Part of the /r/PioneerValley reddit community!

since ed is speculated to come out on dec 6th (the day before midd usually and their's is the 7th this year) i was wondering if anyone has had to verify ecs? on a lot of posts on a2c the general consensus is that lacs like to verify their admits ecs and stuff. since it's so close to decisions i'd assume they've already been made for the most part because they still have to do financial stuff for a few days. has anyone had to verify or is this just a myth?

My son applied for ED at Amherst College. When do we hear? Will he get an email or do we have to keep checking the portal?

Will there be an interview?

Hi Amherst College peoples! It's been a while since I became moderator of this sub, and I would like to add 1-2 new mods to this sub. We should have some mods that are current students who would like to engage with the sub and can speak for the current climate of our college, as all the current ones are at least a couple years removed at this point. If you are a current student who is interested, please shoot me a DM with your interest and we'll go from there. Theres really no requirements to this. At the very least, you'll be active enough to remove the odd spam posts we get, but if you have other bigger ideas then that would be even better! I'll leave this up for about a week or so.

hi! did anyone apply for spring transfer and would wanna connect? ty!

Hello, I am a second semester sophomore at CWRU trying to transfer into Amherst for fall 2024. I think I am a good candidate and I really like the school. I have a 3.9/4.0. GPA and I have had a couple of internships and leadership roles in orgs on campus. I worked for a non profit that focuses on food justice and I worked at my university's farm. I am looking to major in environmental studies and my current university does not offer that major hence why i am transferring. However I don't really know if i stand a chance or what i should mention in the essay. I had a 4.4 gpa in high school and i didnt submit my standardized tests. I don't know if it really matters but i am also QTPOC and first gen student so idk if i should mention that as well. Please let me know if you have any information or advice

does anyone know when early decision results come out? I've been spending everyday lurking on reddit and youtube watching amherst college acceptances... help...

Hello, in light of new rules at UMASS Amherst, do you guys think there would be any interest in a wrestling club on campus?

Hey guys , i am international student here ,and i submitted my application to Amherst on November 8 and I also wanted to fill out the ISFAA form, but the thing is i still didn't got my portal ( Amherst portal are available within a week after application submission ). So, i can't access my financial aid portal right now ,which means can't submit my financial form and documents, and I am afraid the about the deadline ,Which is Nov 15). what should i do guys ?

Is having a high score no longer an advantage bc Amherst is test optional?

For some background info, I'm interested in going into teaching (either high school or college level) for english, going into law, or doing independent research in the humanities. I don't plan on majoring in creative writing but I want a school that has a robust program for it and bonus points if they have a debate or MOCO team.

I've already changed my mind several times about what school I wanted to ED to, but ultimately decided on Amherst because I thought that the resources, close relationships with professors, research opportunities, and alumni/internship outreach system, and insane law school acceptance rates were great but the rural environment makes me nervous. I'm fairly extroverted and I went to a really toxic and hyper-competitive high school where I didn't have the chance to have fun or branch out (for reference, you will get stares if you participate in spirit week, barely half of us dress up for halloween, and we don't even have a football team) and my only respite was the fact that I had easy access to NYC (30 minute car ride to get into Queens).

I feel like Amherst might be too isolated for me and I hear that liberal arts schools aren't really full of school spirit or the "traditional" excitement people usually speak of when talking about college. I'm not a party girl or anything by any means, but I DO want to use college as an opportunity to at least attend a few good parties, branch out, get to know people, maybe get a boyfriend, see what real school spirit is like, and have some fun for once. I'm just worried I'll feel lonely and restless. It's pretty far from boston, and I've never lived in such a rural area before. (Also, is it true that most amherst kids are from private school? I heard everyone is nice but I'm worried about it a little...) and on a side note as a more minor issue: I'm Asian and I don't think there are any asian grocery stores nearby and I grew up in an area that was more or less an ethnic enclave (my high school was 70% asian) and I'm scared I'll start feeling homesick (only one dining option on campus).

My mom tried to reassure me that because UMass is like 5 minutes away, I could have my fun there, but I'm not sure if that's super accurate? I'm assuming that most time is spent on your own campus and the same goes for what parties and outings you attend.

My other top choices was UMichigan but I was convinced to still ED to amherst because I don't have a great SAT score or GPA (1480, 92) and apparently that's something they value a lot more even if I have good extracurriculars?

I really don't know what to do, because I know that no college experience is perfect and with my stats its kind of a waste not to ED anywhere because I have so many reaches, and Amherst is a great school, but I just don't want to have any regrets.

Should I rescind my ED application? Are there other schools that are a better fit for me?

