<p>The area is really pretty - just not quite so this time of year between mud, dirty snow, etc. My D grew up in rural northern N.E. and loves it there. you can get to Boston on the bus pretty easily but it is a few hours away. There are malls around and as mentioned there is a ton to do in Amherst. A former teacher of hers stated that "Amherst is the center of the universe for a college student" and maybe he is right. The variety of students coming to the area make it interesting and rather special. D #2 is now considering Mt Holyoke having been accepted there......so we'll be rechecking the area soon to see how it fits from her perspective.....Northampton (Smith) is about 20 min. away.</p>
<p>^ snow? Wasn't expecting snow this time of year, dirty or otherwise. </p>
<p>Thanks very much for the add'l info!</p>
<p>Lyre - no worries - I was there last weekend and they are snowless in Amherst! In fact, it was really warm, and some of the students were tanning...(warm in the northeast is anything about 40 degrees though...)</p>
<p>^ Sad but true....if its 40 thats an improvement!</p>
<p>Our daughter, who had been accepted EA, decided to attend Hampshire today. It was a tough decision - she has better financial offers elsewhere, and was wait-listed at her previously #1 choice. She will join her brother, who will be in his 4th yr.</p>
<p>Our son managed just fine through the winters - there are admittedly a few brutally cold weeks each year, but the rest is quite manageable. Fall is spectacular, Spring is pleasant, and Summers are hot (but who is there in the Summer?). One item not yet noted is that there is some respectable hiking from right off the campus, up into the adjacent Holyoke Range.</p>