Acceptance Rate of Amherst College
Amherst College is an exceptional liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts. Ranked #24 by Forbes, the college is renowned for its open curriculum, intellectual rigor, and inclusive student body. Amherst boasts state-of-the-art academic buildings, historic architecture, and scenic landscapes. The environment Amherst provides is intellectually stimulating, and it is here that students enjoy the freedom of designing their academic paths. As a result, they emerge as effective and innovative problem-solvers in their communities and workplaces. Since the student-faculty ratio is 7:1, students gain from receiving personalized attention and faculty mentorship. Amherst has produced numerous distinguished alumni, including:
- Emily Dickinson—renowned poet
- Dan Brown—American author
- Albert II, Prince of Monaco
- David Foster Wallace—Influential author and essayist
- Tony Marx—Former President of Amherst and CEO of the New York Public Library
Changing Trends
Amherst College is one of the most selective liberal arts institutions, with its acceptance rate dropping steadily in recent years. Amherst College recently reported their regular decision results. According to the Dean of Admission and Financial Aid, the college received 13,700 applications to the Class of 2028—an 8% increase in applications from last year. Amherst received nearly 14,800 applications and admitted 1,182 students for the Class of 2027. This reiterates the selectivity of the college’s admission process. For the class of 2026, Amherst received 14,684 applications and admitted 1079 students. College Admits 7 Percent of Applicants for the Class of 2026. Surprisingly, the acceptance rate for the class of 2025 was 11.8%, which indicates that the college is consistently lowering its acceptance rate. Typically, Amherst admits about 10 percent of applicants from their binding Early Decision (ED) option. The college only offers ED1, and students committing early to the college surely have a 1 in 10 chance of gaining a place.
Geographical & Student Diversity
Amherst takes pride in its diverse and inclusive student community. The college is attended by students from all 50 U.S. states, and students from 68 countries are represented at this school, with the majority of the international students coming from China, South Korea, and Canada. Approximately 14% of Amherst’s student body is international, highlighting its global appeal. Nearly 60% of students receive financial aid. Since the school has a need-blind admissions policy, it ensures that students from all financial backgrounds have access to a top-tier education. You can read more about the college. What You Need To Know About Amherst College | Ivy Central
Standardized Testing
The website mentions that standardized testing (either SAT or ACT) is an optional part of their admission application. The college carefully considers different components of an application to be able to understand a student from a holistic point of view. The college website does mention that applicants who have taken the SAT and/or the ACT more than once, their highest score will be considered.
Competitiveness and Culture
Amherst College is well known for its rigorous academic programs across a wide range of disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The rigorous academic environment challenges students to think critically and push the boundaries of their knowledge. The college emphasizes collaboration over competition, thereby ensuring a close-knit community where students support one another in their intellectual pursuits. From community engagement to political activism, there are some 100 clubs and organizations students can join. Each year the admitted students demonstrate strong academic abilities by pushing their boundaries and taking challenging courses. They are often leaders in various community service organizations. Since the college offers limited courses as compared to bigger colleges, students applying to selective programs are often competing for a spot.
With its highly selective admissions process, students must present a strong and well-rounded application to stand out. We can help you with your college application process. Working with study abroad consultants, overseas education consultants, or, as more commonly known, college counselors, can help you plan and make those high school years count. Ivy Central offers exceptional focus to help you prepare for college admissions throughout the high school years. Start today!