Hello everyone, I've applied to Amherst ED, and I'd like to know my chances. Here is my profile -

1. South Asian, Indian student, 1st Gen
2. Grade 9 - Rank 1/30 students - 9.9/10 GPA
3. Grade 10 - Rank 8/220,000 candidates ( It's a National exam) with 98.4% (Grade 9 and 10 in CISCE Board)

Got admitted to the most prestigious highschool and continued my junior year over there.

Grade 11) NO GPA since it's a sports school. Grade 12) Predicted - 86%

Important Achievements-

1. My Grade 10 exam score being the valedictorian of my school and ranked 8 Nationally in the exam.

2. Zonals & National GOLD Medalist in Chess 2023

3. Recruited Athelete, and National Bronze Medalist in Chess 2023

4. An international title - Arena International Master (AIM) - given to TOP Chess players globally.

5. 100% Scholarship recipient from Grade 11 and 50% Scholarship recipient for Grade 12 Based off on Sports and Merit Achievements.

6. Important ECs :

7. Volunteer - I was the Senior Admin of the largest chess.com club for 3 years, handled 45000+ members, promoted chess education for free, raised 20,000$+

8. Instagram Travel Influencer - A successful instagram page with a total view count of 600K+ , visited 20 states within India, 6 European Countries, and 3 Asian Countries.

9. President of the Math Club and Captain of the School Chess Team

10. Selected to Attend the most rigorous Data Science and AI Course in the country, achieving a full grade, and now currently working with a professor in an AI project to help solve chess.

The cons about my profile-

1. NO SAT/ACT score - I went test optional as I'm totally not aware of this exam. I will take it in upcoming December, but for Amherst I'm going test optional.

2. NO grade 11 transcript- it's very clear since I attended a chess school, my school has no exams for recruited atheletes in the junior year.

3. Only 85% predicted, since it's regarded the the most difficult highschool, 85% is already top 2 in the class. But I'm afraid amherst wouldn't know and this predicted marksheet could backfire.

Now please chance me 😭😭 Also my Rec letters are from my english teacher and math teacher which is pretty decent I would say.

Additionally, My school principal, who is a Miss India and Miss world finalist, a cricket champ, and a very big figure, wrote me a personalized rec letter as well.

View Poll

Has anyone received admissions feedback for transfer applicants for spring term?

https://preview.redd.it/d5ofdmucaoyd1.png?width=1552&format=png&auto=webp&s=846148967a2747066ecbccabf77ae1252406a934

As shown in the picture Amherst says that you can self report your SAT scores, but when trying to submit the common app application it says that it's not included

https://preview.redd.it/gimwxk0iaoyd1.png?width=897&format=png&auto=webp&s=34aa67fdbeb8ce5219b7f081ebb2eaf54b2d2e4d

Should I contact the admissions office to ask, or does anyone know how to do it?

Thanks!

When I was initially applying for college in high school, I wasn't even aware of Amherst College. However, I came to develop a great interest in it after joining a virtual transfer fair info session and will be applying as a CS major. I've really come to love what I have learned of this college so far, but I want to know-- how good is the CS department at Amherst and its opportunities?

Also, how good is their transfer resources/community? I know as a transfer student it will be harder to adjust than first years, especially at a smaller college where people most likely already have their groups. So, how welcoming would you describe Amherst (student body and just its system) towards transfer students? I'm far from introverted but I am most definitely awkward which will create a bigger hurdle as a transfer lol.

Last note-- very random but I might as well add it in here-- how welcoming is Amherst (student and staff) to transgender students? It's not my whole personality, I just want to be able to be who I am there without that interfering with how I'm viewed as a person.

Any information is appreciated!

I see schools like Vanderbilt have just gone to differential pricing according to income brackets, is Amherst doing anything similar?

The middle class financial squeeze at Amherst looks intense. You are either very rich and pay full price, or Pell grant level of income and get financial aid, and nothing in between.

I am considering applying as a math major to Amherst (maybe through Early Decision). How is Amherst's mathematics program overall? Are classes well-taught and is there a high percentage of alums who go on to top PhD programs in math? How hard is it to get summer funding to work with a professor? Would anyone be willing to DM me to answer further questions I have about the program? Thanks!

Demographics : Asian Male from Nepal

Major : Computer Science.

GPA:

Class 9 (NEB): 3.89 out of 4 (Converts to 97.25% in Nepal, no idea about USA)

Class 10(NEB): 3.65 out of 4 (Converts to 91.25% in Nepal, no idea about USA)

Class 11(CBSE): 3.78 out of 4 (Converts to 94.5% in Nepal, no idea about USA)

Class 12(Predicted Score): 3.85 out of 4 (Converts to 96.25% in Nepal, no idea about USA)

____________________________________________________________________________________________

ECAs are quite impressive, but I haven't taken any English proficiency tests or the SAT.
But I’m thinking of taking the Duolingo test in the next 5 or 6 days...Should I apply for ED or RD ?

