Sophie Galleher '10 " Really, I chose Amherst because of the grass. There is beautiful grass on the Quad and in the fields. When I look out of my window, across the Quad, I feel the urge to frolick about or skip to class. Oh, plus the academics are awesome, and it's nice to be part of such a close knit community."

Zandra Walton '09 "I wanted a smaller-sized school so that I would know my professors, have smaller classes, etc.  Running is very important to me.  Therefore, I didn't want to "get lost in the pack" in a large D1 program, but I still didn't want to limit myself.  I know I made the right decision.  Here we have excellent coaching, excellent training, and every opportunity to get what you want out of running.  And, it's a whole lot of fun!"

Keith Pendergrass '10 " I chose Amherst because of its academic reputation, because there was no core curriculum (I didn't want to spend that much money to be sitting in classes I didn't enjoy), and because the atmosphere on campus as a result of the students made me feel welcome."

John Babbott '07 "I came to Amherst because of the excellent academic, social and athletic environment and how these components all complement each other to create a feeling that I didn't get when visiting other campuses"

Daniel Murner '10 " The combination of good running and academics"

Nicole Anderson '09 "All the stuff that people usually say about academics and size and the awesome xc team, plus my great great great grandpa was a grad, and I really want to see the leaves change."

Rachel Cameron '10 "First of all, I wanted to go out of state and explore a new a part of the country, while at a small school with a community feeling. I found that at Amherst, the people are friendly, open, and engaging; the academics and professors are amazing; the location is great; and the cross-country team is absolutely wonderful, regardless of how fast or slow you are."

Rich Wilson '07 "There aren’t very many schools that offer a world class education and a chance to train under a world class athlete, Amherst is one of those places"

Harrison Lakehomer '09 "It's far from Oregon and I wanted to be in a different part of the country. More importantly though, I was drawn to Amherst's academic reputation, small classes, and great location."

Elise Tropiano '09 " The nicest, most caring college students are here."

Meg Ray '08 "I think the story went something like this... I was visiting for pre-frosh weekend, and basically the track team took me under their wings and made me comfortable and welcome. We went to Bart's and had great ice cream and great conversation... The next morning as I was walking across campus to leave, I looked out over the athletic fields and thought, "I'd be totally happy here for four years..."

Shauneen Garrahan '07 "I was attracted to Amherst's outstanding academic reputation, small class sizes, social opportunities, and beautiful location."

Liz Dalton '09 "I really like the small class sizes and professor-student relationships at Amherst. I also like the fact that, although it is a small and close-knit school, it is part of a larger college community."

Nate Freese '07 "I decided to come to Amherst because of my experiences during that (overnight) visit ‹ the amazing people I met, the
beautiful campus environment, and the sense that I could see myself living here for the next four years of my life"

Laura Mortimer '08 " I wanted a small liberal arts school somewhere outside the south, preferably in new england. i chose amherst for several reasons: no core curriculum, small classes, beautiful campus, love the location and the town, awesome cross country team, good financial aid, etc. coming to amherst was a challenge for me in more ways than one - academically, socially (south to north...not as different as i thought it would be, actually), weather-wise (november to april may do me in) - but I've been here for about 3 weeks and absolutly love it so far!!

Ben Read '08 "It is a great academic school, with a very good running program. I'm not that fast so I can't help them with that, but it's just a great team atmosphere.

Amanda McGinn '10 "The initimate learning environment and the beautiful campus were the two major reasons. It seemed to be a very comfortable atmosphere."

Stephen Stewart '09 "I decided to come to Amherst because it is a school that fit my interests. Being small, it would not be a change from my high school atmosphere, which I thrived in. I would be afforded the same opportunities here as I was at my high school as well (competing on sports teams, tour guiding, close relationship with teachers, etc.), so that pretty much sealed the deal for me. The open curriculum and never having to take math again was a nice option as well."

Robert Boley '07 "I chose Amherst because of its academic reputation, and because I knew that the small size would make it a tighter community where I could actually get to know professors.  Plus it was the most beautiful campus I saw on college visits."

Jennifer Rybak '10 " It's a great school with a great academic reputation and I wanted to be able to run and be challenged academically."

 
 

Mike Page '05 "Ned is cool, and Williams is not. Other than the reasons of academics, financial aid, and location
which everybody knows and everybody puts down as their reason, I think that my reason was fairly accurate. All the applicants know that Amherst is a great school etc. but how many of them know how well we get along with our coaches? "

Alyson Venti '04 "It's a great D3 school, academically and athletically.  It's small enough to make great friends, and big enough that you will never be bored. Also, Ned has a really cute dog - Ned's dog Austin is the best dog ever."

Rob Mitchell'99  "I think the real reason is the other schools seemed like running factories, where no one mattered; it was the program that mattered. Amherst seemed much more individual; there was a chance to create a tradition. In academics and in running, there is a lot of personal freedom here, which I like."

Janak Chandrasoma '04 "Amherst is the perfect school for the student athlete.  Academics always come first, and there isn’t a huge amount of pressure to be the best.  The track team is down to earth and fun.  The atmosphere is relaxed; a runner need not worry about fitting in or keeping up.  It is the perfect school for a serious student who loves to run."

