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run through Molly Keefer exist January 31, 2019 exist University admissions
If you're looking for a small university that emphasizes academics, diversity, and student engagement, there aren't many colleges in the world that offer a more unique and rigorous education than Amherst.
Amherst College is one of the best colleges in the United States, rankedSecond Best Liberal Arts CollegeBy U.S. News & World Report. Universities are ranked based on criteria such as prestige, selectivity and faculty availability, with Amherst at the top.
As if that wasn't enough, Amherst isUnion of Five CollegesThis means that Amherst students have a choiceMore than 6,000 coursesAvailable at Mount Holyoke, Smith, Hampshire and UMass Amherst.
Amherst, Massachusetts was also mentioned#4 University CastleIn the US, that means even if you're tired of exploring the university's 500-acre nature reserve andBest campus restaurants in the nationyou can rest assured that there is no shortageexciting experiencewithin reach.
If Amherst sounds like the place for you, read on to learn more about drafting a competitive application!
Amherst College Admissions: Quick Statistics
Let's start by looking at the average score for incoming freshmen at Amherst College, as well as Amherst's acceptance rate.
Average SAT:1490
average behaviour33
grade average4.05
Acceptance rate: 13%
Do you think this could be you?
Read on for a full rundown on how to get into Amherst College, including admissions information, freshman demographics, Amherst admissions FAQs, and more!
More on Amherst SAT scores
Amherst University generally acceptsSAT scores in the top 4% of test takers, meaning you must expect to score high in order to be admitted.
| 25th percentile | 75th percentile | |
|---|---|---|
| Synthetic | 1420 | 1560 |
| Evidence-based reading and writing | 700 | 770 |
| mathematics | 720 | 790 |
itSAT average score of 1490, you want to getat least 1560Make your application stand out.
The middle 50 percent of Class of 2022 SAT scores scored between 700 and 770 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing sections and between 720 and 790 on the Math section.
The middle 50% have composite scores between 1420 and 1560, meaning scores below 1420 are below average, andMore than 1560 above average.
amherst allows studentsself-reportTest scores, meaning you don't have to pay to send score reports unless you are admitted.
They alsoOverscore, or combine your best grades, so it is to your advantage to submit all your scores so that the admissions office can create a new score that shows your best performance.
More on Amherst ACT scores
Amherst is a very selective school and admitted students generally areThe ACT is in the top 5% nationally.
| 25th percentile | 75th percentile | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 31 | 35 |
| Engels | 34 | 36 |
| mathematics | 29 | 35 |
The middle 50% of students have a composite score between 31 and 35 and are between:
- English 34 and 36
- Mathematics 29 and 35
A composite under 31 makes your chances less certain, but 25% of admitted students scored lower and were admitted anyway.
overcome one35, you can be sure that you will be included.
Like most elite universities, you must attendThe optional writing portion of the ACT is recommended.
Like the SAT, you canSelf-report your ACT scoreAnd skip the testing office to send score reports before you are admitted.
If you have taken the test more than once, it is best to report all your scores, as Amherst will select your best scores and combine them into a new test.Overscore.
More about Amherst's average GPA
average high schoolClass of 2022 has a 4.05 GPA, which means you have aStudent with perfect gradesAnd took some more challenging courses.
It's a good idea to take as many IB, AP, and Dual Enrollment classes as possible, as most schools calculate grades based on an unweighted five-point scale. This means not only increasing your average GPA, but also demonstrating your readiness for college-level courses.
If you're considering Amherst early in high school, keep this in mind and don't let your grades drop in your senior year! Amherst also requires grades from the second semester of your senior year.
Learn more about Amherst's acceptance rate
If you've read this far, you probably know that Amherst University enrolls some of the best students in the country. only13% of applicantsAdmitted to the Class of 2022, which includes AmherstMost selective collegedomestic.
To illustrate how Amherst has become increasingly selective, in 2009 Amherst accepted 15 percent of applicants; ten years later they made up only 13 percent.
If you're a freshman or sophomore in high school, you canexpect this rate to dropGo a step further while applying. It is a good idea to take this into account when choosing courses and preparing for standardized tests.
