Amherst or Tufts. OMG please I need advice

Colleges and Universities A-Z Amherst College
1

<p>Amherst College or Tufts University. I got 3 days and this is the hardest decision of my life. First of all, I know that Amherst is obviously a lot better of a school academically but I’m still leaning a little towards Tufts. Here’s what’s goign through my head:</p>

<p>Education is number one.

  • I love Boston, I love how Tufts is right outside the city. I’m afraid although Amherst is right next to all these other colleges, I’m going to feel bored and isolated.
  • I went to a small high school and really did not like it. Tufts has 5K Amherst 1.6K.
  • I’ve heard that the social life at Tufts is a bit better than Amherst. That’s a big plus.
  • Tufts is known to be filled with bitter ivy league rejects.
  • Food at Amherst sucks… at least when I visited. Tufts food is awesome…
  • Dorms at Amherst are amazing… Tufts dorm are nothing special.
  • After leaving Amherst, I feel like I could get any job I want, I don’t know if I can say that about TUfts.
  • I’m very undecided but I’m leaning towards going on the business track. Not international relations.
  • Tufts girls are hotter.
  • I visited Amherst during the fall break so it might be alittle skewed, but I honestly felt that I was the only person on campus when I was there. I don’t want to feel like i’m in the middle of nowhere.
  • Amherst is RANKED NUMBER 1 LIBERAL ARTS SCHOOL IN THE NATION.
  • Tufts is ranked NUMBER 28 University in the Nation.
  • Is Amherst’s prestige and top-notch academics compared to Tufts enough to overpower my gut feeling of going to Tufts?</p>

<p>If anyone has any suggestions on which one they think I should choose, it would be greatly appreciated. I’m dying of stress.</p>

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<p>It sounds like you've already decided. Go with your heart, as corny as that may sound.</p>

3

<p>Re fall break at Amherst, D was there due to a sport event, and she said it was like a morgue. I can't answer your question of course, but can tell you d's experience so far. </p>

<p>She is busy ALL the time! Academics, club sport, friends, clubs, parties, walking to town for a bite to eat with friends, etc. I thought when she went there that she would be going to other campuses for social activities, but that has not been the case. She is from a HS that has double the students of Amherst and has a full social life at Amherst without leaving campus.</p>

<p>Only you can make this decision, good luck to you.</p>

4

<p>When I read your post it basically boils down to you preferring Tufts, but you're getting hung up with ranking, prestige, reputation.</p>

<p>I think you've already answered your question, you just need to stop second guessing yourself.</p>

5

<p>
[quote]
Education is number one.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Amherst has Tufts beaten.</p>

<p>I love Boston too: it's a great city.</p>

<p>Amherst is a beautiful, tiny town with all of life's necessities, but it is nowhere near a major metropolitan area.</p>

<p>I loved my small high school environment. Amherst mimics that for me. Tufts wins for you in this respect, because you've got tons of diverse city folk in the area, graduate students, and extra undergrads to mix with too.</p>

<p>In regard to social life... well, you have Boston. Let me say that the social life here mostly entails drinking, dancing, jam sessions, heart-to-heart talks about profound matters concerning human nature and the world, etc. About that last point, let me just say that I've had eye-opening and deeply enriching intellectual conversations with a few of my classmates--about race, gender, social class, and identity--, and it's only been my first semester. Depends on what you want.</p>

<p>Warning about the Ivy League rejects thing: most people at Amherst were admitted to the "lower" Ivies and many to HYPS, but it's still a bit weird when people are walking around in other schools' apparel. Some are bragging that they turned down, say, Yale for Amherst, others are still holding on to their "first choice." You find that at most places that aren't HYP, really.</p>

<p>Val sucks, but has variety: you have to learn what to get and what to avoid. The town's food is incredible--tons of ethnic restaurants and American food, pizza, Subway, etc.</p>

<p>Amherst has the power of prestige, an unbeatable learning experience, and a strong alumni-career network.</p>

<p>Amherst's freshman dorms are absolutely unmatched, by those of any of the Ivy League universities or other liberal arts colleges.</p>

<p>Tufts girls are hotter. Yes. But, our girls are sexy because not only are they decent looking but they're also intellectuals. An intelligent woman is an awesome woman.</p>

<p>You won't feel in the middle of nowhere, but there are times in the morning where the campus will be deserted because everyone is either sleeping or in class. After noon, during lunch time, and in the evening, lots more people are up and about, chilling on the lawn and whatnot.</p>

<p>The USNWR does not rank institutions well. Both Princeton and Yale, and a handful of other unis, offer better undergrad educations than Harvard. Some ridiculous president also suggested that Dartmouth would be top LAC if it were considered such: no. Amherst, Williams, and Wellesley are the most prestigious ones, in the same way that HYP are the tops, but rank doesn't necessarily denote quality, nota bene.</p>

<p>Tufts U is a great school, even if it is 28.</p>

<p>Prestige and superior academics are compelling reasons, but you have to consider personal happiness and comfort.</p>

<p>I want to say the two are incomparable. Amherst is certainly the better choice, but you should follow overwhelming preference in secondary factors (social life, location, women) if you really, really care that much about that stuff.</p>

<p>Remember the first and foremost reason why people go to college. =P</p>

6

<p>I don't understand when you say you have 3 days to decide. Are you deciding where to apply ED? If you're that uncertain, just wait until the RD round and apply to both; meanwhile revisit them both, but not on a holiday.</p>

<p>And while you're at Amherst, get off campus and realize you're in a 5-college consortium of around 35,000 students, counting: Amherst, Hampshire, UMass (all in the Town of Amherst) plus Smith College (all women) and Mt. Holyoke (all women) each l0 minutes away by a free bus system.</p>

<p>Why do you think you have to apply anywhere ED? For ED, you should be in love with the place, not wondering so much. To me, you sound too unsure of either place to be an ED applicant.</p>

<p>Have you considered waiting for the RD deadlines instead?</p>

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<p>kwu: You are wrong about one thing: Amherst, Williams, and Wellesley are not the most prestigious LACs. It's Amherst, Williams and Swarthmore, not Wellesley. Maybe Wells is #4. Not all the top LACs are in Massachusetts. :)</p>