A Classic Campus
Amherst College's serene beauty masks a deep divide between low-income students and the affluent majority. More than half of Amherst's 1,650 students (52% to be precise) is from families wealthy enough to come up with the college's $42,000 annual tab, and often thousands more for dining out, cars, and other extras. These students tend to be extremely well prepared for the course work and often fit in effortlessly. In sharp contrast, low-income students are sometimes less well prepared and often experience culture shock as they try to fit into a campus where affluence is the norm. Take a closer look at the very different backgrounds and experiences of current and former Amherst students.