supplemental essays for umass amherst

University of Massachusetts Amherst 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action: Nov 5

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15

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University of Massachusetts Amherst 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 3 essays of 100 words each

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why, Community

UMass Amherst’s supplement asks one question with two prompts: why here? It’s the most classic question around, and the 100 word limit really lightens the load. The key to this simple supplement is budgeting your information wisely to ensure that each essay you write is not only distinct, but reveals something totally new to admissions. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: a straightforward supplement is an indication that your answers should be impeccable!

Please tell us why you want to attend UMass Amherst? (100 words)

It doesn’t get simpler than this: why here? Although the word limit is tight, the key to any successful Why essay is good old fashioned research. So set aside a little time to pore over the UMass website and figure out exactly what aspects of the school excite you most. You’ll want to keep your explanation top line, but personalize it with specific details about the clubs, departments, and other opportunities you hope to take advantage of. Consider the physical as well as social and scholarly aspects of the school. Maybe you like that it’s close to home. Or maybe you’re all about moving to a remote location very far away from where you currently live. If you’re a language buff, maybe that linguistics department is calling your name with a side of study abroad. But don’t go too crazy on the academics, you’ll have time to go deep on your scholarly interests in the next essay, and as we said, space is tight. What do your particular choices and interests say about you as a person? What do they say about UMass Amherst? How do you and UMass fit together?

At UMass Amherst, no two students are alike. Our communities and groups often define us and shape our individual worlds. Community can refer to various aspects, including shared geography, religion, race/ethnicity, income, ideology, and more. Please choose one of your communities or groups and describe its significance. Explain how, as a product of this community or group, you would enrich our campus. (100 words)

This is a classic Community Essay, through and through. Where do you come from? What has shaped you as a person and how has that made your perspective unique? What traditions or aspects of your community would you like to share at UMass Amherst? What you address can be a larger cultural community or as specific as your community theater troupe. Address the role that your community plays in your life, then consider why your particular background or experience within this community will enrich UMass Amherst’s campus. How will it help inspire and/or inform others? What is important to you and how will your experiences in communities bring something of value to the community at UMass Amherst?

Please tell us why you chose the Majors you did? (100 words)

We told you to save the academics for later! Now you can get into it about why you love a certain subject. Most importantly, though, you will want to explain why you want to study it at UMass Amherst in particular. Where do your interests link up with the work of a particular professor or program? Maybe you still covet the rock collection you started in 5th grade and have your eye on UMass Amherst’s geology program. And maaaaybe you’ve been looking for a way to share your passion for mineral formations with the world, which is what makes the earth science teaching track absolutely ideal for you. Drill down to the details that sync up with your passions and interests. And if you’re undecided, that’s okay too! Immerse yourself in the course catalog and rejoice in your many options. Can you describe how you would explore different subject areas? What makes UMass Amherst the perfect place to discover your passion?

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Admission & Financial Aid Information about the Writing Supplement

Section navigation, amherst college writing supplement options.

Below you'll find the prompts for the writing supplement in the 2023-24 application cycle (Fall 2024 entry term).

In addition to the main essays you must write as part of the Common Application, Apply Coalition with Scoir, or QuestBridge Application, Amherst requires a supplementary essay of all applicants.

There are three options for satisfying Amherst's supplementary writing requirement for the first-year application: Option A, Option B or Option C. Applicants may elect only one of those options. Before deciding, you should carefully read the descriptions of all three options (including specific conditions associated with Option B and Option C) to determine which is most appropriate for you. Please note that these descriptions are provided for convenience of preview only; your actual writing supplement should be submitted through the Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir online system (unless you are submitting the QuestBridge application only , in which case you will be instructed on how to email, mail or fax your supplement to our office).

Option A

Choose one of the following quotations, and respond to the question posed, in an essay of not more than 350 words. It is not necessary to research, read, or refer to the texts from which these quotations are taken; we are looking for original, personal responses to these short excerpts. Remember that your essay should be personal in nature and not simply an argumentative essay.

"Amherst College is committed to learning through close colloquy and to expanding the realm of knowledge through scholarly research and artistic creation at the highest level. Its graduates link learning with leadership—in service to the College, to their communities, and to the world beyond." – from the Mission of Amherst College

Prompt 1 Question: What do you see as the benefits of linking learning with leadership and/or service? In your response, please share with us a time where you have seen that benefit through your own experience.

"We seek an Amherst made stronger because it includes those whose experiences can enhance our understanding of our nation and our world. We do so in the faith that our humanity is an identity forged from diversity, and that our different perspectives enrich our inquiry, deepen our knowledge, strengthen our community, and prepare students to engage with an ever-changing world." - from the Trustee Statement on Diversity and Community

Prompt 2 Question: In what ways could your unique experiences enhance our understanding of our nation and our world?

"Strong commitment to the freedom of inquiry lies at the heart of Amherst College’s mission to create a home in which the liberal arts may flourish. As a small residential liberal arts college that prides itself on the ability, curiosity, and diversity of its students, Amherst seeks to create a respectful environment in which members of its community feel emboldened to pursue their intellectual and creative passions." – from the Amherst College Statement of Academic and Expressive Freedom

Prompt 3 Question: Tell us about an intellectual or creative passion you have pursued; what did you learn about yourself through that pursuit?

Option B

Submit a graded paper from your junior or senior year that best represents your writing skills and analytical abilities. We are particularly interested in your ability to construct a tightly reasoned, persuasive argument that calls upon literary, sociological or historical evidence. You should not submit a laboratory report, journal entry, creative writing sample or in-class essay. Also, if you have submitted an analytical essay in response to the "essay topic of your choice" prompt in the Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir writing section, you should not select Option B.

Curious about Option B? Learn more ....

If you are/were an applicant to Amherst's Access to Amherst (A2A) program, you may use your A2A application essay in satisfaction of our Writing Supplement requirement. If you would like to do so, please select Option C. However, if you would prefer not to use your A2A essay for this purpose and you want to submit a different writing supplement, select either Option A or Option B. Option A, Prompt 2 is the same prompt as the A2A application essay; if you would like to submit an updated version of your A2A application essay, please choose Option A.

Please note that Option C is available only to applicants to Amherst's A2A program. Non-A2A applicants must choose either Option A or Option B.

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How to Write the Amherst College Essays 2023-2024

Amherst College is a private liberal arts school located in the picturesque college town of Amherst, Massachusetts. A small school with a student body of just under 2,000 undergraduates, Amherst is very selective.

Amherst boasts an open curriculum , meaning that students have only one required writing seminar outside of their major, rather than a full set of general education requirements. Around 40% of juniors study abroad, and Amherst’s financial aid follows along, meaning that students pay the same amount as if they were studying on-campus. Students can also take classes at one of the four nearby colleges—Mount Holyoke, Smith, Hampshire, and UMass Amherst—through the Five College Consortium .

To apply to Amherst, you’ll have to submit two supplemental essays and two optional ones. Let’s break these down.

Read this Amherst essay example to inspire your own writing.

Amherst College Essay Prompts

Prompt 1 (optional): If you would like to share more about yourself that is not captured elsewhere in your application, please tell us more here. (175 words)

Prompt 2 (optional): If you have engaged in significant research in the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, social sciences or humanities that was undertaken independently of your high school curriculum, please provide a brief description of the research project: (50-75 words)

Prompt 3: Please briefly elaborate on an extracurricular activity or work experience of particular significance to you (175 words)

Prompt 4: Choose one of the following options:

Option A: Please respond to one of the following quotations in an essay of not more than 350 words. It is not necessary to research, read, or refer to the texts from which these quotations are taken; we are looking for original, personal responses to these short excerpts. Remember that your essay should be personal in nature and not simply an argumentative essay.

Option a1: “rigorous reasoning is crucial in mathematics, and insight plays an important secondary role these days. in the natural sciences, i would say that the order of these two virtues is reversed. rigor is, of course, very important. but the most important value is insight—insight into the workings of the world. it may be because there is another guarantor of correctness in the sciences, namely, the empirical evidence from observation and experiments.” – kannan jagannathan, professor of physics, amherst college, option a2: “translation is the art of bridging cultures. it’s about interpreting the essence of a text, transporting its rhythms and becoming intimate with its meaning… translation, however, doesn’t only occur across languages: mentally putting any idea into words is an act of translation; so is composing a symphony, doing business in the global market, understanding the roots of terrorism. no citizen, especially today, can exist in isolation—that is, untranslated.” – ilan stavans, professor of latin american and latino culture, amherst college, robert croll ’16 and cedric duquene ’15, from “interpreting terras irradient,” amherst magazine, spring 2015., option a3: “creating an environment that allows students to build lasting friendships, including those that cut across seemingly entrenched societal and political boundaries… requires candor about the inevitable tensions, as well as about the wonderful opportunities, that diversity and inclusiveness create.” – carolyn “biddy” martin, 19th president of amherst college, letter to amherst college alumni and families, december 28, 2015..

Option A4: “Difficulty need not foreshadow despair or defeat. Rather achievement can be all the more satisfying because of obstacles surmounted.” – Attributed to William Hastie, Amherst Class of 1925, the first African-American to serve as a judge for the United States Court of Appeals

Option B: Please submit a graded paper from your junior or senior year that best represents your writing skills and analytical abilities. We are particularly interested in your ability to construct a tightly reasoned, persuasive argument that calls upon literary, sociological or historical evidence. You should NOT submit a laboratory report, journal entry, creative writing sample or in-class essay. If you have submitted an analytical essay in response to the “essay topic of your choice” prompt in the Common Application writing section, you should NOT select Option B. Instead, you should respond to one of the four quotation prompts in Option A.

