Amherst College - Need-Blind Admission Policy for International Students

Scholarship Overview

Amherst College is “need-blind” in evaluating international students. In considering you for admission, Amherst will not take into consideration whether or not you have applied for financial aid.
Typically, about 12 percent of our students come from secondary schools or universities outside the United States: approximately 10% are non-U.S. citizens who come from over 55 countries; another 2% hold dual citizenship with the U.S. and another country and have lived or studied outside the U.S.

Host School

Study at Amherst College
Since its founding in 1821, Amherst College has become one of the premier liberal arts colleges in the nation, enrolling some 1,800 talented, energetic and diverse young men and women.

Field(s) of Study

What does the scholarship cover?

Once your financial need is determined, a financial aid award that is equal to your need will be offered. Notices of financial aid awards will be sent soon after admission letters are mailed to first-year and transfer applicants. The award is sometimes called an “aid package” because it may include both self-help (employment) and gift aid (scholarships and grants). Students with lower financial need will be offered self-help. Students with greater need will be offered a combination of self-help and gift aid. Amherst College has replace all initially packaged, need based student loans with grant assistance and also offers $1,800 in an employment opportunity.

How many scholarships are given?

Last year Amherst received 1,873 admission applications from international students. Of these, 1,498 also applied for financial aid. 116 applicants were admitted, and 85 were admitted with a financial aid award; 34 of these students enrolled at Amherst.

Which countries are targeted?

Am I Eligible to Apply?

As a college that follows a need-blind policy in admission for international students and awards financial aid to international students on the same need-basis as domestic students, Amherst is in an exceptional position to admit the most accomplished and promising students from around the world without regard for ability to pay.
Our Admission Committee is familiar with various education systems around the world. In reviewing your application, we consider grades, standardized test scores, comprehensive exam predictions or results, essays, recommendations, independent work, the quality of your current academic program and your achievements outside the classroom. No one aspect will determine our decision; instead, we look at the sum total of your experiences.

How do I Apply – Next Steps

Regardless of your citizenship or geographic location, you should follow the same first-year or transfer application process that other students follow.
The only additional application requirement for international student applicants (both first-year and transfer) is demonstration of English proficiency.
Application fee waivers are intended for students from low-income families for whom application fees would pose a substantial financial burden. If you believe that your financial circumstances might qualify you for an application fee waiver, you should review the information at the “Fee Waiver” section of the Common Application “Profile,” where the eligibility criteria for a College Board fee waiver are listed.

Closing Date:

How do I get more information?