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Ok guys, I'm gonna be a junior at Amherst this year and I happened to stumble accross this site while slacking off at my internship... To help me contintue to slack off, I've decided to set up an account and give you guys my perspective on any questions you might have about whatever...so, feel free to post anything and I'll do my best to give you my thoughts, which may be a bit biased for one reason or another, just to warm you...

By Nervousmom (Nervousmom) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 02:13 pm: Edit

Best freshman dorm(s)? Why?

By Amherst06 (Amherst06) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 02:41 pm: Edit

Well, James and Stearns (where I was freshman year) were generally considerded the party dorms for freshmen. But since they're both piles of rubble right about now, I'd say that the most partying will be done in Vals, Pratt, the Plaza and Waldorf. The west side of the freshman quad (north, south, appleton) is generally quiet and reserved for the kids who indicate they would like that on the housing survey. I myself haven't even been in any of those buildings, but I guess the rooms are nice? But, I did spend some time in Pratt this year and the rooms there are pretty big. Expect a two/three room triple, but there will still be plenty of space. As for the Plaza and Waldorf, DO NOT BE STRESSED ABOUT GETTING PUT THERE. While they aren't exactly architectural gems, the rooms are nice and since they're only one floor they will be conducive to meeting lots of people and forging some dorn unity, whereas if you live in the bigger dorms you may not get to know kids who aren't on your floor as well. Also, they are the closest dorms to the Social Quad which will be very convenient since much of the partying is done there. The worst part about them is that they're far from Valentine, but that's not the end of the world. Well, that's my take, don't be nervous.

By Nervousmom (Nervousmom) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 03:07 pm: Edit

I chose the name while waiting for acceptance letters. I'm really not very nervous at all, just excited for my D.

By Chrisy (Chrisy) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 04:50 pm: Edit

what happened to james and stern?
and are there really nude parties?

By Nervousmom (Nervousmom) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 04:55 pm: Edit

Hey Amherst06, Any advise about the first year semenar selections? Which did you take?

By Nervousmom (Nervousmom) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 05:56 pm: Edit

Also, have you taken any 5 college classes, or have you used the facilities at any of the other colleges?

By Virginia12345 (Virginia12345) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 08:32 pm: Edit

amherst '06, you aren't jessica rothschild, are you ? where ya from originally ?

By Amherst06 (Amherst06) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 02:48 pm: Edit

James and Stearns got torn down. Or at least will be very soon. And, yes, there have been nude parties, but I've never actually gone to one. It's a track team thing, but if you're willing to get naked you're welcome to go, heh. I took national identity with Taubman, who just won the pulitzer prize, he's a great prof. if you're interested in politics/Russia. Not sure if they're still offering that seminar though. And since they change the topics from year to year I can't really help you on that subject, but chances are you'll get a good, experienced professor and the class will be fun. No, I haven't taken a class at the other schools, there are way more classes at Amherst than I'll ever be able to take and it's just inconvenient for someone who wakes up 5 minutes before class to go all the way to northampton for one. And, surprisingly, I in fact am not Jessica Rothschild...but, good guess.

By Virginia12345 (Virginia12345) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 03:19 pm: Edit

yes they are offering the national identity seminar still. do you know jessica ? are you in her class?

By Nervousmom (Nervousmom) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 05:09 pm: Edit

Amherst06, you are such a help! Do you use a laptop or a desk top? Do laptop users FAR outnumber desktop users? Also, do most kids use PCs?

By Virginia12345 (Virginia12345) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 05:57 pm: Edit

do you know tim visser ?

By Ana_Girl (Ana_Girl) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 05:04 am: Edit

how political vs preppy?
how many electives do people usually take? is more than 4 courses possible why staying sane?

williams-mystic seaport off-campus semester any good?
you are my god

By Kimfuge (Kimfuge) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 05:32 am: Edit

where did you choose A over?

By Nervousmom (Nervousmom) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 09:25 am: Edit

Do many kids do a semester abroad? Is it usually junior year?

By Ana_Girl (Ana_Girl) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 10:07 am: Edit

nervousmom-im a prefrosh-but i believe the figure is 42% study abroad

By Virginia12345 (Virginia12345) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 12:53 pm: Edit

do u know tim visser ? jess roth... ?

By Chrisy (Chrisy) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 01:46 pm: Edit

what are the "weed out" courses? any other really good profs? thanks.

By Nervousmom (Nervousmom) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 11:53 pm: Edit

Amherst06,
Is there a bank in town that is better than the rest? Free checking? Walking distance?