Option c: if you are an applicant to amherst’s access to amherst (a2a) program, you may use your a2a application essay in satisfaction of our writing supplement requirement. if you would like to do so, please select option c. however, if you would prefer not to use your a2a essay for this purpose and you want to submit a different writing supplement, select either option a or option b. [please note that option c is available only to applicants to amherst’s a2a program]., prompt 1 (optional):, if you would like to share more about yourself that is not captured elsewhere in your application, please tell us more here. (175 words).

This essay is found in the school questions section, and allows you to disclose more information about your identity. Here, Amherst is looking to better understand who you are and this is a great opportunity to showcase aspects of your background that might not be clear from a cursory glance at the other parts of your application.

Typical responses might include sharing more about your culture or ethnicity, your gender identity or sexual orientation, your family history, or socioeconomic background. However, you can choose to center your response around any part of you that you feel has influenced your perspectives, values, and opinions.

You have about 175 words, which isn’t enough to write a full-fledged essay, but is enough space to provide an anecdote or two and then a more in-depth analysis.

For example:

My family celebrates not one, but three new years.

In late November, my father helps me find a gold scarf that perfectly matches my kurta. As everyone else dances gracefully in concentric circles at the garba, I fumble along behind my older cousins and try to match their steps without trampling on their toes.

In January, we ring in the New Year three hours early with Ryan Seacrest, toasting apple cider and watching the snow fall in Times Square – an impossibility in our southern Californian suburb.

A month later, we go to my aunt’s house, where he and my cousins have prepared a feast of banh chung and banh day to ring in the Lunar New Year. I stumble through a conversation with my grandmother as she asks me questions about my schooling in Vietnamese.

Though I can’t quite grasp the raas’ beat, keep my New Years’ resolutions, or handle my uncle’s spicy pho, I love that these celebrations have brought and will continue to bring me closer to my cultures each and every year.

This response shows admissions officers how the student melds their identities rather than telling them. Ideally, your anecdote will be filled with imagery while also communicating information about yourself rather straightforwardly.

Prompt 2 (optional):

If you have engaged in significant research in the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, social sciences or humanities that was undertaken independently of your high school curriculum, please provide a brief description of the research project.(50-75 words).

Note that this prompt is optional. Only respond to it if you have conducted significant research outside of class, meaning that you didn’t receive credit or a grade for it and didn’t do it as part of a course. If you haven’t done so, it’s advisable to skip this optional prompt. What counts as significant external research? Here are some examples:

Summer camps during which you completed a research project, like SSTP, YSP, or RSI
Science fairs taken beyond the school level, perhaps to regional, state, or national competitions
Independent research into a topic that interests you, like learning more about the history of your favorite hobby or how programming languages differ from each other

Once you decide what to write about, one of the toughest parts of responding is likely going to be sticking to the constricting word count of only 75 words. With such a short word limit, it is advisable to provide a few key details:

What was the project? Give a brief description of your research query and what you did to explore it.

Why did you do it? What sparked your interest or led you to pursue this project?

When did you complete it and how long did you spend on it?

Who did you work with, if anyone, and where did you publish or present it, if applicable.

Although providing this many details in so few words may seem overwhelming, it’s easier once you realize you can combine some of them. Here are a couple of examples:

Last summer, as part of my participation in FSU’s Young Scholars Program, I worked with a peer over the course of six weeks to explore the effects of bonding various heavy metal atoms to protein structure through x-ray crystallography at cryogenic conditions. (What, When, and Who)
Driven by my curiosity and love of Margaret Atwood’s work, I spent the last three months of my sophomore year researching the biblical references in The Handmaid’s Tale and how they tie together. (What, Why, and When)

If you’re having trouble cutting your answer down, go line by line and take out any parts that don’t provide key information. If it doesn’t answer one of the five questions above, it probably isn’t necessary.

Please briefly elaborate on an extracurricular activity or work experience of particular significance to you. (175 words)

Amherst also has another prompt embedded in the school questions section about extracurricular activities (this is the classic “ extracurricular prompt “). Although you’ve already listed your activities with short descriptions, this is a chance to elaborate on one that has a particularly deep meaning to you. This is an opportunity to show admissions officers a more in-depth look at one of your commitments.

Try to avoid cliche topics , such as being part of a winning sports team or general member of a club. Try to start your response with an anecdote that vividly explains a significant moment during this experience.

For example, if you’re a hospital volunteer, you can mention a particular patient interaction that opened your eyes to a healthcare career, or a particular doctor or nurse that you shadowed who changed your perspective on the field.

Also, don’t discount non-traditional work experiences or extracurriculars – these can help set your application apart and provide a more well-rounded view of your high school experience. If you had to work after school, babysit your siblings, or frequently cook meals and perform other household tasks for your family, these are valid essay topics. It can also serve as an explanation for why you couldn’t participate in as many traditional extracurriculars like sports teams and clubs.

Furthermore, keep your prospective major in mind when answering this prompt. This is an especially effective strategy if you are applying to a competitive academic program and want to showcase your dedication to the subject.

For instance, if you are applying as a computer science major, you can talk about self-driven projects such as building your own computer or website. Get into the nitty-gritty of what parts or coding segments you struggled with the most, taking readers into your journey and thought processes.

There are a number of ways to approach this prompt, but make sure that its content does not overlap with your other essays. For example, if you’ve already mentioned another extracurricular or aspect of your family life, don’t use this opportunity to further elaborate on that unless you have something truly unique to share.

Prompt 4: Options A, B, C

Amherst’s main supplement has many choices, which might seem overwhelming. But don’t worry, we’ll break it down further for you. For this essay, you’ll choose from three options. Option A asks you to respond to one of four quotations in a personal manner. If you choose Option B, you’ll be asked to submit a graded persuasive essay from your junior or senior years of high school that is backed by evidence. Option C allows you to submit your A2A (formerly DIVOH) application essay, if you applied to their diversity open house weekend.

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Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographic, and other holistic details. We’ll let you know what your chances are at your dream schools — and how to improve your chances!

Note that this is the first of three options for the supplemental essay. If you choose this prompt, you’ll write a response to one of four quotes, which are listed below. This should be a personal reflection on the quote. Think about what it means to you and how it relates to your life and experiences. You may be tempted to research the quotes, but as the prompt says, avoid this urge. You have all of the material you need to write a great response. If you happen to disagree with a prompt, feel free to do so. Don’t feel pressured into conforming to what the quote says as long as you can write a response that supports your view and back it up with personal anecdotes.

If you’re interested in the sciences, this would be a great prompt for you to respond to. Use this prompt as a way to demonstrate not only your passion for science, but your capabilities. Jagannathan says that in the sciences, having insight into how the world works is more important than reasoning. Take this opportunity to show that you have both.

Here’s a few ways to approach this prompt:

Demonstrate your fascination with the world: What about the applications of science excites you? Maybe you love exploring how different fields of science overlap in pharmaceutical development. Perhaps you enjoy studying the effects of various compounds on protein structure. Regardless of what your interest is, convey it very specifically in your response. Including details and examples will help substantiate your interest and provide substance to your response.

Show that you have the necessary skills: Make sure your response is personal and not just abstract by providing examples of how rigor and insight have played a role in your scientific ventures. For example, you could talk about how you extended your science fair project about dominoes falling over to be about the structure of buildings during hurricanes.

This demonstrates insight into how models can be used to effectively explore natural phenomena that cannot be directly altered. This insight is essential as no matter how many times or how hard you try, it is not feasible to conduct an experiment of altering building distances and observing them during hurricanes. Thus, in this case, insight was more important than rigor and enabled you to explore an issue. Even if you have no formal research experience, you can still respond to this prompt in an effective way. For example, you could talk about an experience that you had during a science class, perhaps during lab, in which you demonstrated rigor and insight.

If your interests lie in the humanities, social sciences, or business, consider responding to this prompt. Stavans provides quite a few real-world examples about the importance of translation: translation of languages, ideating, creating a symphony, international business, and terrorism. If you connect with any of these concepts, write about this connection. If not, consider other applications of the quote. Here’s a few examples of what you could write about:

Dance, art, or music: These are often seen as translations of feelings and expressions. If you have experience with any of these, you could write a beautiful essay about it. For example, if you’re passionate about dance, your response could be about how you use it as an escape from negative feelings, channeling them into your dance instead of into your life. You could also talk about feedback you’ve gotten from others about how your dancing makes them feel, or about how watching others makes you feel.

Literature: If you’ve read translated works, you could write a great response about them, but be sure to make it personal. As an example, you could write about how reading various translations of Camus’s The Stranger led you to realize how minute changes in stories or speech can affect perception, making you more careful about what you say now.

A group project: Have you ever had an idea that sounded great in your head and had trouble conveying it? Have you ever struggled to merge the ideas of multiple people? Group projects are great examples of translation of ideas at work, so if you’ve experienced a substantial one, talk about it. Be sure that your response showcases positive attributes, such as leadership abilities, communication skills, or empathy.

Code-switching: As students who speak multiple languages know, sometimes conversations can become a mashup of different languages. Perhaps this led to you introducing a new word to your friends or connecting to two languages and cultures rather than one. If so, write about it. This could lead to a great response about connecting various heritages and identities, which many immigrants and descendants of immigrants can relate to.

Are you interested in politics and social change? This prompt could be great for you. Martin speaks about the importance of communication, saying that being frank about differences is important to create and maintain friendships despite, or perhaps because, of them.

One option for responding to this prompt is to provide an example of a friendship you’ve had with someone who was different from you. If you were to do this, speak about how recognizing these differences facilitated your friendship and celebrating them opened up new possibilities. For example, you could write about how your friend introduced you to your new favorite food from his culture or going to your friend’s cultural celebration made you appreciate music more.

