Amherst College 2021 RD Discussion Thread

What shall be the latest date by which I could send an important update. I know, that by now most of the decisions have been finalised, but it is something that will greatly help my application and may compel them to re review my application. Please help!!!

I just checked my portal and I got in!!

WHAT?!?!

@DreamforIvy hold the heck up, what?

It was an “early notification” type of thing! 9,200 applied and only 472 got accepted! That’s ONLY 5% acceptance rate! A decrease in TEN percent from last year! That’s absolutely ridiculous.

Can you post what they wrote?

Dear ____:

This year Amherst received a record total of over 9,200 applications for an incoming class of 472 students. A very small number of applicants were found to be so extraordinary that we are notifying them early of their admission. You are one of that select group and I am pleased to offer you a place in the Class of 2021 at Amherst College. Your passion for the life of the mind and the depth of your involvement in school and community are what we look for as we build our Amherst class. I am confident that you can make a particularly significant contribution to our very special community.

I’m contacting you before our established notification date to give you ample opportunity to consider Amherst as you make your college choice. Amherst offers one of the finest educational environments in the country: small classes taught by professors; exceptional resources in all departments, including excellent facilities for math and science; and an open curriculum that allows you unusual independence and flexibility in designing your academic program. Outside the classroom, you’ll be able to participate in the many activities, clubs and teams available at Amherst and also take advantage of the courses and events offered within the Five College Consortium, providing access to an unusually broad and diverse collection of curricular and extracurricular options.

While the official deadline for your response is May 1, you may confirm your decision to attend Amherst at any time before that by completing our online Admission Response Form and submitting the $400 Advance Tuition Deposit or Deposit Waiver. That form, along with other important information, will be available at your Application Status page within fifteen minutes of receiving this letter of admission. [Note: If you decide to use the online deposit payment option, you will need the following personalized Amherst ID: ____ Our offer of admission comes with the expectation that you will maintain your current level of performance and continue as a citizen in good standing of your school and community, as your admission is contingent upon the successful completion of your obligations. You should also know that, if you confirm your plan to enroll at Amherst, you may not commit to any other college.

If you have applied for financial aid, you will receive an email from our Office of Financial Aid either confirming that your aid eligibility has been determined or notifying you of missing information that must still be submitted.

Finally, I invite you to attend one of our Open Houses for admitted students, which offer a wonderful opportunity to talk with students and faculty, visit classes, and get a better sense of what Amherst is like. Our Overnight Open House will be held April 9-10; a less extensive Day Open House program will be held on Monday, April 17. Online registration for both programs is available at your Application Status page, along with additional program information. If the Open House dates are not convenient for you and you would like to stay overnight on campus with a student host on either the night of March 27, March 28, April 3 or April 4, please phone our office (413-542-2328) to make arrangements through Jayson Paul, Admission Counselor. We will make accommodating you a priority!

As you consider Amherst, I urge you to explore our College website (www.amherst.edu) to learn more about the Amherst community, including profiles of faculty (www.amherst.edu/academiclife/faculty_profiles ) and students (www.amherst.edu/admission/meet ). Feel free to get in touch directly with our faculty and students; they are a lively and exciting group! You may also expect to be contacted by phone or email in late March or early April from one of our faculty who will be familiar with your academic interests and background. We hope these opportunities will provide the detailed information you need to make this important decision.

Once again, congratulations from all of us at Amherst!

Sincerely,

Cate Granger Zolkos
Dean of Admission

Well thats amazing!! Congrats on getting in!

@ScaredofSchool Thanks!!!

I do think it’s a bit strange tho that they already made all their decisions but aren’t releasing them until end of March…

@DreamforIvy I agree, I would like to know if I was denied or accepted so that I may plan out. I think they wait bc ivys release march 30th.

Congratulations, Dreamforivy!

One note: the letter says that the class size will be intended to be 472, not that only 472 will be admitted. Some admitted students will go elsewhere.

@TheGreyKing They would accept around 1151 hopefuls if the yield of 41℅ remains same.

Hey everyone. Just got in to Amherst early. Anyone else?

Congratulations!

I’ve been accepted through this early notification also!! Excited!!!

I got the email for early notification yesterday too!! I’m so shocked because I didn’t think incredibly competitive schools like Amherst did this, but I’m in awe. I started a thread for decisions if you guys want to post! Anyone have any guesses as to if they did this last year and how many people got in early?

Also last year RD notifications were posted on March 25, so I’m guessing (if they keep the same pattern of a Saturday) that they will be posted on the 24th this year!

was this early notification for URMS / athletes / legacies?

Amazing!
Congrats @DreamforIvy