Amherst College

Amherst College, nestled in Amherst, Massachusetts, stands as a distinguished private liberal arts institution with a rich history dating back to 1821. It proudly holds the title of the third oldest institution of higher education in Massachusetts. Renowned for its highly selective admissions and exclusively undergraduate focus, Amherst offers a vibrant academic environment for nearly 2,000 students, preparing them for impactful futures.

What truly sets Amherst apart is its innovative "open curriculum." Here, students dive into 42 major programs without the burden of a core curriculum or distribution requirements, fostering intellectual freedom and personalized academic paths. Students even have the unique opportunity to design their own interdisciplinary majors, allowing them to truly tailor their education to their passions. Beyond its own rigorous offerings, Amherst is a proud member of the Five College Consortium, granting students access to courses at Mount Holyoke, Smith, Hampshire, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, enriching their academic landscape even further.

Life at Amherst extends beyond the classroom walls. The college cultivates a close-knit community on its expansive 1,000-acre rural campus. As part of the NCAA Division III, the Mammoths compete fiercely, embodying the college's purple and white spirit. Historically, Amherst emerged from Amherst Academy and was initially conceived as an alternative to a struggling Williams College. Though Williams survived, Amherst flourished as a distinct entity, eventually becoming coeducational in 1975, evolving into the institution it is today, deeply connected to its roots and famed for its rivalries within the "Little Three" colleges.