As someone who has taken seven courses in the Five Colleges, I’ve noticed that there are a few common stereotypes of Amherst Usually, these ideas are based on sparse interactions and a bit of hearsay. However, I do find it fun to be a mythbuster and thought I would share some of the most common comments with you all.
It’s Far
This is completely understandable from a Smith student who would have to take an hour bus ride to get here. However, UMASS students have made this comment the most to me! In fact, they insist that we are in the middle of nowhere while they at least have town.
Huh? We’re like a ten minute walk from town and that’s from Greenway. I guess I can’t blame them for the mistake. When the amount of students at your university rivals the population of most Mid-Western towns, why would you go to another college?
It Has A Lot of Money
Our endowment is no secret. In fact, Amherst student’s throw around the fact that we have a billion dollar endowment. I remember when a UMASS student said, “Wow, Amherst doesn’t have a graduate school? I would think with all that money, they could afford one.” I didn’t have the heart to tell him that the two have nothing to do with the other. We’re just weird like that.
We’re Preppy/Snooty
Also, not a completely wrong assumption. Amherst students take pride in going to a school that’s ranked high in the nation. Sometimes, a little too much pride. On the bright side, this comment hasn’t always been negative. I remember one Hampshire student asked me, “Are all the people on your campus attractive? Geez, you would think it’s a requirement or something.” Aw shucks…thanks!
Our Classes Are Difficult
In many cases, five college students who haven’t taken an Amherst class underestimate the rigor of the courses. (To be fair, I think Amherst students do the same for the other four colleges). I remember talking with a UMASS student taking a graduate course and I was taking a 200 level political science course but we read the same amount a week! Mount Holyoke and Smith students in my Chinese and Computer Science courses are always shocked at the workload our courses demand, even though they are also liberal arts schools! It’s a struggle.
We Party Too Hard
While UMASS students rarely come to party at Amherst, the other three colleges are always blown away at the ridculousness of our parties. I’m not going into details, but I lived in Hitchcock last year. I would know…
We do party hard, but we also work very hard. Hey, it’s college, what do you expect?
~ I hope you enjoyed this article. It was great talking with my friends at the other colleges about their thoughts on Amherst. I encourage you all to take advantage of the Five Colleges and show them all the sides of Amherst. :D