<p>Hey everybody, I’m a freshman at Amherst and I’d love to answer any questions that you potential students have. I don’t think I would be much help in judging your chances, because these days no one can really know. But if you have questions about academic, social, or general life here, go for it! I’m most familiar with the humanities side of things, but I’ve heard about all sorts of departments. Finally, I absolutely love it here-so you all should come here and love it too :)</p>
<p>what were some of your other choices?</p>
<p>Are you coming from a big city? I don't know, but Amherst just seems isolated to me. Are there other students that feel the same way? I have looked on youtube for videos of Amherst and I dont see anything vibrant. How do you feel about the low population at the city of Amherst?</p>
<p>lancestone, I knew I wanted a small liberal arts school so I looked at some NESCACs and other similar schools. I narrowed it down to Amherst, Carleton, and Middlebury, and decided that Amherst was the one that incorparated everything I wanted in one school. I couldn't be happier!</p>
<p>donjuan78, I come from a very small town. I think Amherst is far from isolated due to the vibrant immediate area. Northampton is just down the road (there's a free bus system) and it has a really cool, funky sort of atmosphere with clubs and great live music. Honestly, though, you'll find that you go off campus much less than you think you will. Everyone here is pretty involved so you'll probably be pretty busy. There's so much going on on-campus, especially on weekends, that I often find that I can't fit everything I want to do into my schedule! And a consequence of the relatively small college-town vibe is that there are beautiful place to simply be outdoors all surrounding the campus. If you're craving a city atmosphere, though, I don't think Amherst would be a good fit. However, I have a number of friends from NYC, and I've never heard them complain about feeling stifled or bored. </p>
<p>Other questions?</p>
<p>Is President Marx as awesome as he seems? :)</p>
<p>Tony Marx is the man. His pontifications can sometimes be a bit over the top, but he really cares about making Amherst the best place it can be. I have a t-shirt (sold as a fundraiser by one of the a capella groups) that looks like one of the ubiquitous Che</a> Guevara t-shirts, but with Tony Marx's face superimposed.</p>
<p>It's not really a sense of boredom, i think its more a sense of creepy. Don't you just get an impression that something creepy happens in those woods? or that some crazy killer like the Texas Chainsaw Massacre lives around there and that its so isolated that if you call for help, no one will come? Maybe im just a scary cat, but im scared of the woods/isolation!</p>
<p>the school is not very isolated at all. there are around 30,000 college students in the area, a very busy mainstreet in town, constant traffic, plenty of restaurants, plenty of shopping plazas and a mall down the street in hadley, and a beautiful 1,000 acre campus (yes, one thousand) choc-full of people and exciting events. i'm from south florida, am used to the sprawling metropolitan area between miami and palm beach, and have not felt isolated once.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. It's more comforting. </p>
<p>Do you miss the metropolis? I'm just so used to the big city....</p>
<p>I was hanging out by this haunted house in the woods behind the fields with one of my friends in the middle of the night, and this random guy walked by and said, "Nice moon tonight." So that was a little creepy, but there were no chainsaws involved. The woods are awesome, especially in the fall when the leaves are changing. You'll come to love the woods, creepy or not.</p>
<p>was the house really haunted? haha</p>
<p>After coming to college, you sort of realize that the number one consideration of a college town is the availability of food, especially at odd hours. The town of Amherst has this in spades: Antonio's, Wings, Bruno's, D.P. Dough, etc. Also, there are a ton of awesome restaurants in Northampton, which is only a 45 minute free bus ride away.</p>
<p>actually no, northampton is more like 15 or 20 minutes away. and it's awesome. i live in northampton, and i can tell you definitively that amherst college is by no means isolated. it may not be in a big city, but northampton and amherst are both great towns, and although i am a hs senior so i can't tell you for sure, i imagine that the 5 college system adds to the non-isolation-ness (not very articulate, but i think you'll get what i'm saying).</p>
<p>hiya RH.. we visited Amherst in summer.. my wife fell in love with everything..our son liked a lot of it, with the exception of a strong political science program. but he was more impressed by the open curriculum. its also only 90 minutes away! the campus is gorgeous, the tour was very comprehensive as well. Its a little small, but safe! He will be applying in next few weeks. He Ed at Georgetown, but we are all keeping an open mind on other options. great to hear that you love it! Good luck to you!</p>
<p>The political science program is very strong here, unless you are saying that he didn't like the fact that Amherst has a strong political science program. It seems a little unorthodox, but I guess everyone is entitled to dislike what they please.</p>
<p>Northampton is a 10-15 minute drive, but a 45 minute bus ride, so both posters are right.</p>
<p>Amherst is a good town. Good burritos, good pizza, good coffee.</p>
<p>D will be attending Amherst starting next fall, and we would like to buy a good winter coat and boots during the after Christmas sales next month. Could you give me suggestions on coat styles, length, maybe brand's that we should be looking into? I have heard on other threads that Northface fleece jackets are popular and common with college student's, but I'm assuming something a bit heavier would be needed for the coldest months? Could you give me similar suggestions for boots? Thank you.</p>
<p>I'm from Maine, so I swear by L.L. Bean. If anything you buy rips or wears out, even if it's your fault, in the entirety of your lifetime, they'll replace it. A lot of women here wear peacoats, Northface is everywhere, and a lot of people wear heavier parka-type jackets. It's not that cold here, so with a jacket, hat, scarf, and mittens, you'll be ready to sled down Memorial Hill no problem.</p>
<p>Thanks rhcp, I didn't know the return policy on L.L. Bean! D has lived in Georgia all her life, so I'm sure her idea of cold is slightly different from your, lol! Any suggestions for boots, any brands to look for?</p>
<p>As for boots, LL Bean and Columbia are both good bets. I wouldn't get the most heavy-duty ones, because she probably wouldn't wear them much.</p>
<p>Any other questions?</p>