Hello! I did not see any thread for transfers to Amherst College in Spring 2020! Is anyone else thinking of applying? I truly think that Amherst is for me based on all I have heard. I currently go to Vassar and will be looking at majoring in Biology and Anthropology. I hope to get in because of Amherst’s incredible opportunities in conjunction with the schools around them. I also saw that they have a brand new science center which is exciting! I am blown away by the amount of opportunities they have on campus and love the state of Massachusetts as a whole. I also know that Spring transfer tends to admit fewer applicants. If anyone has any information about transferring to Amherst and/or how I can help my chances, feel free to message me! I presume the Common App will open later this summer and I’m ready to get rolling with it. (I am now realizing I should have made my name HopefulMammoth…)
Vassar’s resources in your academic areas of interest seem to be greater overall than those of Amherst. Both Amherst and Vassar offer top-level biology programs. However, Vassar offers a distinct anthropology department, while Amherst combines anthropology with sociology in a single department. Of note as well, Vassar’s recent addition to its science complex, a beautiful 82,000 square-foot space, has barely turned three years old.
Amherst takes very few transfers overall and I’d say close to zero from highly ranked schools like Vassar.
Why the desire to switch?
I am looking to apply as a transfer as well for the spring of 2020. Do you mind sharing stats?
@OHMomof2 As disheartening as it is to hear that – a reality which I am and have been aware of since going into this – I still want to give it a shot. Amherst is an amazing school and I truly think that it would be a better fit for me. A great fit. I have found that the Vassar campus is especially hard to remain on as it creates this ‘bubble’ mentality. I know this is to be expected as smaller colleges, but very few people get off this campus and if they do, it is to the unofficial campus coffee shop two minutes away. There is not much exploration of Poughkeepsie/connection with the community, which I do not like; how do forward-thinking students give into the belief that Poughkeepsie is truly ‘sketchy’ and unworthy of exploration/appreciation? Given that students tend to stay on campus so incredibly often rather than go out, it honestly makes life feel a bit redundant. Little variety. Aside from that, it often feels like there is a lack of drive, which boggles my mind as the school is supposedly very hard to get into. I was truly looking for a collaborative, all-inclusive environment but this really hasn’t been the case.
@merc81 I hear you, but the system of getting into classes at Vassar has been a killer. I was barely even able to get into Introductory Biology this year, which is expected to be taken as a first-year. That said, I know a few people (upperclassmen) who have been forced to drop plans for (specifically) Biology majors/minors (or, “correlates”, as they’re called) due to poor planning of classes. I do not feel comfortable paying $70k+/year when I do not know if I will graduate with my primary major. There are waitlists with 20+ people on them for Biology classes that cap at ~16 students; even then, these waitlists are cut off after having ~20+ people on them. Clearly, many people want to take Biology at Vassar, but are literally not allowed the opportunity. I also understand your point about the Bridge (the updated science building), but this building is mainly utilized for Chemistry. Olmsted Hall, far older and a bit outdated, connects to the Bridge; Biology stays, as I’ve seen, IN Olmsted. On the other hand, Amherst’s new science center just opened up last year, which appears to cater to many of the science fields, not just one. I also understand your point about the Anthropology department and Vassar’s distinction of Anthropology and Sociology into two separate entities, though Biology is my primary major with Anthropology to tag along with it. I am hoping to utilize them both to pursue something like forensic anthropology.
@WestingNavy darn not much has changed at Vassar since I was there - never got the classes I wanted! I transferred out as well, actually. Surprised to hear the “Po’town” thing is still A Thing 
Irrespective of what I’d said in my first reply, Amherst would seem to represent a stronger choice for biology for you based on your experiences at Vassar, @WestingNavy. Amherst, however, doesn’t open its doors wide for transfer students (recently accepting at a 7.3% rate) – an aspect of which you seem to be aware. In your greater search, you may want to review the transfer admission rates for schools such as other NESCACs, Swarthmore, Haverford, Mt. Holyoke (if female) and Carleton.
Wishing you the best of luck @WestingNavy!
Just sent in the application today! Anyone else out there applying as well?
This thread has been quiet! But I applied to Amherst and it’s definitely a top choice. I just know that the 5 College Consortium would be an amazing opportunity to partake in.