Photos by Maria Stenzel, Skye Tranqille ’18, and Takudzwa Tapfuma ’17.
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The 489 newest Amherst students arrived on campus Aug. 29, many with families in tow. These first-year and transfer students graduated from 388 secondary schools and speak more than 45 languages. [See more photos on Flickr]

Students, holding signs and jumping in the air welcome the incoming class during Orientation.
Friendly students give a warm welcome to the arriving first-year and transfer students.
Students, standing beside an archway made of purple and white ballons, greet the new students and there families.
Fellow students excitedly greet the newest members of the mammoth family.
Students pushing carts full of belongings on move-in day.
Three signs that it's move-in day: boxes, boxes and more boxes.
Students carrying large suitcases up a set of stairs.
Soon these belongings will help turn a dorm room into a home.
Family members carrying boxes, bags and bedding into the residence halls.
When moving in, it always helps to pick up a new T-shirt.
While her mother, Ahang Zafari, makes her bed, Navva Sedigh '21 shares some good advice from her pillowcase.
While her mother, Ahang Zafari, makes her bed, Navva Sedigh '21 shares some good advice from her pillowcase. They arrived at Amherst from Farmington, Conn.
In Stearns Dorm, Amalia Rebekah Roy ‘21 embarks on life as an Amherst student. She’s pictured with her proud family. Photo by Sk
In Stearns Dorm, Amalia Rebekah Roy ‘21 embarks on life as an Amherst student. She’s pictured with her proud family.
Geoffrey Underwood '84 and Dede Danforth celebrate a successful move-in day with daughter Josie Underwood '21.
Geoffrey Underwood '84 and Dede Danforth celebrate a successful move-in day with daughter Josie Underwood '21. Josie, from Cambridge, Mass., is a third-generation Amherst student.
Dylan Momplaisir ’21 (far right) with his family from Queens, N.Y. (via Haiti) on the first day of Orientation.
Dylan Momplaisir ’21 (far right) with his family from Queens, N.Y. (via Haiti) on the first day of Orientation.
Sebastian Son '21 (fourth from left) arrived with his family from Fort Lee, N.J
Sebastian Son '21 (fourth from left) arrived with his family from Fort Lee, N.J.
A family member enjoying watermelon and a mammoth shaped cookie.
Lunch on Valentine Quad featured a new classic: mammoth cookies.
President Biddy Martin addresses the incoming class.
President Biddy Martin welcomes students and families on move-in day.
Orientation 2017
This special guest gives a warm welcome to students and families gathered in LeFrak Gymnasium.
New students showing
Showing some Amherst pride with a "tusks up" hand gesture.
An aerial view of students gathered in
Drone view of students gathering in squads.
Students, their arms and hands tangled together, participate in an exercise in cooperation
Squads getting to know each other through a variety of interactive exercises.
A student receives a one on one advising session with a faculty member.
Professor Rhonda Cobham-Sander advises New Yorker Sophia Friedman ’21 about her classes and interests.
Students participate in a session about
“Interrupting Bias: An Interactive Community Building Exercise,” brings students together on the third day of Orientation.
Students in the audience react the
“Interrupting Bias: An Interactive Community Building Exercise,” brings students together on the third day of Orientation.
Actors on stage dramatizing the message from the
“Interrupting Bias: An Interactive Community Building Exercise,” brings students together on the third day of Orientation.
Students in the audience react the
“Interrupting Bias: An Interactive Community Building Exercise,” brings students together on the third day of Orientation.
Students holding large cut outs of food perform a skit about healthy attitudes towards nutrition.
Through a series of skits, student health educators introduce first-years to ideas about wellness.
Students enjoying an ice cream social outside.
Students play spike ball during the ice cream social on Aug. 31.
Students enjoying an ice cream social outside.
On campus for two days, these students are already friends.
Members of the class of 2021.
The new class of 2021 is known as the bicentennial class, because it will graduate in the College's bicentennial year.