If you’re reading this, you’re likely wondering whether your child has a shot at getting into Amherst College. We’re going to answer all your questions and more, but first let’s find out what makes this small school in Western Massachusetts an under-the-radar powerhouse. 

About Amherst College 

Amherst’s huge $3.55 billion endowment provides for a student body of just 1,910 students, all of whom are undergraduates. It counts among its alumni U.S. President Calvin Coolidge and  five Nobel Prize winners: Jeffrey Hall, Henry Kendall, Edmund Phelps, Harold Varmus, and Joseph Stiglitz.

Unlike its primary historical rival, Amherst College, Amherst has no core curriculum. It instead encourages a “flexibility and independence” to coursework that is guided by faculty advisers. It’s also a member of the Five College Consortium, allowing students to take classes at neighboring Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, Hampshire College, and UMass Amherst. 

The college still occupies a charming, small-scale campus in the hills of rural Massachusetts, but it has a global reach and esteemed reputation that puts it on par with elite institutions across the nation. The acceptance rate for the Amherst College Class of 2029 was 7%. This makes it one of the most selective universities in the United States. And it means getting in will require strategic planning (and the help of Ivy Coach’s college admissions experts certainly wouldn’t hurt!). 

Amherst College Admissions Requirements 

Amherst College admits some of the best students from around the world. Though they maintain a holistic review process, you can bet that the students they choose to admit have amazing grades, standardized scores, and extracurricular achievements. Let’s break down what these actually look like. 

What Kind of GPA Is Necessary To Get Into Amherst College? 

Though Amherst College does not release official GPA data for its admitted or enrolled students, we at Ivy Coach would confidently speculate that all Amherst admits to the Class of 2029 had a GPA over 2.5, with 90% or so exceeding 3.5. In fact, we’d say that most of them skewed toward 4.0s. 

What Kind of SAT or ACT Scores Are Needed To Get Into Amherst College?

The average SAT score for the Amherst College Class of 2029 was a 1510 and the average ACT score was a 34. 

What Classes Do Students Need to Take to Get Into Amherst College?

While Amherst College does not explicitly state any minimum high school course preparation for applicants, we at Ivy Coach know that highly selective colleges like Amherst want to see students excelling in each core subject (English, history, math, science, and foreign language) all four years of high school. In fact, they expect to see five years for foreign language since most students begin their first level of foreign language in eighth grade.

What Kinds of Extracurriculars Does Amherst College Like To See?

We’re going to clear up a common misunderstanding: highly selective colleges are not looking for well-rounded students. They’re looking for a well-rounded student body comprised of students who are each singularly talented. 

In terms of extracurriculars, that means Amherst College is looking for depth over breadth. If you’re a member of the debate team, the robotics team, the field hockey team, and the drama department…well, then, you’re merely a member of those groups. You don’t stand out in any of these pursuits. Amherst College would much rather accept a nationally ranked debate champ than a kid who spent an hour or two on debate a week because he spent the rest forgetting Shakespeare lines and fumbling the ball in football practice. 

Amherst College Application Requirements

Amherst accepts the Common App or Coalition App. They ask for a guidance counselor recommendation and two teacher recommendations. Additionally, they ask applicants to either submit a 350-word supplemental essay or to send a graded paper from one of their high school courses. They provide students three different prompt options for the essay. 

Who Should Students Ask For Letters of Recommendation For Amherst College? 

Amherst applicants should ask two teachers, ideally two junior year teachers in core subjects. Obviously, the applicant should have a good relationship with the teacher or at least have performed well in their class. In addition, at least one of the recommenders’ subject area should be related to the student’s hook: if a student’s singular hook is studying fruit fly DNA, it wouldn’t make sense if their recommenders were their History and English teachers. 

Does Amherst College Require An Interview? 

Amherst College does not require an interview, and, in fact, they don’t even offer one!

What Are Amherst College’s Application Deadlines? 

Early Decision applications to Amherst College are due Nov. 7,  and Regular Decision applications are due Jan 5.

How Ivy Coach Helps Students Get Into Amherst College 

If you’re interested in determining if your child has a genuine shot of earning admission to Amherst College, we recommend setting up Ivy Coach’s Strategy Session. Not only will you find out if your child has a chance of getting into Amherst College, but you’ll receive a detailed game plan of how your child can optimize their specific case for admission to the best school possible.