<p>besides party and play video games and watch movies?</p>
<p>Synchronized swimming and paint ball are very big</p>
<p>wait LOL you’re joking right</p>
<p>I graduated in '08, so things might have changed, and it’s of course important to note that not all Amherst students are alike, but I’ll try my best to answer. </p>
<p>Aside from partying/movies/games there are tons of extracurricular activities, tons of outdoorsy type things to do, and plenty of stuff to do in town. </p>
<p>As for extracurriculars, I think one of the best things about going to a small school is that you can have opportunities to try things that might be much harder to do at a bigger school. For instance, I did play-by-play of the football and basketball games for the school radio station and also had a music show. I was also in an improv group. Those were just my interests though, there are a ton of things like that to get involved in. Intra-mural sports are huge, there are all kinds of wacky clubs, and it’s easy to make your own. You can do whatever you want. Even if they don’t have it at Amherst, chances are they do have it at one of the other four schools in the area. </p>
<p>From an outdoorsy perpsective, Amherst is great. This was not really my thing going in, and I’m still not a huge outdoors person, but you’ll definitely enjoy going on hikes in the area, walking in the enormous bird sanctuary, swinging into the Connecticut river on the tire swing, and sneaking into Hampshire reservoir to go night swimming. Trust me, I was/am a city guy, and even I hugely enjoyed this aspect. </p>
<p>From a town/community perspective, I think Amherst is really underrated. Compared to the towns near the other NESCAC schools, Amherst is much bigger and has more to do. Remember that UMass, with its 30k students, is only 5 min away. Everything that a college student could possibly want is there. If you visit you should also check out Northampton, a town 5 min away. It’s not super-accessible when you’re a freshman and none of your friends have cars (although there is a free bus that runs), but if you go to Amherst a ton a time there in your four years. It’s a great little town with good restaurants, art-house theaters, concert venues, etc. </p>
<p>The short answer I guess is whatever they want to do. I promise you won’t be lacking for entertainment.</p>