Arts and Humanities in Action -- 2025-26 Application for Amherst First-Year Students
What do Timothée Chalamet, Anthony Fauci, the president of Planned Parenthood, and the CEO of Goldman Sachs all have in common? They all majored in arts and humanities disciplines in college!
Yes, you can major in the arts and humanities and not only get a job, but build a rewarding career with impact.
Amherst College's Arts and Humanities in Action (AHA) program empowers first-year students interested in those areas of study with a clear understanding of how an arts and humanities education translates to valuable workplace skills and prepares students for the challenges of tomorrow.
Arts and humanities majors at Amherst have gone on to leadership roles in entertainment, law, education, publishing, the arts, global policy, museums, human rights advocacy, business, health professions, tech, and so much more.
Join a cohort that connects you to fellow students, dig into real-world case studies of arts and humanities training in action, and build tangible skills through workshops and site visits.
WHAT YOU’LL GET
- Mentor meetups with arts & humanities alumni tailored to the interests of participating students
- Hands-on workshops that help you identify the skills and strengths that will make you a competitive applicant
- A one-day career trek to Boston to visit alumni at work and connect over dinner
- Special sessions with faculty that explore their own pathways into arts & humanities
- Personalized guidance on career planning and professional development from Loeb Center staff
- A jumpstart on planning for summer 2026 internship and research opportunities
DETAILS
- Program dates are January 12-16, 2026—in person and on campus during Interterm
- Full-day program runs from 9am-4pm each day
- Mandatory orientation session for selected participants on December 7, 2025
- AHA is free for participating students
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- First-year student
- Sincere interest in majoring in an arts or humanities discipline.
- Curious about the impact of arts and humanities in the broader world.
- Able to attend all key program dates including the December 7 orientation and each full day of the January program. Unfortunately, no exceptions can be made.
READY FOR YOUR AHA MOMENT?
Apply through Handshake by Monday, October 27 at 11:59pm with your statement of interest.
The statement of interest should include responses to the following (~200 word count per question):
- What has excited you about your learning at Amherst College so far?
- How do you see your choice of major connecting to what you love to learn, and why are you interested in the arts and humanities?
- What is your perception or opinion about the link between major selection and career planning?
- What career fields are you curious about and why?
Applications will be screened by a committee of faculty and staff who will select a cohort of 15 students based on the clarity of interest, impact, and purpose articulated in their statement. The committee will also work to ensure that the group represents the diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and interests of students at Amherst.
Questions? Contact Carla Costa, Director of the Careers in Arts & Communication Program in the Loeb Center for Career Exploration and Planning, ccosta@amherst.edu