Explore Amherst

Amherst Voices

“ There will always be people who are stronger, faster and smarter, but in college I learned that you can excel by learning how to think well, make good decisions and understand your limitations. ”

James Bates ’86 — **James E. Bates ’86** **Surgeon James E. Bates ‘86 in the newest Amherst magazine.**

“ It pushes past the limits of empathy. ”

**Khary Polk** **Assistant Professor Khary Polk, in an Amherst magazine Q&A about Moonlight, this year’s best picture Oscar winner.**

“ I love these moments when the rug is pulled out from under me....Then I know chaos is upon me, and that’s when real truth shows up. ”

**Amy Speace ’90** **Singer/Songwriter Amy Speace ’90 in the latest Amherst magazine.**

The Liberal Arts

A liberal-arts education develops an individual’s potential for understanding possibilities, perceiving consequences, creating novel connections and making life-altering choices. It fosters innovative and critical thinking as well as strong writing and speaking skills. The liberal arts prepare students for many possible careers, meaningful lives and service to society.

Facts You Should Know

More Facts

80%

Percentage of Amherst alumni who report that they have attended graduate or professional school

Our Alumni

90%

Percentage of Amherst courses that have fewer than 30 students

Liberal Arts

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Amherst in Pictures

Scenes from Reunion

Members of the Class of ’57 surround the statue of poet Robert Frost. See our Flickr albums for more from Reunion 2017

Latest Videos

May 24, 2017

Amir Denzel Hall ’17, of Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago, was chosen by his classmates to address the Class of 2017.

May 23, 2017

On May 21, 2017, President Biddy Martin urged the Class of 2017 to “practice forms of friendship that match the complexity of the world and can address its complex problems.”

April 25, 2017

Andrew Dole, associate professor of religion, talks about using virtual reality to enhance academic focus. New virtual worlds can help solve ergonomic issues as well as eliminate distracting environments as viewers move through a range of digital spaces created for this project: a dim, but cozy library room where the user reads next to a crackling fire, the porch of a remote cabin where the sun is shining off a peaceful lake, and a black space lit only by softly flickering red candles.

April 10, 2017

In an interview with Cornell William Brooks, President and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, we had an opportunity to ask him the following questions: What is the NAACP’s most important role today? What are other pressing issues for the NAACP? What are the most effective ways for young people to get involved? What advice do you have for students who want to follow your career path? — Video by Marcus DeMaio.

April 3, 2017

Amherst didn’t have a department of Jewish studies, or even a class on Judaism, so Peter Rubinstein ’64 took a theology class with Professor Pemberton instead. And he was hooked. Hear about Rabbi Rubinstein’s remarkable career path and the lessons he learned along the way. — Video by Marcus DeMaio.

April 3, 2017

On October 24, 2016, Amherst College launched a process to select an official mascot. After 2,046 suggestions and 9,295 votes, we are the Amherst College Mammoths. You thought they were extinct? Think again. (Images courtesy of Amherst’s Beneski Museum of Natural History.) Audio caption version

March 27, 2017

National Review editor Rich Lowry is the author of the New York Times best-seller Lincoln Unbound and Legacy: Paying the Price for the Clinton Years. Lowry is also a syndicated columnist, author and political commentator who writes for Politico and Time, and often appears on such public affairs programs as “Meet the Press” and “The McLaughlin Group.” Before his talk at Amherst College on March 8, 2017, he sat down with us for an informal interview. — Video by Marcus DeMaio.

February 21, 2017

The Common, an award-winning literary magazine based at the College, mentors 12 students each year as part of the Literary Publishing Internship Program. Participating students are involved in all aspects of publishing and promoting new issues of The Common, and have opportunities to work with emerging and established writers from around the world. — Video by Marcus DeMaio.

February 6, 2017

Before former Florida governor and presidential candidate Jeb Bush addressed a capacity crowd in Johnson Chapel, we sat down and asked him a few questions about how he became involved in politics, how we as a country can have shared values if we don't have shared facts, and any advice for students interested in a career in government. — Video by Marcus DeMaio.

January 31, 2017

Before her presentation and discussion in Johnson Chapel, we asked Russian-American journalist, author and activist Masha Gessen some questions, including what journalists should focus on over the next four years, what's next for the LGBTQ rights movement, and what advice she has for aspiring journalist. Here's what she had to say. — Video by Marcus DeMaio.

November 21, 2016

Amherst Alumni in the Field: Join us behind the scenes of Sidehill Farm and learn what led two members of the class of ’89 —Amy Klippenstein and Paul Lacinski — from their liberal arts roots (English and American studies respectively) to becoming owners of a 225 acre organic farm located in Ashfield, MA. —Video by Marcus DeMaio.

October 11, 2016

Watch a time-lapse video of the Greenway Residence Halls being constructed, taken from live webcam images. In the words of President Biddy Martin, “The new residence halls will offer more are than just a place to live, but the chance for students to create the community they desire.” — Video by Marcus DeMaio.

September 27, 2016

Meet Mead director and chief curator David Little and learn about the resources and opportunities available at Amherst’s celebrated art museum. Through its exhibitions, artist projects and class visits, the Mead offers students and faculty a variety of ways to engage in interdisciplinary research and innovative teaching involving original works of art. — Video by Marcus DeMaio.

September 1, 2016

Meet Career Center Director Emily Griffen and learn about the many resources available for exploring careers. The Career Center staff helps our students reflect on their skills, interests, values, and personality and how all of that relates to finding meaningful work in a variety of careers. — Video by Marcus DeMaio.

August 9, 2016

Gathering Spaces: Follow along as two of our students—Takudzwa Tapfuma ’17 and David Le ’17E—take a tour of the new residence halls, set to open on August 25. Check out our latest slideshow and learn more about the Greenway Residence Hall project. — Video by Marcus DeMaio.

Amir Denzel Hall ’17 delivering a commencement address

Biddy Martin delivering her Commencement address, May 21, 2017

Professor Andrew Dole on Virtual Reality

An interview with Cornell William Brooks - March 24, 2017

Distinctive Courses

Our open curriculum lets you choose among interesting classes taught by exceptional faculty.

Humanities Science & Math Social Sciences Arts

Our Majors

American Studies

Global Valley

Description

Explore American studies in the Connecticut River Valley: Interactions between Native peoples and English settlers, 17th century witchcraft trials, Emily Dickinson's poetry, and more.

Biochemistry-Biophysics

Molecular Genetics

Description

Study molecular mechanisms underlying gene transmission and expression: DNA replication and recombination, RNA synthesis and processing, and protein synthesis and modification.

Economics

Consumption and the Pursuit of Happiness

Description

Examine the literature on well-being in micro- and macroeconomic contexts; review neoclassical model of utility maximization to understand why people make the decisions they do, as they pursue their happiness.

Art & the History of Art

Visual Arts and Orature in Africa

Description

Interpret and critically analyze the arts of the Yoruba people of West Africa. In such traditionally non-literate African societies, verbal and visual arts constitute two complex systems of communication.

Spanish

Strange Girls: Spanish Women's Voices

Description

Examine the social, historical and cultural transformations women have undergone in Spain from the late 19th century to the early 21st, and edit a new anthology of Spanish women's writing.

Computer Science

Networks and Cryptography

Description

Tackle the problem of communicating between two computers, then the problem of building networks for an arbitrary number of computers. Examine encryption schemes.