Jamie
I would say that I know many people who don't like it here for many different reasons. As a Freshmen I loved Amherst, but then the romantic feelings started to fade. Why? I started to develop an interest in multimedia and all things digital and Amherst just doesn't support it, which makes me wish I had gone to a university that's more up-to-date with the times. (Amherst will get a film and multimedia studies major in 2014 though.)
The thing is: if you want to be a lawyer, a doctor, a teacher/professor, or go into a non-profit organization, guess what. . . Amherst is the place for you and you'll love it here!
Rina
No core curriculum proves that the faculty and administration take the students seriously. Anything we want to accomplish, we can do it and we can make that decision on our own.
Meghan
Amherst's size is unique; it is the smallest of the schools I applied to. Its location is also unique, since it's in a small town with beautiful countryside surrounding it, but Boston is only two hours away and New York is three. It's possible to "get away to the city" for a weekend without too much trouble. The feeling I got when I visited campus was the deal-maker for me; I liked that students could walk around and, even if they didn't know everybody by name, they recognized almost everyone they saw.
Katrina
No core requirements, beautiful campus, most students adore the school.
Jennie
Amherst is unique for its small community and the commitment of its professors. They are always available to meet and help students, but the expectations are still high. Lots of classes use a discussion format and strongly encourage student participation. At the same time, its not competitive. Everyone needs help at some point, so students work together to get everyone through.
Estefania
Its the number one liberal arts college in the nation. Its very small, 1600 students in total.
Natasha
The food is not that good, and we only have one dining hall which can make for awkward moments on sunday mornings. Nevertheless, "awkward val" is a trademark of Amherst, that i wouldn't have any other way.
Julie
People don't tend to transfer out of Amherst, they tend to transfer TO Amherst. Also, people find ways to stay- like jobs here.
Tristan
Amherst is a terrific place where one can intellectually grow, get a top fellowship/job/grad school seat/etc, and make great friends. Imagine a day of reading Kant in your dorm room, playing video games with your best friend, going to the Connecticut River to kayak, and catching a showing of a Godard movie on the big screen. This after a day of hearing a CIA director talk, eating lunch with your Pulitzer Prize winning professor, seeing your friends put on a great a cappella show, and getting hammered at the after party.
Unfortunately, social cliquey-ness, a stifling bubble, a large contingent of pre-professional grade grubbers, a contingent of athletes who, frankly, don't deserve to be at Amherst, and weak dining services can make the place occassionally painful. Did I mention how stuck in their groups and bubbles many Amherst people can be???
Reese
The kids that go here are into having a great time, and truly love the college -- which adds to the atmosphere on campus. People want to do well in class, want to be involved in sports, shows, want to party, and want to support there peers. The campus is gorgeous and unbelievably well kept. At any given moment in the dining hall the student body is having genuinely insightful conversations about politics, classes, teachers, sports, contraversial social issues, parties and hot hook-ups, FIFA, and religion.
The place is great.