Admission & Financial Aid Sylvie Wolff '25

December 18, 2022

Here are a few commonly used and should-know Amherst-specific words and terms:

Val is short for Valentine Dining Hall. Everyone calls it Val, no one calls it Valentine.

The Valcony is Val’s balcony, on the second floor. It overlooks Val Quad, which is surrounded by two academic buildings, Chapin and Fayerweather, and a dorm building, Morrow.

Val Sitting is the practice of sitting in Val for an extended period of time for reasons other than just eating a meal (e.g. studying, talking to friends, reading). Advanced Val Sitters have Val Sat from open to close. I have not achieved this distinction.

Amherst is a small school, with a relatively small campus. That means that on most days, you will seemingly see just about everyone you know just by walking from place to place. Some people, however, seem to have tunnels. They fly under the radar, mysteriously never crossing your line of sight. At Amherst, it’s so rare to not recognize someone you see, so at some point, a word was created to describe this phenomenon. The word is Shadow Amherst. It’s my belief that one person’s group of shadows differs from another – some people who are Shadow to me must not be Shadow to anyone else, and vice versa.

While maybe not specific to Amherst, this is a term/concept that no one who doesn’t go to Amherst seems to understand. A two-room double is two dorm rooms joined by a door. From the hallway, you enter one room, then can access the second room through a door (the person living in the second room has to walk through the first). There are two-room doubles in a few different dorm buildings on campus, but the only first-year dorms with them are James and Stearns.

Jearns is used to describe first-year dorms James and Stearns. Right next to each other on the first-year quad, they’re connected through the basement and share a laundry room.

The Triangle describes three dorms, Hitchcock, Seelye, and Mayo-Smith, that line Pleasant Street/College Street and make a triangle.

AmCo is short for Amherst Coffee, a café/bar in town, which I wrote about in my first blog post.  Despite its unfortunate lack of wifi, it’s a very popular study spot – it’s rare to go to AmCo and not see someone you know.

Antonio’s is Antonio’s Pizza by the Slice, which is right on Pleasant Street and packed on weekend nights.

December 10, 2022

Congrats to the newest members of the class of 2027 who were accepted through Early Decision!

This week’s blog post involved more research than I expected (I learned a lot writing this)! Something special about Amherst is its theme housing – communities centered around a certain theme that you can apply to live in starting sophomore year. Some are entire houses, and some take up just one floor of a dorm building. I’m definitely partial to Marsh Arts House, since I live there, but I’ll try to stick to just the facts. Here’s some info about each community:

Common across all houses:

• Houses have elected student leadership
• You need to apply to live in theme communities, and applications are reviewed by house leadership (+ the academic department if it’s an academic theme house)
• Residents typically have to do a house project for each semester they live in the house, which is commonly hosting an event connected to the theme of the house
• You can’t live in one theme house for more than four semesters/two academic years (but you can move from one to another; so, for example, I could keep living in Marsh next year then move to a different theme community for my senior year)

German House

• Academic theme community
• Shares Porter residence hall (located across from the Amherst Town Common) with the Russian House
• Centered around German language and culture
• Residents are expected to speak German in the house
• Governed by the German department and has a house advisor who is a faculty member
• German language assistants live in the house
• Students must be taking a German class to be eligible to live in the German House

Russian House

• Academic theme community
• Shares Porter residence hall with the German House
• Centered around Russian language and culture
• Residents are expected to speak Russian in the house
• Governed by the Russian department, has a faculty advisor from the department
• Russian language assistants live in the house
• Residence is open to students actively involved in the Russian department or fluent speakers who are interested in learning more about Russian culture

French House

• Academic theme community
• Located in King Hall (does not take up the entire building)
• Centered around French language and culture
• Residents are expected to speak French in the house
• Governed by the French department, has a faculty advisor from the departmentFrench department teaching assistants live in the community
• French majors are prioritized, followed by order of seniority by grade level

Spanish Language House

• Academic theme community
• Shares Newport House (located on College Street behind the Loeb Center for Career Exploration and Development) with the Latinx Culture House
• Centered around Spanish language and Hispanic cultures
• Residents are expected to speak Spanish in the house
• Governed by the Spanish department, has a faculty advisor from the department
• Spanish language assistants live in the community
• Residence open to students actively involved in the Spanish department, speak the language fluently, or are native speakers

Latinx Culture House

• Shares Newport House with the Spanish Language House
• Centered around Latinx culture
• Open to students who are interested in celebrating and enhancing awareness about Latinx cultures (students do not have to identify as Latinx)

