<p>I would really like to know the opinion of those that come from big cities. Amherst seems extremely isolated to me! The town is like 20,000 peeps, no major places… is there like nothing to do besides stay on campus and party with the other schools and just think to yourself?</p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Depends upon what you want out of college life. I grew up in Boston. If you want high culture-symphony, opera, major museums; interesting neighborhoods, major league sports, and clubs (with non-collegiate and professional scenes) you will not find it at Amherst. Likewise, you will not find noise, trash, and crime. On the other hand, if you want to find a place that caters almost exclusively to the tastes and interests of 18-22 year olds, I don't think you can find any place as vibrant or diverse as the 5 college area. Almost all activities are run by, or run for, college students. Amherst is located in a bucolic location so you have to enjoy that type of setting but it certainly is not in the middle of the woods, either. My friends from major cities never complained about lack of activities or boredom. I never went home except for holidays.</p>
<p>I would say that most students at Amherst are attracted positively to the 5 college area. However, if being in a city is very important to you though, I would suggest looking at schools located within the city such as Harvard, Yale, Chicago, Columbia, Penn, Georgetown, Hopkins, and Emory. Unfortunately, there are few top LACs located in the city-Macalaster comes to mind. Swarthmore , Haverford, and Wellesley are located near cities but essentially are in suburbs. Perhaps others may know of some urban LACs or universities with strong undergraduate foci from their searches.</p>