Amherst essay prompts

Choose one of the following quotations, and respond to the question posed, in an essay of not more than 350 words. It is not necessary to research, read, or refer to the texts from which these quotations are taken; we are looking for original, personal responses to these short excerpts. Remember that your essay should be personal in nature and not simply an argumentative essay. "Hope and curiosity — these are qualities that are the foundation of what Amherst College means, of everything that we do here. Curiosity is at the core of a liberal arts education — a spirit of inquiry that shapes not only what our students do in the classroom, but also how they learn from and about each other." — Michael A. Elliott, 20th President of Amherst College, address at Amherst College's 203rd Commencement What does curiosity mean to you? How do you experience curiosity in your own life?

350 words max · Required

If you are/were an applicant to Amherst's Access to Amherst (A2A) program, you may use your A2A Writing Supplement essay in satisfaction of the supplementary essay requirement. If you would like to do so, please select Option C. Option C is available only to applicants to Amherst's A2A program.

No limit listed · Required

Submit a graded paper from your junior or senior year that best represents your writing skills and analytical abilities. We are particularly interested in your ability to construct a tightly reasoned, persuasive argument that calls upon literary, sociological or historical evidence. You should NOT submit a laboratory report, journal entry, creative writing sample or in-class essay.

No limit listed · Required

Amherst College’s open curriculum requires students to design their own academic path. What academic areas are you curious about or passionate about, and how might you explore them at Amherst? (Please respond in 300 words or fewer.)

300 words max · Required

Amherst College brings together students from many different backgrounds and perspectives. What aspects of your background, identity, or experiences have shaped who you are, and what might you bring to the Amherst community? (Please respond in 300 words or fewer.)

300 words max · Required