Amherst College

Nestled in Amherst, Massachusetts, Amherst College stands as a premier private liberal arts institution, renowned for its academic rigor and a truly distinctive educational approach. With highly selective admissions, Amherst attracts intellectually curious students eager to dive into an exclusively undergraduate experience. A hallmark of its academic philosophy is the open curriculum, which empowers students with unparalleled freedom to explore 42 major programs or even design their own interdisciplinary path, free from traditional core or distribution requirements.

Amherst's rich history traces back to 1821, solidifying its place as the third oldest institution of higher education in Massachusetts. Its origins lie in the Amherst Academy, evolving from a vision to provide education and initially established as an alternative to Williams College. Named after Jeffery, Lord Amherst, the college originally served men but embraced coeducation in 1975, continuing its legacy of adaptability and progress.

Today, Amherst fosters an intimate and vibrant community for its approximately 1,914 undergraduates on a picturesque 1,000-acre rural campus. Beyond its own extensive offerings, students benefit immensely from the Five College Consortium, gaining access to courses and resources at Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The college's spirited atmosphere extends to its NCAA Division III athletics, where the Mammoths compete fiercely in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), upholding storied rivalries within the "Little Three" colleges.