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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Amherst chapter.

Flew across the country? Check! Bus ride from the airport? Check! The answer to the question, “Are we there yet?” is finally a yes.

A year ago, I wandered all over this campus as a prospective student, while college decisions wandered all over my mind. Looking back on it, I can’t believe where I am at now. All the moments from September 1st to this very moment have made up my first year of college.

Although I would never regret my decision to commit to Amherst, I cannot deny the stress that accompanied the months before my first day here. Picking a college is one of the most important life choices that you have made thus far, and there are so many factors to consider! One of the best pieces of advice for college-picking is: “Visit the campus”. (This tops the list for many, many reasons.) That’s why this weekend (4/16-4/18) will be a huge deal for all of the visiting prospective students!

 

To the prospies, I really hope that you can make the best out of your experience here, so here are just some of my thoughts!

What you should expect:

A Jam-Packed Schedule

There is just so much to learn about this place, and every corner offers so many lessons to take away from. Show up to events and discussions with an open heart and an open mind, and you will find yourself completely absorbed.  

Students Hailing From All Over The Country

This weekend, there will probably be way too many bodies on this block of 1,000 acres. (JK!) Even though you all come from different hometowns, family lifestyles, etc., you all have one thing in common: you made it to Amherst! And there’s certainly a reason for that. Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation to find out the reason(s) and get to know these people more.  

Unexpected Surprises

Surprise is a key component of learning. Visiting a college doesn’t just allow you to learn more about what it is like to be a student here; you have the possibility of learning something new about yourself. In terms of categorizing Amherst as a city, town, village, street, etc., that will honestly depend on your prior experiences.

Get Over That Fear Of Asking Questions

I mean… Do you like the campus? How safe is it? Where is the gym? What are the facilities like? *rambles on for another 30 minutes* My point is, when is the next time you will get to ask all these questions live? You are making a big decision here. Don’t hold yourself back from asking your student host or other students for their opinions. (See more about questions below!)

 

Different Personalities

After conquering those question-asking insecurities, you will inevitably encounter a variety of personality types from the people that you meet and talk. Some people tend to be straightforward and “real”, while others find the silver lining in every matter possible. Focus on your personal priorities and your beliefs. Regardless of what you hear, remember that opinions are just opinions. The average classroom size of 16 students might not be small to someone, but you could consider it otherwise. (I know that I love this size!)  

Good questions to ask yourself and other students:  

  1. Do people here try to make you feel at home? Were they helpful in answering your questions?

  2. How do students interact with one another?

  3. How do professors and students interact with each other?

  4. Is the campus size a good fit?

  5. Are the dorms too quiet? Too noisy?

  6. What kind of dorm choices are there?

  7. Is there space to study and have time to yourself?

  8. What are the strong majors and the weak majors?

  9. How much time do students usually invest in their homework/studying?

  10. How has your college experience differed from your high school experience?

  11. Are there work-study opportunities?

  12. What are the best jobs on campus?

  13. What are some popular clubs/student groups?

  14. What do most students do over the weekend?

  15. Are there any cool school traditions?

  16. **(Especially for non-East Coasters) But that weather change though?

As CollegeExpress puts it:

“Remember you are visiting the college to find out if it’s a good match for you. The students who are already there may like it, but you have to decide if you will too. So try to envision whether you can actually study there. Decide what’s important to you, whether its class size, healthy food, activities, or attentive profs, and make sure those elements are in place.”

Here’s to hoping that Amherst is your cookie! Good luck with your decision and enjoy your visit!!

 

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Bonnie Lin

Amherst

Bonnie is a sophomore at Amherst College. Even though she studies statistics, she is interested in technology, pediatric medicine, dentistry, education, and public health.  She spends most of her day trying out new things, like eating an ice cream cone while biking or looking for ways to climb onto campus building roofs. "All over the place" would be the best way to describe her. 
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Carina Corbin graduated from Amherst College in 2017 and started writing for Her Campus during her first year. She was a Computer Science and Asian Languages & Civilizations double major that still loves to learn languages, write short stories, eat great food and travel. She wrote for Her Campus Amherst for four years and was Campus Correspondent for 3.5 years. She enjoyed interviewing Campus Profiles and writing content that connected with the Amherst community.