I know you’ll make a decision that’s right for YOU – but I will say, that many people believe Amherst (and Williams) offer an undergraduate education that may be even better than at the Ivies. It truly is among the very best places you could have gotten in. So happy for you.
@katliamom & @gigichuck - Harvard would say that too. And did.
Of Harvard one student said:
In fact there are thrift shops in Amherst, I’ve shopped in them. There’s a Goodwill and a Hospice thrift store, right near each other, and accessible via the free bus service that all 5C students have access to. Amherst has also, in the past, provided a one-time grant for dorm stuff/coats/etc to very high need students, around the time they arrive on campus.
@gigichuck If you get into an Ivy it will be quite a dilemma. Diamonds or pearls? I also would lean towards Amherst and you would be able to take technical courses at UMass. Amherst would be very supportive. What a great “problem” to have.
@gearmom That would be an amazing problem to have lol.
amherst offers an engineering program?
Nope. @Barekk
@Barekk @OHMomof2 Gigi would likely/probably take Computer Science and utilize the labs and specialized CS classes at UMass Amherst when possible.
Amherst definitely has a computer science major, and then there are four more CS departments with more classes in the consortium to choose from if she wants to do more.
Oh my God!!!
I just got into Wesleyan what??? This happened with Amherst, and it’s freaking me out. I stared at the Update and I just knew I was going to see a Congratulations. I just knew. And when I clicked view update I thought, time to burst your bubble, Gigi, but no, it was right there.
I am speechless right now. Ahhhhh
yay!!!
so now you get to choose between two awesome, elite colleges!
I know the choice will likely be made for you by the financial aid offer but wow, no bad choice, all good.
Gigi!!!@gigichuck
And now who wants to bet she gets into ALL the ivies. LOL. Please film your parents’ reaction.
Are these full rides?
@gearmom Wesleyan provided a preliminary financial aid package. I got $66k grants and employment, $2k loans, $4k left over. But they said to send tax forms so they can revise it. My mother said it’s doable as it is. Amherst will provide the package next week.
Lol I tell my big sister first and then my mum just smiles and my dad gets excited and makes me read the whole letter out loud. No filming, but if I were to record my reaction, it would be a string of expletives and audible gasps.
Send tax forms even if it’s doable as it is. Remember you’ll have to buy a plane ticket and room basics, and a lot of clothes. Even from thrift sores, it adds up (and you really want to buy your mattress pad, pillow cases, and sheets, new). Any money you can save through their help will be money you can use on a coat and mittens, or money your mother can keep to buy herself a treat. So, send the documents. 
Congratulation gigichuck!
Congrats Gigi. Very happy for you. Where are you from? @gigichuck
I have lost hope in attending a school in the US.
got rejected from lehigh, wesleyan, denison, USC, richmond, UB and waitlisted at Uof rochester and accepted to some other schools but with my EFC to be around $10,000 its impossible to attend those other schools because of small scholarships.
Still waiting on NYU and Cornell :((
@Mmrosa I’m from Nigeria.
@KANIMBA01 Don’t lose hope. It’s all about perseverance. Know what you want, know that you will have to work your ass off to get it. If things don’t work out, you need to have other options: gap year, stay in your country, or go to school in another country. If you need to talk, PM me.
@KANIMBA01 What are your stats. NYU doesn’t provide good aid. They are awful. What country are you from?
I’m from Rwanda
SAT 1220
GPA 3.7
Got a number of ECs
Probably got rejected due to my low SAT scores.