Another option is to talk about a time that you experienced an environment unlike that which Martin describes. Perhaps you were part of a clique that discriminated against a group of students and you realized that this was wrong. You could write about how approaching these other students opened you up to new ideas and experiences and led to more lasting and meaningful friendships than you had before.

An important part of the prompt references “candor about the inevitable tensions,” which you could incorporate by talking about how you and your new friends spoke about the discrimination openly rather than just pretending it never happened, which is what led to the strength of your friendships. Another example is if you had a friend who was facing difficulties due to race, gender, or any other factor, and you spoke up about it, being vocal and open despite the fact that these are often controversial subjects. Perhaps you were discriminated against and a friend spoke up.

Regardless of what example you use, be sure to highlight openness and compassion. Demonstrating an ability to speak about controversial subjects will show maturity and poise.

Option A4:“Difficulty need not foreshadow despair or defeat. Rather achievement can be all the more satisfying because of obstacles surmounted.” – Attributed to William Hastie, Amherst Class of 1925, the first African-American to serve as a judge for the United States Court of Appeals

This prompt is a great opportunity to talk about any hardships that you’ve encountered. What obstacles have you had to overcome in your life? This is a very personal question and your response could be about anything from being bullied to experiencing homelessness. Know that no hardship is too little. If it significantly affected your life, it matters. Especially consider responding to this prompt if the hardships you’ve faced have negatively affected your academic performance, as this could be a way to address that in a positive manner.

Keep in mind the following points while crafting a response:

Don’t be too personal: Although providing details so that the reader fully understands the issue is essential, try not to include more personal details than necessary. Doing so could detract from the main point of the essay or make you seem unprofessional. For example, if you were to write about experiencing difficulties finding a job, it would not be advisable to write about how cruel various managers were for not offering you a job opportunity. As another example, if you were writing about how your parents’ divorce affected you, there’s likely no need to include the details of what went wrong in their relationship.

Don’t be frivolous: Be sure that the topic that you choose matters to you. Although you may be tempted to write about your horrendous teacher who robbed you of your A in Spanish, this story won’t showcase any of your positive attributes. Try to write about an example that shows resilience and strength leading to achievement in the face of hardships.

Be positive: As the quote references achievement after difficulty, make sure you put a positive spin on your essay. Your response should be focused on the achievement rather than the difficulty. For example, if you write a response about failing to convince the school board to switch to compostable lunch trays, don’t spend the whole time talking about their objections due to budgeting. Instead, you should focus on how you responded to this letdown by researching other impactful ways for the cafeteria to become more environmentally friendly, and you implemented a food waste program where students could drop off their unopened lunch items in a box for anyone to take.

If you choose Option B, be sure to carefully read the directions. Do not select Option B if you chose to submit an analytical essay for the Common Application.

An appropriate paper should be:

From your junior or senior year
Supported by evidence
Not too long ( ideally 4-5 pages double-spaced, or 8-10 pages max ).

Here are some examples of appropriate essays to submit:

An analytical essay based on a piece of literature, such as an interpretation of a poem supported by analysis of rhetorical devices
A historical essay based on research, such as an essay about which factor was most important in the development of a war

Make sure that the essay that you choose to submit meets the requirements and fully demonstrates your writing and analytical skills. If you’re unsure, it would be a great idea to ask the teacher who graded it what they think.

We strongly recommend submitting an essay on the shorter side, as a longer one might take up too much of the admissions officer’s time.

If you truly want to demonstrate your interest in Amherst, it’s also preferable to choose option A, where you respond to one of the quotations. Doing “extra work” for your application shows that you are more invested in the school.

Amherst hosts two diversity open houses (A2A) in the fall for up to 100 prospective students, covering their transportation fees, housing, and meals for the weekend. Participants get to stay with a current student in their dorm, attend classes, and experience life on campus. These weekends are open to all high schoolers, but preference is given to underrepresented minorities and those from financially disadvantaged families.

Selection is based on an application, which includes an essay. If you were an A2A applicant, you may reuse your essay to apply to Amherst. As with Option B, however, we recommend that you respond to Option A and write a new essay if you wish to truly show your interest in Amherst.

We at CollegeVine wish you the best of luck on your supplemental essay for Amherst!

For more about Amherst, check out this YouTube video, where a 2018 grad shares her experience as a student at Amherst College.

You should also check out the post How I Got Into Amherst College , for a close look into the profile of an accepted Amherst student.

Where to Get Your Amherst Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your Amherst essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Admission & Financial Aid Information about the Writing Supplement

Section navigation, amherst college writing supplement options.

Below you'll find the prompts for the writing supplement in the 2023-24 application cycle (Fall 2024 entry term).

In addition to the main essays you must write as part of the Common Application, Apply Coalition with Scoir, or QuestBridge Application, Amherst requires a supplementary essay of all applicants.

Option A

Prompt 2 Question: In what ways could your unique experiences enhance our understanding of our nation and our world?

Prompt 3 Question: Tell us about an intellectual or creative passion you have pursued; what did you learn about yourself through that pursuit?

Option B

Curious about Option B? Learn more ....

Please note that Option C is available only to applicants to Amherst's A2A program. Non-A2A applicants must choose either Option A or Option B.

Amherst College Supplemental Essays Guide: 2021-2022

Not sure how to approach the Amherst essays? CollegeAdvisor.com’s guide to the Amherst supplemental essays will show you how to write strong Amherst essays to maximize your chances of admission. If you need help crafting your Amherst supplemental essays, create your free CollegeAdvisor.com account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

Amherst College Essay Guide Quick Facts:

Amherst College is ranked #2 in National Liberal Arts Colleges.
The Amherst college acceptance rate is 12%, which makes it a most selective school according to U.S. News .
We recommend answering the Amherst essays comprehensively and thoughtfully.

What is the acceptance rate for Amherst College?

According to U.S. News , the Amherst College acceptance rate is 12%. Based on the low Amherst College acceptance rate, U.S. News lists Amherst as a most selective school.

The Amherst College acceptance rate also places Amherst at number 27 in the list of the Top 100 schools with the lowest acceptance rates.

So, how exactly are acceptance rates calculated? Like all percentages, the Amherst College acceptance rate is based on a ratio: the total number of applicants to the total number of accepted students.

While this ratio may seem simple, many factors influence the Amherst College acceptance rate. These factors include how many seats are available in the incoming class, tuition rates, location, and more. The Amherst College acceptance rate can also be impacted by any policy changes to the admissions process, such as the university’s decision to go test-optional due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Five College Consortium

Another factor that influences the Amherst College acceptance rate is the fact that Amherst students can also take classes at any of the schools in the Five College Consortium . Under this program, Amherst students can register for courses at Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke, Smith College, and University of Massachusetts at Amherst. This opportunity attracts many students and contributes to the low Amherst College acceptance rate.

Across the country, college acceptance rates continue to decrease as qualified students apply to more schools each year. However, don’t let the low Amherst College acceptance rate stop you from applying. Instead, focus on crafting a strong, unique, and engaging Amherst supplement essay. The Amherst College acceptance rate is just one piece of the admissions puzzle.

Want to learn more about the Amherst College acceptance rate and acceptance rates in general? Read our blog article here.

Does Amherst College have any supplemental essays?

Yes. All applicants have the option to choose one of three Amherst supplemental essays to submit. You’ll also respond to the main essay prompt in the Common App , Coalition App , or the QuestBridge application.

One of the optional Amherst supplemental essays asks you to choose from a list of four Amherst essay prompts; the others ask you to submit a graded paper or write an essay for Amherst’s A2A program. The Amherst essays are your chance to show how you’ll shape your education and expand your knowledge.

For a detailed list of application requirements aside from the Amherst supplemental essays, please visit Amherst’s website.

How many essays does Amherst require?

In addition to the main essay prompt found in the 2021-2022 Common App , Coalition App , or the QuestBridge application , there are three optional Amherst supplemental essays. Applicants must select only one of the Amherst supplemental essays to submit.

We have provided the prompts for the Amherst supplemental essays below, along with a strategy on how to respond to each of the Amherst essay prompts. All applicants must complete one of the Amherst supplemental essays. However, you can choose which Amherst supplement essay to complete.

Need some assistance choosing a Common App essay prompt? Get some helpful advice from our essay guide.

How do I write an Amherst College supplemental essay?

First, read the descriptions of all three Amherst supplemental essays to decide which option is best for you. Think about what you hope to convey in your Amherst supplement essay. We will list out each of the Amherst essay prompts in the next section of this guide.

Amherst College prides itself on admitting dynamic, innovative thinkers with strong writing skills, and the Amherst supplemental essays reflect that ideal. The Amherst essay prompts are designed to identify students who will forge their own path and discover their passions at Amherst. Consider how you can showcase your intellect and values in the Amherst supplemental essays.

Open curriculum

Additionally, Amherst College is known for its open curriculum, where students can plan and design their own program of study. As you prepare to write your Amherst supplement essay, reflect on the five tenets of how learning happens at Amherst: adapt to new situations, pull it apart, get your hands dirty, make a beautiful mess, and create your own answers. Use the Amherst essays as a chance to show the admissions team how you embody Amherst’s style of active learning.

Reflect on each of the Amherst essay prompts before choosing one. Remember, the Amherst supplemental essays are your chance to paint a picture of who you are apart from your transcript and test scores. This makes it even more crucial to think carefully as you choose a prompt for your Amherst supplement essay.

We have outlined each of the Amherst supplemental essays below, along with a breakdown of how to approach the Amherst essays.