Amherst University Freshman-profiel
amherstAdmission and Enrollment StatisticsThere is a wealth of information on admissions that may be of interest to you to see what your fellow students will be like.
Here are some highlights:
- 47% of students identify themselves as people of color
- 7% are international students
- 48% male, 51% female, 1% opposite sex identified
- 35% of current students apply for Early Decision
- 30% of enrolled students come from low-income families
- 15% are the first in their family to attend university
- 492 of 1,264 admitted
Here is a photo of a university that not only values academics, but alsoAccessibility and diversity, Also.
Additional Amherst Admissions Information
amherstFirst year registration pageis a good place to get general information about the application. Overall, Amherst strives to make it affordable and accessible to as many students as possible, providing applicants with everything from fee waivers to self-reported test scores.
Here are some key points for applying for your first year:
- common application,joint applicationofQuestBridge-app
- amherst collegewrite addition
- $65 application fee (non-refundable) or fee waiver (via joint application, joint application, orThe fast pass of Amherst)
- schoolrapport
- High school trajectory
- recommendation from an advisor
- Recommended by two teachers
- standardized test resultsBy self-reported score or official score report (from SAT or ACT)
Frequently Asked Questions about Amherst
Does Amherst accept entrants?
Yes, they allow transfers to the spring semester.read moreLearn more about your unique needs.
Does Amherst accept non-traditional applicants?
What if you arehome schooling,Undocumented or DACA, or ainternational students, click on these links to see which materials you need to provide.
Does Amherst accept credits for AP, IB or other courses?
Nee, but students are assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine their eligibility to waive the introductory course.
How do I sign up?
Amherst accepts applications through the Common App, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge Application.
Does Amherst have an Early Decision program?
And.early decisionis a binding program that requires students to withdraw applications from other colleges and agree to enroll at Amherst in the fall. You must apply before November 1 and have until December 15 to find out about your admission decision. About 10 percent of students apply to Amherst for ED.
What are some important deadlines for applying for Amherst?
Below is the timeline for early decision applicants:
- 1 november:Must submit application and financial aid forms and begin reviewing applications
- 15 december:Decision messages are sent electronically
And a schedule for regular decision applicants:
- January 1st:Must submit an application and begin reviewing applications
- 15 February:Financial aid forms must be submitted
- 1 april:Decision messages are sent electronically
How to get to Amherst
It is important to remember that when you apply to a selective school like Amherst,NothingYour application secures your admission. Instead, the admissions office reviews your materialsGeneralLearn more about your personality and achievements.
If you want to make sure you get accepted into Amherst College, let's take a look at some general guidelines to follow:
"How to Get on the Amherst College Checklist"
- SAT-scores van1560 or later
- ACT scores ofat least 35
- AGPA 4.05
- Get high grades in challenging courses
- Strong extracurricular and community involvement
- Thoughtful responses to dissertation prompts
- Enthusiastic, supportive advice
Have fun learning and good luck!🙂
Molly Keefer
Molly is one of Magoosh's content creators. She designs Magoosh's graphics, curates our YouTube channel and podcast, and contributes to the Magoosh High School blog.
Molly has been tutoring high school and college students for the SAT, GRE, and LSAT since 2014. She began her tutoring career as a college student, helping her fellow students master math, computer programming, Spanish, English, and philosophy.
Molly graduated from Lewis and Clark College with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In philosophy, she continues to study ethics to this day. An artist at heart, Molly enjoys blogging, creating art, going for walks and acting as a personal surrogate for her cat, who is more popular than her on Instagram.
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FAQs
Amherst College Admissions: SAT, ACT Scores and GPA You Need? ›
To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1530 SAT or a 34 ACT. You should also have a 4.07 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score.
What SAT score is required for Amherst? ›Admissions Summary
Amherst College is very selective with an acceptance rate of 11%. Students that get into Amherst College have an SAT score between 1450–1550 or an ACT score of 33–35.
1. Achieve at least a 3.93 GPA while taking the most challenging classes available. GPA and course rigor are the only two factors that UMass Amherst considers “very important” to admissions. A little more than half of UMass's Class of 2025 graduated with a 4.0 and their average high school GPA is a robust 3.93.
Can I get into Amherst with 1400 SAT? ›...
