KEYWORDS; FLI (FIRST GEN-LOW INCOME)
As a first-year student at Amherst College, I’m frequently asked, “Why did you choose Amherst?” At first glance, it seems like a straightforward question, but for me, the answer is filled with meaningful experiences, core values, and a touch of serendipity. Keep reading, and you’ll discover how my journey to Amherst felt like fate—perhaps even a powerful manifestation of everything I hoped for in a college.
Growing up, college was never a priority or even something I seriously considered. As the youngest child in a low-income Mexican household, my main focus was just on getting by. My family lived paycheck to paycheck, which made higher education seem like a distant dream. There was a significant age gap between me and my siblings—my brother is 18 years older, and my sister is 12 years older—which led me to develop a close bond with both of them. Although they both started college, they had to drop out within their first year due to the overwhelming costs of tuition, room and board, and other expenses. Over a decade ago, my siblings faced the harsh reality of limited resources, which cut their college dreams short.
I felt a stigma around the idea that higher education wasn’t meant for someone like me—due to my socioeconomic background and especially my ethnicity. I assumed I would join the workforce right after high school, believing that college was out of reach. However, that mindset began to shift once I entered high school. I started to realize my true potential and discovered a range of resources, like financial aid and support programs, that made college a real possibility for me. It was then that I understood that my background didn’t have to define my future opportunities. What sucked was that I had to seek for these opportunities on my own due to the extreme rural conditions I lived in.
During my sophomore year, I came across Amherst, and it immediately stood out to me as an incredible school with amazing financial aid, a small and supportive environment, a great student-to-faculty ratio, and an open curriculum that really excited me. However, as a private institution, it felt completely out of reach—I didn’t think I could ever get in.
It wasn’t until my junior year that I discovered an amazing opportunity for First-Generation/Low-Income (FLI) students like me: QuestBridge. To learn more, click the link. But to cut the story short, during my senior year, I decided to apply through the QuestBridge National College Match, and that’s when I truly set my sights on Amherst. What once felt like a distant dream began to seem possible.
Here’s the crazy part—I ONLY ranked Amherst. I put all my eggs in one basket, taking a big risk. Of course, I had backups in case it didn’t work out. My plan was to roll into the regular decision cycle if I didn’t match. But guess what? I MATCHED to Amherst after ranking just one school.
I know—it sounds wild. I cried. A LOT. Amherst felt like the perfect fit because it offered everything I was looking for: an open curriculum that lets me explore my interests freely, amazing financial aid that made attending a private college possible, and a close-knit, supportive environment where I could truly thrive. The small class sizes mean I can build real connections with my professors and classmates, and the abundance of resources—academic, social, and personal—ensures that I have the support I need to succeed.
If you’re a first-generation and/or low-income student and want to learn more about Amherst and the resources they offer for FLI students, feel free to reach out! You can contact me at lcastaneda28@amherst.edu—I’d be happy to share more information.