Founded in 1821, Amherst College has established itself as one of the nation’s premier liberal arts schools. Located in the picturesque town of Amherst, Massachusetts, the College is consistently recognized for its rigorous academic programs and small classes taught by committed faculty. Academically, the school is renowned; it was ranked #2 for national liberal arts colleges by U.S. News and World Report. The city of Amherst hosts two additional universities–Hampshire College and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst–which further fosters a collegiate feel for students and residents alike. A member of Five College Consortium, Amherst provides its students with the unique opportunity of cross-enrolling in classes at Mount Holyoke, Hampshire, Smith, and the University of Massachusetts.
Amherst College’s students represent a wide variety of interests and passions; the school offers more than 140 registered clubs and organizations. Distinguished alumni include author David Foster Wallace, Prince Albert of Monaco, and President Calvin Coolidge. Rich in history in many aspects, the school claims to have the oldest athletics program, and third oldest football field, in the country. Amherst also features many a cappella groups which can regularly be found performing around campus–this, it can be assumed, has warranted the school’s unofficial nickname of “the singing college.”