Can I get into UMass with a 1140 SAT?
| SAT Score | Admission Chances |
|---|---|
| 1400 | 72% |
| 1390 | 71% |
| 1380 | 69% |
| 1370 | 68% |
With a GPA of 4.07, Amherst College requires you to be at the top of your class. You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants.
How hard is Amherst to get into? ›Amherst College admissions is most selective with an acceptance rate of 9%. Half the applicants admitted to Amherst College have an SAT score between 1440 and 1570 or an ACT score of 32 and 35. However, one quarter of admitted applicants achieved scores above these ranges and one quarter scored below these ranges.
What GPA does Harvard accept? ›However, unweighted GPAs are not very useful, because high schools weight GPAs differently. In truth, you need close to a 4.0 unweighted GPA to get into Harvard. That means nearly straight As in every class.
Is Amherst considered Ivy League? ›However, since they aren't in the same athletic conference, they technically aren't Ivy League schools. The so-called "little Ivies," which include Amherst College, Bowdoin College, and Wesleyan University, are known for their selectivity and academic rigor.
What kind of students does Amherst look for? ›With a GPA of 4.07, Amherst College requires you to be at the top of your class. You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.
Will 1500 SAT get scholarships? ›
With a 1500 SAT score, you should have no restrictions on applying for any merit-based scholarships. You might find a scholarship requiring a 1600 SAT, but those will be very few and very far between.
What college accepts 1200 SAT score? ›What colleges can I get into with a 1200 SAT score? Among the wide variety of colleges and universities you can apply to, you can consider Michigan State University, San Diego State University, and Howard University, which all have an average SAT score acceptance around 1200.
Is 27 a good ACT score for scholarships? ›A 27 ACT score puts you a good deal about the national average (20.8) and makes you eligible for acceptance at a vast majority of schools. It also makes you competitive at some selective institutions, as well as eligible for merit aid!
What ACT score do most colleges want? ›Schools vary considerably in the kinds of ACT scores they look for in applicants. Less selective institutions tend to accept scores closer to the national average (21), whereas more competitive universities often prefer scores in the 32-36 range.
Can I get into an Ivy League with a 27 ACT score? ›With a score of 27, you are in the 87th percentile of all test takers. More likely than not, with a score of 27, you'll often be in or near the commonly accepted range at selective colleges. The exception may be the Ivy League where the score required may be higher than 30 on average.
Is 3.3 A good GPA for Ivy League? ›However, for college applicants, the average GPA is more likely between 3.5 and 4.0. If you're aiming for a top university such as one in the Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, or others of the same caliber, a 4.0 GPA — or close to it — is expected.
Can I go to Ivy League with 3.5 GPA? ›It may be difficult to get into an Ivy League school with a 3.5 GPA. Most Ivy League schools require that applicants have an average GPA of 4.0.
Can I get into an Ivy with a 3.3 GPA? ›None of the Ivy League schools have a minimum GPA requirement for applications, which means anyone can apply regardless of their GPA. However, due to how competitive and selective the admission process is, whether or not you'll get an offer of admission is an entirely different story.
Is Amherst a hidden ivy? ›This is a list of all Hidden Ivy schools: Amherst College. Barnard College. Bates College.
Why is Amherst College so popular? ›Renowned for its talented students, committed faculty and rigorous academic life, Amherst offers the B.A. degree in 41 majors. With a faculty-student ratio of 1 to 7, Amherst's classes are characterized by spirited interchange among students and acclaimed faculty skilled at asking challenging questions.
What is Amherst famous for? ›
Amherst College, located in Amherst, Massachusetts, is known for its rigorous academic climate. Amherst is a member of the Five Colleges consortium, which also includes Smith, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Students may take courses at any of these colleges.
What GPA is needed for Yale? ›Yale GPA Requirements
Last year, the reported average high school GPA of an admitted student at Yale was a 4.19 out of 4.0, what we call a “weighted” GPA. However, unweighted GPAs are not very useful, because high schools weight GPAs differently. In truth, you need close to a 4.0 unweighted GPA to get into Yale.
There's no absolute SAT requirement at Harvard, but they really want to see at least a 1460 to have a chance at being considered.
