<p>Professors at Amherst love to teach and students love to learn. That’s my overriding memory as a parent. </p>
<p>When one of my kids went to Amherst, my impression of the student body – both straight and gay – was students were wry, witty, with a calm/chill sense of humor. Also, kind, smart, diverse, and commujnity minded. I had the feeling from a parent’s POV that being gay was well-accepted, so whatever else is interesting and positive about you also matters when making friends. </p>
<p>Being gay there is no big deal, in other words…which you might find refreshing depending on how it’s all gone in your hometown. Not a major banner or movement place. Students’ many and varied interests are what is picked up on by others in the college community. I got the impression being gay there is whatever you make of it, much or little, your choice. </p>
<p>TO me, that’s a very slight distinction from Northampton/Smith where my feeling was that LGBT is a visibly celebrated movement. So I guess that means, within the Five COllege Consortium, it’s all possible. Being gay could be a major part of your college life in terms of cultural and political activity, or just a calm and accepting environment where you can be yourself and explore all your interests. </p>
<p>Amherst values “co-curricular activities” (same thing as what’s called ExtraCurricular in high school). Everyone’s very smart so what people do outside of class is an active, going concern as you meet people. It’s kind of seamless socially that way, inside and beyond the classroom. </p>
<p>Good luck in your search. Obviously the selectivity in numbers means it’s a reach school for anyone so try to continue your enthusiasm about Amherst yet expand to other schools that have some overlapping charaqcteristics you’d enjoy. Of course you’ll have reach, match and safeties on your list. That’s just boilerplate advice which I’m sure you already know.
Since you like Open Curriculum, also look up Brown University. </p>
<p>More on the music: See if the Concert Choir still travels overseas to perform for a week in June. </p>
<p>Consider a co-major in Music. They have a small, wonderful, tight department that treasures every major or comajor. Among my nicest graduation memories was the reception held for graduating majors. Every music professor knew every student, both personally and musically/academically.
Perhaps that’s true in every department, because I only attended two receptions…but I was impressed with the deep knowledge each professor had of each student’s work and approach to music. The professors’ credentials were global and sophisticated, yet the way they spoke of each student is something I"ll always treasure. Very personal and humane. </p>
<p>So unlike your saying tennis isn’t at the ‘level’ perhaps see if your music can become a calling card and express your interests as you develop the application. It’s really a great school to integrate a genuine, lively interest in music with all your other academics. </p>
<p>As demonstration of the college’s interest in choral music, on Homecoming Weekend there’s big attendance at the sports event by day, and then a sold-out Classical Choir concert on Saturday night. Sold out months ahead, too. That’s refreshing if you come from a highschool where only sports received the social respect. At Amherst, to be in an a capella group or either of the department’s official choirs is not only pleasurable and serious musically, but is enjoyed socially campus-wide as an important part of the community. </p>
<p>Musical acoustics are excellent in the very attractive building where the choirs and chamber groups perform. WHen my son left the echoey auditorium from his high school and heard vocal sound in Amherst’s music department building, it was a huge leap. </p>
<p>You’ll discover other double majors who bring in all other fields, for example I met students with Music Majors whose other majors were: Physics, Theater, Math, Chemistry, Economics, and more. I don’t think they allow a music minor, but many students at Amherst decide to double-major.</p>
I’m a little tired of the preppy dominance of Southern culture.</p>