<p>Now, the likelihood I get into Amherst is incredibly low, and the likelihood I get into Amherst AND an Ivy is even lower, but I still want to discuss the possibility. </p>
<p>Amherst is my number one, but I also applied to Columbia, Penn, Cornell, and Stanford (not an Ivy but close) along with some other more realistic options. Then I started thinking, what if I did get into, say, Columbia and Amherst. What would I do? Amherst is a better fit, but I don’t know if I’d be able to turn down an Ivy. Well, I probably would for Amherst, but it’d be a tough decision. Especially since no one has heard of Amherst on my end.</p>
<p>So, have you turned down an Ivy for Amherst?</p>
<p>I didn’t have that pleasure, but I know many, many people who did.</p>
<p>Most of my classmates and acquaintances turned down Ivies such as Brown, Penn, Columbia, Dartmouth, and Cornell, and a surprising number of people even turned down H/Y/P/S/M.</p>
<p>You have to ask yourself what you want to get out of your college experience, and where you would envision yourself happy and thriving, where you would make the most out of the resources that are available to you.</p>
<p>When I was deciding, I made an objective list comparing all the positive and negative qualities of the schools that had admitted me. Perhaps, you should do the same, and take the time to think about the reasons why you would enroll at one college over another.</p>
<p>These four years are going to be your most important, and it will be a decision that will dramatically change your life.</p>
<p>I noticed that you were comparing Amherst with the general idea of an “Ivy” school, and that “no one has heard of Amherst on [your] end.” If prestige is an issue, you don’t have to worry. Amherst is one of the most well-respected schools in higher academia, and professional learning and employment. In this respect, it contends with HYPS and surpasses the other Ivy League schools.</p>
<p>I have to add just a bit here. The previous post is 100% correct when they mention the name recognition thing. My D attends another NESCAC school. Whenever the name of the school comes up, it is either Oh, what a great school or Oh, where is that?? Everytime that happens. But, the people who you want to know, academia, professionsal, etc., they know!!!</p>
<p>It takes a bit to get used to people not knowing whether your school is one of the best LAC’s in the country or some other school that is not even ranked. Whereas, everyone knows the Ivy league. So, if you attend a NESCAC school expect a lot of puzzled looks from people, but know that you are getting the same if not better education.</p>
<p>Our plan is for D to revisit her top three choices after she weighs the acceptances and financial aid. I want her to visit the school and notice the kids and FORGET the names (if she gets into her top NESCACs and an Ivy or two [highly unlikely]) just to see how the school feels. We visited them all once over a period of about a year at different times of the year and it would be nice to visit the top three again and refresh her memory of what she liked/disliked.</p>
<p>my daughter was accepted to Columbia, but chose to attend Amherst because of the smaller teaching environment. She is VERY happy there, and everyone who needs to have heard of Amherst has…I wouldn’t worry. In fact, several profs we know who are associated with Columbia, say they’d go to Amherst for undergrad education too!</p>
<p>I know most of the Ivy schools focus more on their graduate schools. It is not uncommon for TAs to teach classes and sometimes there are 150+ students in one class. I want to have more class interactions and responsive professors. That is one of the main reasons I am choosing LACs over Ivy. (Unless it is Yale… lol Yale actually spends much more research funds for undergraduates than other colleges do)</p>
<p>I thought it was the case that Dartmouth had no TA’s teaching classes. But I agree on the focus on undergrad education being one of the most important considerations.</p>
<p>I don’t know that for absolute sure either and I would agree with you that it would be most, simply because of the size. And too… even if Professors teach classes, I would guess recitations are led by grad students if the lecture class is large enough.</p>
<p>i hold the same exact opinion as previous posters-
id choose a LAC over an Ivy for the quality undergraduate education</p>
<p>there’s just one thing im wondering-
how is the social/alumni connection in LACs v. Ivies.
Networking is still very important in obtaining jobs, and im wondering if the difference is significant or not enough to give up the great education at LACs. anyone? thanks.</p>
<p>Yeah that statement by Steven was extremely unecessary and pointless. But Amherst is a great college for those looking for a solid curriculum in the Humanities and liberal arts but if you’re looking for a specific focus then you should consider an Ivy or MIT. The trick in Amherst admission is showing them through your application that you’re willing to broaden your horizon and open your mind to different subjects. It is, after all, one of the top liberal arts colleges.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t turn down HYPSM for Amherst. I doubt Amherst will get me into Stanford PhD for Biomedical Informatics or Duke BME PhD. Most PhD programs care about published researches. My research work is nothing compare to my sister’s. Depends on your goal, you’re better off at a research university.</p>
<p>She wouldn’t, and shouldn’t, disagree: she’s is an enrolled student, a classmate of mine, apparently.</p>
<p>With regards to law and medical school admissions, Amherst fares exceedingly well.</p>
<p>However, if one were intending to pursue graduate studies in the maths, sciences, and engineering, say, I would recommend a large research university too.</p>
<p>Based on interests and loving interdisciplinary learning, I was pretty surprised when our son kind of switched up his interests this past year from Economics/International policy to Biochemistry/molecular bio. Thing is, he just really loves to learn ALL kinds of things and until he gets his feet soaking wet in a subject (even AP’s are barely a dip of the toes), I just think the LAC will offer him far more options, especially Amherst with no huge distribution requirements. Besides, doesn’t Amherst offer funding and summer research opportunities? I would never try to steer him in any direction but that which he wishes to go, but it is awfully early in that process. He applied to two big universities as well, so … we will hold off on this discussion until he knows where he’s been accepted. But if he got into Amherst, it’d be pretty hard to turn that offer down.</p>
<p>First, I would not compare Amherst with a generic Ivy. Dartmouth is quite different from Columbia, which in turn, is quite different from Brown. Although all outstanding institutions, they differ signficantly in the type of students they attract and their focus on undergraduate education. Second, I agree that it is all about fit. I chose Amherst over Yale a number of years ago. For me, I knew at the gut level that I would fit in better in a smaller community with close interactions with classmates and profs. Amherst’s student body actually was smaller than my high school’s. I also preferred the five college/Pioneer Valley area over an urban setting like New Haven. In terms of future academic and professional opportunities, I do not think I was in any way disadvantaged as I was able to enroll in the top program in my chosen field. I would advise admitted students to visit their top choices, stay overnight if possible, and then IMAGINE what life would be like at each place. Good luck to everyone!</p>
<p>Don’t be blinded by the ivy name. I have heard so far from five schools, all of which I was admitted too. I have an early write from Williams (I know it’s not Amherst), a likely letter from Columbia, and acceptances from interfaculty at McGill, M.I.T. and WashU. I’m still waiting on others, Amherst included. Honestly, I don’t even know which “name” is the most impressive out of the school’s above. I do know, however, that they are all great schools. Differentiating between them mostly falls to other things. For example, Williams is a small, intimate community with fantastic faculty and a beautiful setting. Columbia on the other hand is also beautiful in the couple square blocks it has but offers a different advantage of studying in an intellectual environment that isn’t removed from the grit of a big noisy city. M.I.T. is probably the best place in the world to study math and physics, my most likely majors (plus it’s math geeks’ heaven, releasing on pi day is brilliant). What I’m trying to say is that you have to evaluate what each school has to offer. I’m from New York City and everyone here knows a school like Amherst or Williams is incredible, especially for humanities and social sciences. All those names impress us equally, look for the best fit!</p>