D18 was fortunate to be accepted to these two fine institutions. I would love to hear from parents of students, alum, current students on these two schools. Dorms, towns, classes, profs, traditions, experiences, distinctions, etc. She will be coming from nearly 2,000 miles away, so I would love to know more ;))
Amherst sits on the edge of a 1,000 acre nature preserve that gives it some spectacular views, but, the college itself is compact in just about every way; it spends nearly every penny of the income from its vast 2 or 3 billion dollar endowment on two things: burnishing its physical plant and diversifying its student body. Once the poster child of the blue-blooded, rock-ribbed Republican Establishment, it has grown, largely at the behest of ex-President Tony Marx who lasted in the job just long enough to push through his ambitious agenda. Today, Amherst probably has the fewest whites as a percentage of its student body of any major American college or university.
One would think that with so little to worry about financially that student life at Amherst would be somewhere next to Nirvana, but, such is not the case. Diversity doesn’t come easy. Efforts to dismantle the old social constructs have produced a constant drip of complaints ranging from the design of its (relatively) new student center to some of its newest dormitories. Money doesn’t seem to be the problem so much as old attitudes and a long tradition of official paternalism.
Wesleyan is the very picture of a rather Spartan old New England men’s college. One look at Brownstone Row and one immediately thinks of cold showers and morning chapel. If money has gone anywhere at Wesleyan it has been to fix up the literally hundreds of old, many of them historic, houses that serve as the university’s camouflage. At almost twice Amherst’s size, you would never tell it from just looking at the campus.
Wesleyan students seldom complain about a lack of places to socialize. Themed houses, a handful of non-traditional fraternities, and loads of student musicians and show-runners keep the weekends going at a brisk pace. If anything, and in contrast to their counterparts at Amherst, the students at Wesleyan may have a little bit too much freedom. A molly ring operating secretly out of a dormitory sent eleven kids to the emergency room a few years ago.
@circuitrider I read about that frightening incident that sent many to the ER and one former student to jail for his part. I would hope that caused them to take a look at what could improve around this sort of “freedom”.
My daughter is seeking more diversity, since there is a lack where she is coming from. I’m hopeful as to what I have heard is the commitment these two schools are making to create a more diverse population.
I do not have the inside knowledge of any of the groups whose input you sought in your original post. But I did visit each school three times, and spent much time studying each, between my past and my son’s present, as both were considered very seriously by each of us before selecting another college. So I will share some thoughts while you wait for more replies.
Both colleges are quintessential liberal arts colleges, with small classes, tight communities, opportunities for research and close relationships with professors. Congratulations to your daughter on having two fabulous choices! She really can’t go wrong here, but can choose whichever “feels” better to her.
Both have the diversity she seeks. Wesleyan has celebrated diversity for years, and Amherst has made a tremendous effort to diversify, including socioeconomically, and is a national leader in doing so.
Here are some differences to consider:
Amherst-
-Smaller, but part of a 5 college consortium, allowing it to balance a small college community with the opportunities of a university. Students can take classes and join clubs and activities at the women’s colleges Smith and Mount Holyoke, the alternative Hampshire, and the large U Mass at Amherst,
-A gorgeous view of mountains from traditional red brick buildings,
-A “classic” liberal arts feel and experience, more traditional than Wesleyan,
-A crazily high endowment affording endless resources and opportunities for the students,
-And, best of all, a completely open curriculum with no requirements.
Wesleyan-
-A larger college for a LAC, with strong opportunities across the board, including the sciences in which it is stronger than many LACs, and interesting options like the College of Social Studies,
- Alumni encourage the college to “keep Wes weird,” for Wesleyan has always been on the cutting edge, with a strong liberal/hipster/alternative vibe, although all types of students are welcomed and present on campus,
-A lot of themed housing, from houses centered on certain identities or interests, to parts of Westco dorm where clothing is optional, and increasing degrees of independent living in housing as the students progress through the school,
-Currently a “hot” school, due in part to the success of many alumni in theatre/TV/film*,
-In a suburban town with New York City not far away and Hartford even closer.
Congratulations again on two great choices, and good luck to your daughter.
(*For example, Hamilton’s creator Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote his first hit, In the Heights, as a project while he was a student at Wesleyan.)
I visited Wesleyan back in '89 when I was college searching. I thought it was cool - very hippy, crunchy, artsy, alternative, etc. My parents were turned off by the fact that it was springtime and the leaves had not been raked yet. I haven’t visited Amherst, but I get the feeling the decision is going to turn on comfort level and vibe. Is there any way she can visit?
Wesleyan is a tad bit more centrally located between NYC and Boston, so that might be something to consider, but I don’t know how easy travel is in and out. We have 2 Wesleyan alums in the family on my ex-husband’s side - both highly successful in their respective fields (political science/statistics and architecture). I would say you certainly can’t go wrong with a Wesleyan education. Congratulations on two wonderful choices.
They do share a lot in common as well as with many of their peer schools in the NESCAC and New England in general. They are both loaded with kids from elite and prep boarding schools, and they have a healthy representation of kids who are there with school support.
