Packing for Amherst

As you prepare to join us on campus, please consider the following items for your packing list. Students should consider that circumstances may require a move out of housing with little or no advance notice. Pack light, and bring only what you need for the semester and what you can reasonably pack and carry home in a single trip. We recommend no more than two suitcases.

SPECIAL NOTE: The College will provide one refrigerator and one microwave per room. Please do not bring additional refrigerators unless you have a validated medical or nutritional exemption.  Personal microwaves are not permitted.  The College will not store your appliances.

What to Bring

  • Bed linens (Twin Extra Long 39" x 80")

  • Pillow

  • Towels

  • Toiletries & other personal hygiene items

  • Shower shoes

  • Laundry bag/basket or hamper

  • High efficiency laundry detergent

  • Basic cleaning supplies

  • School supplies (notebooks, pens, pencils, etc.)

  • Clothes hangers

  • Cell phone charger

  • Laptop charger

  • Surge protector strip

  • Umbrella/rain jacket

  • Winter coat/hat/gloves/boots

  • At least two forms of Government issued ID (Passport/birth certificate/social security/license)

  • Prescription medication

  • Health insurance card

  • Glasses or contacts

Things to Consider

  • Hair dryer & other grooming devices (automatic shutoff)

  • Fan

  • Flashlight

  • Small personal decorations

  • Ethernet cable

  • Foot locker/storage crates

  • Desk lamp (non-halogen)

  • Rain boots

  • Backpack/school bag

  • First-aid kit

  • Earplugs

  • Eye mask

  • Vacuum

  • Slippers

  • Plants

  • Snacks

  • Dishes, coffee mug, water bottle

  • Sponge

  • Soap

Please Leave at Home

  • Refrigerators (The College will provide one refrigerator (no freezer) and one microwave per room.)

  • Area rug

  • Stereo systems

  • Bulky furniture items

Prohibited Items

  • Microwave ovens (The College will provide one microwave per room. Only College-provided microwaves are approved.)

  • Personal bed or mattress*

  • Coffee makers without automatic shut-off

  • Toaster ovens

  • Candles/incense

  • Hot plates

  • Toasters

  • Waffle irons

  • Electric Skillets of any kind

  • Halogen lamps

  • Small grills of any kind

  • Cinderblock bed risers. Only bed risers that are specifically-made for this purpose are permitted. They are to be no higher than 6 inches. The stacking risers is not permitted.

  • Air conditioners*

  • Animals/pets* (other than fish (no amphibians or reptiles) in a tank 10 gallons or smaller volume)

  • Electric space heaters

  • Electric bikes 

  • Flammable liquids

  • Wireless routers

  • Wireless printers

  • Weapons

  • Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia

  • Smoking paraphernalia

  • Vapor-producing items

  • Fish tanks greater than 10 gallons

*Except those approved by Accessibility Services Office

Optional COVID-19 Supplies

  • KN-95 Masks (the college will also provide masks)

  • Hand sanitizer

  • Cleaning supplies (paper towels, cleaners, wipes)

  • Thermometer

  • Fever reducer (Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen)

  • Water bottle (avoid common water fountains)

Additional Information

  • Items can be affixed to walls with Command Strips or with pushpins

  • We provide a small garbage can and a recycling bin to each room

  • Laundry is free - no need to bring quarters! Free detergent is also available!

  • There is a shared vacuum cleaner for student use in each residence hall

  • We have mirrors in every room

  • Even though small amounts of cannabis is legal in Massachusetts, federal law disallows its presence and use on campus

  • Wall coverings (posters, tapestries, curtains) may only cover up to 20% of wall surfaces