I’m deciding between Amherst and some mid-size T20 universities. I love so much about Amherst. —small class sizes, research opportunities, 5 colleges. But I’m concerned about the possible social divide between athletes and non-athletes. With varsity athletes making up 35-40% of students and even the administration at admitted student day acknowledging that the divide is something they are working on, how concerned should I be that I’ll be a second class citizen? Would love to hear if tearing down the social dorms has helped or if that just made other issues — terrible party scene?
Any perspectives from current students, alums, or parents?
Have you reached out to current students to ask your question? My son is a current student and he is a non-athlete. He definitely doesn’t feel like a second class citizen compared to athletes. A few of his good friends are athletes, though not from one of the traditional team-oriented sports. There may be a divide of sorts, I unable to speak to that. But I think it is more helpful to focus on your own interests and see what is available for you there. My son likes politics and public speaking and has joined some very social clubs relating to these areas. He loves his social groups and is extremely happy.
Good luck deciding.
Thanks, @indot93, that’s great to hear about your son. I’ve been thinking that I just need to find my activities (and my own group).
I have talked to some students, who had differing perspectives. One pointed out that parties are generally open, but if you don’t really know the team members throwing the party, then not too fun. True enough! Was curious whether recent changes (social dorms torn down) have made any difference.
I guess my issue was also that I didn’t really click with my host on my overnight (as I had at bigger schools), so was concerned that it would be harder to find people I Iove at a smaller place. That said, I’m really drawn to Amherst so I don’t want to make this a bigger deal than it is.
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Parent here. D isn’t a varsity athlete either, she plays an intramural sport for fun.
There are parties that athletes throw as they tend to live together in large suites (something the college has been trying to change, actually). She goes to those occasionally (there is a winter holiday party, for instance) but rarely, is my sense. There are other large parties at the theme houses (cultural, arts, Zu, etc). Mostly she and her friends gather in smaller groups in their dorm rooms or common areas. They also go to parties in the powerhouse and such (tho no drinking underage at those), and the outdoor festivals held by the college in spring and fall.
She has some friends who are varsity (or club) athletes but I’d say most are not, of the ones I have met.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/acvoice.com/2017/04/02/the-state-of-athletics/amp/
This is disturbing.
D is a freshman at Amherst and hasn’t found the social divide to be an issue. Athletes do flock together for the obvious reasons–they’re on the same schedules, they know each other because they spend a lot of time together, and they have at least one big interest in common. So they sit together in the dining hall. I think you’ll have no problems socializing with non-athletes or athletes, and in no way will you feel like a second-class citizen. In fact, if you want to ignore athletics altogether, that would be much easier at a school like Amherst than it would be at, say, a university with a D1 football program.
My son at Amherst was a recruited athlete who had to quit his sport due to injury. So to an extent he’s familiar with both sides of the ‘divide’. The AC Voice article is simply rubbish, written by someone who started with his conclusions and then cherry-picked anecdotes to prove them. I would put no credence in it, at all. It’s clear it was written by someone with an agenda.
I’m not one of those rah-rah parents who think that their kids’ schools are perfect. There are lots of good reasons to choose Amherst. The quality of the teaching and the access to faculty is second to none. But it’s small and it’s geographically isolated, and that’s not for everyone. It’s a great fit for S2, but would not have been a fit for S1, who went to school in a large city, of which he took advantage. However, the vast majority of kids who goes to Amherst will find their niche and their crowd. If they don’t, they likely wouldn’t have found them elsewhere.
Thanks, everyone. I really appreciate your perspectives. I’ve decided to attend Amherst. Very excited to be a member of the class of ‘22!!