Amherst College

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Our Commitment

Cultivating a purposefully small residential community is essential to the Amherst College vision of liberal arts education. Every student is valued for what they bring to our community, and for their wide range of lived experiences. An increased focus on attracting, enrolling and retaining students from rural backgrounds will contribute to the tapestry of perspectives that help strengthen the Amherst community. Our outreach efforts will also be directly supported by current Amherst students, as the integration of the student perspective into this work is imperative to creating an understanding of our community, and a sense of future belonging, for small-town and rural students.

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Amherst College Events

Virtual Event

STARS Virtual Panel: College to Career (Social Sciences)

July 1st 2025, 7:00 pm CDT

Join STARS representatives from Amherst College, University of California-Berkeley, University of Chicago, and SMU to learn more about how STARS member schools support their students as they pursue a wide variety of careers in the Social Sciences. From archaeology to business to psychology, and everything in between, STARS member schools have programs to set their students up for success in hundreds of careers using their degrees in the Social Sciences. We'll explore the wide variety of resources and opportunities available to you as you think about your future!

Host: Amherst College, Berkeley, The University of Chicago, SMU

On-Campus Event

Brown & Amherst STARS Fly-ins for Seniors

August 1st 2025, 11:59 pm CDT

The application for 2025 STARS College Network fly-in programs is now open! These programs are selective, all-expense-paid opportunities for students to visit a STARS College Network member campus for three days and two nights. During the fly-in programs, students will learn more about how to navigate the college application process, experience life on a residential college campus, and meet other talented and passionate students from across rural America.

These programs are free, and include funding for travel, transportation to and from the college campus, and all meals and activities during the visit. Space is limited and the application process is selective.

Students can apply to multiple fly-in programs through one easy application! The following programs are now available for high school seniors (must be graduating in Spring 2026):

  • Amherst College in Amherst, MA from September 26-29, 2025

  • Brown University in Providence, RI from October 5-7, 2025

A nomination from an educator is recommended as part of the application process.

Applications are due by August 1, 2025 and decisions will be released in late August.

Host: Amherst College, Brown University