The picturesque campus, featuring a blend of historic and modern buildings, provides a vibrant and inspiring setting for academic and extracurricular activities. Amherst's location in the scenic Pioneer Valley offers students access to a rich array of cultural, recreational, and academic resources, including collaboration with the other members of the Five College Consortium: Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, Smith Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

With a diverse and talented student body, a faculty of dedicated scholars and mentors, and a strong emphasis on social responsibility and community engagement, Amherst College prepares its students to be thoughtful and informed leaders. The college's commitment to academic excellence, inclusivity, and the liberal arts tradition defines the Amherst experience.

Overview

US News Ranking: 2

Acceptance Rate: 10%

Deadline: Jan. 3rd

Application Fee: $75

Tuition: $70,480

Average cost after aid: $25,035

Should I submit my test score?

Test optional: yes

39% of students submit SAT scores | 22% of students submit ACT scores

SAT 25th-75th percentile range: 1500-1560

ACT 25th-75th percentile range: 33-35

If your SAT is at least 1500 and your ACT is at least 33, we recommend you submit your test scores. As you can see, most applicants submit SAT scores over ACT scores. There is no value in submitting one over the other; there is, however, value in knowing which test is right for you.

Student life:

Top majors: mathematics, econometrics economics, research and experimental psychology, computer science, political science and government

Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1

Minority enrollment: 50%

Amherst offers a wide range of undergraduate programs in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The college’s open curriculum allows students to design their own educational paths, encouraging exploration and interdisciplinary study. With a low student-to-faculty ratio, Amherst provides a personalized and engaging learning environment.

The student-to-faculty ratio is low at 7:1, meaning there is good opportunity for face time with a professor.

With a minority enrollment of 50%, Amherst offers good diversity.

Admissions Factors:

Required supplemental essays: 1 or 2

Interview: not considered

Demonstrated interest: not considered

Alumnae relation: not considered

Students choose ONE OPTION (A, B, or C) from the following:

Option A: Choose one of the following quotations, and respond to the question posed, in an essay of not more than 350 words. It is not necessary to research, read, or refer to the texts from which these quotations are taken; we are looking for original, personal responses to these short excerpts. Remember that your essay should be personal in nature and not simply an argumentative essay. 

Prompt 1: “Hope and curiosity — these are qualities that are the foundation of what Amherst College means, of everything that we do here. Curiosity is at the core of a liberal arts education — a spirit of inquiry that shapes not only what our students do in the classroom, but also how they learn from and about each other.”

- Michael A. Elliott, 20th President of Amherst College, address at Amherst College’s 203rd Commencement

Prompt 1 Question: What does curiosity mean to you? How do you experience curiosity in your own life?

Prompt 2: “We seek an Amherst made stronger because it includes those whose experiences can enhance our understanding of our nation and our world. We do so in the faith that our humanity is an identity forged from diversity, and that our different perspectives enrich our inquiry, deepen our knowledge, strengthen our community, and prepare students to engage with an ever-changing world.”
- from the Trustee Statement on Diversity and Community
Prompt  2 Question: In what ways could your unique experiences enhance our understanding of our nation and our world?

Prompt 3: “We are working together to build a community that makes room for both true disagreement and true connection, one that practices the kind of recognition and robust negotiation that the everyday life of democracy requires, and one that explicitly prepares our students to work for the greater good in their professional and personal endeavors.”
- Presidential Priorities: Serving the Greater Good
Prompt 3 Question: Tell us about a time that you engaged with a viewpoint different from your own. How did you enter that engagement, and what did you learn about yourself from it?

Option B: Please submit a graded paper from your junior or senior year that best represents your writing skills and analytical abilities. We are particularly interested in your ability to construct a tightly reasoned, persuasive argument that calls upon literary, sociological or historical evidence. You should NOT submit a laboratory report, journal entry, creative writing sample or in-class essay. If you have submitted an analytical essay in response to the "essay topic of your choice" prompt in the Common Application writing section, you should NOT select Option B. 

Option C: If you are/were an applicant to Amherst's Access to Amherst (A2A) program, you may use your A2A application essay in satisfaction of our Writing Supplement requirement. If you would like to do so, please select Option C. However, if you would prefer not to use your A2A essay for this purpose and you want to submit a different writing supplement, select either Option A or Option B. Option A, Prompt 2 is the same prompt as the A2A application essay; if you would like to submit an updated version of your A2A application essay, please choose Option A.

[Please note that Option C is available only to applicants to Amherst's A2A program. Non-A2A applicants must choose either Option A or Option B.] 

