<p>And okay...</p>
<p>If I end up going to Amherst College (extremely likely, they offered me a terrific financial aid package and their courting has really won me over :)) and I want to be an architect...what sort of classes should I be taking? Can I design my own major and what would my options be?</p>
<p>
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I want to be an architect...what sort of classes should I be taking? Can I design my own major and what would my options be?
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You will ultimately need to attend grad school for an NAAB-accredited MArch degree. So you should review the "pre-arch" requirements of such programs. Probably some math, physics, and art. </p>
<p>MArch degrees normally take 3 years. But grad schools commonly offer "advanced standing" to students who complete a lot of architecture-related coursework as an undergrad. In this case, the MArch can be completed in only 2 years. </p>
<p>If you go to Amherst, then there is an MArch program right next door at UMass, so this is an obvious resource. Why not ask them? Furthermore, UMass also offers architecture courses at the undergraduate level. You might be able to design an Amherst College "Architectural Studies" major, which would include some specialized architecture courses at UMass. In this case, your Amherst BA might qualify you for "advanced standing" in architecture grad school, which would be unusual for a LAC degree.</p>
<p>This is total speculation on my part, but it seems like it might work.</p>
<p>thanks for all the great info, allure....i've been out of town, so i didn't get it until now. now if i can only get the SATs up....what your friend mentioned sounded really interesting to me.</p>
<p>This is a great thread. I have another question that I don't think has been covered: Is it easy to get involved in science research? I'm especially interested in biology/neuroscience, if that helps. Thanks in advance! :)</p>
<p>could you tell me about any pre-med programs?</p>
<p>i dont wanna overload on the questions...but how is the math department at amherst? i know theres not many majors there, so is the department lacking?</p>
<p>Hey, I'm with xLxJxCx, don't want to overload on questions, but...</p>
<p>What do you guys know about International Relations/Study Abroad program? I also want to take a few writing courses, Creative if I can fit it in... thanks!!</p>
<p>There is no IR per se at Amherst, but that is what D wants to study, and there is the 5 college consortium certification in IR through Holyoke, I believe, run by Pinetta (sic) who was on Clinton's staff. You can get different classes by region, etc., at Amherst through the History and Law and Jursiprudence and language depts. Study Abroad is big - D is planning on Spain and Germany. The newspaper carried a picture of the booths they had to show the students what was available.</p>
<p>Hi, this is tansytroll. I came into Amherst wanting to get my IR certification (already I'm doubting that I'll be able to do it because I have yet to take a Poli Sci course, and it doesn't look like I'll get to one until it's too late.) I didn't spend much time looking at the qualifications for the IR certification, but a language is required, maybe study abroad, taking classes through the consortium, and a wide range of courses such as Econ, history, etc.</p>
<p>I've briefly talked to the study abroad dean, and it sounds really easy to go. Amherst uses programs from other institutes, like Hamilton's Madrid program, as well as their own. Basically, wherever you want to go is feasible. Amherst still covers your financial aid, and if the tuition/total cost is more than Amherst's, they'll cover the difference. Amherst really encourages contact with the world, so you'll find that most juniors study abroad. As for creative writing, I know that there's an office, but I don't know much about it. Classes are available, but you may have to take some entry-type classes before. I'm not sure.</p>
<p>Why would people choose Amherst over, say, Harvard et al? Just honestly curious as to what people consider the benefits of an LAC over an Ivy.</p>
<p>Smaller, more one-on-one with teachers, focus only on undergrads, etc.
Why do so many people only choose Harvard for the prestige? A lot of experts think LACs are better for undergrad any day.</p>
<p>Agreed with jackson, but I guess it all depends on what you want to study.</p>
<p>It would be horrible to study humanities at a huge university, IMO. That's about personal development: however, if you're bent on curing cancer, Harvard's the way to go. They have the resources (and the influence to get any resources you need).</p>
<p>the reason i'm choosing amherst over harvard is that first of all, there's NO WAY im getting into H and whenever I visited the campus it seemed like an overrated, overhyped school with minimal teacher interaction(the professors only care about their own research), and a school where literally half the students only applied to harvard because it's always been considered number 1 and stuff. Plus, my friend goes there and she and some people she knows say they absolutely hate it because of the arrogance and uptightness that goes around.</p>
<p>Seriously, I don't understand why students keep picking these schools solely on prestige when there are dozens of other schools where you can get an equal education, if not better, and still know that for all that matters, you're only human and your life shouldn't have to be planned completely for you whenever you decide which school gets your $40,000 a year tuition.</p>
<p>tkm, LACs are better for undergrads who want to cure cancer because research positions at Amherst, Swath, Wesleyan, etc aren't taken by grad students. Therefore, for undergrads, if you want plenty of lab and research opportunities, LACs are the way to go.</p>
<p>from an accepted student leaning towards biology:</p>
<p>how's the orchestra? are there opportunities to play in small instrumental chamber groups, with a faculty coach? would orchestra playing be tricky if I didn't major in music? do most of the student musicians take their private lessons through Amherst, or near/around the town, or far away? Thanks so much for all the information already posted!</p>
<p>Thanks for taking time to answer these questions.</p>
<p>I am an accepted international Korean student and I applied for a Biology major. I'm not particularly familiar with the science program at Amherst but I've heard (rumors) that the humanities programs are much stronger at Amherst. I've been accepted to Johns Hopkins for their BME major and JHU is proud of their dedication to BME and research for undergraduates.</p>
<p>As a pre-med hopeful, I would like to know about the intensity and prestigious-ness of Amherst's science programs, and how pre-med plays a part in this issue. Are there MANY research opportunities for students? How dedicated is the school to its science department? Comparing Amherst's programs to certain well-known "science-drive" schools around the country, what do you have to say?</p>
<p>Btw, does it REALLY take 1.5 hrs to Boston? What's the fastest way of Transpo? Thanks!</p>
<p>Very dedicated to the science program! Just look at our labs! Freshman and sophomores can even return over the summer and receive stipends under an amherst fellowship to further their science research. Premed advising is available and many of the students go on to top medical schools. Wonderful wonderful science programs and a great diversity; google some of our science faculty and see what you get.</p>
<p>Yep, 1.5 hours to Boston. Take Peter Pan</p>
<p>If you have a car, it takes 1 1/2 hrs plus to Boston. The Peter Pan Express bus is 2 1/2 hrs. and the regular Peter Pan bus that stops in Springfield first is about 4 hrs. Amtrak takes about double that time plus about 3 times the cost. That's one of the things that I dislike about Amherst, without a car it takes forever to get somewhere. But, honestly, I don't feel deprived staying in the 5 College Area.</p>
<p>Your answers are amazing. I need help with Choosing the college right now. I am a Russian student but went to a U.S high school in brooklyn. I got accepted to Amherst and UCHicago and cannot make a decision. Which school do u think is better academically overall? what about in math?</p>