Margaret Davis '06 "When deciding which college to go to, Amherst seemed to have everything that I was looking for. I wanted to go to a small college where I would know a lot of people and be able to run competatively. I certainly found this at Amherst. The running program here is excellent--the competition and work outs are tough, but I feel like I have time to participate in many other non-running related activities. The size of the college is also optimal in that it allows for a tight-knit community where students and professors know each other by name and students have many opportunities to enroll in small classes. Amherst is also located in a beautiful part of the country!"

Carson Taylor '03 "I chose Amherst because it's a premier small college with a beautiful campus in the midst an interesting environment.  I didn't like the idea of being out in the middle of nowhere but I really didn't know if I was ready to handle the craziness of a full-fledged city. Amherst strikes a happy medium between the two different atmospheres.

Diana Rancourt’02 “The tour guides at Amherst were friendly, enthusiastic, and down to earth. My stay in April solidified decision to come to Amherst because I saw that the students knew how to have fun but they also knew how to study. The team seemed very bonded and Ned seemed very approachable, yet a good coach.”

Andrew Schneider '04 "I chose to come to Amherst basically because of its great reputation.  I couldn't have gone wrong by coming here, since no other school I was considering could compare academically.  I also found the team has a great sense of unity I just didn't find anywhere else.  In addition, the campus is set in a beautiful location.  Given these factors, I don't see how I could be happier at any other school."

Cecily Brewer’02 “I knew that I wanted a small, New England, liberal arts school and I really liked Amherst’ philosophy of focusing on only under-grads.  I really liked the location because it is near the mountains and natural land but also had the town of Amherst and four other colleges really close by with a free bus system.  That meant that I wouldn't be as isolated as other New England schools and there would be more and different kinds of things to do.”

Annie Perez’02  “When I came to visit, I was so impressed by people's enthusiasm when they told me why I had to come here... everyone loved it so much.”

John Stanton-Geddes '04 "The professors are amazing teachers and personable, students are diverse and friendly, and Ned and the other coaches know what's up. I came here because I would be part of the team from the start; every person on the team counts and it shows in the way we support each other. And because Amherst spelled backwards is Tsrehma.  Which isn't a word, but sounds like something exotic."

Helen Dole '04 "I loved the idea of having professors teach me instead of graduate students doing the teaching. Students I spoke to said the professors were very willing to give their time to help outside of class. Amherst allows students to balance academics with athletics--I was not going to have to give up my love of running on a team! Finally, it seemed that students at Amherst were competitive with themselves but not against others. Students don't spend time comparing grades, they are too busy doing other cool stuff!"

Matt Logalbo'00  "I'd say the thing that separated Amherst from the other small liberal arts colleges for me was the location. It's in a beautiful rural town, but there are 4 other colleges and 30,000 students within half an hour offering many of the advantages of an urban college. It's the perfect combination. But now that I'm here, the thing that has made me certain that I made the right choice has been the incredible closeness of the team, and of course, the coaching!"

Ben Kozyak’02  “Amherst was the only school of this size that I applied to. The idea of a such a small school worried me a little, coming from a city like Miami, but Amherst is a very active campus, and not claustrophobic at all. Everything seemed more personal, friendly and supportive.  Also, after talking to Ned and coming up for a visit, the XC team had me sold. The liberal arts curriculum, and lack of distribution requirements allow students to really pursue all facets of their interests, and to get a rewarding and well-rounded education as a base for future study and for life in general.”

Erick Hung’99 “The main reason I came to Amherst was because I could be involved in a number of activities (other than just scholastic ones) and make more than a marginal difference in the school.”

Becky Woo’02  “My visit to Amherst was the definitive factor for me in deciding to come here.  Honestly, it was the little things like sitting in Bart's Ice Cream with everyone laughing hysterically at Nun devour an ice cream sundae with a toothpick in it, and seeing a little family inside a community that I wanted to be a part of.  The fact that the team was so friendly, bonded, real, dedicated, put school first but running a hell of a close second, knew how to have fun, and really watched out for each other while having a really great coach :-) was the ultimate factor.”

Brian Larivee'01 “I came here because the place really excited me.  I felt at home here and I liked that the curriculum was completely open (no core requirements) and that I would be free to define my own education.  I wanted to be able to compete somewhere and I thought having a sub-4 minute mile coach would be fun.”

Alison Dimon '03 "I had decided to apply early because it is such a competitive school, and I didn't expect to be accepted the first time around. I ended up coming here because it is so beautiful around here, small and kind of sheltered, and full of really interesting people."

Molly Burnett'02   "Friendly people, no teaching assistants, 5 college system, and a beautiful campus."

Mike Morris’00  “I really liked how well the team got along - it just seemed that they were more than teammates, they were also great friends too.  Also the miles of trails didn't hurt.”

Jake Cooper'02   "In no specific order 1) academic reputation; 2) less isolated than other colleges - the five college area makes a really big difference, the school is small when you want it to be small but also big when you want it to be big; 3) relatively close(but not too close) to my house; 4) small classes; 5) the town of Amherst is cool."

Dan Chandler’99  “I didn't want a program that was going to rule my life, but I didn't want to give up the possibility of running
either. Academically, the quality is there without the stress.  Everyone is nice, and competition is almost non-existent. Socially,
the small-school mentality is nice.  I know most people on campus by now, and I like running into people I know.  Chances are
I'll be able to find whoever I'm looking for quickly.”