<p>i am pretty sure i want to attend amherst next year, but i can’t attend either open house due to other conflicts. my older sibling, who attends harvard college, told me that they regretted not visiting the campus beforehand because they felt like they were behind when they arrived in september and didn’t know anyone. does anyone else feel this way? will it be difficult to adapt to amherst even if i do not visit the campus? i have tried to reassure myself that it will be okay because the undergraduate population is smaller than my high school student population, but still have doubts.</p>
<p>My daughter is not going, either, conflict with track meets. I can’t believe that since kids are accepted from near and far, that a large number can attend on relatively short notice, due to time, distance, and expense.</p>
<p>You will not be at a disadvantage in the fall. I did attend a one-day open house; however, I really only met one student. While she and I became friends on Facebook, we ended up in completely different social circles come September. Most people attend open house to help in their decision-making, not to get a jump start on making friends. </p>
<p>Amherst runs an incredible, long, and action-packed First-Year Orientation. You will quickly and easily make friends in the fall. Most people arrive on campus not knowing anyone are equally as anxious/excited to meet their peers.</p>
<p>I would recommend joining the Amherst Class of 2015 group on Facebook, however. That’s usually a good place to start talking to people, figuring out who’s interested in what, who’s living near you, etc.</p>