Amherst College

Amherst, a traditionally top-ranked liberal arts school, has many qualities that set it apart among small elite colleges. Unlike most top schools, which dictate a variety of basic classes that lower classmen must take, Amherst has no required courses, except for a first-year seminar emphasizing writing and critical thinking. A consortium with nearby schools University of Massachusetts, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke and Smith allows students to cross-register for courses for no additional fee. The college is recognized for its commitment to teaching and close interaction between professors and students and boasts an 7:1 student-faculty ratio. Amherst is one of a small group of schools that pledge to meet 100% of every student's demonstrated financial need. Partially as a result, the majority of students – approximately 85% – graduate without student loan debt. With fewer than 2,000 students, Amherst's campus offers an intimate experience; 45% of its students also take part in study abroad programs in places like Paris, Athens and Cairo. In addition to its attractive and nearly 200-year-old campus, Amherst maintains a 500-acre wildlife sanctuary with wetlands and woodlands. Sports have always been popular on campus, especially competitions between Amherst and friendly rival Williams College. The annual football game between the two Division III schools is known as the Biggest Little Game in America, a hat tip to the "Big Game" played annually by rivals Stanford and UC Berkeley.