How to Write Amherst College Supplemental Essays – Option A (Optional)

In addition to the essay you are writing as part of the Common Application, Amherst requires a supplementary essay from all applicants. There are three options for satisfying Amherst’s supplementary writing requirement: Option A, Option B or Option C. You may select only one of these options. Before deciding, carefully read the descriptions of all three options.

Option A: Please respond to one of the following quotations in an essay of not more than 300 words. It is not necessary to research, read, or refer to the texts from which these quotations are taken; we are looking for original, personal responses to these short excerpts. Remember that your essay should be personal in nature and not simply an argumentative essay. (300 words).

“Rigorous reasoning is crucial in mathematics, and insight plays an important secondary role these days. In the natural sciences, I would say that the order of these two virtues is reversed. Rigor is, of course, very important. But the most important value is insight – insight into the workings of the world. It may be because there is another guarantor of correctness in the sciences, namely, the empirical evidence from observation and experiments.” – Kannan Jagannathan, Professor of Physics, Amherst College

“Translation is the art of bridging cultures. It’s about interpreting the essence of a text, transporting its rhythms and becoming intimate with its meaning…Translation, however, doesn’t only occur across languages: mentally putting any idea into words is an act of translation; so is composing a symphony, doing business in the global market, understanding the roots of terrorism. No citizen, especially today, can exist in isolation – that is, untranslated.” – Ilan Stavans, Professor of Latin American and Latino Culture, Amherst College, Robert Croll ’16 and Cedric Duquene ’15, from “Interpreting Terras Irradient,” Amherst Magazine, Spring 2015.

“Creating an environment that allows students to build lasting friendships, including those that cut across seemingly entrenched societal and political boundaries… requires candor about the inevitable tensions, as well as about the wonderful opportunities, that diversity and inclusiveness create.” – Carolyn “Biddy” Martin, President of Amherst College, Letter to Amherst College Alumni and Families, December 28, 2015.

“Difficulty need not foreshadow despair or defeat. Rather achievement can be all the more satisfying because of obstacles surmounted.” – Attributed to William Hastie, Amherst Class of 1925, the first African-American to serve as a judge for the United States Court of Appeals.

Respond to a quote

Option A of the Amherst supplemental essays asks you to write a response to one of the four quotes listed above. As you read through the Amherst essay prompts, are there any topics that stand out to you? Can you highlight an aspect of your identity, experiences, or values with a specific Amherst essay prompt? Is there a particular activity, leadership role, or life experience that you can link to one of the Amherst essays?

Each of the Amherst essay prompts will let you share something different about yourself that admissions officers may not see elsewhere in your application. Spend some time with the Amherst essay prompts to decide which one is right for you.

Write what you know

For example, if you want to create policies that promote social change across society, you might consider writing a response to the third Amherst essay prompt. In this Amherst essay prompt, President of Amherst College, Carolyn Martin, talks about how creating an inclusive environment can foster connection across groups of people. Martin also states that having candid discussions about our differences might lead to better friendships.

Perhaps you recently became friends with someone who views the world differently than you. Use this Amherst supplement essay to discuss how you could communicate with one another to bridge these differences in opinions, values, or beliefs. Write about this in your Amherst essay and share how you found common ground. For example, maybe you helped your friend realize the value of spirituality when you introduced them to your religion. Or, perhaps you learned to appreciate your friend’s culture after you vacationed with their family.

Try a different approach

You could also interpret this Amherst essay prompt in another way. Perhaps you were involved in a tense, discriminatory experience at your school and a friend or classmate stood up for you. How did that make you feel? Did your friendship become stronger after this event? In your Amherst essay, be sure to include how talking about the situation led to better outcomes for all involved.

Whatever story you decide to share in this Amherst supplement essay, make sure to discuss your own response to the event. Use this Amherst essay to highlight your humility and compassion for others, regardless of their beliefs.

Discuss a challenge

Maybe you are better prepared to discuss a challenge you’ve faced. If so, consider the fourth prompt for the Amherst supplemental essays. Use this Amherst essay to talk about any hardships that you have overcome. How did this issue affect your life? What did you learn about yourself after facing this problem? Did you achieve a greater perspective or better outlook on life because of this event?

For example, you could write about how you experienced food insecurity as a child. Use this Amherst supplement essay to describe what that was like and how your upbringing influenced your decision to create a sustainable food center in your neighborhood.

Or perhaps you lost a parent or caregiver at a young age. Describe how this loss impacted your life. What new obstacles did you and your family encounter because of this event? How did you make it through?

Additionally, consider selecting this prompt for your Amherst essay if the hardship you endured affected your academics, including your GPA or test scores. By selecting this Amherst essay prompt, you have the chance to address the factors that might undermine your academic profile.

Try freewriting

Are you struggling to choose between the Amherst essay prompts? Consider starting with a writing exercise. Choose 2-3 of the Amherst essay prompts that interest you and set a timer for 10 minutes. In those 10 minutes, write as much as you can about that topic. Once the timer goes off, review your work. Couldn’t stop writing about one Amherst essay topic? Select that option as your final Amherst supplement essay prompt.

Finally, do not research or reference the original texts from these Amherst essay prompts in your Amherst supplement essay. Instead, write a personal, thoughtful response to one of the Amherst essay prompts.

Still unsure how to approach the Amherst essays? Read our article for more tips on how to write a great essay.

Amherst Essay Draft Key Questions:

Did you choose a topic for your Amherst supplement essay that connects to your own identity, values, or interests?
Does your response highlight an aspect of your identity that supplements your application as a whole?

How to Write Amherst College Supplemental Essays – Option B (Optional)

Option B: Please submit a graded paper from your junior or senior year that best represents your writing skills and analytical abilities. We are particularly interested in your ability to construct a tightly reasoned, persuasive argument that calls upon literary, sociological or historical evidence. You should NOT submit a laboratory report, journal entry, creative writing sample or in-class essay. If you have submitted an analytical essay in response to the “essay topic of your choice” prompt in the Common Application writing section, you should NOT select Option B. Instead, you should respond to one of the four quotation prompts in Option A.

For Option B of the Amherst supplemental essays, you must submit a graded paper that showcases your analytical writing skills. This Amherst essay prompt is unique and quite different from other prompts. Before you choose one of your graded papers from junior or senior year, there are a few things to keep in mind for this Amherst essay.

Grade and comments

First, the admissions team prefers that students submit a paper that shows both a grade and comments from your teacher on it. There is no need to rewrite your paper or provide a “clean” copy for submission. All submitted papers must be written in English. Additionally, consider choosing a paper that is about 4-5 pages in length. This will provide enough material to showcase your writing skills to the admissions committee. Do not select an overly long paper just because you think it will give you a better chance of being admitted. The paper you choose to submit for this Amherst essay should not exceed 8-10 pages.

Below are a few examples of appropriate papers to submit for this Amherst supplement essay:

A research-based sociological essay, such as an evaluation of the origin of an indigenous community’s values and belief systems.
A literary analysis essay, such as an examination of the rhetorical devices found within the novel To Kill a Mockingbird.
A research-based historical essay, such as an analysis of the factors that contribute to climate change.

Show progress not perfection

If you are nervous about submitting a paper that earned a less than stellar grade or that has several comments on it, don’t be. It is okay to show your reader that you aren’t perfect. Use this Amherst supplement essay to show that you can develop an argument and evaluate specific, appropriate evidence to support your conclusion.

Finally, select Option B of the Amherst supplemental essays ONLY if you did not already submit an analytical essay for the “essay topic of your choice” prompt in the Common App or Coalition App.

Curious about Option B of the Amherst essay prompts? Review the FAQ page about this Amherst supplement essay option here.

Amherst Essay Draft Key Questions:

Does your paper show off another aspect of your critical thinking and analytical writing skills that isn’t emphasized in other parts of your application?
Are you proud of the paper you submitted? Are you excited to show it to the admissions team?
Does your paper showcase your intellectual curiosity and engagement?

How to Write Amherst College Supplemental Essays – Option C (Optional)

Option C: If you are/were an applicant to Amherst’s Access to Amherst (A2A) program, you may use your A2A application essay in satisfaction of our Writing Supplement requirement. If you would like to do so, please select Option C. However, if you would prefer not to use your A2A essay for this purpose and you want to submit a different writing supplement, select either Option A or Option B. [Please note that Option C is available only to applicants to Amherst’s A2A program. Non-A2A applicants must choose either Option A or Option B].

Every fall, Amherst hosts the Access to Amherst (A2A), formerly called Diversity Open House (DIVOH) weekend program for prospective students. This free program is designed to introduce prospective applicants to the Amherst campus, faculty/staff, classes, etc. Priority is given to students from historically excluded groups, such as first-generation, African-American, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American, and Asian-American backgrounds, as well as students who may have limited financial resources. To be considered for the A2A program, students must submit an online application that includes a written response to a short essay.

Keep in mind

If you have already applied to A2A or have previously been admitted to the A2A program, you may resubmit your essay for the Amherst College application. However, if you will not or have not already participated in this program, you will want to respond to either Option A or Option B of the Amherst supplemental essays.

Read more about the application and selection processes to Amherst’s Access to Amherst (A2A) program by visiting their website.

Did you select Option C ONLY if you are/were an applicant to Amherst’s Access to Amherst (A2A) program?
Have you resubmited your A2A essay for this Amherst supplement essay option without any changes?

How important are Amherst College essays?

In short, the Amherst essays are a vital part of your application. For the Class of 2023 , Amherst College received over 9,720 applications. Of those applications, only 1,240 students were admitted to the college and 492 students ultimately enrolled. This makes your Amherst essays a major piece of your profile.

