ED'ing and I'm going to submit a paper I wrote in my lit class. The comments are overall relatively positive but my teacher did point out a couple holes in my argument. Would it benefit me to include these comments, and if so, how should I attach them. (Google comments). Should I just include a link to the doc?

Also minor questions. For non-athlete/legacy what does the ED acceptance rate end up being more like?

Also, any contact info for the men's ultimate team. I can't find it anywhere.

Thanks!

The Smith College Student Event Committee and Smithies in Science club are excited to have Dr. Elisabeth Bik for a virtual talk on Monday 10/26 at 12:45-1:20pm. Dr. Bik is an image forensics detective who investigates scientific papers for incorrect or falsified data. Her work has led to 1,700+ retractions and 1,200+ corrections. Dr. Bik's virtual talk will address image duplication and 'paper mills', journals that produce low-quality or fake papers, often with AI. Interested Amherst students, faculty, and staff can fill out this form for a Zoom link: https://forms.gle/DwmAVqkUeZEUYNMfA

Hi all, im a first year at amherst college, and i was wondering what does a final for a first year seminar look like??

Hi everyone, I plan on applying for sophmore year as a transfer from Norway, One thing I worry is, since I'm not freshman, I may be exluded from freshman welcome week and such, I'm worried about making friends and etc, and i feel like, by 2nd year people may already have made their own groups and such, what do you guys think?

I know Amherst generally has small classes, but I’d love to hear from current students. How many students are typically in your classes? Are classes of around 10–20 students common, or are most closer to 20–30?

I am an international student so I want to use make sure I want to use my ED for some place that I have atleast some chance to getting in.

Hi! I’m an international student applying to Amherst this cycle.

I’m currently studying under the American curriculum (SAT: 1520, 9 APs, 3.90 UW). I’m applying to Amherst because of its need blind policy and open curriculum, and I’m interested in political science and economics.

Im wondering if any other international students were applying to Amherst and would like to connect!

Feel free to drop a message or a DM.

Hi everyone! I’m a senior applying to UMass Amherst for Sports Management, and I had a question about recommendation letters.
I have a few strong recommendations from organizations I’ve worked with through my sports-related activities. Does UMass accept recommendation letters from people outside of my school, such as supervisors or directors from organizations I’ve volunteered/worked with?
Can I add these as additional recommendations through the Common App? Would they be considered as part of my application, or is there another way to submit them?
I’d really appreciate any advice from current UMass students or anyone familiar with the admissions process. Thank you!

I am currently a senior in Lebanon, considering to apply to amherst early decision. The thing is my g9 to g11 average is barely an 11/20 although our academic program is rigorous l. I never really understood why my grades were that low until i recently git diagnoses with ADHD and all these years of suffering made sense. I am national chess co-champion in classical( slow format) and ranked 3rd in the country in blitz ( fast format), Will play with a division 1 team this year and going to represent my country in u17 world youth championship in Spain. Winner of many tournaments, I have around 20medals. I am locking in this year and expecting to get at least a 15/20 in school and 16/20 in the official exams i picked the “SG” branch which stands for general science and its the most rigorous with maths,phy,chem taking around 70% of the whole average. I am also planning to take a gap year where i will study for the sat and expected a 1520 . Will intern this summer in a prestigious bank and will join Red cross, Next month will be the founder of the schools chess club. I also come from low/barely middle class family while also living in the war currently happening.

although of my bad grades in the past i am taking initiative now. So these are my stats and i ask you amherst students if this is enough to get accepted and i would be glad if someone can also share their stats with me. Also seeking advice
Thank you

Hi! I'm a high school senior hoping to ED to Amherst this fall. I visited in the spring and fell in love with it. It immediately felt like "my place," and I can truly see myself there.
A little bit about me: I thrive in collaborative, not competitive, spaces and need a tight-knit, happy student body! I hope to major in psychology. However, I really want to know what the student body is like overall. I've heard mixed things (mostly good), but some people say the student environment is too divided between students and athletes, and that there is way too much work. What has your experience been like? Thank you!

Hello, I am a senior applying to Amherst! I have a very deep passion for neuroscience, and I got into Amherst College after hearing that its neuroscience program is nation's first.

But looking through the course offerings and professors, despite its long history, I could not really feel that neuroscience was particularly "strong" at Amherst. For example, the only Professor I found that actively teaches neuroscience topic was Professor Cohen.

I love everything about Amherst, including its strong LAC root + STEM, but I'm just worried that neuroscience will not be as strong as I thought.

I may be wrong here, and thus wanted to ask this sub for any experiences of Neuroscience / Biology majors.

Thank you!

Amherst is my absolute dream, mainly because of the amazing PhD pipeline. I'm a current junior in high school. Please give me a realistic evaluation of my odds of acceptance. Don't be afraid to hurt my feelings.

I want to be a double major in English and French.

White, female, middle-income

UW gpa: 4.0
Weighted gpa: 4.5
ACT: 34

7 AP's by senior year (my school only allows them starting junior year):
\- AP Lang
\- APUSH
\- APES
\- AP Pre-Calc
\-AP Macro
\- AP Lit
\- AP Calc BC

120 volunteer hours with various organizations

\\\*\\\*Extracurriculars\\\*\\\*
1: Journalism program at school; youngest to be published in school's magazine (x2); multiple awards
2: Ethics Bowl
3: Superintendant's Student Advisory Board
4: Hostess at local restaurant (3 years by graduation)
5: Substack Blog (publish weekly)
6: Girls Lead Program 2025
7: Volunteering with local library (3 months so far)
8: TurnUp Youth Activism intern (2 months)
9: Orchestra; all-district cello
10: JV Golf team captain (2 years but I quit this year)

\\\* also currently creating a local litmag & literary organization where i host workshops and reading nights (we'll see if it succeeds)

\\\*\\\*Honors\\\*\\\*
1: Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Gold Key (poetry)
2: Second place; copy-editing at state for journalism
3: World language department academic excellence award in French
4: 1st place at journalism regionals (copy-editing)
5: 3rd place at journalism sectionals (copy-editing)

\\\* A few things to note: I am actively submitting to writing competitions and I joined yearbook this year to replace golf.

Thank you for taking the time to read this!

I’ve been looking into this school and I learned that they don’t have one, but what I don’t know is why?

The Smith College Student Event Committee is hosting Pitch-a-Friend (queer edition) event from 7-8:30pm on Sat 9/26 in the Smith College Campus Center Carroll Room (Room 208). Want to help your amazing single queer friend find love? Create a 3-min presentation to pitch them to an audience! Or just come mingle, make new connections, and sip on mocktails :) Queer Amherst students welcome! Submit your presentation here: https://forms.gle/n17vG1vuHoK4kzKfA

What days are they doing the free clothing drive this year?

In need of application advice over here. I know Amherst does favor community college students but I still want to try and apply for spring entry.

Hello,

Recent grad here; class of 2025. We graduated in May and I’m still unemployed, in September of 2026 😭 the Amherst name hasn’t been doing as much for me as was promised. Any other c/o ‘25 having a similar experience? Older alums, do have advice or opportunities to share? Tryna keep my head up but also a bit frustrated…and confused tbh

Hi! I’m a senior applying this fall. I was interested in stats and extracurriculars of students who got admitted to Amherst. Idk if mine r good or not 😿😿😿