<p>My D (currently working on her app) recently received a letter from Amherst acknowledging the receipt of her SAT scores and congratulating her on her “fine showing.”</p>
<p>(Yes, we realize this is just a form letter from Tom Parker’s office and in no way is even an implied offer for admission.)</p>
<p>But, we were wondering whether this is a common practice at Amherst and whether there is more than one version of this letter floating around. Anyone know anything about this or receive a letter like this?</p>
<p>MY D also sent scores to 20+ other schools and hasn’t received any other acknowledgements. So, do any of Amherst’s peer institutions engage in this practice?</p>
<p>We heard that Amherst overenrolled last year, and will be offering admission to fewer apps (translation: more rejections than ever) for class of 2012…any truth to this rumor? Is there enough housing for these “extra” kids?</p>
<p>One last query: My D’s idea of fun does not include substance abuse (seriously, not a delusional parent–I went to a school with a “party” rep) and she’s wondering how tough it is to find a niche at a small school like Amherst if you’re not the party type. (D is sweet, witty, pretty, tall, vegetarian, agnostic, accomplished dancer, intellectual political activist, socially liberal, personally conservative, practices yoga and meditation, loves the theater.) Her social life mostly revolves around the arts in NYC. (She stopped going to HS parties because it got old watching wasted kids indiscriminately hooking up and throwing up.) She’s heard conflicting reports about the party scenes at all of these LACs. She’d also like to know what the roommate selection process is like. Is she a “fit?” The “straight” story anyone?</p>
<p>It is true Amherst overenrolled this year; yield was much higher than expected. I believe about 480 decided to attend, compared to a target of about 420. Combined with the even greater amount of applicants expected in this next cycle, acceptance rates will probably drop even more.</p>
<p>And yes, there is housing for everyone. All Amherst freshman are in one of the newly renovated dorms on the main quad. No one even has to deal with 3 people in a double or anything like that. (I'm pretty sure of this, since I know I would have seen complaints on the Facebook group otherwise!) Amherst even had enough extra housing to take in a bunch of Hampshire students for whom Hampshire doesn't have space.</p>
<p>There is also substance free housing available for those who want it. This year, North is the freshman sub free housing.</p>
<p>D was in sub free housing as a frosh, and she doesn't party or drink. Has made many wonderful friends, primarily based on and an extension of the sub-free dorm life. She works on campus, and works security, where she works the concerts, dorm parties, etc. No one seems to care whether or not she parties or drinks. If she can have a niche, and a wonderful one at that, and be accepted, your D will, too. Yes, there are parties, and yes, kids drink, but not all of them do, and they don't seem to care if you do or not. Many of D's friends go to parties, and don't drink, just socialize.</p>
<p>Oops! Forgot to respond to the second half of your question. Catfish is correct in his recitation of the statistics for this year. However, realize that this story was true for many of the elite schools this year. It is simply going to be harder at all the top schools, as the candidate pool grows in numbers. Wish the news were better, and that's why we say pick reaches, matches and love your safety!That's not to say your D won't get in. Just that it will be harder.
D scored a virtual perfect SAT score and didn't receive such a letter. Don't know where the list comes from. She is a jr doing study abroad this year.</p>
<p>ejr1, do you mind telling me where your D goes for study abroad, and when and how to find information and apply? Also what is the situation with academic credit and tuitions and expanses? Thanks.</p>
<p>Your daughter sent her SAT scores to Amherst and her scores fell within Amherst's acceptable range, so she is receiving Amherst's letter of recognition. There should be more invites as the admissions season progresses.</p>
<p>FWIW, Amherst tried hard to recruit me last year (paid-for visit, mailings, etc.). I ended up at Williams.</p>
<p>LACs have the tendency to send targeted mailings to specifically the students they want and think will attend. It gets weird at times.</p>
<p>btw, i'm not an athlete, far from it. Besides being a URM, just a normal kid</p>