Most applicants have strong GPAs, high test scores, and impressive résumés. The admissions committee looks to the Amherst supplemental essays to help identify students who will exemplify their mission statement to “seek, value, and advance knowledge, engage the world around them, and lead principled lives of consequence.” In other words, your Amherst essay should highlight your intellectual curiosity, civic engagement, and individual values. Additionally, responses to Amherst essays should show how you are a good fit for the Amherst community.

Want to learn more about the Amherst admissions process and how high quality Amherst supplemental essays can make a difference? Check out the video below from Bloomberg for an inside look!

Amherst College Supplemental Essays – Final Thoughts

Writing thoughtful responses to the Amherst supplemental essays can seem overwhelming. However, don’t let the Amherst supplemental essays stop you from applying! Instead, use the Amherst supplemental essays to show who you are beyond your transcript. Reference this guide often as you tackle the Amherst supplement essay. Good luck!

This 2021-2022 essay guide on Amherst was written by Claire Babbs , UT Austin, ’12. Want more help responding to the Amherst University essay prompt? Click here to create your free CollegeAdvisor.com account or schedule a free advising assessment with an Admissions Expert by calling (844) 343-6272.

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Landscape Message: May 10, 2024

UMass Extension's Landscape Message is an educational newsletter intended to inform and guide Massachusetts land care professionals in the management of our collective landscape. Detailed reports from scouts and Extension specialists on growing conditions, pest activity, and cultural practices for the management of woody ornamentals, trees, and turf are regular features. The following issue has been updated to provide timely management information and the latest regional news and environmental data.

Welcome to Landscape Message #5 for the 2024 growing season. The next message will be published in one week, on May 17 . To receive immediate notification when the next Landscape Message update is posted, be sure to join our e-mail list

Click on the headings below to jump to that section of the message.

In This Issue

Scouting information by region, environmental data, regional notes, woody ornamentals, insects and other arthropods, landscape weeds, additional resources.

The following data was collected on or about May 8, 2024. Total accumulated growing degree days (GDD) represent the heating units above a 50ºF baseline temperature collected via regional NEWA stations ( http://newa.cornell.edu ) for the 2024 calendar year. This information is intended for use as a guide for monitoring the developmental stages of pests in your location and planning management strategies accordingly.

US Drought Monitor: No change from last week... at this time, no area of Massachusetts is under official drought status. State map as of Thursday 5/9: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MA

Cape Cod Region (Barnstable)

General Conditions: The average temperature for the period from May 1–May 8 was 51ºF with a high of 70ºF on May 6 and a low of 38ºF on May 4. We experienced a mixed bag of weather with some very cool days and some warm days. The period was mostly cloudy and precipitation fell on several days, totaling just over a half inch. Soil moisture is adequate. Soil temperatures have just started to average near 55ºF this week.

Herbaceous plants seen in bloom include tulips ( Tulipa spp.), barrenwort ( Epimedium spp.), Siberian bugloss ( Brunnera macrophylla ), basket of gold ( Aurinia saxatilis ), moss phlox ( Phlox subulata ) and bleeding heart ( Lamprocapnos spp.). Woody plants seen in bloom include Japanese cherry ( Prunus serrulata ‘Kanzan’), forsythia ( Forsythia spp.), saucer magnolia ( Magnolia x soulangeana ), and flowering quince ( Chaenomeles speciosa ). Some black oaks are starting to flower.

Pests/Problems: Box tree moth was discovered in several towns of the upper Cape last season. This insect is capable of defoliating boxwood if left unmanaged. Box tree moth is active and should be scouted for. Find more info in the UMass Extension Box Tree Moth fact sheet .

Winter moth caterpillars have been hard to come by in my scouting in the upper Cape region. Black turpentine beetle damage to pitch pine has been observed; trees attacked last season that remain green all winter often brown quickly at this time of year. Dieback on umbrella pine has been observed on numerous plants, Maskell scale is very present on symptomatic plants. Cryptomeria scale was observed on fir and leafminer damage was found on boxwood.

Disease symptoms observed during the period include fungal leaf spot on mountain laurel and white pine needle decline on white pine.

Last week's freeze did result in damage to many plants including hydrangea; in most cases the damage is minor.

Invasive plants in bloom include garlic mustard ( Alliaria petiolata ) and leafy spurge ( Euphorbia esula ). Other weeds seen in bloom include dandelions ( Taraxacum officinale ), yellow rocket ( Barbarea vulgaris ), narrow-leaved plantain (Plantago lanceolata ), and speedwells ( Veronica spp.)

Slugs and snails are actively feeding Oriental lily, hosta, and bearded iris.

Southeast Region (Dighton)

General Conditions: Temperatures over the past week have been seasonal, but conditions remain dry. The highest temperature recorded was 67ºF on Monday afternoon, May 6th, while the lowest was the 44ºF on the morning of Saturday, May 4th. The average temperature for the week was 55ºF, while humidity averaged 87%. The highest windspeed reached 12 mph from the south on Sunday afternoon, May 5th. There were rain showers that Sunday evening, the 5 th , and again on Wednesday, May 8th. Total precipitation for the week was 1.15 inches. The soil temprature was 60ºF in full sun and 55ºF in the shade at 3:00 PM on May 8th.

Among the many plants in flower are: Cercis canadensis (redbud), Chaenomeles speciosa (common flowering quince), Cornus florida (flowering dogwood), Elaeagnus umbellata (Autumn-olive), Lonicera tatarica (Tatarian honeysuckle), Malus spp. (crabapple), Prunus serrulata (Japanese flowering cherry), Pyrus calleryana (Callery pear), Rhododendron mucronulatum ( Korean rhododendron), Rhododendron 'P. J. M.', Rhododendron spp. (early azaleas), Spiraea x vanhouttei (Vanhoutte spirea), Syringa vulgaris (common lilac), and Viburnum spp. (early fragrant viburnums)

Pests/Problems: Eastern tent caterpillar nests are appropriately ten inches in diameter and common in black cherry. European pine sawfly larvae are at second instar and feeding on last year's needles of mugo pine. Snowball aphids are abundant on fragrant viburnum and producing characteristic leaf cupping.

While the US Drought Monitor is not yet reporting drought conditions for Bristol County, those of us who are digging are finding topsoils are dry.

Peak tick activity will continue through to August. Potentially deadly Powassan virus is now present in ticks in Massachusetts. Black legged ticks are the most likely vector.

North Shore (Beverly)

General Conditions: Temperatures during this week's reporting period were variable. Day temperatures ranged from 49ºF to 72ºF, and night temperatures ranged from 41ºF to 50ºF. The average daily temperature for this period was 51ºF with the maximum temperature of 72ºF recorded on May 6 and minimum temperature of 41ºF recorded on May 4. Approximately 0.81 inch of rainfall was recorded at Long Hill. Due to the continued rains, the soil is moist, lawns are green, and turf is thriving. Homeowners and landscapers have started mowing lawns. Many groups in the area are organizing spring plant sales for the week. Multiple plant species continue to be in full bloom and others are beginning to bloom. Woody plants in full bloom include mountain pieris ( Pieris floribunda ), flowering dogwood ( Cornus florida ), redbud ( Cercis canadensi s), large Fothergilla ( Fothergilla majo r), royal azalea ( Rhododendron schlippenbachii ), common lilac ( Syringa vulgaris ), Kwanzan cherry ( Prunus serrulata ), cucumber tree magnolia ( Magnolia acuminata ), crabapple ( Malus spp.), hardy orange ( Poncirus trifoliata ) , and highbush blueberry ( Vaccinium corymbosum ). Non-woody plants seen in bloom include daffodil ( Narcissus spp.), forget-me-not ( Myosotis sylvatica ), tulips ( Tulipa sp.), bleeding heart ( Dicentra spectabilis ), Pachysandra ( Pachysandra procumbens ) , and Vinca vine ( Vinca major ).

East (Boston)

General Conditions: Daytime temperatures averaged 63ºF over the past week. We reached a season high of 78ºF on the sixth, and overnight lows averaged 47ºF. We received 0.41 inches of precipitation. The landscape is noticeably greener; grasses are gaining height, and trees and shrubs are leafing out. Some plants in bloom include; Ajuga reptans (bugleweed), Erythronium ‘Pagoda’ (pagoda trout lily), Kerria japonica (Japanese Kerria), Leucojum elwesii (greater snowdrop), Paeonia japonica (woodland peony), and Viburnum carlesii (Korean spice bush).

Pests/Problems: Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) is in full bloom. Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese knotweed) reddish shoots are gaining height. Cynanchum louiseae (black swallow-wort) has begun to emerge. After the recent rains, the orange teliohorns of the cedar apple rust ( Gymnosporangium ) fungus are visible on infected junipers. Generally, this is a cosmetic issue with junipers.

Metro West (Acton)

General Conditions: Spring is exploding with the recent warmer temperatures and rain. Lawns continue to green up, mowing and mulching crews are out in full force, and buds and leaves continue to expand. The monthly average precipitation for May is 4.04”. Currently, I have recorded 0.46” of rain that was recorded on 4 days this past week. In other weather-related data, a high temperature of 73ºF was recorded on both Thursday, May 2 and on Monday, May 6 and a low temperature of 39ºF was recorded on the Saturday May 4.

Pests/Problems: Many herbaceous weeds are in flower including one of the most invasive, Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard), which is in full bloom and can easily be spotted because of its white flowers; it can be seen growing anywhere and everywhere including on roadsides and in woodlands, wetlands, and gardens. Black flies are active and out in force. Be aware of Toxicodendron radicans (poison ivy). It is beginning to leaf out, so it is easy to detect its shiny red leaves of three. Other weeds seen in bloom now are Glechoma hederacea (ground ivy), Lamium purpureum (purple dead nettle), and Taraxacum officinale (dandelion). Weeds emerging but not in bloom include: Arctium minus (lesser burdock), Impatiens capensis (touch-me-not), and Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese knotweed).

