Is this a true picture of the average Amherst Student?

<p>I was reading some of the Amherst student reviews on the ***** College review website. I came across this interesting review from a current Amherst student. I was wondering if anyone knows if his views represent the views of most Amherst students. I understand Amherst does lean to the left politically. But this particular review seems to suggest that there is zero tolerance for anyone with an opposite point of view. This person also seems to indicate that christians in general and catholics specifically need not apply to Amherst. I am not sure if this person is speaking on behalf of his own social group of if he speaks for the general student body and faculty. I am a bit concerned because I am catholic and my political views move right or left depending on the issue. If I am accepted at Amherst next month, I am not sure I want my parents spending their hard earned money on a place that hates students based on the religious or politcal beliefs. I am including the review so you can judge for yourself (I have blocked out his last name and hometown). Any thoughts from current or past students would be greatly appreciated. Thank You.</p>

<p>Michael<br>
Hometown: Minnesota
Major: Physics
Class Year: Freshman
Extracurriculars: Softball, Cricket, Volleyball, Rock Climbing </p>

<p>Gender: Male
Race: White
Political Leaning: Far Left
High School:
What other colleges did you apply to?: none
Were you a transfer student?: No</p>

<p>Posted: 4/22/2008 Views: 63 </p>

<p>What are some stereotypes about Amherst students?</p>

<p>We believe we are better than everybody else, and routinely look down on people at other institutions, particularly the ones around us, such as umass, smith and mount holyoke. Also, we are liberal to a fault, and are not entirely accepting of other, less informed viewpoints.</p>

<p>Amherst: The Big Picture</p>

<p>The best thing about Amherst is nearly everybody pulls double duty in one way or another. Almost all of my friends are varsity or club athletes. Because of that, we don’t have very many fat people. The size is perfect for what I wanted. Unfortunately, many people confuse Amherst College and UMass Amherst, which is insulting to my intelligence. We are in a college town, but that is mainly due to UMass. We are remarkably well contained within our own campus. The food is particularly unenjoyable however.</p>

<p>Academics at Amherst</p>

<p>Every professor knows my name, and I am on a first name basis with half of them this semester. In particular, my econ professor doesn’t care anymore whether I show up to his class, as I am particularly insightful when I do, and I often meet with him during office hours to ask question above and beyond the curriculum. We are very competitive and very well informed, but choose to gang up on those with ill informed opinions. We also are not very accepting of Christians in particular. For some reason, we are fine with almost every other religion, but as soon as someone admits they are Catholic or Protestant, we question their intelligence. We have no requirements, although that may change, which really allows for a broad educational experience.</p>

<p>Amherst’s Student Body</p>

<p>We don’t like christians. No set styles around campus. Lots of political knowledge, and lots of rich kids.</p>

<p>Amherst Activities + Social Life</p>

<p>We love our sports teams. And rugby. I always leave my dorm room unlocked. I met my closest friends through class and pledging. I do physics well past 2 am every tuesday. People drink usually on wednesday-saturday, and there is a large lull on friday nights. Saturday nights can be spent watching a movie with friends, attending concerts or events around, or playing board games.</p>

<p>The hating Christian thing is very extreme and ridiculous. I think this person might be joking...</p>

<p>one word- troll</p>

<p>I'm speechless. This guy sounds like a total d-bag.</p>

<p>The stereotypes are correct, however.
But, remember why they're called stereotypes...
We have stereotypes for people of certain colors, sexual orientations, and religions... but it's rather foolish to believe that any of them hold true in all cases.</p>

<p>A Roman Catholic myself, I just attended mass today with about a score of other Amherst students, and a few faculty members, visitors, and townsfolk.</p>

<p>You won't feel like an oppressed minority for being Catholic or Protestant, especially the latter, considering white Anglo-Saxon Protestants make up a great part of our student body.</p>

<p>But, you WILL be scorned for being conservative. This is true for nearly every single top college and university. This a stereotype you can believe in with confidence.</p>

<p>"In a survey of 151 Ivy League professors conducted in 2002 not one identified himself as a conservative" (Cohen)</p>

<p>I'm a transfer candidate and I visited Amherst recently and I didn't get a stuffy vibe at all. In fact, it was kind of scary how nice everyone was to me, from the assistant dean right on down to the students. I ate lunch in the dining hall (pretty average food) with a group of students and everyone I spoke with was genuinely hospitable and not the least bit haughty towards me. I really got the best vibe from the whole campus, much better than other campuses I've visited. </p>

<p>Maybe I just saw one side of Amherst, but the description in the OP is not compatible with my experience.</p>

