At Amherst, learning goes beyond lectures and textbooks. With small class sizes, every discussion feels personal, every voice is heard, and every idea matters. Professors become mentors who challenge and support you, while classmates turn into collaborators and friends. Discover how Amherst’s intimate academic environment fosters deep connections and transforms the way you think, learn, and grow.
One of the best-kept secrets to making the most of small class sizes at Amherst is utilizing office hours. Think of it as getting extra “bang for your buck” in your education—it’s like personalized tutoring, mentorship, and networking all rolled into one!
During office hours, professors have the time to dive deeper into concepts, clarify questions, and even help you develop your ideas for assignments or projects. For me, office hours have been a game-changer. Whether it’s brainstorming thesis ideas for a paper or getting feedback on a class discussion I struggled with, these one-on-one moments have made my learning more meaningful.
At larger universities, this kind of interaction can be much harder to come by. Many large institutions rely on teaching assistants (TAs) to run office hours, grade assignments, and even teach sections of courses, often following a professor’s textbook or pre-set curriculum. This means that even if you have office hours, you might only speak with a TA instead of the professor themselves. And when you do get the chance to attend a professor’s office hours, you could find yourself waiting in a long line just to have a brief interaction.
At Amherst, the story is completely different. With a student-to-faculty ratio of just 7:1, professors are more accessible, and their office hours are dedicated spaces where students can connect with them directly. This means you’re not just another name on a roster—you’re a student whose ideas and growth they genuinely care about. Because of this close relationship, Amherst students have the unique opportunity to network, build mentorships, and form lasting connections that go far beyond the classroom.
But it’s not just about academics. Professors at Amherst genuinely want to get to know you as a person. For example, I’ve had moments where I initially went to office hours to ask about a question regarding an assignment, and the conversation quickly expanded beyond that. My professors have taken the time to ask how I’m adjusting to life at Amherst, how I’m handling the workload, and what my long-term goals are. What could have been a five-minute conversation about an essay turned into a genuine discussion about my aspirations, my challenges, and whether I needed support in other classes. These interactions have helped me feel supported, inspired, and more connected to the Amherst community.
So, if you’re looking to make your Amherst experience truly impactful, don’t just show up to class—show up to office hours! It’s where the magic happens, and it’s a resource that sets small liberal arts colleges like Amherst apart from the rest. And if you’re considering applying to Amherst or thinking about attending, know that this level of access to professors and the chance to form meaningful connections is one of the many ways Amherst goes above and beyond to support its students.