Dear readers,
I want to start by congratulating those accepted into the class of 2029 at Amherst College! I am so proud of you. The following month will undoubtedly be stressful as you are tasked with committing to a college. Outlined below are some things I think are helpful to think about before accepting your spot at a university:
- Cost. I know you probably hear this a lot but make sure you commit to a school where you won’t have to take out an insane amount of student loans! You don’t want to be in debt at that young age. Also, if a college offers inadequate financial aid, you can always email their financial aid office and inform them of any extenuating circumstances. Sometimes, they will readjust their aid package. At Amherst College, you can schedule meetings with financial aid officers if you have any questions/concerns.
- Location. Some important things to note about the location are the distance from home, things to do in the area, the weather (are you prepared for New England snow?), what volunteering/work opportunities are nearby, and what transportation people in the area use. In the Town of Amherst specifically, there is plenty to do downtown, many volunteering opportunities, and the PVTA (bus system) is free.
- Future Plans. Make sure the college you want to attend has the program/major you are interested in. Even if you don’t think you will pursue it, if you have an interest in a specific program/field, make sure you have the opportunity to follow it if you change your mind. For instance, if you may want to do engineering in the future, note that many liberal arts colleges do not offer engineering programs. However, some have engineering dual enrollment programs with other colleges. For instance, Amherst College offers dual enrollment with Dartmouth College for engineering.
- School Size. Contemplate the student body size you want. Would you feel more comfortable in a bigger or smaller school? If you can attend Admitted Students’ Day for the specific college, go check out what the student life and academics are like in relation to the population size! Sit in on classes and find out whether you learn better in a large lecture hall or a small classroom.
- Student Body. This is arguably one of the most important factors when selecting a college. Find out the “vibes” of the college by either visiting campus, asking current students, or consulting online forums. Some colleges are known to be extremely competitive, while others are collaborative. Some colleges have a more diverse student body than others. Pick an environment that you know you will thrive in. Personally, I selected Amherst College because I love working with my peers and did not want the added academic pressure of competition. Also, coming from a predominantly white high school, the diversity of Amherst College enticed me; I wanted to learn about the unique cultures and experiences of students.
In the end, go with your gut. You will end up exactly where you need to be. Good luck! If you have any questions about Amherst College or the process of committing to college, please reach out to me at ipatel28@amherst.edu.