Yes, Amherst College is considered a highly selective institution with an acceptance rate of around 11%.
Detailed answer to your question
Amherst College, one of the prestigious liberal arts colleges in the United States, is indeed a highly selective institution with an acceptance rate of approximately 11%. In other words, out of every 100 applicants, only 11 are admitted. Therefore, the admission process is extremely competitive, and students need to have a strong academic and extracurricular record to be considered eligible for admission.
According to the CollegeVine website, the average GPA of admitted students is above 4.0, and they have completed challenging coursework, including Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) classes. They also look for students who have demonstrated leadership qualities, unique talents, and a strong commitment to serving their community.
Author and admissions expert Peter Van Buskirk commented that “Amherst is looking for scholars and difference-makers. Successful applicants bring to the table a combination of passion, aptitude, accomplishment, and leadership that distinguishes them from their peers.” Therefore, it is not only about having good grades, but also about being an exceptional individual with a genuine interest in learning and making an impact on the world.
As for some interesting facts about Amherst College, here are some:
- Amherst College is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States, founded in 1821.
- The college has consistently been ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the country, according to publications like U.S. News & World Report and Forbes.
- Notable alumni include U.S. President Calvin Coolidge, writer David Foster Wallace, and Nobel Prize laureate in Physics, William A. Phillips.
- The college has a unique open curriculum, which allows students to take any courses they want without any distribution or general education requirements.
- Amherst College has a need-blind admission policy, which means that they do not consider an applicant’s financial situation when making admission decisions.
- There are more than 100 student organizations on campus, including a student-run radio station, a newspaper, and a sustainability club.
Overall, getting into Amherst College is undoubtedly a challenging process, but for those who are willing to put in the effort and have a passion for learning and making a difference, it can be a life-changing experience.
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | % Admitted |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9,285 | 1,032 | 11.1% |
| 2023 | 10,693 | 1,144 | 10.7% |
| 2022 | 9,708 | 1,186 | 12.3% |
| 2021 | 8,673 | 1,103 | 12.7% |
| 2020 | 8,397 | 1,103 | 13.1% |
Video answer to “Is it hard to get into Amherst College?”
The admissions committee discusses the rigorous process of selecting candidates for admissions, which involves reviewing a pool of 8,000 applicants divided into over 30 geographic regions, assigning two readers to each region. The committee reduces the pool to around 1,000 students who are presented to the entire committee. They are aware of the flawed nature of the selection process and some decisions come down to “going with their gut”. Even with highly accomplished students, the committee must reject many of them, making February and March particularly challenging months.
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Amherst College admissions is most selective with an acceptance rate of 9%. Half the applicants admitted to Amherst College have an SAT score between 1440 and 1570 or an ACT score of 32 and 35.
More intriguing questions on the topic
Furthermore, What GPA do you need to get into Amherst College? a 4.07 GPA or higher
You should also have a 4.07 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Amherst College, you’ll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We’ll cover those details next.
Similarly, What GPA do you need to get into Amherst College unweighted? As an answer to this: GPA Requirements
- The GPA requirements for getting into Amherst are to have around a 3.91 high school GPA.
- Given the school’s very highly selective admissions, acceptance at Amherst extremely difficult and unlikely even with a 3.91 GPA.
- The average unweighted GPA at Amherst is 3.91 on the 4.0 scale.
What kind of students does Amherst look for? Answer to this: Over 90% of those accepted into Amherst possess an SAT score of 700 or better on the math and reading sections of the SAT; 98% earned an ACT score of 30 or higher. Just about everyone finished at or near the top of their high school class.
Secondly, Is Amherst or Williams harder to get into?
In reply to that: In terms of admission rates, Amherst and Williams have similar rates of acceptance, with Amherst admitting 11.3% of applicants and Williams admitting 12.2% of applicants for the class of 2025.