Amherst College, MA, USA
Amherst College, MA, USA
Amherst College is a small private liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts, in western Massachusetts. The town itself has approximately 40,000 residents and includes two other colleges—University of Massachusetts Amherst and a few women’s liberal arts colleges nearby such as Mount Holyoke and Smith College. Amherst is situated about two hours west of Boston Logan International Airport, which serves as the primary entry point for most international students. The college facilitates travel by providing information on direct bus services (Peter Pan bus) between Boston and Amherst. The campus environment is calm and rural, offering fewer urban distractions but providing a tight-knit community and access to collaborative resources through neighboring institutions.
Academic Structure and Curriculum
Amherst College offers an open curriculum, meaning students have the freedom to choose their courses across various disciplines without strict general education requirements, aside from one mandatory analytical writing seminar in the first semester. This seminar aims to support students’ writing skills and academic integration.
- Students typically take four courses per semester over eight semesters.
- An average class size is about 17 students, supporting personalized attention.
- The student-faculty ratio is approximately 7:1, ensuring accessibility to professors.
- Amherst does not offer many minors but includes certificate programs in collaboration with other institutions.
- Students often double major, taking advantage of the interdisciplinary opportunities.
Popular majors at Amherst include Mathematics, Psychology, Biology, Political Science, English, and History. The college values exploration across disciplines, and it does not cater well to students seeking narrowly focused professional programs like engineering or nursing.
Financial Aid for International Students
- Amherst College is need-blind for admissions, including international applicants.
- The college meets 100% of demonstrated financial need without loans, meaning aid packages are primarily grants and scholarships.
- Over 80% of international students receive financial aid, with the average package amounting to approximately $80,000 per year.
- Financial aid often covers most costs, including tuition, room, board, travel, and books.
- Books and course materials are provided free of charge to all students.