What is the GPA for Yale? ›Average GPA: 4.14
With a GPA of 4.14, Yale requires you to be at the top of your class. You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.
Amherst College is ranked 901 in Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
What is the smartest Ivy League? ›- Williams College. Situated in Williamstown, Massachusetts, Williams College offers a high-quality education and is considered among the best liberal arts schools in the nation. ...
- Amherst College. ...
- Swarthmore College. ...
- Bowdoin College. ...
- Middlebury College.
The most popular majors at Amherst College include: Mathematics, General; Econometrics and Quantitative Economics; Computer Science; Research and Experimental Psychology, Other; Political Science and Government, General; History, General; English Language and Literature, General; Statistics, General; Biology/Biological ...
Is Amherst an elite College? ›Elite liberal arts institutions, like Amherst College, Vassar College, and Tufts University, typically appear on Little Ivies lists.
Does Amherst inflate grades? ›While some would like to believe that such grade inflation, essentially officially sanctioned cheating, does not exist at Amherst, it undeniably does. In 1989, the average GPA awarded at Amherst was 3.28. Ten years later, it had risen to 3.41, and by 2006, had settled at 3.48.
What ACT score gets you a full ride? ›
Overall, my research so far has been surprising in that there are a few schools that will offer full-tuition scholarships starting in the 22 – 25 ACT range, but most full-ride scholarships require a 28 ACT or higher.
What SAT score gets a full ride scholarship? ›To be eligible, you must have an unweighted high school average of 90 and either a 1300 SAT score or a 27 ACT score.
Do colleges care how many times you take the SAT? ›Students can take the SAT as many times as they want. We recommend that they take it at least twice—in the spring of their junior year and the fall of their senior year. Most students get a higher score the second time, and most colleges consider a student's highest SAT score when making admission decisions.
Do colleges prefer ACT or SAT? ›In reality, all colleges and universities that require standardized testing accept both the ACT and SAT. And college admissions counselors have openly stated they do not prefer one test over the other.
Should I retake the SAT if I got a 1400? ›One of the only reasons to consider retaking the SAT would be if you're interested in attending institutions that are very selective or in the Ivy League. While a 1400 makes you eligible to apply to places such as Harvard, Yale, and the University of Pennsylvania, it won't make you a competitive candidate.
Should I retake a 1390 SAT? ›Does the SAT score of 1390 fall within the upper 50% range? If so, your score is considered to be "good enough." If your score falls below the 50% range, you might consider taking the SAT again. For example, my state university has a SAT middle range score of 1340.
Can you get a full ride with a 1200 SAT score? ›In order to qualify for a full-ride scholarship, you must have excellent grades and test scores. You also need to show that you are able to succeed in college and have the potential to become successful in your field of study. In that sense, a 1151-1200 SAT score will likely not fetch you a full-ride scholarship.
Can I get into NYU with a 1200 SAT? ›The 25th percentile New SAT score is 1370, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1510. In other words, a 1370 places you below average, while a 1510 will move you up to above average. There's no absolute SAT requirement at NYU, but they really want to see at least a 1370 to have a chance at being considered.
Can I get a full ride with 1300 SAT? ›Absolutely! There are many different types of scholarships available for students with a 1251-1300 SAT score, and many of them don't require a certain GPA, major, or other factors that might make it seem impossible to win one.
At what ACT score do scholarships start? ›The minimum requirements for a scholarship are a GPA of 3.5 and an ACT score of 25 or SAT score of 1220.
What ACT score do you need to get into Harvard? ›
Admissions Summary
Harvard College is extremely selective with an acceptance rate of 4%. Students that get into Harvard College have an ACT score of 34–36. Regular applications are due January 1.
Is 28 ACT Score Good? With a score of 28, you are in the 91st percentile of all test takers. More likely than not, with a score of 28, you'll often be in or near the commonly accepted range at highly selective colleges. The exception may be the Ivy League where the score required may be higher than 30 on average.
Do colleges prefer GPA or ACT? ›When it comes to the GPA and the ACT, students often wonder which one is more important. Although college admissions officers often say that they give much more weight to a student's GPA, even they will admit that your ACT score is of considerable importance.
