Amherst College Top Questions

The professors at Amherst are fantastic. They make a point to get to know their students. I think in particular, departments can be close groups--especially in the smaller majors.

Professors always know their students names. Students tend to study everyday (on average). a lot of people participate in class, though of course not everyone. I used to spend more time with professors outside of class than i do know. there are no academic requirements which is amazing. it is undoubtedly geared toward learning. students are ultra competitive though not back stabbing or in any negative way, they all just strive to do the best job possible, generally.

I never guessed that I would find myself discussing books about human nature at dinner time. this is what amherst does to you. in a good way.

Academics here are top-notch: open curriculum means you can take whatever classes you want. Most people do a good job branching out, studying a variety of different disciplines. The professors are so smart and yet able to engage students and make the material palatable. Amherst isn't about preparing you for a specific profession; most people with certain jobs in mind continue on to graduate or professional school anyways. At Amherst, you learn because you want to; picking the classes that you like rather than following core requirements certainly facilitates this process. I can't imagine having to take introductory courses in disciplines that don't interest me.

Academically and intellectually I think Amherst is a great environment. Students can either take larger lecture classes with little class participation, or they can take small seminars and really work closely with professors. Most professors are very excited about meeting with students one on one and talking about work. Also, although this will vary among students and groups of friends, I feel as though students have a fair amount of intellectual conversations outside of class. I think education and Amherst is molded by each student to fit his/her desires. If students want to gear their education towards getting a job, then they can take classes that will enable him/her to do that. Students can also work closely with professors and take classes that foster learning for its own sake. The lack of course requirements and the variety of classes help students to shape their own learning experience. Although I think the professors at Amherst are wonderful, I think that Amherst's course catalogue is a bit weak. Amherst tries to make up for it through the five college course exchanges, but I am not sure this is quite sufficient.

ivy league level

Class sizes are usually small although the recently expanding student body has done much to alter its once small student:teacher ratio. My favorite class was taught by Professor Halgin-- Abnormal Psychology. He is the perfect example of a professor who cares about a student as a whole and their identity outside of class. Classes are pretty rigorous-- usually requiring 5-8 hours of work every week per class.

Academics here can be very challenging and demanding. This is especially true for those who are involved in the athletics. Support from professors here is definitely present, but its just as in any other school where you will always have a select few who are just cold people. With that said the teachers do want to see their students succeed.

Professors will know your name if you ever go see them outside of class. My favorite class this semester is US Economic History. The professor is an absolute genius and extremely funny and even if I tried to not pay attention there is no way I could. The material is extremely relevant too. Students study quite a bit. I tend to wait until the last minute to study, so on a daily basis I don't study that much, but there will be days where I am absolutely swamped with work. In class participation is very common. Education at Amherst is definitely geared at learning for its own sake.

The open curriculum is great for students who want to explore a little of everything and get a really well-rounded education. Intellectual curiosity is fed and encouraged, with many opportunities for students to conduct their own research and experiments on topics of their choice, or work with professors on independent projects. Professors are extremely accessible and approachable, making themselves available for office hours, one-on-one help, and even inviting students into their homes, out to dinner, or to lunch in the faculty dining hall. It's thrilling to work alongside some of the foremost scholars in their fields and actually buy the textbook written by the professor who's teaching the class. The school's general philosophy is opposed to pre-professional tracks of study, but rather aims to instill a passion for learning and and help students establish a base that will serve them well wherever they go. Be prepared to challenge your own beliefs and conceptions, though. You may find yourself with fewer answers than you began with upon entering the college, but this, to me is evidence that you've gotten the most out of your courses here.