Central Region (Boylston)

General Conditions: Flowers aplenty… and rain too! Averaging about 0.93 inches from last week into this week, with a max rainfall of 0.51" on 5/5. Temperatures warmed up, especially at the beginning of this week, maxing out at 88.3ºF yesterday, the 7 th . It seems that every week things get greener and greener; grasses and tree/shrub foliage are unfurling. The sweet aroma of the common lilac ( Syringa vulgaris ) is starting to fill the air, and pops of pink clouds from redbuds ( Cercis canadensis ) can be spotted. Carpets of both barren strawberry ( Waldsteinia fragarioides) and Virginia strawberry ( Fragaria virginiana ) can be seen flowering as well.

Pests/Problems: Dandelion ( Taraxacum officinale ) and garlic mustard ( Alliaria petiolata ) flowers can be seen across multiple habitats/landscapes. Though not in flower, a lot of Japanese Knotweed ( Polygonum cuspidatum ) is seen on roadsides and even in curated garden areas. Though not a pest per say, a “native nuisance” can also be seen at this time: Eastern tent caterpillar ( Malacosoma americanum), developing their silken nests in trees. Black flies also have shown no sign of slowing down as well, along with ticks.

Pioneer Valley (Amherst)

General Conditions: We have entered peak spring in the Pioneer Valley and there is so much to take in across the landscape right now. It feels like every flowering tree and shrub is having a banner year with canopies full of dense blooms. The abundance of rain last fall, the mild winter, and the regular rains this spring have provided ideal conditions for flowering. There is also much work to do, so finding a balance between checking off the tasks and absorbing all the sights can be challenging. Surface soils were drying out prior to the rain on 5/5 and will continue to quickly dry out during any multiday period of bright sun with the spring winds. Additional rain at the time of writing (5/8) and continued rain in the forecast should keep soil moisture levels in good shape.

Pests/Problems: American and European beech are leafing out and beech leaf disease (BLD) symptoms are readily visible on infected trees. The wave of this disease is moving west from eastern Mass and north from CT through the Pioneer Valley. We expect to see increased disease incidence and severity throughout the tri-counties with the worst cases in Hampden County. Areas of western Hampshire and Franklin Counties may continue to see limited BLD incidence this year. With hemlocks pushing new growth, now is the time to make dinotefuran applications to control both the hemlock woolly adelgid and elongate hemlock scale. One application, to the soil for root uptake or as a lower trunk drench for absorption into the vascular tissue, can provide multiple years of effective control against these destructive insect pests. Spruce needle rust symptoms are now visible on blue spruce and appear as swollen, orange-yellow lesions on last year’s needles. These will rupture to release orange spore masses that will infect the current season’s needles. Symptoms typically do not develop until 10-11 months after infection. The persistent cloud cover, rain and high humidity on 5/5 & 5/6 set off another round of sporulation for Gymnosporangium rust pathogens. The orange-colored, gelatinous spore masses are very abundant throughout the canopies of junipers and redcedars. The mild winter has meant low overwintering mortality for many rodents and voles are quite active right now. Meadow voles and northern short-tailed shrews both create the same rounded exit hole from their underground tunnels. Voles feed on bulbs, roots and sometimes bark at the base of woody plants. They can be major garden pests. Shrews, meanwhile, feed on a variety of insects, worms, seeds, etc. and only rarely cause any type of injury to plants. Determining which one is present is critical before any controls are attempted, as shrews may discourage voles from establishing. Weeds are out in full force this year and without regular attention, garden beds will soon be overrun. A litany of invasive plants are advancing right now, including Japanese knotweed, Oriental bittersweet, bush honeysuckle, garlic mustard, Japanese barberry, and multiflora rose, among many others.

Berkshire Region (West Stockbridge)

General Conditions: Spring is flourishing and taking on a definite green tone as leaves of most trees and shrubs are emerging and grass is growing fast. Soils are currently moist, thus supporting growth of plants in natural and managed landscapes. Spring flowering bulbs and a few herbaceous perennials are blooming, adding bursts of diverse color to the landscape. Temperatures have been pretty much above normal for this time of year. High temperatures over the past scouting week at the 3 NEWA sites were: 75ºF in North Adams on May 7, and 73ºF in Pittsfield and Richmond on May 7. Interestingly, the low temperature over the period also occurred on May 7 in both North Adams (42ºF) and Richmond (41ºF). The low in Pittsfield was 43ºF on the morning of May 7. Mean temperatures for the week were: 59.4ºF at North Adams, 57.6ºF in Pittsfield, and 56.8ºF in Richmond. Total rain from May 1 through May 6 was 1.14 inches in North Adams, 1.06 inches in Pittsfield, and 1.20 in Richmond. As per Pittsfield data, total rainfall for the year is 16.84 inches as opposed to the normal average of 12.51. Surely, consistent soil moisture levels have promoted growth of turfgrass and landscape plants.

Pests/Problems: The consistent soil moisture has prompted growth not only of desirable plants but also weeds. Pests continue to be few at this time. Those observed during scouting included Eastern tent caterpillar, lily leaf beetle adults and eggs, boxwood leaf miner pupae, cutworms, and Japanese beetle grubs in soil. Despite the abundance of rain, plant disease levels remain low. What could be peony wilt was seen on peonies with drooping stems and browning leaves. Another disease was apparent on masses of tulips in a large bed at one site. Symptoms included large tan colored patches on the leaves and brown petals on the blossoms.

Regional Scouting Credits

CAPE COD REGION - Russell Norton, Horticulture and Agriculture Educator with Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, reporting from Barnstable.
SOUTHEAST REGION - Brian McMahon, Arborist, reporting from the Dighton area.
NORTH SHORE REGION - Geoffrey Njue, Green Industry Specialist, UMass Extension, reporting from the Long Hill Reservation , Beverly.
EAST REGION - Kit Ganshaw & Sue Pfeiffer, Horticulturists reporting from the Boston area.
METRO WEST REGION – Julie Coop, Forester, Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation, reporting from Acton.
CENTRAL REGION - Mark Richardson, Director of Horticulture, and Anna Petrie, reporting from New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill , Boylston.
PIONEER VALLEY REGION - Nick Brazee, Plant Pathologist, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, reporting from Amherst.
BERKSHIRE REGION - Ron Kujawski, Horticultural Consultant, reporting from Great Barrington.

Recent pests, pathogens, or problems of interest seen in the UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab , a select few :

Beech leaf disease (BLD), caused by the foliar nematode Litylenchus crenatae ssp. mccannii , on a mature European beech ( Fagus sylvatica ). The tree is approximately 40 to 50 years ago and resides on the UMass campus in full sun with compacted soils and surrounded by turf. Despite being in a high-profile location, the tree is generally left undisturbed. BLD symptoms were not observed in 2023, although a systematic survey of the entire canopy was not performed. The tree was treated with phosphites, as a soil drench around the root flare, in fall of 2023 to help protect against BLD. However, as the tree has flushed new growth this spring, it quickly became clear it has a significant infestation with approximately 1/3 to 1/2 of the canopy showing symptoms. The tree will be treated again this spring with phosphites and possibly a fluopyram canopy spray at some point this growing season.

Sunscald, transplant shock, rough handling injury and Phomopsis stem cankering on a Skylands Oriental spruce ( Picea orientalis ‘Skylands’). The tree is approximately 10 years old and was transplanted one year ago. It resides in full sun with drip irrigation in a well-drained soil mix. The submitted branch segments exhibited needles with mottled brown patches, shoot tip dieback, and elongated cankers that were mostly healed by a robust wound response. ‘Skylands’ is a yellow-needled cultivar that can burn in full sun when trees are young. The cankers appeared to be caused by nylon or rope used to tie up the branches during the transplanting and shipping phase. Movement causes the ropes to scrape against the stems, rubbing away the bark. Rough handling injuries are unfortunately common on larger stock, but many trees can outgrow the damage with good aftercare. The ubiquitous Phomopsis was responsible for the shoot tip dieback, which is common on an array of ornamental spruce suffering from stress.

Rhizosphaera needle cast on white fir ( Abies concolor ). The tree is roughly 10 years old and has been present at the site for six years. It grows in a shaded setting with well-drained, sandy soils and no supplemental water. Yellowing and browning needles were observed this spring and the symptoms had not been present in previous years. The submitted branch segments had scattered needle browning and after incubation, Rhizosphaera was abundant. The shaded location and record-setting rainfall last year likely facilitated the disease outbreak. White fir can be very susceptible to needle blight diseases when its drought stressed or receiving insufficient light.

Report by Nick Brazee, Plant Pathologist, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab, UMass Amherst

The Professional Insect and Mite Management Guide for Woody Plants is freely available at https://ag.umass.edu/insectmiteguide . Please let me know how it is or isn’t working for you by responding to the following Feedback Form: Professional Insect & Mite Management Guide for Woody Plants . Your feedback is valuable and I cannot wait to hear from you!

Note: Our website is undergoing updates, and as such, the collapsible menus on the home page of the Guide are currently not functioning. Thank you for your patience as we await these updates.

Invasive Updates:

Asian Longhorned Beetle is still present in Worcester, Shrewsbury, Boylston, West Boylston, and parts of Holden and Auburn, MA. If you suspect you’ve found this insect or the damage it causes, please report it to the Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication Program office in Worcester, MA at 508-852-8090 or toll free at 1-866-702-9938 .

