Founded in 1821, Amherst College is one of the premier liberal arts colleges in the nation, enrolling 1,800 talented, energetic and diverse young men and women. Our open curriculum is one of the boldest, most productive experiments in higher education. Our students—some of the most interesting, intellectually adventurous, independent-minded people you’d want to meet—publish papers in major journals; present at conferences worldwide; and undertake research, internship, study and community engagement projects around the world. Amherst College students are connected to a network of almost 23,000 accomplished alumni--people who live all over the world and are leaders in practically every field imaginable. Located adjacent to Amherst, a town of 35,000 people in the western part of the state, Amherst College has a scenic 1,000-acre campus and includes a 500-acre wildlife sanctuary.