Didn’t find a thread for 2019-2020 transfer applicants, so here we go.
Who else applied? 
Wow, what a surprising lack of activity.
I wish there were as many transfer applications to compete against as there are replies in this thread. XD
hey!! i applied to transfer to amherst this fall. did you receive an email today on making sure your application and contact info is updated through the portal?
Yup! I’ve been all set for a while though.
The wait is nerve-racking!
What’s your background?
I am a 3.95 Honors Program non-traditional applicant from a community college. I am a first-generation immigrant (U.S. citizen now).
I went there for the Community College Open House back in November 2018 and sat in on two of their classes (Machine Learning and Philosophy; it was a blast!), and I fell in love with Amherst so much—to the point of obsession! Felt literally like home; and when it was time to leave, I felt like an orphan being pulled away from a newly-found family by some evil force.
Sigh.
Even if I were to get admitted to an Ivy League university, I would still prefer Amherst–my purple love affair. <3
(hopefully, not the unrequited variety)
Hi!! I am super nervous as well and I can barely wait for a decision.
I have a similar GPA and I am also in the honors program at my community college. I am a first-gen college student, and I’m a semifinalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Transfer scholarship.
I haven’t had the chance to visit but I did get an email about the open house you went to back in the fall! And I completely feel that, like when you know, you know. I wish you luck with the college process!! Where else did you apply? And what did you write your essays about?
Oh, that’s awesome! I found out about this foundation only a few weeks ago. I feel really bad about missing this opportunity. How did you find out about it?
Does Jack Kent award any money to semifinalists?
Thank you for the wishes; same: I hope we both get a chance to hang out together at the Valentine Hall cafe, haha.
I applied to some safeties. I know it’s naive, but Amherst is where my heart really is. How about you?
My essay focused heavily on what I plan to do with my education: I have some niche ideas that could potentially benefit both me and society. What did you write yours about?
thank you!! and yeah it’s kind of hard to know about unless someone tells you about it. in my case, i also did a summer program at a university that was originally funded through the foundation, so that’s how i found out about it!! plus my advisor told me to apply. i almost didn’t submit the application last-minute because i was so stressed, but i got it in!! unfortunately, money is not awarded to semi finalists, only those who are selected.
and yes that would be the nicest thing ever, you are so sweet!! but i’m not banking on getting into any of the schools i applied to, no matter how much i hope to haha. i only really applied to competitive schools because i figured if i don’t get into any of them, i will have more time to submit to less competitive places after i find out. which maybe is not the best process, but i’ve just been so overwhelmed with school and getting these applications in… i didn’t want to add more stress, you know?
i really like that!! you had a great focus. mine was a bit broader… i have a sort of weird background regarding college and my family, so i talked about that… how i wanted to go to a 4-year school but couldn’t, then tied that into experiences i pursued through community college… i feel like maybe i should have honed in my focus more, but at the same time, i am happy with what i sent in. so we will see!!
I wish my advisor told me about it. I’m kind of on my own with pretty much everything, which makes it even harder because I have no prior American academic experience (I did not attend a U.S. high school) or an American-born family to get an advice from.
If you are happy with your essay, then it must have been awesome!
I truly hope we both get admitted and get to hang out there come this fall. Amherst campus is gorgeous!
Now we wait for 5 long weeks…
BTW, I think your plan is smart!
Hi I also applied. Both of you seem like great applicants! I’m surprised there aren’t more of us here
hi @laracroft12 !! welcome!! i wonder how many people applied for transfer, this thread does seem a bit sparse. anyhow, what is your story?? what is your background/why did you apply/what do you like about amherst?
well it’s amazing that you visited and applied to amherst, you are doing great things and even though a scholarship would be nice, your ambition speaks volumes. you will do great things!!
and i know!! decisions come out may 15, right? i hope we are both admitted, as well. really, i hope everyone on this thread is, and with only three of us that doesn’t seem out of the question haha.
also this is just a side note, but have any of you heard anything from financial aid? i called the other day and the person on the phone said that they will reach out about any outstanding documents only if they’ve decided on your admission. so that’s a good sign to keep in mind
@glassturtle if college confidential is any indication, maybe there’s a smaller applicant pool this year?
Me? I’m a sophomore at a large usnwr t30 school. I really dislike it. Socially, academically, and major-wise. Hard to find community, too much bureaucracy, and the “academics” are synonymous with preprofessionalism, at least in my department. Large lectures and career orientated classes and students. I’m just not the kind of person who’s has a master 10 year job plan that I’m committed to. I’m at college to be a Student first and foremost. I really enjoy the Class experience and like doing stuff that my current friends find boring lol. I wanted to go to a liberal arts college in the first place but I feared the small size of LAC’s and instead chose my current school. I love the emphasis on an interdisciplinary style of learning at Amherst… and how I believe that positively affects the social environment and student body. When I visited, People seemed to be so excited to be there!! and just learn for the sake of learning. Cliche, I know, but very much true. You know what I mean? I really want to be surrounded by diversity and a motivated, intellectual student body. I wrote about that but went into more detail in the essays about what exactly I love at Amherst and how the school fits my desired Academic experiences and need for community
maybe!! we can only hope that it’s smaller haha.
but i’m sorry you’re not too happy at your current school, but it’s great that you know what you want and found that at amherst!! best of luck to you.
i’ve noticed there seems to be a definite difference between community college transfers and students transferring from other four-year schools. when i read your post, i sort of freaked out because i was like, oh no i didn’t focus enough on amherst in my essay. it was definitely way broader than what you said you wrote.
but coming from a two-year school, i feel like the default reason for transferring is that it’s necessary?? whereas students from four-year schools transfer because they are unhappy in their current situation and see something specific they like about another school. if that makes any sense??
this is such an interesting process!!
You all sound like the thoughtful type of students who would add much to the Amherst College community and thrive there. Amherst is a special place that certainly changed my life. Rooting for you all to get in!
Thank you! That’s very nice of you. I hope the Admission Committee members feel the same way. XD
@glassturtle
Didn’t you get access to their Fin.Aid portal? It has a checklist (which I’ve completed).
Although, I wasn’t able to log in for the past 2 weeks. Their Fin.Aid portal is buggy. I had issues registering as well.
Any updates on notification date?
Is there statistics available with GPA and SAT distribution for transfer applicants, and how many of them are from a community college?
https://www.amherst.edu/admission/apply/transfer/community_collegeapp
In 2017 34 transfer applicants were admitted, in 2018 it was 21 (possibly because too many first years accepted admission and the class was overenrolled by 20 or so).
Doing the math, there are perhaps 11-17 spots for non-CC transfers.