Amherst College houses every first-year student in residence halls on the first-year quad in the center of campus, with a single New Student Move-In day and an orientation week that runs into the start of classes.
Enrollment
1,907
Total Students
Freshman Class
477
Approx.
Move-In Dates
Aug 25, 2026
Fall 2026
Acceptance Rate
8%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
You'll get an assigned arrival time slot by email in mid-August, between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. Families are asked to plan to leave campus between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on move-in day.
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time - your exact move-in date is shown above in the Overview.
Move-in day logistics
- Arrival window
- An assigned time slot between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m.
- Parking
- Primary parking is the South Parking Lot, with the Dickinson and East lots also used and a shuttle running between the lots and Frost Library.
- What you'll receive
- Your Amherst College ID card (residence hall access, dining, laundry, athletics, printing and library services) and your room key.
Move-in day tips
- Arrive during your assigned move-in window - arriving early may mean waiting until your time slot.
- Bring a rolling cart or hand truck - campus carts can run out quickly during busy move-in periods.
- Have a parking backup plan - spaces near residence halls can fill up quickly, so know where you can unload if your preferred area is full.
- Watch the loading-zone time limit - many campuses require you to move your vehicle to longer-term parking after unloading.
Housing & Dorms
Residence hall data coming soon.
Housing Links
Each available link goes directly to Amherst College's own specific page, not just its general homepage.
Orientation
New Student Orientation Program
Orientation is recommended for all new students.
August 25 - August 31, 2026
Orientation tips
- Register as early as your class allows - popular session dates fill up first.
- Bring a parent/guardian if separate family programming is offered.
- Check whether placement testing or advising sign-ups happen the same day.
Costs
Room & Board
—
Not available
Nearby Essentials
Nearby data coming soon.
More Links
Checklists
Get the Ultimate College Move-In Checklist
A free, printable packing checklist covering everything from bedding to important documents - built for any freshman, including yours at Amherst College.
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Send this page to a roommate, a parent, or anyone else helping plan the move.