Amherst College Top Questions

I have not felt any discrimination on campus personally. I am in a group called the Men's Project that addresses issues of masculinity, sexism and domestic abuse on campus. Certainly there are comments thrown about that can be construed as hateful. The Black Students Union has felt that the political magazine The Indicator. There was an episode a few months ago where gay and lesbian people from Hampshire were having a party and were discriminated against by students in a dorm. I'm sure that minority (ethnicity, race, sexual orientation) students feel alienated and overwhelmed and forgotten at times by the predominantly WASP, rich student body. Students wear all different things to class. Different types of students do interact but the segregation is extremely evident in the cafeteria. The black kids sit together, the "nerdy" kids sit together, the athletes sit together. The various sports teams sit together, etc. Most students are from the northeast and are not on financial aid. Most students are politically aware, it's hard not to be, but most are not politically active. I'd say most are liberal politically but there are more conservative kids here than i had expected. Alot of students go into investment banking and talk about economics and making lots of money

The student body is very tolerant. But not as integrated. There is still a black table and an asian table and sport team tables in the dining hall. However, I would argue that Amherst far more integrated than other schools. Since it's small, it's easier to reach across social barriers. I rarely notice divisions of wealth among students. It doesn't come up much in conversation and people are more interested in academics than the latest fashion trends. Sometimes I feel out of place for being religious. The student body is traditionally liberal so if you're very conservative you will want to be able to explain why.

Kids here are great, lot of diversity but everyone gets along and is open to whatever.

For the most part Amherst students are very accepting of on e another and of each other's differences. I don't think many students would feel out of place at Amherst. Students wear anything from skirts and dresses, to sweats, to sweaters and jeans to class, you can really wear whatever you want, and odds are someone will be wearing something similar. Amherst students are from a variety of geographic areas, with a lot coming from the New York Area as well as California and a lot of international students too. There are students from a variety of financial backgrounds; no one is going around asking if people are on financial aid, it is very easy to keep that type of information private, and for the most part people aren't particularly interested in that aspect of students' backgrounds. Many students are politically active- Amherst has a reputation for being liberal, and there are definitely some very vocal liberal students, however I do not feel that students with other political leanings feel separated or awkward about it.

My experiences with the affinity groups on campus - The Racial groups tend to be a bit self-important, the religious groups are mild but the kids seem to all hang out with each other, and the Pride Alliance is pretty chill. You would feel out of place at Amherst if you dressed too gothic or punk-y. But it doesn't mean they don't exist here. Students usually where casual clothing - sweaters, jeans, sweatshirts, tee-shirts, and the like. Nothing too fancy. All types of students interact here. Most Amherst students are from New York, Massachusetts, California, and New Jersey. Four Student Tables: The athletes who just got back from practice, the sub-free kids who travel in packs, the racial affinity group table, and the table of the kids who play Super Smash Brothers as an extracurricular activity. More than half of students are on some sort of financial aid. The rest pay in full. Most students are not politically active (too apathetic), but the ones who are REALLY are. And they are predominately liberal, but the few conservatives get their voices out there, trust me. Students definitely talk about how much they will earn one day. And that's not a bad thing at all.

very moderate: no super gothic or anarchistic students at all. as long as youre not too off-putting you can find a core group of good friends here. Most students are from Northeast or California. Seems like a mix of financial backgrounds, but it's not totally visible. It's a really broad spectrum, some students come from the richest families in the country and some are very poor. As long as you come in with an open mind and dont let your past hold you back, you will make friends Students are obsessed with either changing the world or making 6 figures after they graduate.

I know a pretty diverse group of people. i haven't had much interaction with any formal groups representing these parts of society, but they are visible, by which i mean i see flyers for student groups like BSU and GSA. I can see how a student from a lower socio-economic background could initially feel uncomfortable, a lot of students wear a lot of designer clothing, etc, but everyone becomes pretty included, and definitely not necessarily with people exactly like themselves. Different types of students interact all the time. If asked to describe four tables at the dining hall, it will sound like people stick to people like themselves but its not always true: one table is huge with football players at it, one table has black students at it, one table has freshmen girls and boys who everyone knows because they party and one table has a mix of people from different races and backgrounds (that is true, there are always tables like this). most amherst students are from the northeast/mid atlantic states. the most visible financial background is upper class. students are very politically aware and active. most are left, but there is a visible right group. some talk about their future bank accounts, but the conversation mostly focused on jobs and careers, not payrolls.

Amherst encourages all races, religions, sexual preferences, etc. to interact and discuss as much as possible. However, while this is a nice fantasy the reality is that most people prefer and do hang out with people who are more like themselves than different. There aren't feelings of animosity between these groups, however, and the atmosphere of the school is incredibly welcoming to anyone. Anyone who is very conservative and not willing to tolerate liberalism would feel out of place here. Students mostly wear jeans to class. Shirts range from nice sweaters, polos, designer tops, to sweatshirts.

The students really do come from entirely different backgrounds and from all sorts of places throughout the United States as well as the world. There is alot of interaction between students of different backgrounds.

Amherst is a very diverse and liberal campus. The student body tends to be very accepting of differences. A social conservative would probably feel must out of place at Amherst. Amherst students come from a wide variety of backgrounds, from including both wealthy and poor families and from countries all across the world. Amherst is generous with financial aid and has recently replaced student loans in financial aid packages with grants.