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Thankss

Just read a blog about it, and I am super curious.

I’m ED’ing to Amherst b/c its my dream school and here is my info/stats: Intended Major: Poli Sci 4.37 W GPA (8 AP classes, 6 AP exams w/ mostly 4’s) 3 B+’s in honors math classes, one B in freshmen honors Bio (Every AP class I’ve taken or currently taken = above A) Political Science college class at local college: 100% pass Most Notable Positions :

• low-income Asian American (in state)
• TKD captain, instructor (taught 70+ students, coached 30+ students, competed in regional and international Opens)
• HS UNICEF treasurer (raised 1k+ and provided 100s of books for children affected by epilepsy)
• Student Government Historian (raised 1k for special olympics and provided info for 2k+ students)
• Founded a HS DEI club (helped land acknowledgment for town)
• Interned/Campaigned for House Rep. and translated/explained certain non-english speaking Asian Demographics
• Volunteered in town at robotics, choir, band , musical competitions: 480hrs for four yrs
• Chosen Researcher for Korean War Vets on Nat. History Day (only 50 teachers in the US are chosen along with students they choose)

ACHIEVEMENTS:

• President’s Service Award (Bronze and Gold 500+ hrs two yrs total)
• Recognition at the Mass. State House numerous times for combatting education scarcity, campaigning for my House Rep, and Student Elect for Student Government Day
• researched assimilation’s negative effects on immigrants

MORE INFO: I’m going test optional (for SAT/ACT although I am sending my AP scores in) I wrote my college essay on Korean words that cannot be translated directly to english and connecting it to my family/dad’s business. Are my chances bad?! I have this existential dread b/c I don’t feel qualified academically compared to other students who’ve gotten in or applied! Please help ty!

Title

https://www.instagram.com/j/AbY9faPeBnAwrrYF/ insta gc

I am mostly done with my application, but the unavailability of a counsellor has just left me using resources from god-knows-what websites, and considering you guys have gotten in, would love an application review by someone/anyone if you'll are down and free, shouldn't take too long
basic stats: indian, ISC curriculum, intended major: applied math, 1530 SAT(790M, 740E),Only 1-2 B's throughout High school, Really nice EC's and awards(or so i was told), essay about discovering math and a really good storyline, yeah thats about it
pls PM for details, don't wanna post all info on public
thanks

Demographics: Asian Male from Nepal, Middle Income Family, First Gen to study in USA

Major: Computer Science.

GPA:

Class 9 (NEB): 90.8% (School doesn’t report GPA)

Class 10(NEB): 3.75 out of 4 (Converts to 93.75% in Nepal, no idea about USA)

Class 11(CBSE): 91.52% (School doesn't report GPA)

Class 12(CBSE): 91% (School doesn’t report GPA or percentage)

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SAT: 1400 [750M & 650RW] {ik ik its low for int'l student, should i go test opt for reach uni?}

TOEFL: 101 out of 120 [R: 23, L:28, S:27, W:23]

Class Rank: 5th out of 165 students (top 3% of class)

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Course:

In Class 11 & 12:

English, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Home Sci (not main subject)

In Class 9 & 10:

English, Nepali (lang), Maths, Science, Social Studies, Health, Additional Math, Computer Science

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Honors: (writing same as common app)

School Topper:

For achieving the highest GPA (3.75/4) among all students in Grade 10 in final exam.

Academic Excellence Award:

For securing highest GPA annually; most prestigious academic award

Prateek Scholarship:

Merit-based; given to batch topper; only 2 out of 165 students receive this;

Gold Medal in English Olympiad:

One of the highest scorers in an int'l-level English Olympiad.

Most Promising Delegate, AIESEC:

recognized for the ability to take a leadership role in AIESEC

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ECAs: (writing same as common app, except for company name)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Software Dev Intern – Banking Project at ABC:~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tailored Share Plus for NCC Bank;

Led dividend handling sub-project–dividend & bonus share, warrant printing;

Worked on Online Signature Verification

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Software Dev Intern – Government Project at ABC~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Developed front-end of Election Commission Nepal (ECP) website;

Tailored OAS software for ECP.

