How is Amherst College for Transfer Students?

I'm looking at transferring to Amherst College and wondering how they handle transfer students. Are there specific support systems in place? How is the overall experience being a transfer student there?

Amherst College has a strong commitment to transfer students, which can be seen in their robust support systems and commitment to ensure a smooth transition. There's a designated Transfer Resource Center at the college which helps with the transition, covering academic, residential, and extracurricular aspects of on-campus life. The center holds one-on-one meetings about course selection, general academic advising, orientation, and providing connections to Amherst's various resources.

Another aspect to consider is the size of Amherst's transfer cohort. Typically, they admit a small group of transfer students each year, which means you'd be joining a tight-knit group. Some students find this beneficial because it provides a smaller community within the larger school population.

As a part of the academic transition, the college's advisory system is designed to help students decide on a major and plan their course of study. Each transfer student is assigned two academic advisors, one from the dean of students' office and one from the faculty. They guide students on academic matters, helping them integrate into the academic structure of the college.

Regarding housing, Amherst offers housing to transfer students, trying to place you within your preferred housing style where possible, whether that be single rooms, suites, or apartments.

Finally, Amherst hosts specific events like a transition program prior to orientation and transfer-specific informational sessions to help transfer students acclimate to the student community. Over time, many transfer students at Amherst usually assume active roles in the campus community and beyond, which speaks to its supportive environment.

Overall, while the experience of each transfer student varies, these resources and systems suggest that Amherst is keenly focused on making the transition as easy as possible for transfer students.