Amherst College Admissions: Acceptance Rate, GPA, SAT
Open curriculum LAC with need-blind admissions and a Five College consortium.
See your real chances at Amherst
AdmitPath scores your profile across 7 dimensions and tells you, honestly, where you stand.
What it takes to get into Amherst
Amherst accepts roughly 7.3% of applicants — highly selective by any measure.The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1460 and 1560 on the SAT, and the average unweighted GPA is around 4.00.
Numbers alone don't get you in. Amherst reads holistically — they want to see academic rigor in your high school transcript (AP/IB/Honors course load), genuine intellectual curiosity, leadership in extracurriculars, a clear “spike” or area of demonstrated excellence, strong essays, and recommendation letters that vouch for your character.
Test-optional policies vary year to year. Even where tests are optional, applicants who submit scores in the 75th-percentile range typically have an edge. Check Amherst's admissions page for the current cycle's policy.
What Amherst Weighs in Admissions
Visual breakdown from Common Data Set Section C7
Amherst Acceptance Rate
7.3% acceptance rate with SAT, GPA benchmarks and selectivity analysis.
How to Get Into Amherst
Data-driven admissions strategy based on CDS weights and what actually matters.
How to Write the “Why Amherst?” Essay
Research tips, common mistakes, and what admissions is actually looking for.
See Where You Stand
GPA vs SAT scattergram — compare your stats to admitted and rejected students.
Practice Amherst Interview Questions
AI-scored mock interview with real alumni questions. 5-dimension feedback.
Amherst Admissions FAQ
What is Amherst's acceptance rate?
Amherst admits approximately 7.3% of applicants based on the most recent reported Common Data Set figures. This rate has trended downward over the past decade as application volumes have grown.
What SAT score do you need for Amherst?
Admitted students at Amherst typically score between 1460 (25th percentile) and 1560 (75th percentile) on the SAT. Hitting or exceeding the 75th percentile gives you a meaningful edge.
What GPA do you need for Amherst?
The average admitted student at Amherst has an unweighted GPA of approximately 4.00 on a 4.0 scale — though weighted GPAs and course rigor matter just as much as the raw number.
Is Amherst test-optional?
Amherst's testing policy varies by cycle. Some years they are test-optional, some years test-required. Always confirm on the official admissions page before submitting.
Compare Amherst with similar schools
Stats are approximate, drawn from publicly-reported Common Data Set figures. Confirm current numbers on Amherst's official admissions site.