To report an Asian longhorned beetle find online or to compare it to common insect look-alikes, visit: http://massnrc.org/pests/albreport.aspx

A box tree moth caterpillar on boxwood. Photo: Russ Norton, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension.

Emerald Ash Borer is well established across most of Massachusetts. A map of these locations from the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation is available.

Hammerhead worms (planarians) reported from Martha’s Vineyard, MA on 4/16/2024. Do not handle without gloves. Wash hands after. Photo courtesy of: Isa Brillard.

Jumping Worms are non-native earthworms that impact natural ecosystems. Available resources include a fact sheet about earthworms in Massachusetts and jumping worm FAQ’s .
Spotted Lanternfly now has established populations in the following locations in Massachusetts: Holyoke, Springfield, West Springfield, Agawam, Fitchburg, Worcester, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Ashland, Wellesley, Weston, and Chelmsford. If you believe you have found this insect, please take a photo, note your location, and report it immediately using the Spotted Lanternfly Report Form . Available resources include a map of spotted lanternfly locations in Massachusetts from the MA Department of Agricultural Resources, MDAR’s spotted lanternfly fact sheet , UMass Extension’s Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide , and an SLF InsectXaminer episode .

Medically Important Pests:

Ticks are a serious public health concern and may be active in managed landscapes any time temperatures are above freezing. Encounters with deer ticks can increase in New England in April, October, and November; however, precautions should be taken year-round to prevent tick bite exposure. Available resources include tick information from Cape Cod Cooperative Extension , personal protective measures , and a list of potential tick testing resources . The New England Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases ( NEWVEC ) also provides the latest tick information and resources.
Mosquitoes and the diseases they vector are also a serious public health concern in Massachusetts by summer. Available resources include Mosquito Repellents from the Department of Public Health and Prevent Mosquito Bites from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health tests for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV) from June to October. Beginning in June, Massachusetts risk maps will be available.

Tree & Shrub Insect & Mite Pest Suggested Scouting:

Andromeda Lace Bug is most commonly encountered on Japanese andromeda, however other host plants may be impacted. Most activity from this insect occurs between late May through September, with several generations occurring per year. Both nymphs and adults feed on host plant leaf undersides and cause white/yellow-colored spots or chlorosis to occur on host plant leaf surfaces.
Azalea Lace Bug is a pest of both deciduous and evergreen azaleas ( Rhododendron spp.), however resistance has been reported in Rhododendron atlanticum , R. arborescens , R. canescens , R. periclymenoides , and R. prunifolium . The insects feed on host plant leaf undersides, and cause chlorosis on leaf surfaces. Azalea lace bugs are active from 120+ GDD’s throughout the summer.
Bagworm is overwintering on Juniperus spp., Thuja spp. , Quercus spp. , Platanus spp., and others as 500-1000 eggs can be found in the bags of last season’s deceased females. Now is the time to remove and destroy overwintering bags of eggs prior to egg hatch at approximately 600 GDD’s (approx. mid-June).
Balsam Twig Aphid overwinters as eggs on host plant bark, trunks, and branches (primarily Abies and Picea spp.). Eggs hatch roughly between 30-120 GDD’s, approximately April-May. Nymphs quickly mature into stem mothers, which produce 20-40 young (each) without laying eggs. These young feed on buds and tender needles, and cause most of their feeding damage during that time. Scout now for curled or stunted needles from feeding in prior years.

Balsam-fir root aphids found feeding on Fraser fir roots in Athol, MA on 4/30/2024. Photo courtesy of: Ethan Stone.

Black Turpentine Beetle overwinters as an adult in the bark of its host plants. Adults may become active as temperatures rise, typically by mid-April to mid-May. Attacked host trees may ooze 1.6 inch diameter red or white masses of pitch from the lower 6 feet of the trunk. Pitch pine, eastern white pine, and other species of pine or spruce may be hosts for this insect. Frequently an issue on stressed trees in eastern Massachusetts. Favored by drought or flooding conditions.
Boxwood Leafminer is overwintering as a partially developed larva within Buxus spp. leaves. Larvae will become active as temperatures warm, with pupae present by late April. Adult emergence occurs by mid-May, with pupal cases left behind clinging to leaves. Shake bushes in late April to detect flying adults. Resistant varieties of boxwood are available; see preceding link.
Boxwood Mite feeds on upper and lower leaf surfaces of Buxus spp. hosts. Overwintered eggs hatch into larvae in the spring, which mature into nymphs and eventually adults. The entire life cycle takes approximately 18-21 days. Most feeding injury occurs in the spring and hosts may appear off-color.
Boxwood Psyllid nymphs have overwintered within eggshells inserted between bud scales last summer. As soon as buds expand, nymphs will emerge and begin feeding on Buxus spp. developing buds and leaves. Upward cupping and yellowing of leaves can be a sign of previous or current season’s damage. Dormant season horticultural oil applications may be made in the spring, as temperatures and weather conditions allow.
Cankerworms can be found feeding on similar host plants in the spring, despite fall and spring cankerworm being different species of insects. Spring cankerworm adult moths are active in February and March, laying masses of 100 or so eggs in the rough bark of larger branches or the trunk of the host plant. Fall cankerworm adults laid their masses of eggs on host plant branches and twigs, back in late November and early December of last year (sometimes the current year’s January). Egg hatch of both species will occur by approximately mid-May, with caterpillar feeding through roughly the end of June.
Cooley Spruce Gall Adelgid typically overwinters as an immature female near spruce twig terminals. By early spring, this female matures into a stem mother which will lay hundreds of eggs on lateral terminals. Following egg hatch, nymphal feeding induces gall formation on spruce hosts. Green galls on spruce may be removed and destroyed. On Douglas fir, the Cooley spruce gall adelgid’s alternate host, look for woolly masses in the spring and distorted or crooked needles. Do not plant spruce and Douglas fir close together when possible.
Dogwood Borer is a species of clearwing moth whose larvae bore not only into dogwood ( Cornus ), but hosts also include flowering cherry, chestnut, apple, mountain ash, hickory, pecan, willow, birch, bayberry, oak, hazel, myrtle, and others. Kousa dogwood appears to be resistant to this species. Signs include the sloughing of loose bark, brown frass, particularly near bark cracks and wounds, dead branches, and adventitious growth. The timing of adult emergence can be expected when dogwood flower petals are dropping and weigela begins to bloom. Adult moth flights continue from then until September.
Dogwood Sawfly overwinters as a larva in an overwintering “cell” created in soft, decaying wood material. Pupation occurs in the spring, and adults may emerge by late May through July. Eggs are laid in the underside of the host plant leaf, in groups of 100 or more.
Eastern Spruce Gall Adelgid overwinters as a partially grown female, maturing into a stem mother by early spring. Stem mothers lay 100-200 eggs by budbreak. Eggs hatch and nymphs feed on the needles of their Picea spp. hosts. As green galls develop, prune out and destroy when possible.
Eastern Tent Caterpillar overwintering eggs hatch in the spring and caterpillars emerge as cherry leaves begin to open. Look for groups of caterpillars feeding in silken tents at that time. Egg masses, caterpillars, and small tents are active now.
Elm Leaf Beetle overwinters as an adult in protected areas, such as the loose bark of trees. Sometimes, they enter homes in search of a safe winter haven, and become a nuisance. As host plant leaves emerge, beetles fly back to chew small, semi-circular holes in the leaves. Eggs are laid in clusters on leaves and resemble pointy footballs. Each female can lay 600-800 eggs.

Diseased elongate hemlock scales showing infection with Colletotrichum fioriniae, a fungus that sometimes kills up to 90% of the scale population on a tree. Photo: Richard Grant, Lynnfield, MA (2/23/2024).

