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Amherst, MA · Private · Small · Small City
4x the Regular Decision rate
Admitted students who enroll
Of enrolling students
How much the school says contact matters
Deadlines, fees, testing policy, and recommendation requirements come from the Common App 2026-2027 First-Year Deadlines, Fees and Requirements file published August 28, 2026. Schools can still change a date after publication, so confirm anything you are close to with the school.
Rated Very important in the 2024-2025 Common Data Set this school published.
Admitted students who enroll
Of enrolled students
Of enrolled students
Reported by the school to IPEDS for fall 2023 admission.
Sticker figures. What a family actually pays depends on income and aid, which is what the financial aid tools are for.
| Major | Degrees | Graduates here | Same major nationally |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 81 | $125,945 | $69,562 |
| Economics | 69 | $150,151 | $82,686 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 66 | - | $55,695 |
| Computer Science | 55 | $194,751 | $107,009 |
| Political Science and Government | 41 | $83,307 | $63,293 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 37 | - | $65,466 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 30 | - | $55,000 |
| History | 28 | $158,858 | $50,680 |
Average net price paid by aided students in each family income band, after grants and scholarships. Usually far below the sticker price above.
Sources: this school's published Common Data Set, the Common App 2026-2027 member requirements file, and federal cost and outcomes data. See how our data works, or read the complete manual.
Add your GPA and test scores in Settings to see your estimated chances at Amherst College.
Strong scores still help. Submit if you are at or above their middle 50%.
Common App personal statement (650 words) + 3 supplementals
For exact prompts, check the school's admissions page or the Common App once writing opens (Aug 1).
1 counselor + 2 teacher recommendations required
When recommended, treat as required. Sign up early - alumni interview slots fill fast.
This school does not consider interest. Don't burn time on it - focus on the application itself.
$75
Fee waivers available if you qualify (Common App fee waiver, school waiver, or counselor request).
If a parent attended, mention it on the application. Some schools have ended this practice - verify with current admissions guidance.
Sticker price means almost nothing. Amherst College's Net Price Calculator estimates what you'll actually pay after merit and need-based aid. Takes 10 minutes; needs household income and assets, plus a few academic numbers.
Open Amherst College's Net Price CalculatorRead from Amherst College's own admissions page on 2026-08-30 for the 2026-2027 cycle (source). Schools can still revise a prompt after publishing, so confirm before you submit.
Amherst requires a supplementary essay of every applicant, and you choose exactly one of three routes. Option A is a response to one of three quotations. Option B is a graded paper. Option C exists only for Access to Amherst applicants. Option A Prompt 2 is the same question as the A2A writing supplement.
Option A: curiosity
Optional350 wordsOption A: choose one of three quotations““Hope and curiosity, these are qualities that are the foundation of what Amherst College means, of everything that we do here. Curiosity is at the core of a liberal arts education, a spirit of inquiry that shapes not only what our students do in the classroom, but also how they learn from and about each other.” Michael A. Elliott, 20th President of Amherst College. What does curiosity mean to you? How do you experience curiosity in your own life?”
Start essay with this prompt →Option A: your experiences
Optional350 wordsOption A: choose one of three quotations““We seek an Amherst made stronger because it includes those whose experiences can enhance our understanding of our nation and our world.” From the Trustee Statement on Diversity and Community. In what ways could your unique experiences enhance our understanding of our nation and our world?”
Start essay with this prompt →Option A: a different viewpoint
Optional350 wordsOption A: choose one of three quotations““We are working together to build a community that makes room for both true disagreement and true connection.” Presidential Priorities: Serving the Greater Good. Tell us about a time that you engaged with a viewpoint different from your own. How did you enter that engagement, and what did you learn about yourself from it?”
Start essay with this prompt →Option B: a graded paper
OptionalOption B: instead of Option A“Submit a graded paper from your junior or senior year that best represents your writing skills and analytical abilities. We are particularly interested in your ability to construct a tightly reasoned, persuasive argument that calls upon literary, sociological or historical evidence. You should not submit a laboratory report, journal entry, creative writing sample or in-class essay.”
Start essay with this prompt →Option C: your A2A essay
OptionalOption C: A2A applicants only“If you are or were an applicant to Amherst's Access to Amherst (A2A) program, you may use your A2A Writing Supplement essay in satisfaction of the supplementary essay requirement.”
Start essay with this prompt →Last verified 2026-08-30 · Cycle 2026-2027 · For the current cycle, double-check the school's admissions writing page.
This school explicitly does not consider demonstrated interest in admissions decisions. Don't spend time visiting, opening every email, or following on social purely for admissions. Those things won't move the needle here.
Where to spend time instead: the application itself. Strong essays, tight activities list, recommendations from teachers who know you well.
Research University
Yes
Co-op / Internship
Limited
Est. Net Price (You)
$70,480
Based on "none" need
Sticker tuition
$70,480
Before aid
Total Estimated 4-Year Cost
$281,920
Out-of-state pricing with estimated aid
Greek Life
Yes
Study Abroad
47%
Religious Affiliation
None
Debt-to-Income
17.7%
Average debt against 10-year earnings
Est. 10-Year ROI
$494,520
(10yr earnings x 10) - 4yr cost
Applying Early Decision would give you a 4.0x advantage (28% ED vs 7% RD).
This school gives legacy preference. If a parent or grandparent attended, highlight it.
This school is test-optional. Submit scores only if they strengthen your application.
Deadline (ED: November 9, 2026) / RD: January 5, 2027
114 days remaining (RD)
Application Platform: Common App
Supplemental Essays: 3
Interview: Recommended
Recommendation letters needed
Test optional
Get candid student reviews, rankings, and additional data from these sources:
Data from US Department of Education College Scorecard, National Center for Education Statistics, and institutional disclosures.
| English Language and Literature, General | 25 | $36,173 | $48,590 |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies | 23 | - | $62,654 |
| Biology, General | 23 | - | $57,214 |
| Area Studies | 20 | $53,743 | $56,625 |
Median earnings of this school's graduates in each major, roughly five years out, beside the national median for the same major.