Be a Mammoth is an open-house program that gives admitted students the opportunity to sample life at Amherst through the firsthand experiences of attending classes, meeting faculty, talking with enrolled students and touring the campus. The following photos are from this year’s Be a Mammoth events on Tuesday, April 11.

Matt McGann, Cate Granger Zolkos, President Michael Elliott speak to future students and families inside Johnson Chapel.

(top row, left to right) Dean of Admission Cate Zolkos, President Michael A. Elliott and Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Matt McGann (bottom left), kicked off the program events on Tuesday, April 11 by welcoming more than 300 admitted students and their families to Amherst College in Johnson Chapel.

A panel of four current students speak to future potential students about student life at Amherst College.

Current Amherst students joined admitted students in Kirby Theater for an open conversation about student life at the “This Is Amherst” panel, moderated by Admission Counselor Rachel Chaffin ’20.

Close ups of students speaking to prospective students about life at Amherst College.

(top row, left to right) Sterling Kee ’23 , Cindy Rosario ’24 , Rebecca Rock ’25 and Declan Sung ’24E (bottom row, holding the mic) answered questions from admitted students on topics ranging from academics to social life to campus resources.

Administrators gather to answer questions about support services at Amherst College.

While admitted students attended the “This Is Amherst” panel, families stayed in Johnson Chapel for the “Next Steps” panel. Moderated by Michael Hawkins, associate dean of admission (at podium), this session discussed the next steps after accepting admission to Amherst, as well as the on-campus resources available to Amherst students.

Close ups of administrators and faculty describing student life services.

(top row, left to right) Kiara Vigil, associate professor of American studies; Amanda Vann, director of health education; Billy McBride, associate athletic director; (bottom row, left to right) George Blalock, community development coordinator; and Angie Tissi-Gassoway, dean of students and chief student affairs officer, answered questions from attendees of the “Next Steps” panel.

Admitted students take an tour of the Amherst College campus.

Program participants had the opportunity to join campus tours throughout the day and learn more about Amherst through the lens of tour guides and current students.

A student leads a tour of campus to a group of visitors during Open House.

Charlotte Domittner ’25 led a tour group past the campus statue of Robert Frost.

Admitted students tour the Beneski Museum at Amherst College.

Campus tours also included a stop at the Beneski Museum of Natural History.

A tour enters the Beneski Museum at Amherst College.

During this tour stop, visitors heard some of the history of the Beneski Museum from student educators (docents) and viewed artifacts from the museum’s collection.

Admitted students and families tour the interior and exterior of the Science Center.

Tour guide Thomas Ye ’25 led a group through the Science Center, which provides state-of-the-art facilities and flexible spaces to support the sciences at Amherst.

A tour of Amherst College campus highlighting the view of the Mt Holyoke range.

Tour groups stopped to admire the view at the top of Memorial Hill.

Panelists speak to admitted students about the benefits of the Open Curriculum at Amherst College.

Faculty and current students came together for the “Open Curriculum Overview” panel to discuss the benefits and strengths of Amherst’s open curriculum. 

Close ups of panelists speaking at Admitted Student Open House.

(top row, left to right) The “Open Curriculum Overview” panel included Assistant Professor of English Frank Leon Roberts, and Assistant Professor of Mathematics Ryan Alvarado, as well as current students (bottom row, left to right)  Bella Wischik ’23, Jalen Woodard ’23, and Inés Rossi ’25 (seated by Professor Roberts).

Audience members mingle to ask questions about the Open Curriculum.

Attendees of the “Open Curriculum Overview” panel conversed with panelists afterward.

Student musicians perform at the Keefe Campus center.

Amherst student groups shared their talents at “A Mammoth Performance Showcase” for Be a Mammoth guests.

Close ups of student musicians performing during Admitted Student Open House.

A student jazz combo, part of Jazz@Amherst, wowed the crowd with soulful renditions, including a cover of “Georgia On My Mind.”  

Three student dancers perform during Admitted Student Open House.

K:NETICS K-Pop Dance Club performed dance covers of popular Korean pop songs such as Blackpink’s “Whistle.” 

Currents students demonstrate their dance and choreography skills while performing during Open House.

Members of Intersections Dance Company performed solos and duets in various styles, including musical theater and contemporary.

Audience members applaud during one of the art performances offered during Admitted Student Open House.