<p>I know three students at Amherst -- Sr, Soph and Fresh. All are kinda conservative and all are catholic. And all love Amherst.</p>

<p>Thank you all for responding back to my original post. I really have my heart set on Amherst and I have been searching the web for any reviews I can find. This particular website has quite a few students reviewing Amherst and most are very favorable but when I read this particular review I became concerned (almost frightened for what I might be getting myself into). I realize Amherst is left leaning (school and community) and that is perfectly fine with me (I consider myself a moderate who swings in both directions based on the issue). But when I read how some students genuinely hate christians, catholics and conservatives and question their intellegence, well, it sort of burst my bubble. Nobody wants to be hated before they even step foot on campus. Hatred should not be tolerated on any college campus no matter who it is directed at.</p>

<p>You all have managed to restore my faith in Amherst. Thanks.</p>

<p>Glad your faith in Amherst is restored. I never saw or heard evidence of such extreme intolerance towards people of faith while my S was a student for 4 years. The Interfaith Center is active, including the Newman House for Catholic gatherings, numerous Protestant denominations and a Hillel.</p>

<p>Besides, how much could this poster know about Amherst to say he met most friends through "pledges"....when fraternities aren't allowed at Amherst?</p>

<p>The poster's vague wording, "we have no requirements" doesn't sound like the calibre of crisp-thinking students I met on campus. There are no course distribution requirements, but plenty of other "requirements," for example to satisfy a departmental major (or two) or to complete an academic sequence. </p>

<p>A reasonable conclusion: The writer's voice doesn't sound credible. I believe he's been on campus and eaten at Valentine. That's a fair description of the somewhat monotonous food. </p>

<p>But for your main concern: is the campus community horribly intolerant to Christians, I never saw or heard evidence of anything even close to that. Mutual respect for well-expressed beliefs, values and opinions was my impression from approximately 40 direct conversations with students, a random sample. Plus, I'm a good eavesdropper. </p>

<p>Course of Action: Fuhgettaboutit.</p>

<p>Thanks for the reassuring words P3t. In addition to his musings about people of faith, he also spouted an elitist "WE'RE BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE" attitude that I did not see during my visit to Amherst last year. I will certainly follow your recommended course of action.</p>

<p>Wavy,
I'm sure the review was written in sarcasm. I'd venture to guess that at least 70-80% of Amherst students would be considered some sort of Christian (not that they necessarily are practicing) - you have nothing to worry about. If anything the poster was making fun of the predominance of white, well-off, Christian, athletic, smart kids.</p>

<p>D is a a Catholic and a senior - never a problem with that. She is conservative, however, and has learned to silence her conservative voice. But that was true in the college I attended (not even elite) bitd, and I argued with my poli sci prof (I wasn't liberal enough for him, and changed depending on the issue) and received a grade lower than I deserved. It is the nature of the beast. The YR's are active, however, but MA in general is very liberal, as are most college campuses.</p>

<p>Wavy, you need not worry about Amherst's student body. I have visited Amherst and I know students who attend the college. While the college is left of center on most issues, it does not put people down for having a particular belief. The students/profs may challenge another student on specific "hot topics" but I don't believe you will ever be made to feel like an idiot. </p>

<p>I am the antithesis of conservative thinking. But I really don't care what other people choose to believe or how they choose to worship. It is a personal decision that should be respected, irregardless of what others may think about your choices. What does disturb me, however, is what I read from the person you cited in your first post. Personally, I think that individual was either kidding or a complete ass. In either instance, his review was inappropriate. We can brush it off as a stupid comment or just kidding around, but if those comments were aimed at any other group on campus we would be appalled. Just go back and read his post, but when you read it, replace the words catholic and christian for any other group on campus and see how it reads. </p>

<p>I will be attending Amherst this fall. While it is comforting to know that I will have the same set of values, attitudes and beliefs as many of my peers when it comes to political and social issues, I hope I never loose my tolerance for anyone who may hold an opposing thought. Thanks for listening!</p>

<p>Sabu may be right. The student seems to feed the perceived stereotypes of Amherst students. Does Amherst have a cricket club or team?</p>

<p>There apparently is, in fact, a cricket</a> club at Amherst. But cricket fans might want to keep their expectations on the low side, as far as participation, budget, and quality of play are concerned. The same caveat would apply at most other US schools.</p>

<p>Anyone interested in LACs and cricket should really be looking at Haverford. The Philadelphia area is the closest thing to a cricket "hot spot" in the US, and Haverford is probably the only school in the country where cricket is a varsity sport like basketball or soccer.</p>