What ACT score is good for scholarships? ›The Best Possible ACT Score For Scholarships Ranges
Unsurprisingly, the highest potential comes with ACT scores 30+. With ACT scores in the 30-36 range, it's possible to win $10,000 or more in scholarship prizes.
The average ACT score of Harvard-accepted students is 33. Although Harvard claims there is no minimum ACT score, if you apply with a 29 or lower, you'll have difficulty getting in. So, to get into Harvard, it is important to note the different Harvard University requirements for test scores.
What ACT score does UCLA accept? ›Cornell is considered the "easiest" Ivy League to get into because it has the highest Ivy League acceptance rate. While it's easier, statistically speaking, to get into Cornell, it's still challenging. It's also important to remember that students apply directly to one of Cornell's eight undergraduate colleges.
What is the lowest ACT score for Ivy League? ›Generally speaking, you need a minimum ACT score of 31 to get into an Ivy League School. The minimum score is 32 at a few of these schools, including Harvard and Yale. The minimum SAT score to get into an Ivy League school ranges from 690 to 730 for the reading section and from 700 to 730 for the math section.
Can I get into Amherst with a 3.7 GPA? ›You should also have a 4.07 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Amherst College, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.
What is the middle 50% SAT score for Amherst? ›...
SAT Scores and Requirements.
| SAT Range (Admitted Students) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Section | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
| ERW | 690 | 760 |
| Math | 720 | 790 |
Can I get into UMass Amherst with 1200 SAT score? ›
Admissions Summary
University of Massachusetts Amherst is less selective with an acceptance rate of 64%. Students that get into University of Massachusetts Amherst have an SAT score between 1280–1450 or an ACT score of 29–33.
Test-Optional Pilot Program Amherst has adopted a test-optional pilot program for SAT/ACT testing for first-year applicants to the Classes of 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028 (entering Amherst in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024).
Is a 3.7 GPA bad for Ivy League? ›While 3.7 is a good high school GPA, Ivy League schools are incredibly competitive and a 3.7 GPA alone likely isn't enough to differentiate yourself. Applicants generally have a better chance of getting into an Ivy League school if they get closer to a 4.0 GPA.
Can I go Ivy League with 3.7 GPA? ›Yes, you can get into an Ivy League with a 3.7 GPA. Though, the lower your grade, the less your chances of getting into an Ivy League, but with a strong personal statement and a properly packaged application, you can get in with a grade even less than 3.7 GPA.
What is the hardest Ivy League school to get into? ›Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the US and consistently ranks #1 hardest Ivy League to get into.
What score is 75% on SAT? ›If you get a composite SAT score of 1083 or more, you are above average. The 75th percentile composite SAT test score is 1215, the 90th percentile is 1340, and the 95th percentile is 1410. This table, which is based on College Board data, lists the percentile ranking for various composite SAT scores.
What SAT score is 50% for Princeton? ›| Test/Section | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile (Mean) |
|---|---|---|
| SAT Total | 1460 | 1510 |
| SAT Reading | 710 | 740 |
| SAT Math | 730 | 755 |
| ACT Composite | 33 | 34 |
Average SAT: 1535
The average SAT score composite at MIT is a 1535.
The 25th percentile New SAT score is 1470, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1560. In other words, a 1470 places you below average, while a 1560 will move you up to above average. There's no absolute SAT requirement at Yale, but they really want to see at least a 1470 to have a chance at being considered.
Can you get into Harvard with a 1200 SAT? ›To get admission to top colleges like Harvard, MIT, and Stanford, one needs to score at least 1500. But there are more than 430 colleges that accept an SAT score of 1200 or 75th percentile score.
Is Amherst College Ivy League? ›
However, since they aren't in the same athletic conference, they technically aren't Ivy League schools. The so-called "little Ivies," which include Amherst College, Bowdoin College, and Wesleyan University, are known for their selectivity and academic rigor.
Does Amherst give merit scholarships? ›Incoming First-Year and Transfer Students
UMass Amherst offers both merit and need-based scholarships to incoming first-year and transfer Honors College students who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in academic, extracurricular, and leadership activities.
But for now, the short answer is that most colleges are not requiring SAT or ACT test scores for the class of 2023.