Debugged Ministry of Finance Budget Management System.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Software Dev Intern at XYZ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Worked on SMS and Exam Management modules for Academic ERP-5+ schools' efficiency boosted by 60%;

Tailored 9+ Web SMS, enabling Bulk SMS for diff org;

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Software Dev Intern at XYZ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Analyzed Association Management Software;

Gave a report on shortcomings: focusing on inventory, SMS, and email modules;

Received NPR 10k as appraisal;

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Software Dev Intern at PQR (lol)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Developed 5+ software project using Python and Java;

20+ web pages with HTML, CSS, Node.js, and React;

Implemented responsive designs and RESTful APIs

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IT Intern - Networking Department~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Handled troubleshooting, inventory management, and performance monitoring;

Led project on network optimization to enhance network at specific location

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~B2B Marketing Team Member at AIESEC in Patan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Managed Digital Marketing for AIESEC;

Created digital content on Instagram;

Increase in Instagram follower by 40%;

Increase in project sign-ups by 70%

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Volunteer Math and Science Teacher at Local School~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Taught math and science to 150+ underprivileged students daily

Managed classes of 30+ students for grades 8-9 during free periods to enhance education

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Delegate of Russia, UNSC at St. Mary’s School Model United Nation 2023~~~~~~~

Represented Russia in UNSC

Advocated for multilateralism, opposed unilateral actions

Debated global security issues, veto power, and peacekeeping ops.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Volunteer, Kantipur Half Marathon 2024 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Assisted in organizing major running events, joined by 1000s of runners.

Supported in event coordination, logistics, and participant support.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

LORs: 3 LORs, which are very strong. From my Chemistry, Computer and English Teacher. All of them are the HOD(Dean) of their department

Essay: Almost finalize. (7 or 8 out of 10)

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What are my odds of getting in?
should i go test optional?
should i ED or rd?

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

I am an international student from Ethiopia, and I am planning to apply to Amherst through ED. Amherst had accepted some students from my school in past years. I have a really good transcript and decent extracurriculars. I have 1500 in my SAT (with perfect math score) and loads of honors. I am even planning to take AP tests this year (without taking the classes). Do u think I have a chance?

:):

it's a Schrodinger's smiley btw

Thanks^^

I’ve been really struggling with my college decision, and I only have a few days left to decide. I’m torn between the prestige of Cornell, the academics at Amherst, and the campus, nature, and food at Bowdoin. I can’t figure out if I want a larger school like Cornell or a smaller one like Bowdoin and Amherst, and honestly, I don’t even know what I truly want at this point. I’ve always dreamed of going to an elite liberal arts college like Brown or Dartmouth, but since that’s not an option since im not going to get in, I’m trying to find the next best thing.

I’ve done so much research and reached out to former students, but everyone’s experiences are so different that I’m still unsure. I’m worried about making friends at a small school because of the limited social circle, but at the same time, I’m not really a partier or someone who enjoys big crowds, so I’m also nervous about Cornell’s size and the possibility of feeling pressured to join a sorority. Then again, since I’ve never tried it, maybe I’d end up loving that social scene and feel like I’m missing out if I go to a tiny school. I’ve never had the typical "teenage experience," and I’m scared of missing out on the college experience altogether if I choose a small school.

Here’s what I’m really looking for: a strong outdoor community, a liberal arts education, prestige and name recognition, good career opportunities, solid internships and research options, professors who truly care, and a collaborative, kind environment. I want a tight-knit community but also don’t want to miss out on things like parties. I love nature, but I still want to be near a mid-sized city (which is why I ruled out Williams). I’m also nervous about schools with fewer than 2,000 students because of the social aspect—I feel like the 4,000-5,000 student range would be a better fit for me. It’s small enough to feel close-knit, but large enough that I wouldn’t be left without friends after a falling out.

I hope all of this makes sense, and I would really appreciate any advice or experiences you can share with me!I hope all this makes sense and I really need help. And if anyone reccomends a completely different school please let me know because maybe I haven't considered it.

I have a Bichon Frisé. She's my ABSOLUTE everything. My roommate, however, is acting like she's some sort of biohazard. She keeps complaining about "allergies." But I haven’t even seen her have an allergic reaction. It’s not like she starts sneezing like crazy or breaks out in hives, so I’m honestly doubting these "allergies" are even real. If you’re so allergic, wouldn’t it be a lot more obvious?

I’m not trying to be a jerk here, but I literally have no allergies at all. I've lived with my Bichon Frisé for 8 years, so I don’t see why it’s such a big deal for my roommate to handle them for just one year. Honestly, I’m starting to think she just doesn't like my dog for some other reason and she's using "allergies" as an excuse. I feel like I’m being guilt-tripped to get rid of my pet, and that’s not fair.

How do I make my roommate see that it’s not my Bichon Frisé that is the problem, but them being overly sensitive and unreasonable?