<p>Hi everyone… I recently applied to Amherst as a (potential) transfer international student from a very small (less than 500 students) private school. I’ve read old threads but haven’t found a lot of info from accepted students. I just want to know if I’m aiming too high so here’s my info so far:</p>
<p>-Current GPA: 4.0, unweighted.
-Credits: 40 at time of transfer (10 semester courses total). I’m a freshman but I’m taking an overload course each semester to improve my chances. I have A+ in each one so far.
-SATs: 1930 composite. I know it’s not high enough but I’ve only taken it once so maybe I should take it again to improve my chances?
-SAT Subject Tests: 790 Italian, 650 Biology E, 650 Literature
-Rec letters: A superb one and a good one.
-My school transcripts have narrative evaluations in addition to grades, and mine have been pretty good so far.
-ECs: Co-founded an NGO on my senior year of HS, and helped run it for over 2 years. We did social work in indigenous communities.
Co-founded a theatre company and ran it for a couple years, toured Europe with it.
Toured a few states with a Biodiesel Bus giving workshops and conferences in Universities.
Worked in an Animal Sanctuary in CA doing advocacy for animal rights
President of the Spanish Club at my current school.
Assistant director, stage manager and actrees in performances at my current school.</p>
<p>Here’s the catch: I’m 21 and I’m a freshman. I graduated in 2008 but decided to not go to school because of my involvement with the NGO, the theatre company and various other projects. I’m worried that my lack of academics could be a problem. I also applied for financial aid and I know that it’s limited for international students. Also, my school is veeery small and not prestigious, although somewhat known because of its “non-traditional teaching”. Amherst is my top choice but I’m not too optimistic since I know how competitive the transfer pool is, and I’m burning with anxiety right now. Any advise? Moral support? Please be honest…</p>
<p>I forgot, I took no APs because they don’t have that in my country. And my HS GPA is very bad since, as I said, I did not care about going to college back then. On the bright side, my app essays are pretty good and well-written, I think.</p>
<p>I would not worry too much about your HS GPA. Many transfer students get accepted low ones, as admissions looks to your most recent academic performance as indicative of your ability.
Your application looks sound, but because of the low acceptance rate, it is quite difficult to determine what is a “sure thing.”
Additionally, with Amherst accepting about 20 students for transfer and 60% coming from 2 year colleges, that leaves 8 slots for 4 year students and international students.</p>
<p>@dcsmiss Thanks for your answer! I know Amherst does not hold interviews, but do you think that visiting and talking to an Admissions official would change anything? Just to show that I’m really interested?</p>
<p>Showing genuine interest would certainly help. I’m actually going up to visit the college in a couple days. Attaching a face to a name certainly can’t hurt. I’m just going up to see the place out of anticipation. I’ve already decided I want to go, but I guess I just don’t want to wait till the fall to see the place (assuming I get in of course).</p>
<p>Hey people. I could use some help here… I had an interview at Oberlin today and it got me more confused than I was before coming. I am now torn between Amherst, Reed and Oberlin. I am mostly looking for academic rigour/quality and a student body seriously committed to their schoolwork. I don’t really care about the social scene, city surroundings or weather if those 2 requirements are met.
So far, I am under the impression that the students at Reed are more legitimate than those at Oberlin, who seem to be somewhat more hipster-ish. I don’t want to judge yet though, since my experience here has not been long enough to do so accurately.
I think I’ll visit Amherst later this month to get the feel of it. I also applied to Kenyon, Sarah Lawrence and Grinnell but haven’t visited any of them. Any input?</p>
<p>I hate to oust Oberlin, because it is a fantastic institution. However, if you are looking for the highest regarded academics, Amherst easily tops on your list.</p>
<p>Hey dcsmiss, how was your visit to Amherst? Any new impressions, comments?</p>
<p>My trip to Amherst College was fantastic, further reinforcing my conviction that Amherst is the perfect institution. The campus is absolutely gorgeous and in a tight layout, so you won’t be stuck making long treks through snow for class.
The town of Amherst is quite pleasant. The townsfolk were quite friendly, and UMass students were everywhere which I’m sure augments the social scene significantly.
The facilities are quite nice and well maintained. I suppose I’m a bit of a stickler for things being in good condition, and Amherst met my standards.
Overall, the I just felt that Amherst is an intellectual oasis with an open-minded and friendly student body. I can’t wait to get my notification in a few weeks. Of course the letter could have bad news, but I think the sooner I move on the better. Everyday convinces me even more that this is the perfect school.</p>
<p>I’m glad you enjoyed your experience there. I honestly care more about the quality of the academics than about how pretty the campus is. Not that it’s not a good thing, of course, but I’ve visited other schools before that have the Hogwarts look but a not very rigorous academic model behind it. Did you have the opportunity to sit in at some classes? Are you aplying as a freshman or as a transfer? I hope we’re both accepted and we get to meet this fall!</p>
<p>I actually ended up speaking with admissions for several hours, long past the 30min intended appointment, so all the classes had ended for the day by the time we were done.
One thing I will mention though, amherst.edu has the textbooks used listed under each class, which for me, was tremendously useful when gauging the academic rigor of the courses. The texts used bear sharp contrast to the texts at my current institution. </p>
<p>I’m applying as a transfer for this fall, so perhaps we will meet 
One another note, the school definitely does not look like Hogwarts. It is much more brightly lit and cheery in my opinion. The reason the facilities matter to me is a matter of taste and an indication of the financial soundness of an institution. After four years with the military, I really want to be in buildings that aren’t falling apart :D</p>
<p>I’m glad you enjoyed your visit! I hope your good interaction with the admissions department helps you in your application in some way! I had not thought about looking at the textbooks listed on the site, but I might now do that for all of the schools I’m applying to. Are you applying through the veteran program?
The reason I brought up the comment about the installations is that, in my experience, the financial means of a college are not always strictly correlated to its academic quality. I have visited a couple of schools that hide a weak(er) curriculum behind a beautiful campus, and I don’t want to fall for that facade. Having said that, I do agree that an institution with strength in both areas is a better option than one with lacks in either.</p>