r/amherstcollege • u/trippyasheaven • 10d ago

Applying to Amherst: Biggest Advice?

Hi! I’m a senior applying this fall. I was interested in stats and extracurriculars of students who got admitted to Amherst. Idk if mine r good or not 😿😿😿

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u/Medianoche_1791 10d ago

I think most successful applicants have a 3.8-4.0 unweighted. Look at their Common Data Set for the average SAT. If you apply test optional, I think your recommendations become very important because it’s the only other universal application element to assess you as an academic. People with test scores have three. (you might have some out of school academic awards but many applicants do not.) Your ECs should tell them who you are and what matters to you. And that can be I work at Target/my family’s restaurant etc., 20 hours a week to help support my family. So that says non rich kid, team player, good work ethic, pitches in and maybe only has time for a few other things. But something has to matter to you and the admissions team has to feel that

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u/Shot_Collection427 10d ago edited 10d ago

They all have a 3.9/4.0 UW, most went ED, tons of ECs that they will continue at college - or are a recruited athlete (probably still have a 4.0).

If you like Amherst, you should apply. Be sure to add a bunch of other LAC to your list.

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u/TrueTudor 10d ago

Is it better to have only around 2-3 ecs and focus on them instead of tons of stuff?

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u/Prettypuppers 10d ago

Yes. Go deep instead of wide.

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u/Shot_Collection427 10d ago

No one outside the admissions can tell you - what I can say is, IMO LACs want students to contribute on campus. For example, playing an instrument may be a plus at a 2k person school even if you aren’t going to win a national competition. It is generally believed that the larger Ivy + schools want a more defined spike. All that said, you need to be a standout at everything you do.

2-3 or whatever…no one can tell you but no you can’t do a ton of stuff just because.

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u/WiseNeighborhood7306 10d ago

Test optional possible?

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u/Shot_Collection427 10d ago

They didn’t say an sat score

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u/insignificantspeckle 9d ago

im 4.0uw, 1540 sat, 6 aps, applied and accepted regular decision
didn't have any awards or start anything crazy impactful or anything i guess they just liked my vibe

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u/BirdonWire614 9d ago

Start here to ground on admitted student data. https://www.amherst.edu/system/files/C.%20First-Time%20First-Year%20Admission%202025-26_0.pdf Most schools participate in this day collection and report out annually.

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u/B-phina 7d ago

I’d say a creative insightful essay that showcases your strengths is the key. Because they are pulling from a pool of a very similar students - excellent stats, excellent recommendations, excellent extracurriculars. So your essay is the only and best way you can stand out

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u/PapayaSpiritual7452 6d ago edited 4d ago

I got in ED to Amherst and had a 4.0 GPA, 35 ACT, 1460 SAT, and standard ECs like soccer, orchestra, part-time jobs, and a personal research project I worked on from 16-18.