<p>to compare amherst to another school (preferably not LAC although i understand if you cannot think of a non-LAC comparison) what would it be?</p>
<p>feel free to compare it to different schools in different aspects (ie its like college A in that it has a very rigorous academic curriculum but like college B in regards to social atmosphere and college C in terms of student body)</p>
<p>Tufts would be the only research university I can think of that even vaguely reminds me of Amherst: similar architecture, similar suburban setting; loses to Williams at sports just as often (couldn't resist that, heh.)</p>
<p>Brown?????????</p>
<p>No, Brown seems more like Wesleyan than like Amherst. </p>
<p>Not Dartmouth either. Dartmouth seems more like Williams than like Amherst.</p>
<p>For some reason, UMass-Amherst seems more like Amherst. In fact, the two schools are routinely confused. Note, however, that UMass-Amherst colors are maroon and white, while the Amherst colors are purple and white.</p>
<p>This is a hard question because Amherst never seemed to fit a stereotype to me. Which is a good thing I guess because all kinds of students will be happy there. I wouldn't try to label Amherst.</p>
<p>thanks everyone i appreciate it.</p>
<p>although now i really wish i had applied to wesleyan also... :(</p>
<p>Interesting question. I believe each college or university has their own distinctive character. Nonetheless, I think if someone liked Amherst, he/she would also like Bowdoin, Middlebury, Wesleyan, and Williams. They are approximately the same size, located in New England college towns, and emphasize a broad and liberal education. At one time (a generation or two ago), these schools were even more similar as they drew students from the same NE prep schools and public high schools on the East Coast. Fraternity life and the attendent alcohol excesses were also a part of college life. Amherst and Williams have eliminated fraternities (although unofficial ones exist) and the fraternities at Wesleyan currently have a fringe role on student life there.</p>
<p>Among universities, I would say Brown, Chicago, Dartmouth, Princeton, and Yale because of their strong emphasis on undergraduate education.</p>
<p>i am very interested that you say that pmyen.</p>
<p>everything i've read sort of (possibly exaggerating?) plays on the major differences between the schools. for example do you think someone who loves Amherst and the 5 college set-up would really enjoy the isolation of williams or bowdoin? </p>
<p>and what exactly do you mean unofficial fraternities? are you talking secret societies and such or just a bunch of guys/girls living together in a house?</p>
<p>I think the relative isolation of Middlebury,Williams and Bowdoin are fairly minor differences compared to the similarities among the types of students, faculty, and quality of education at these colleges.</p>
<p>I graduated from Amherst a number of years ago. From my visits subsequently and talking with current students and recent graduates, fraternity life is essentially non-existent at Amherst. However, I would talk to current students to get a first-hand account of the "unofficial" fraternities. My understanding is that since official fraternities were banned, some "unofficial" fraternities formed. They are primarily social and sponsor off_campus parties which are an insignficant part of college life at Amherst. There are no secret societies at Amherst similar to those that exist at Yale. I think the small size of Amherst and its emphasis on community, diversity, and inclusiveness (one could debate how well that has been achieved) make fraternities and secret societies anachronistic.</p>
<p>Tufts, Brown, Dartmouth.</p>
<p>How about Amherst as a cross between Williams and Swarthmore? Bright, motivated, engaged students at each but more of an emphasis on athletics at Amherst than at Swarthmore and less than at Williams, and with Amherst less isolated than Williams but not as close to a true urban environment as Swarthmore is with Philly?</p>
<p>that sounds like a great description gratefulmom.</p>
<p>id say, Princeton!</p>
<p>what is the reasoning behind princeton if you don't mind me asking?</p>
<p>i think swarthmore is pretty close (although you don't want a LAC comparison) because, just like at amherst, you can network with other colleges, namely penn, bryn mawr, and haverford. and it has a similar prestige level.</p>
<p>
[quote]
How about Amherst as a cross between Williams and Swarthmore?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Sounds reasonable. However, not because Amherst students are halfway between Williams and Swarthmore students, but because half the Amherst students are like Swarthmore students (diverse, academic, etc.) and half are like Williams students (drunk jocks).</p>
<p>I get the impression (could be wrong) that Amherst is almost like two schools sharing a campus...which may explain why everyone has so much trouble trying to define Amherst's culture.</p>
<p>Nice characterization of Williams students I-dad.</p>
<p>P.S. You clearly haven't been paying attention to winter sports. Williams is getting creamed in almost all of them.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Nice characterization of Williams students I-dad.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>What stereotype would you use? That's pretty much the slant the guidebooks use these days. Lot of jocks. Lot of partying.</p>
<p>You and I must be reading different college guide books. Certainly compared to the boring Swarthmore students, Williams students may seem lively. I don't think one could easily differentiate between Amherst students and Williams students.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I don't think one could easily differentiate between Amherst students and Williams students.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Actually, the differences show up even in simple statistical measure such as diversity percentages, percentages of students qualifying for financial aid, Pell Grant recepients, percentage of public school students, etc.</p>