<p>I have to admit I was undecided between Amherst and Williams until the latter school did not give me money. Some of you will then be pleased to note (and if you gloat, I don’t blame you) that I was sad for about a minute and proceeded to get over the fact that Williams is out of the picture.</p>
<p>What I’m wondering (sorry, kind of long)</p>
<p>1) Is Amherst really focused on athletics?</p>
<p>I love watching, but I don’t play anything.
I currently go to a school where (supposedly) the football coach gets the highest pay. No offense.</p>
<p>2) How is it like to be going to a school surrounded by other colleges? Does it even make a difference?</p>
<p>3) Is Amherst considered “isolated?” So far I think not/hope not.</p>
<p>4) How much diversity is at Amherst? I guess…relative to places like Williams.</p>
<p>5) How are the English/Econ majors?</p>
<p>6) What’s the food like?</p>
<p>7) How much community service can I do in Amherst?</p>
<p>8) Is work-study a really terrible experience or is it manageable?</p>
<p>I can answer a few of your questions, but not all of them. </p>
<p>Amherst is fairly focused on athletics, but a significant number of students do not play sports. I wouldn't say it is a huge part of the campus culture. I am not an athlete and have been to a few games and enjoyed getting into the spirit of things. There was a lot of excitement when we won the national basketball championship this year. I think it's a good balance.</p>
<p>Amherst doesn't feel isolated to me at all, but I come from a small town. There are great nearby independent cinemas, fantastic food, terrific small music venues, live jazz, local film festivals and food festivals...I love it. I think it's perfect, for me. Others might find it too small. </p>
<p>I like the 5-college consortium, but people feel mixed about it. I'm taking a 5-college class this semester and think it's fantastic because it gives opportunities that other liberal arts colleges couldn't give. Still, Amherst students do display a bit of elitism towards the other colleges, and I don't think that's cool at all.</p>
<p>I'm not crazy about the food in Val (at all). Some people love it (go figure). I'm a really picky eater with a lot of dietary restrictions, so it would be best to ask someone else. I think the food in the town is terrific, though.</p>
<p>There are a ton of community service opportunities. It's a big priority, and there are all sorts of things to do. I do work-study and I love it.</p>
<p>D is sophomore, and I think the only game she went to was one where she was selling cupcakes as a fundraiser. Not into athletics and it hasn't limited her, at all. There are a lot of athletes, but I understand that the focus on this is much greater at Williams. D came from suburb of large (top 5) city and does not feel isolated. At times, she would love to have a car, but overall, there is enough on campus with musicals, improvs, films, and wonderful speakers, and in town to keep her happy and occupied. D had planned on doing something witht he 5-college consortium, but travel there and back restricted her abilities to take certain classes, so she opted out. But she is doing Study Abroad and is thrilled with those opportunities! D is a FA student, and even tho she says there are some popped collars, overall, she has made wonderful friends, and hasn't run into much at all! Her friends run the gamut from poor to rich. D doesn't like the food at Val, because she says it is so predictable. However, the new pizza chef is doing some amazing things with his station, and it's a huge hit! As for community service - D went to Dominican Republic to work with the poor there, and merge her study of Spanish. Amherst also donated land to Habitat and they are and have built houses for them. You will find others like you there, with the same interests. Any snobs ned not be your friend. D's aren't snobs. It is pretty diverse, and there are friends for every type there. Good luck and hope you love it as much as D does!</p>