Asian Culture House

• Located on the second floor of Morrow residence hall (located in the Webster Circle behind Frost Library, right next to Valentine Dining Hall)
• Governed by the Asian Language and Civilizations department, has a faculty advisor from the department
• Students do not have to be Asian or speak an Asian language to live in the house; emphasis is placed on interest, commitment, and enthusiasm to Asian cultures and issues

Charles Drew Memorial Culture House

• Stand alone house located across the street from Valentine Dining Hall
• Named in honor of Charles Drew ’26, a Black physician renowned for his work in blood plasma preservation
• Mostly Black students live in Drew. It was created as a space for intellectual debate, artistic expression, and social activities centered around the Black community
• They typically host a few big parties each semester for the campus community and sometimes partner with BSU (Black Student Union) for events

Sylvia Rivera Community

• LGBTQ+ theme community named in honor of Sylvia Rivera, a LGBTQ+ rights activist who participated in the Stonewall uprising
• Located on the fourth floor of Moore residence hall
• Space for LGBTQ+ identifying students to build community around shared identity

Marsh Arts House

• Stand alone house located on “the hill,” close to town and about a 5 minute walk from central campus
• Space for artists (including musicians, visual artists, actors, writers, etc) to form community and create art together
• Students living in the house have access to space to make and display art and monetary resources from the art department for the completion of art projects
• Seeks to be a hub for the arts on campus; students in the house host events open to the entire community
• I live in Marsh! In my humble opinion, it’s the most beautiful dorm building on campus and a wonderful place to live! For my house project, I work with a group of other Marsh residents to organize Coffee Haus, a (roughly) biweekly open mic event open to the entire campus community. We have lots of fun with themes, decorations, advertising, and wordplay, trying to incorporate the words “coffee” and “haus” into as many other words as we can

Humphries House (The Zü)

• Stand alone house located on Snell Street, right off the rail trail and about a 5-10 minute walk from central campus
• The most tight-knit community on campus, family-style living
• Students living in the Zü are off the meal plan. Residents have a cooking schedule where each resident cooks dinner with a partner every two weeks, and everyone in the house has dinner together. Residents can invite friends who don’t live in the house over to dinner – I’ve been to dinner at the Zü once before & the food was delicious and it was lots of fun. You definitely feel far removed from campus when you’re there.
• Housekeeping tasks (grocery shopping, cleaning, compost transport) are split between residents
• It’s a bit of a trek, but there have been some really fun parties there in the past. There’s typically a lot of live music on weekends in the basement

I have more personal experience with and can provide more info about some communities over others, but I hope this is a good survey for you to get a little more acquainted with theme housing at Amherst! You can always check out the website to see all the communities’ constitutions, and as always, feel free to email me with any questions! If you want to know more about a specific community, I can try to put you in touch with a resident.

December 3, 2022

One of the best academic experiences I’ve had at Amherst has been taking Portuguese at UMass (Portuguese is not offered at Amherst College). I definitely didn’t choose Amherst for the Five College Consortium (I don’t remember if I had even heard of it before coming here), but I’m very grateful for it and have been thoroughly convinced that it's a feature that sets Amherst apart. Through the consortium, we have access to classes not only at UMass, but also Smith, Hampshire, and Mount Holyoke – and they have access to our classes, so we get to meet students from other schools in our classes here at Amherst. 

Registering for Five College courses takes a few extra steps, but it isn’t difficult. There’s a quick online form to fill out and you need to get your academic advisor’s signature to send to the registrar. I would recommend reaching out to the professor teaching the class you want to take, just to introduce yourself and have that contact in case there’s any issues with registration. I recommend signing up for four Amherst College courses just in case your request isn’t approved by the time pre-registration is over, then dropping a class in favor of the Five College class later. The Amherst College registrar’s office is very responsive and will support you through this process if you have any questions.

My dad is from Brazil and I grew up in a bilingual home, split between speaking Portuguese (which my mom does not speak) and English. But the older I got and the longer I went to school, the more I favored English. By the time I got to high school, my Portuguese was extremely broken. I’m a heritage speaker, which means that up until now, I have learned Portuguese informally by hearing it spoken by my dad and brother. Other than an independent study I did my senior year of high school, this is the first time I’ve taken a Portuguese class. 