By Amherst06 (Amherst06) on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 10:33 am: Edit

I use a desktop, which works fine for me. But, part of me wishes I had bought a laptop originally, which I would say outnumber desktops, but not by too much.
To be honest, Amherst is extremely preppy, but you get used to it. It was an odd transition for me, coming from public school, but it's not that big of a deal. Most kids are really friendly and nice, and the clothes people wear don't really mean much to me. As for the political activism on campus, I'd say, at least for my extended group of friends, that we aren't that active, but if that's your thing you can easily find what you're looking for.
I chose Amherst over that other school in northwest mass; I forget it's name...but I honestly can't imagine being happier anywhere else and I can't wait to get back. I'm sure at any of the top schools you'll find a smart, interesting group of kids, which is what makes Amherst so fun. And, once you get past that transition stage that most kids go through freshman year I'm sure you'll be very satisfied with your decision.
I'm not exactly sure what "weed out" courses are, but if you mean the courses that "weed out" the slackers pretty much any math/science course will do, along with most upper level courses in the other departments. If you mean easy courses, it all depends on your interests, any course can be easy if you enjoy it, and any course can be made hard if you don't. And, I'm mainly a History guy so I know of the good professors in that area. The profs who teach the freshmen seminars are usually the best/most experienced faculty, so one suggestion would be to look into taking their courses if they teach in a field you're interested in. Also, if you mess around on the "opinion" message board at note.amherst.edu you can find a thread that deals with good professors. It's a little dated but should be helpful.
There are a few banks in town, all within walking distance, but I use BankNorth which has free checking. But other banks have it as well.
And, on another note, by the end of your first semester you will be familiar with most kids in your class, and by the time you're a sophomore you'll know of most of the kids at the school, for better or for worse. So, yeah, I know Tim as well.

By Amherst06 (Amherst06) on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 10:37 am: Edit

Oh, and, I don't know much about Mystic seaport, but as we all know, Williams Sucks, so that program proabably sucks too. And, I know of one kid who took 5.5 courses last semester, but he's a genius. If you consider yourself a genius feel free. Or, if you're just really motivated/interested, five courses can be done I suppose, though I'd never do it. It all depends on the courses I guess...

By Virginia12345 (Virginia12345) on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 01:28 pm: Edit

cool. He's amazing at rugby i hear.

By Nervousmom (Nervousmom) on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 06:31 pm: Edit

What do most students do during the month of January, stay on campus or leave?

By Virginia12345 (Virginia12345) on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 07:25 pm: Edit

i think freshmen stay on campus

By Chrisy (Chrisy) on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 11:21 pm: Edit

ohhh, what have i done. i hate anything preppy. disgusting.

By Nervousmom (Nervousmom) on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 01:29 pm: Edit

Amherst06, What do you during the January break, stay on campus or leave?

By Subtrunks (Subtrunks) on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 04:51 am: Edit

relax about the preppyness ..its just a fashion most ppl in amherst are really open minded and that is what counts ..i went to a party as a pre-frosh and i was talking to a senior who is majoring in spanish...that is one of the reasons I'll be seeing you all in the fall..also I saw holyoke and hamsphire on the drive to amherst so the small enviroment feeling can be easily overcome but personally i love to take classes with friends and ppl i'am close with so i doubt that will be a problem

By Nervousmom (Nervousmom) on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 01:58 pm: Edit

Amherst06, Where are you?

By Amherst06 (Amherst06) on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 04:59 pm: Edit

Sorry, for my first interterm I went home, just because I still missed my friends and whatnot, but last year I stayed on campus for most of interterm, participating in the Pre-business seminar the college offers. It's a lot of fun to be on campus if you have some friends there with you, but, your actual options are limited. There has been a recent drive to get more fulfilling programs offered during January, but as of now there really isn't much. But, a good deal of students either stay on campus, find internships, or travel a bit during the break. Like most of college life, you can be as productive as you want, you just have to be motivated.
On a side note, if you go to the College website there's a link to a news program on college admissions that features Amherst. For those of you who have yet to apply it's an interesting look at the entire process at top schools.
And, good point Subtrucks, taking classes with friends is really a great part of academic life at Amherst. It makes it a lot more enjoyable and you will almost always have a least one or two friends in your classes.

By Nervousmom (Nervousmom) on Thursday, July 01, 2004 - 09:21 am: Edit

Thanks for your words of wisdom!

By Virginia12345 (Virginia12345) on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 12:32 pm: Edit

what are the first few weeks like at amherst ?

By Leftcoast (Leftcoast) on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 01:16 pm: Edit

Amherst 06: Are there many California kids at Amherst? How do you see California kids adapting to Amherst/the East? Thanks.