Amherst College Transfer Acceptance Rate
The Amherst College transfer acceptance rate was 7.7% for Fall 2025 — 55 admits from 717 applicants, per Amherst’s Common Data Set 2025-26. Amherst’s Open Curriculum has no distribution requirements, and the Five College Consortium adds courses at Smith, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire and UMass Amherst.
Amherst transfer acceptance rate, at a glance
Amherst transfer figures
Amherst reports transfer admissions in Section D of its Common Data Set. The 2025-26 CDS shows 717 transfer applicants for Fall 2025, 55 admitted (7.7%) and 24 enrolled, down from 8.6% (55 of 638) for Fall 2024. That puts the Amherst College transfer acceptance rate level with its 7.7% first-year rate.
| Cycle | Applicants | Admits | Acceptance Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | 717 | 55 | 7.7% | Amherst CDS |
| Fall 2024 | 638 | 55 | 8.6% | Amherst CDS |
What GPA do you need for Amherst?
Amherst is direct about the bar: “To be competitive, you should have at least an A- average.” You become eligible after completing 32 semester hours of transferable liberal arts coursework, and only courses graded C or better transfer.
Because Amherst’s Open Curriculum has no distribution requirements and no core curriculum, your essays are where you show how you would use that freedom. Two evaluations from college instructors who have taught you should back up your Amherst transfer GPA.
How Amherst’s Open Curriculum shapes a transfer application
“Amherst has no distribution requirements and no core curriculum. Instead, students choose the courses that matter most to them.” For transfers, your past coursework doesn’t have to fill required categories — but your application should show what you would do with that freedom.
What a competitive Amherst transfer applicant looks like
Competitive Amherst transfer admits share a tight profile. Missing any one of these is where most rejections cluster.
Amherst College transfer deadline & application requirements
Application Essays
Two essays of 250–650 words each, submitted through the Common App or Coalition Application. Use them to show how you would use Amherst’s Open Curriculum.
Letters of Recommendation
Two evaluations from college instructors who have taught you, plus a College Report and a Mid-Term Report.
Credits
You become eligible after 32 semester hours of transferable liberal arts coursework. Amherst accepts up to 64 credits graded C or better and requires 64 at Amherst.
Test Scores
Amherst is test optional for transfer applicants.
Interested in transferring to Amherst?
Book a 1-hour Zoom consultation with “The Goat” — a Stanford transfer student turned advisor, who’s spent the last decade helping applicants transfer into elite schools.
Why most Amherst transfer applications get rejected
Most rejections trace back to one of five patterns. Here’s what they are — and how to fix them before you apply.
- Not having strong extracurriculars.A strong GPA isn’t enough — admissions officers want to see sustained commitment and leadership outside the classroom.
- Not having a competitive GPA.AOs need to know you can handle the coursework.
- Not telling a story that catches the AO’s attention.A list of accomplishments isn’t a narrative. The strongest essays connect who you are, why you’re transferring, and why Amherst specifically — in a way that’s memorable, not generic.
- Not having a compelling reason to transfer.“I want a bigger school” or “better opportunities” reads as vague. Admissions officers want a specific, personal reason tied to your goals and to Amherst.
- Not having strong personal recommendation letters.A rushed request to a professor who barely knows you shows. Build real relationships early so your recommenders can speak to specifics, not generalities.
Want us to spot these in your file before you submit? Book a 60-minute review ?
How Amherst compares to peers
If you are weighing the Amherst transfer acceptance rate against peers, apply to these selective schools in parallel. Williams and Brown are even tighter on transfers, while Swarthmore admitted a slightly larger share.
Frequently asked questions
Does Amherst College accept transfer students?
Yes. Amherst admits transfers for fall and spring entry through the Common App or Coalition Application. You become eligible after completing 32 semester hours of transferable liberal arts coursework; 24 new transfers enrolled for Fall 2025.
When do Amherst transfer decisions come out?
Fall applicants receive decisions in mid-April; spring applicants receive decisions in mid-December. Admitted transfers cannot defer.
How many transfer students does Amherst College accept?
For Fall 2025, Amherst admitted 55 of 717 transfer applicants and 24 enrolled, per its Common Data Set 2025-26. For Fall 2024 it admitted 55 of 638, and 31 enrolled.
What is the Amherst College transfer acceptance rate?
The Amherst College transfer acceptance rate was 7.7% for Fall 2025 (55 admits from 717 applicants), down from 8.6% for Fall 2024 — level with Amherst’s 7.7% first-year rate.
When is the Amherst College transfer application due?
The Amherst College transfer deadline is March 1 for fall entry and November 2 for spring entry. The application fee is $75.
Can I apply if I took a gap year or break?
A break isn’t listed as a disqualifier. What Amherst requires is 32 semester hours of transferable liberal arts coursework before you are eligible; students who have taken only dual-enrollment courses in high school cannot apply as transfers.
What if I already have a degree?
No. Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree are not eligible to transfer to Amherst.
Where this data comes from
- Amherst — Common Data Set 2025-26 — Section D transfer admit data (primary source)
- Amherst Admission — Transfer Applicants — eligibility, deadlines, requirements
- Amherst — The Open Curriculum — curriculum structure
Want a real shot at Amherst?
Amherst admitted 55 of 717 transfer applicants for Fall 2025 — a Amherst transfer acceptance rate of 7.7%. Our consultants will look at your transcript, your reasons for transferring, and your fit with Amherst.