This semester, I’m taking Portuguese Civilization Through the Arts, a history class taught completely in Portuguese. I had no idea what to expect coming into the class and in the end, completely lucked out. There are eight students including me and it’s my favorite class this semester. We began with a broad survey of Portuguese history from its beginnings to the 20th century, then dove into the colonial and post-colonial period in both Portugal and some of its former colonies in Africa. We learned about the Salazar dictatorship and Carnation Revolution in Portugal, the colonial war, and each of Cape Verde, São Tomé and Principe, Mozambique, Angola, and Guinea-Bissau’s revolutions and post-colonial experiences. Since it’s a history class through the lens of art, we’ve been exposed to beautiful films, photography, paintings, sculptures, short stories, poetry, and music (and I’ve become hooked on Cape Verdean Morna music). The class is fascinating in itself, and seeing my Portuguese improve by leaps and bounds has been an excellent bonus.

Being an honorary Portuguese major (unfortunately, I can’t actually major in something Amherst doesn’t offer, but I plan to fulfill all the major requirements at UMass), I have access to all the departmental events. There was a Lusophone Film Festival back in September, an amazing Brazilian author and publisher came to speak last week, and there are monthly Cafezinho events (a cafezinho is just black coffee with sugar; it’s traditional in Brazil and synonymous with hospitality and personal connection).

Massachussetts, specifically Boston, is a hub for Brazilian and Portuguese immigrants. I had never met Portuguese speakers outside of my family before taking this class, and now I feel connected to a whole community of heritage speakers, who like me, are children of immigrants rediscovering their parents' language and culture on their own terms. The department has made me feel so welcome (in true Brazilian fashion) and I’ll be back next semester for Advanced Composition in Portuguese.

November 26, 2022

We’re reaching the end of our week-long Thanksgiving break and students are beginning to trickle back to campus by car, bus, train, or plane (maybe also by foot or bike for the locals or the daring). Travel to and around the Pioneer Valley played no part in my decision to come to Amherst but thankfully, luck ended up working in my favor and my journey is an easy one. For those who are more forward thinking than I was, here’s your guide to all things traveling from Amherst, to destinations far or near.

By plane: I’ve never had to fly to or from Amherst, but I know many people who do. Most people fly out of Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut, or Boston Logan International Airport. Some also fly out of John F Kennedy International Airport in New York City. It takes about an hour and a half to get to Bradley (downside: you have to find a ride since there’s no public transportation) and two hours to get to Logan (many people take the Peter Pan bus, which conveniently leaves right from Amherst Town Center). Around big breaks like Thanksgiving or winter break, AAS (Amherst Association of Students, which is Amherst’s student government) supplies free shuttles to and from Bradley, Logan, and New York City. 

By train (from which I write this blog post): Northampton Union Station is twenty minutes from campus and accessible by the PVTA (the bus). I always catch the Vermonter, which is a straight-shot from Burlington to DC and makes many stops in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland (I get off in Baltimore). I believe that other trains come through Northampton too, but if you’re anywhere on the east coast, the Vermonter should have you covered.

By bus: I mentioned the PVTA earlier, which is an excellent way to not only access the train, but to get around the Pioneer Valley. It’s free to Five College students with a student ID. Most students use the PVTA to get to the Hadley shopping center, which has a Trader Joe’s, a Target, a Walmart, and many other stores where you can pick up anything you need. It can also take you to UMass in about ten minutes, which is convenient if you’re taking a class there through the consortium.

By car: You’re a free spirit. If you have a car, I can’t tell you any information you can’t get from Google Maps. 

By bike: A much more fun alternative to the PVTA and my personal favorite way to travel. If you have a bike and can get it to campus, I would highly recommend you bring it. The Norwottuck Rail Trail, an old railroad converted into a paved trail, starts in Belchertown, runs right through campus, and takes you through Hadley all the way to Northampton. You can also get to UMass’s campus in about ten minutes. I prefer biking to walking and pretty much bike everywhere, even from my dorm to Val (the dining hall).

By foot: I like getting out of Amherst for a change of scenery, but I rarely ever actually need to. You could probably get away with never stepping foot on any form of transportation for an entire semester, if you really wanted to. Amherst Town has a bunch of great restaurants and coffee shops, plenty to do for fun, and a CVS where you can get most of your necessities. If your two legs are all you have, you should be totally fine – and you can always catch the PVTA if you want to get out of Amherst.

November 19, 2022

My favorite spot on campus is the studio of 89.3 WAMH, Amherst College’s student-run radio station. Located on the second floor of Keefe Campus Center (which also houses the mailroom, various resource centers like the Queer Resource Center, Multicultural Resource Center, and Center for International Student Engagement, the housing office, and a movie theater), the studio is home to the production studio with tons of recording and editing equipment, a lounge area, and the booth where DJs host their shows! 

