Does Amherst College consider demonstrated interest in admissions?
I'm in the process of building my college list and Amherst is at the top for me. I know some colleges track whether or not you visit campus, attend info sessions, or email admissions, but I've heard mixed things about whether Amherst actually cares about that.
I visited the campus last year and I'm planning to do an online tour again, but I'm wondering if any of this actually matters when it comes to admissions. Would it help my chances to reach out or does Amherst really not care about demonstrated interest at all?
If anybody who has applied before or has insight into their process could help me out, I’d really appreciate it. I just want to make sure I’m focusing my energy in the right places as senior year gets busy.
I visited the campus last year and I'm planning to do an online tour again, but I'm wondering if any of this actually matters when it comes to admissions. Would it help my chances to reach out or does Amherst really not care about demonstrated interest at all?
If anybody who has applied before or has insight into their process could help me out, I’d really appreciate it. I just want to make sure I’m focusing my energy in the right places as senior year gets busy.
4 months ago
•
81 views
Lily Fang
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Amherst College does not consider demonstrated interest as a factor in its admissions process. According to Amherst’s own admissions website and statements from their office, they do not track or weigh whether applicants visit campus, attend info sessions, participate in virtual events, or otherwise engage with them prior to applying. Their goal is to create a level playing field, especially for students who may not have the resources to visit in person or participate in multiple online events.
However, there can still be indirect benefits. Engaging with Amherst can help you better understand its unique academics, open curriculum, and campus community so you can write a more compelling supplement. For example, after your campus visit, you might have specific anecdotes or insights about a class discussion or a conversation with a student that you can reference in your essay. This won’t count as demonstrated interest, but it can make your application stronger by showing authentic resonance with the college’s values and offerings.
If your schedule is tight senior year, you can prioritize other parts of your application (grades, essays, activities) and rest assured you’re not hurting your chances at Amherst by skipping extra outreach. The best way to impress them is to submit a thoughtful application that clearly conveys why you believe Amherst is the right fit for you.
However, there can still be indirect benefits. Engaging with Amherst can help you better understand its unique academics, open curriculum, and campus community so you can write a more compelling supplement. For example, after your campus visit, you might have specific anecdotes or insights about a class discussion or a conversation with a student that you can reference in your essay. This won’t count as demonstrated interest, but it can make your application stronger by showing authentic resonance with the college’s values and offerings.
If your schedule is tight senior year, you can prioritize other parts of your application (grades, essays, activities) and rest assured you’re not hurting your chances at Amherst by skipping extra outreach. The best way to impress them is to submit a thoughtful application that clearly conveys why you believe Amherst is the right fit for you.