It’s been almost a week since the Class of 2029 Regular Decision acceptances came out, and I am freaking out because… NO WAY am I almost done with my first year here. Time moves differently at Amherst — one moment you’re figuring out your dorm’s washing machine, and the next you’re studying for finals in Frost, wondering how it all went by so fast.
But when I saw the headline — “Amherst Admits Record Percentage of First-Generation Students in Class of 2029” — I had to stop and sit with it for a moment.
Because that was me just one year ago.
I’m a first-generation college student from a tiny, rural town in California. My graduating class had only 21 students. Everyone knew each other — not just in school, but across the whole town. I was one of only a few Latinx students in my high school. There were no private tutors, no AP science labs, no dedicated college counselor. Just me, my Chromebook, and a deep-rooted dream of more.
When I first heard about Amherst, I didn’t even know what a liberal arts college was. I had to Google what “open curriculum” meant. But something about it intrigued me. The tight-knit academic community, the strong support for first-generation and low-income students, and the beauty of the campus (seriously — it looked like something out of a movie) made me take a leap of faith.
I applied.
I still remember opening my portal. And when I saw the word “Congratulations,” I didn’t just burst into tears or scream like I thought I would — I just sat there in shock. I couldn’t believe someone from my little town had actually been chosen to attend one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
But then came the doubts. Would I fit in? Would I be prepared? Would people understand where I come from? Would I belong?
The answer to all of those questions has unfolded slowly over the course of this first year. And what I’ve learned is this: There is no one type of Amherst student.
This school isn’t just for people who went to elite high schools or spent summers doing research internships. It’s also for students who come from small towns, Title I schools, and places where the stars are the brightest thing around at night. Amherst doesn’t just accept students like me — it welcomes us, supports us, and invites us to shape the campus community with our stories and perspectives. I’ve taken courses that made me think in completely new ways. I’ve met professors who know me by name and care about what I have to say. I’ve made friends who are now family. I’ve found clubs, writing opportunities, and mentors I never knew I needed. And now, just one year later, I’ve come full circle. I work in the Office of Admission as a Rural Student Ambassador, and part of my role is to support and encourage students from small towns and rural backgrounds who are considering Amherst. Students like me. Students like you.
So if you’re a rural student reading this — whether you just got into Amherst or you’re still wondering if it’s worth applying — let me tell you this: you belong here. You don’t need to have all the “right” experiences. You don’t need a perfect résumé. What you bring — your resilience, your perspective, your drive — is more than enough.
And if you received an invitation to the Be A Mammoth (BAM) program, please, please consider accepting it. BAM changed everything for me. When I visited campus through the program, I saw students who looked like me, who came from places like mine, and who were thriving. It helped me picture myself here in a real and powerful way.
So, if it’s not past the deadline when you’re reading this, I highly encourage you to RSVP “yes.” Come see Amherst for yourself. Ask the questions you’ve been afraid to ask. Meet the people who make this place so special. I’ll be there — and I’d love to meet you.
To the newly admitted Class of 2029: You did something incredible. And I hope you take the next step, because this place just might become a home for you, the way it has for me.