WAMH broadcasts student programming live on air seven days a week to the Pioneer Valley and anyone who wants to listen online (sometimes my family and friends tune in from across the country). WAMH is very inclusive, and anyone who wants to can apply to host a one- or two-hour long show every week playing (or talking about) literally anything they want. We have upwards of 70 shows this semester, and it’s super fun to tune in at random times to hear what people are playing.

I got involved with WAMH in the second semester of my freshman year, when I got my own show and joined the executive board. My show is every Tuesday from 9-10pm; it’s called Gut Feeling and I play whatever I’m feeling that week – sometimes I feature an artist or a genre and do a ton of research leading up to my show, and sometimes I throw together a playlist at the last minute. I treasure the time I get in the studio in the middle of a busy week to host my show, and it’s extra fun when my friends leave comments or I get call-ins from random listeners in the area – which is a really cool reminder that real people are listening!

The e-board meets once a week in the studio to talk about logistics of running the station, concerts we’re planning, our music blog, and live music that we air once a week during special programming time. I work with the publicity team to run social media (you can follow us on instagram @wamh89.3), publicize concerts, and get the student body excited about radio! We meet once a week in addition to regular e-board meetings.

Some other highlights of the studio I want to feature:

• Giant manatee mural: I’m not actually sure what came first, the mural or manatees becoming our mascot, but we also recently adopted a real-life manatee named Howie! 
• CD wall: next to the manatee mural and right outside the entrance to the main area of the studio, we have wall-to-wall shelving full of CDs, and reorganizing and cataloging them has become a big project this semester for the music directors. We have dreams of eventually making a little lending library of CDs!
• The WAMH Wall: the studio walls are completely covered in doodles! Anyone can grab a pen or marker and write whatever they want, and we feature a different section of the wall on our instagram every week for WAMH Wall Wednesday. We also try to have artists who come to perform to sign the wall (we have a Cardi B signature up there)

I’m so glad I became involved in radio and I would highly recommend you consider getting involved too! Hopefully we’ll see you at the club fair next fall!

November 12, 2022

A few weeks ago, on my bike ride to UMass for Portuguese class (my twice-weekly commute on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons), I wove through cones, folding tables, and food stands, witnessing the beginnings of the set-up for the annual Amherst Town Block Party. Later that night, I returned with my friends to see the entirety of Pleasant Street (which runs through the heart of town) blocked off and full of food vendors and local businesses’ stands, bookended by an acrobatics performance and kids’ concert. The event drew thousands of people and the attendees represented a variety of backgrounds, from students to town residents and people from the broader community.

As a big Gilmore Girls fan in high school, I used to tell my friends that it was my dream to live somewhere with a Main Street – imagining my eventual retirement in a small town, I didn’t realize that my dream would be realized so soon. Small certainly doesn’t mean boring! The beauty of being nestled in a small town is that everything you could ever need is right within walking distance, and the pace is perfect for a busy college student to keep up with. Amherst has some gems that I would be remiss not to tell you about:

The Jones Library is always first on my recommended list of places anyone should visit in Amherst. I’m a huge public library fan, and the Jones has an amazing selection of books and great study spots if you want to take your work off campus. There's also some great volunteering opportunities and the librarians are super cool and worth getting to know!

Amherst Coffee is right off Main Street and one of the most popular off-campus spots for Amherst students. Its grilled cheeses and iced lattes come highly recommended, and the shop’s homey ambiance invites you in for long hours spent studying or reading.

Leave Amherst Coffee and walk a few steps next door to Amherst Cinema, an independent, non-profit movie theater where you’ll catch films you can’t see anywhere else. With four screens, Amherst Cinema is open 365 days a year and shows amazing indie and international features, as well as blockbusters. As a bonus, Student Activities and Film Club worked together to get students free late-night movies!

For another coffee shop option, definitely check out The Black Sheep, which offers coffee, deli sandwiches, pastries, and live music! 

MoMo Tibetan Restaurant is without a doubt my favorite place to eat in town. Every dish is handmade and home cooked, and there are so many flavorful dishes friendly to people who are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free. 

From April to November, the Town Common is bustling every Saturday from 7am to 1pm with the Farmers Market. Browse stalls with produce from local farms ($20 to fill up a bucket), local kombucha, jewelry, pottery, and potted plants. There’s always cute dogs and cheerful music playing, and on sunny days, people picnic with their freshly bought treats. One of the saddest things about the fall days dwindling away is the end of the famers market season, but it'll be back in April!

Amherst has more going on than might first meet the eye! I love that from my room in Marsh House (which I might make a post about later), I can see right into the heart of town. Getting off campus and into town is a great way to take a break from campus – I hope you get to try some of these places for yourself!