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The picturesque campus, characterized by its historic buildings and modern facilities, provides a stimulating environment for academic and extracurricular pursuits. Brown's vibrant campus life, combined with its strong commitment to social justice, community engagement, and global awareness, fosters a supportive and inclusive community.

With a diverse student body, a faculty composed of leading scholars and researchers, and a strong emphasis on innovation and critical thinking, Brown University prepares its students to be creative leaders and engaged citizens. The university's tradition of academic excellence and its progressive approach to education make it a distinguished and dynamic place of learning.

Overview

US News Ranking: 13

Acceptance Rate: 5%

Deadline: Jan. 3rd

Application Fee: $75

Tuition: $71,312

Average cost after aid: $27,157

Until recently, Brown’s acceptance rate was hovering around 9%. After the pandemic, Brown saw a much higher number of applicants and in just four years, the acceptance rate has decreased by 4%.

Should I submit my test score?

Test optional: no

61% of students submit SAT scores | 24% of students submit ACT scores

SAT 25th-75th percentile range: 1510-1560

ACT 25th-75th percentile range: 34-35

If your SAT is at least 1510 and your ACT is at least 34, we recommend you submit your test scores. As you can see, most applicants submit SAT scores over ACT scores. There is no value in submitting one over the other; there is, however, value in knowing which test is right for you. The majority of applicants submit their test scores.

Student life:

Top majors: computer science, econometrics and quantitative economics, applied mathematics, biology/biological sciences, international relations and affairs

Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1

Minority enrollment: 49%

International student enrollment: 12%

Brown comprises several schools and colleges, including the College, the Graduate School, the Warren Alpert Medical School, the School of Public Health, and the School of Engineering. The university offers a diverse array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, emphasizing intellectual independence and interdisciplinary study.

The student-to-faculty ratio is low at 6:1, meaning there is more opportunity for face time with a professor.

With a minority enrollment of 49%, Brown offers a diverse campus. Meanwhile, international students make up a sizable population of the undergraduate enrollment at 12%.

Admissions Factors:

Required supplemental essays: 3 essays + 4 short answers

Interview: not considered (a new(ish) optional video introduction is considered)

Demonstrated interest: not considered

Alumnae relation: considered

The supplemental essay prompts are as follows:

1. Brown's Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about any academic interests that excite you, and how you might pursue them at Brown. (200-250 words)

2. Students entering Brown often find that making their home on College Hill naturally invites reflection on where they came from. Share how an aspect of your growing up has inspired or challenged you, and what unique contributions this might allow you to make to the Brown community. (200-250 words)

3. Brown students care deeply about their work and the world around them. Students find contentment, satisfaction, and meaning in daily interactions and major discoveries. Whether big or small, mundane or spectacular, tell us about something that brings you joy. (200-250 words)

Short answers questions:

1. What three words best describe you? (3 words)

2. What is your most meaningful extracurricular commitment, and what would you like us to know about it? (100 words)

3. If you could teach a class on any one thing, whether academic or otherwise, what would it be? (100 words)

4. In one sentence, Why Brown? (50 words)

💡Pro Tips:

Brown loves creative students who aren’t afraid to march to the beat of their own drum. This is why they’ve introduced the option to include a 2-minute introduction video, which has taken the place of the previously conducted alumni interviews. We recommend that students take advantage of this opportunity.

Brown has suggested the following tips for your introduction video:

• Your video should begin with you in front of the camera saying, "Hi, my name is [insert name] from [high school]." After that, what you choose to say and how you choose to say it is up to you. Simple and unrehearsed is fine, and you are welcome to be creative.

• We recommend you dress casually as you would for a school day or school event.

• Videos will not be evaluated for production quality; we recommend sitting in front of your laptop/camera/tablet/phone and speaking directly to the audience. Make certain you are visible and audible during your video. Check the lighting and listen to your video after you have recorded it to ensure you are happy with the final product before submitting.

• Limit your video to no more than two minutes.

• Be sure your video is in landscape orientation so your finished product will not require viewers to turn their heads to the side when viewing on a desktop computer.

They’ve also offered the following prompts to help you get started:

• What do you love about your neighborhood or hometown?

• Share a time that you were moved by music or art.

• How would your friends describe you?

• Describe how you were influenced by a book that changed your perspective.

• Talk to us about a meaningful family activity or tradition.

• In what ways are you similar to or different from your siblings or friend group?

• Tell us about your favorite time of day. 

• Highlight any topic of your choice that will allow us to get to know you better.

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