In the end, the huge asterisk on my, and everyone else’s opinion, is that you have to take it with a grain of salt because the only way to really know is to spend time on both campuses, which is hard to do.
That said, I’ve gotten to know this little world a bit the last few years, having been a stranger to it all my life. Sometimes the newly clued-in outsider’s view can provide a perspective that eludes those closer to it. The way I’ve gotten to know it is through sports: I have a kid at Wes who entertained offers to apply ED 1 to a lot of these schools, and another kid playing a different sport for a Liberty League school. I have spent a fair amount of time around people from this and connected communities.
Wesleyan, from a distance, seems to have a great number of kids who didn’t pin their decision on precisely where their school is ranked in US News … fiercely independent thinkers who are not afraid to go against the grain. I recall a school article covering an interview with some Wesleyan official … one of the Dean’s or some other senior administrative person … who had been working at Yale for a time. She was comparing students at Wes and at Yale, and compared them as follows: if I told students at Yale and Wesleyan to build me a super trampoline, the Yale kids would get together, work very hard and build a trampoline like you’ve never seen; the Wesleyan kids would ask why you want them to build a super trampoline in the first place. I think that’s a fair assessment of the Wesleyan rep in the small college community.
Another thing I’ve heard said in various social contexts while in New England is that Wesleyan is a bit of a bellwether among its peers in the northeast, noting that social issues, or things that will become social issues, tend to show up at Wes first, germinate, and then move on to the other schools. “Things become issues at Wes first, develop and then show up at the other schools later.” That came directly from a person who coached a sport at Williams for years. I don’t know if that’s true or not; I haven’t lived my life in New England. But if the last few years are any indication, the comments would seem accurate. BLM is a good example: blew up at Wesleyan, and not just the other day either. Then later the related issue with the Argus. Of course, the kids at Amherst are also going to push back if the “wrong” kind of person is invited to speak on campus, but that kind of thing would likely be a little more lively at Wesleyan.
Being a guy from the west, I know the Pac 12 schools. Using that as a comparison, I think Amherst is to Stanford, as Wesleyan is to Cal. Stanford is the country club Stepford school: not a blade of grass out of place, perfectly matching architecture, crazy low admission rates, and more $$ than they know what to do with. Cal has less money, is a bit easier to get into, and it’s is in Berkeley … it’s beautiful in its own right, but it’s Berkeley, decidedly not a country club … a little crazy, gritty, etc. BUT, and this is important, Cal can match accomplishments with Stanford all day long, and then some. Chemistry was pretty much discovered there, the free speech movement was born there …so much has come out of that place it’s ridiculous.
When I think of the little 3, I think of Amherst / Williams as the Stanford, and Wesleyan as the Berkeley. That’s how the personalities of the three schools differ IMO.
So it depends on which one of those you want. My kid was crystal clear. 
Best of luck. These are nice problems to have.
@TheGreyKing Exactly what I was looking for. I appreciate you for taking the time to pass along your findings. Yes two great choices indeed! Thanks!
@Trixy34 You hear much about the talented alum in the arts, so it is also nice to hear that you know a couple that took their Wesleyan education in another direction. Thanks so much!
“Wesleyan and Amherst College–any thoughts ?”
Yes, you won !
@jgargery You spoke my language as an original West Coaster! This puts it in perspective having never lived on the East Coast. Yes, problems of abundance is what we are telling D18. Good to have great fitting choices. Thank you!
@Publisher \m/ No kidding! We are over the moon. Feeling very blessed for sure. The funny part is, around these parts more often than not we hear, “You got in where?” Geez, people. Read something! 
I’m a little surprised about the comments referencing Amherst as a country club in terms of the physical plant. Was there recently and one of my first thoughts upon walking the campus was that I was surprised with all the money they have, that the landscaping and buildings were not as pristine/ beautiful as I would have expected. Though it was winter, so not much greenery to be expected and the new science center under construction looks fabulous. But I came away thinking that they spend so much money on financial aid, that it must take away spending on buildings. Though physical plant aside, the feeling of educational excellence came through loud and clear. Williams by contrast was resort like. Every building was spectacular and had a more shiny and new feel.
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As an added benefit, both Amherst & Wesleyan belong to a group of 12 colleges that allow students at any member school to spend either a semester or an academic year at any other member school–but it does require an application & space availability.
This is an exceptional benefit for female students as the group of 12 colleges includes three or four all female schools like Wellesley, Smith & Mount Holyoke.
Also includes Dartmouth College.
The 12 College Exchange includes:
- Amherst
- Bowdoin
- Connecticut College
- Dartmouth College
- Mount Holyoke
- Smith
- Trinity College
- Vassar
- Wellesley
- Wesleyan
- O’Neill National Theatre Institute
- Williams-Mystic Maritime Studies
^@Publisher- You missed one member of the Twelve College Exchange: Wheaton College in Massachusetts.
@Publisher & @TheGreyKing Talk about the cherry on top! :x