<p>I’m thinking of applying to Amherst ED. I love the open curriculum and the overall attitude about intellectual exploration. In general I think I could be very happy there. My one hitch is the social life. I don’t mean friends, with a student body of about 1800 there should be plenty of friends, but I mean some of the bigger social experiences other schools have - annual events, big name performers, etc.</p>
<p>Can someone comment on how much social crossover their is with other schools? Does socializing pretty much stay on campus or do students go to UMass or Smith on the weekends?</p>
<p>speaking from a smith point of view, (i am a first year at smith currently) there always is many students from the five colleges in northampton on any given night and always at all the parties, at least so far! and i know at smith, we definitely socialize around a lot! hope that helps :)</p>
<p>I have yet (and maybe this thread will provide a first) to meet a SINGLE Amherst student or alum who ever admitted to going to parties or hanging out at at any of the other five colleges in the consortium, on a regular basis.</p>
<p>I am an Amherst student with good friends at the other schools–mostly at Smith–and I do know of several students who have close friends and boy/girlfriends from the other colleges. </p>
<p>That being said, in my experience, Amherst students do not go to the other campuses as much as the other students come to Amherst (especially students from the women’s colleges). Amherst students go into Northampton quite a bit, but it not necessarily to socialize at Smith. Their visits are usually limited to patronizing the restaurants, shops or music venues. Going to the other campuses happens mostly for special events (a speaker, class, or concert) or if someone is going to visit a friend at one of the other schools. </p>
<p>I would not say the social life at Amherst is at all lacking. There are students, though probably not the majority, who do take advantage of the 5C social scene and make an effort to get to know and visit students at other campuses. On the other hand, most of us meet other students through classes and activities. (For me, study abroad through one of Smith’s programs was a fantastic way to get to know other 5C students.) </p>
<p>I believe there has been quite a bit written about this subject on the forum before; try browsing around through the archives to see previous Q/A on the topic of Amherst/5C social life. If I find anything relevant, I’ll send it your way.</p>