Overview
Amherst College is a extremely selective private four-year institution in Amherst, Massachusetts. The school accepts 7.3% of applicants and enrolls 1,907 students.
Admission Statistics
- Acceptance Rate
- 7.3%
- Average SAT
- 1,485
- SAT Range (25th–75th)
- 1,420–1,550
- ACT Composite (avg)
- 34
- Total Enrollment
- 1,907
Your Chances by SAT Score
Your score is above the 75th percentile. You are a competitive applicant.
Your score falls within the middle 50% of admitted students.
Your score is below the 25th percentile. Other parts of your application will need to stand out.
Admission Guide
Amherst cares more about your intellectual risk-taking than your resume padding. The admissions office wants to see you grapple with ideas that genuinely confuse or challenge you, not collect leadership titles to check boxes.
Unlike peer liberal arts colleges, Amherst has no distribution requirements. This open curriculum means you need to articulate why you want complete academic freedom and how you'll use it responsibly. Don't write about wanting to "explore everything" , explain specific academic questions you want to pursue without arbitrary constraints.
Reference the college's commitment to socioeconomic diversity when discussing how you'll contribute to campus conversations. Amherst eliminated student loans and caps family contributions, creating a student body where economic backgrounds vary widely. Your essays should acknowledge this reality and explain how your perspective adds to these discussions.
The Amherst-Williams rivalry runs deep, extending beyond athletics to academic and cultural competition. Mentioning this rivalry or Mountain Day , when classes are canceled for an unannounced hike up Mount Holyoke , shows you understand campus culture beyond generic small-college talking points.
Don't confuse Amherst with UMass Amherst or assume the Five College Consortium means you'll spend significant time at other schools. Most students take the vast majority of their classes on Amherst's campus. Focus on what Amherst itself offers rather than treating it as a gateway to other institutions.
Your "Why Amherst" supplement should connect specific professors or research opportunities to your academic interests. Generic praise about small class sizes won't differentiate you. Name faculty members whose work excites you and explain how their research connects to questions you want to explore.
Amherst's early decision advantage is significant, but only apply ED if you're genuinely ready to commit. The college tracks demonstrated interest carefully, so campus visits, alumni interviews, and engagement with admissions officers matter more than at larger universities.
Don't write about diversity as an abstract concept. Amherst students engage with difference daily , economic, racial, geographic, intellectual. Your essays need to show you're prepared for these conversations and have something substantive to contribute beyond good intentions.
What It Costs If You Get In
- Average Net Price
- $18,246/yr
- Tuition (in-state)
- $67,280
- Students Receiving Aid
- 22%
After You Graduate
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 93.4%
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $77,644/yr
- Freshman Retention Rate
- 96.8%
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Amherst College require SAT or ACT scores for admission?
Amherst College has a test-optional admissions policy. Students can choose whether to submit standardized test scores as part of their application.
Does Amherst College offer Early Decision or Early Action?
Amherst College offers Early Decision I (deadline November 15) and Early Decision II (deadline January 1). Both are binding commitments if accepted.
Can transfer students apply to Amherst College?
Yes, Amherst College accepts transfer applications for fall semester entry. Transfer students must complete at least two years of coursework at Amherst to graduate.
What is the application deadline for Amherst College?
Regular Decision applications are due January 1. Early Decision I is due November 15, and Early Decision II is due January 1.