Euonymus Caterpillar tiny, overwintered larvae have spent their time beneath eggshells from last year. As temperatures increase in the spring, groups of caterpillars will begin feeding on newly emerging Euonymus spp. leaves. Additional resources include an InsectXaminer episode about euonymus caterpillar.
Euonymus Scale overwinters as a fertilized female. Eggs are laid beneath dark brown female scale covers in the early spring. Egg hatch occurs over a 2-3 week period, with crawlers present by early June. While Euonymus spp. host plants are preferred, additional host plants have been reported.
European Elm Scale is a non-native scale that is widespread in North America on native and European elms, in addition to hackberry and Zelkova. Adult females are black with a ring of white fibers around their bodies and may be found in branch forks or rough/creviced areas of the bark. By the end of June, females will produce eggs that hatch into crawlers. Crawlers will disperse to the underside of elm leaves and leaf midveins to feed.
European Pine Sawfly eggs have overwintered in slits in last year’s needles. Egg hatch begins in approximately late-April and early May.
Fletcher Scale is a soft scale pest of yew, juniper, and arborvitae. Feeding scales, especially on yew, result in honeydew and sooty mold, needle yellowing, and at times, premature needle drop. There is one generation per year. Overwintered second instar nymphs can be targeted between 38-148 GDD’s, base 50°F. Nymphs develop and adult females lay eggs (on average 500-600) in May that hatch by June. Dead females conceal egg masses beneath. Crawlers migrate short distances to branches and may be concentrated on certain branches of a particular plant.
Forest Tent Caterpillar egg masses overwinter and will hatch as leaves expand in the spring. Small caterpillars will search for expanding flower and leaf buds to begin feeding on.
Hemlock Looper collectively refers to two species of geometrid (inchworm; looper) caterpillars. Overwintered eggs hatch by late May or early June, at which time young larvae begin their messy feeding on host plant needles. Hemlock and balsam fir are preferred hosts.
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid has been favored this winter by the mild temperatures we’ve experienced in Massachusetts, according to the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation. Very little overwintering mortality has been measured at sites sampled across the state. Overwintered sistens generation females produce viable eggs in February and March.
Holly Leafminer is the common name of up to seven species of leaf mining flies that feed on holly ( Ilex spp). Phytomyza ilicicola is usually referred to as the native holly leafminer . This species is known to feed on Ilex opaca , I. crenata , and related cultivars; however, it only lays its eggs in American holly ( Ilex opaca ). Some research suggests that the native holly leafminer may lay its eggs in other Ilex species, but that the larvae are unable to complete their development. Adult flies are known to emerge over a period of 6 or so weeks in the spring by mid-May (192-298 GDD’s, base 50°F). Phytomyza ilicis is usually only referred to as the holly leafminer , and it is a non-native species introduced from Europe and only feeds on Ilex aquifolium . (The native holly leafminer does not develop on I. aquifolium .) The biology and damage this insect causes is similar to that of the native holly leafminer, with the exception of the fact that eggs are laid in the midvein of the leaf and young larvae tunnel in the vein until the fall. Adults may be present mid-late May (246-448 GDD’s, base 50°F).
Honeylocust Plant Bug feeding results in tiny yellowish-brownish spots on leaves, leaf distortion, and in some cases, defoliation. (There are at least 7 species of plant bugs that feed on honeylocust, Gleditsia triacanthos .) There is one generation per year. Immatures and adults feed on foliage and light to moderately damaged foliage may persist throughout the growing season. Honeylocust plant bugs overwinter as eggs laid just beneath the bark surface of 2 and 3 year old twigs. Eggs hatch just after vegetative bugs of the host begin to open. Young nymphs crawl to the opening leaflets and begin feeding and the most significant damage occurs at that time, when the insect is hidden from view. Nymphs develop into adults around May-July. This insect can be targeted between 58-246 GDD’s, base 50°F.
Imported Willow Leaf Beetle adults overwinter in loose bark or other sheltered areas near susceptible Salix and Populus spp. host plants. Once the host plant leaves emerge in the spring, adults will begin to feed and lay tiny, yellow eggs in clusters on leaf undersides. Additional resources include an InsectXaminer episode about imported willow leaf beetle.
Japanese Cedar Longhorned Beetle cause damage to arborvitae, cypress, juniper, and cedar ( Chamaecyparis ). Feeding damage from the larvae of this species causes branch dieback, which is typically not noticed until the springtime following the initial infestation. 1/8-inch oval exit holes, galleries beneath the bark (in the cambium and xylem), and frass may be signs of the activity of this insect. Take precautions to avoid host plant stress. May go unnoticed until a plant needs to be removed.
Lecanium Scales , including most notably in Massachusetts, the oak lecanium , are soft scales that overwinter on host plant twigs as second instar immatures. In the spring, these immatures begin feeding and mature into hemispherical shaped adult females who lay their eggs by late May and into June. Between April and May, much honeydew (sugary excrement) may be produced by the active adult females.
Lilac Borer is a clearwing moth pest of lilac, privet, fringetree, and ash. (It is also known as the ash borer, not to be confused with the emerald ash borer.) Adults mimic paper wasps. Larvae are wood-boring, and signs and symptoms include branch dieback, holes, and occasionally, sawdust-like frass accumulated on bark. Larvae bore into stems, trunks, and branches, chewing an irregularly shaped entrance hole. Peak adult moth flights may occur in the northern portion of this insect’s range in June and is usually over by August 1st. Pheromone traps can be used to time adult emergence. Adult females lay flattened, oval, and tan eggs that are deposited singly or in clusters on bark crevices, ridges, and sometimes smooth bark; but usually laid in or near wounds in the bark. On average, 395 eggs are laid by each female. After hatch, larvae chew into the bark and feed laterally and then vertically in phloem tissue. Larvae overwinter in tunnels in the final instar and resume feeding in the spring. Adults emerge through a round exit hole (4-5 mm. in diameter). This insect may be targeted between 200-299 GDD’s, base 50°F.
Lily Leaf Beetle , while not a pest of trees and shrubs, can be an important insect found in ornamental landscapes. As soon as lilies break through the ground in the spring, bright red overwintered adult beetles begin feeding on the foliage. This typically occurs in April, with adults mating and laying eggs by May; 250-450 eggs may be laid per female. Additional resources include an InsectXaminer episode about lily leaf beetle.
Magnolia Scale overwinters as nymphs (immatures) found on 1 and 2-year old twigs of the host plant. Nymphs begin feeding as temperatures warm in the spring, molting once by late April or May and again by early June.
Pine Bark Adelgid overwinters in an immature form which begins feeding again as springtime temperatures increase. This is the time when the insects begin secreting a white, waxy layer over their bodies. High populations can make the trunks of eastern white pine appear as if coated in snow. Typically, management is not necessary. Syringing (washing adelgids off the trunk of larger trees with a strong jet of water) is an option.
Pitch Mass Borer overwinters in the pitch mass found on the host plant. This insect tunnels beneath the bark, into the cambium. It may take up to two years for the pitch mass borer to mature. Pupation typically occurs by the end of May through June, in time for adult clearwing moth emergence in July and August.

Possible redheaded flea beetle feeding damage from last season found on evergreen Ilex spp. on 3/27/2024. The plant may have originated from NJ but was purchased in MA. Photo: Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension.

Rhododendron Borer is one of the smallest of the native clearwing moths. Adult emergence may begin in May and can last through July, depending upon local temperatures. Rhododendron are preferred host plants, with the larvae of this species boring into stems, often near the base of plants. Injured plant parts may be more attractive to these insects.
Snowball Aphid overwinters as an egg on the twigs and buds of Viburnum spp. hosts. Egg hatch occurs at the same time host plant buds are opening in the spring. Newly hatched aphids will begin to feed on and distort the newly developing leaves of their hosts. Aphids may be protected from contact insecticides within curled leaves.
Southern Pine Beetle has been trapped in Massachusetts since 2015. By 2022 and 2023, southern pine beetle has reached outbreak conditions in small areas of the state, killing pitch pine ( Pinus rigida ). (Particularly on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket islands in MA.) If you believe you have found infested pitch pine in Massachusetts, please report southern pine beetle here .
Spruce Bud Scale overwinters as an immature scale on the undersides of host plant needles. Once spring temperatures warm, the dormant scales become active by late March and in April female spruce bud scales move to host plant twigs. Adult females are reddish-brown and round, and usually found at the base of new twig growth.
Spruce Spider Mite is a cool season mite which causes most of its feeding damage on coniferous hosts in the spring and fall. Monitor for discolored needles and the mites themselves. Monitoring for spruce spider mite can be done by shaking 3-4 branches over a white piece of paper and viewing mites with a hand lens.
Taxus Mealybug is commonly a pest of Taxus spp. in New England, but can also be found on dogwood, rhododendron, Prunus spp., maple, andromeda, and crabapple. First instar nymphs overwinter, and in April and May it might be difficult to find these insects. However, by mid-June the population can increase considerably. Taxus mealybug feeding can lead to sparse plants covered in honeydew (sugary liquid excrement).
Tuliptree Scale is a soft scale pest of Liriodendron and Magnolia spp. among others. Second instar nymphs overwinter, begin feeding as temperatures warm in the spring, and mature into adults by the late spring/early summer.
Viburnum Leaf Beetle overwinters on susceptible viburnum as eggs laid in pits chewed near the ends of twigs last season. These egg laying locations are covered with an oval-round cap. Prune out and destroy infested twigs prior to egg hatch in May.
White Pine Aphid eggs overwinter in rows on the needles of their host plants. Egg hatch will occur as spring temperatures begin to warm. Aphids may feed on the needles, twigs, and small branches of their host plants.
White Pine Weevil overwinters as an adult in the leaf litter in sheltered areas near host plants. As spring temperatures warm, adults fly to the leaders of Pinus and Picea spp. hosts where they mate, dig round holes in the bark, and deposit 1-5 tiny eggs in the cavity. Eggs hatch and the larvae tunnel as they feed, killing the previous season’s leader. Adult white pine weevils are active in March (through May), as soon as 7 GDD’s are reached.
White Spotted Pine Sawyer is a native longhorned beetle that is often confused for the invasive Asian longhorned beetle (see entry above). White spotted pine sawyer adults emerge in late May throughout July in MA. This insect completes its life cycle in weakened or recently dead conifers, particularly eastern white pine ( Pinus strobus ). It is not a significant pest. However, if you are unsure of the identification of a longhorned beetle, always take a photo and report it. You can report suspicious insects at the MA Department of Agricultural Resources Introduced Species Outreach Project Report a Pest Form .

Woolly apple aphids are already at work causing rosettes of elm leaves to form on the University of Massachusetts, Amherst campus on 5/1/2024. (Photo: Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension.)

Woolly Beech Leaf Aphid overwinters as eggs in host plant bark crevices near buds. At budbreak, eggs hatch and wool covered aphids begin feeding on host plant leaf undersides ( Fagus spp.). Even though aphid populations may be very noticeable, they seldom require chemical management.
Woolly Elm Aphid overwinters as eggs hidden in cracks and crevices of elm bark. As leaves unfold in the spring, eggs hatch and young aphids feed on the underside of elm leaf tissue. These aphids mature and give birth to hundreds of additional females. Feeding causes leaves to curl around the aphids. Curled leaves may also turn reddish brown.

Beneficials/Non-Pests:

A European honeybee (Hymenoptera) seen on a dandelion in Hampshire County, MA on 5/1/2024. Note thll pollen baskets on the lege fus. Photo: Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension.

Only have 2 wings: the hindwings have evolved into structures known as halteres .
Very large, compound eyes.
Antennae are in the form known as aristate .
Have 4 wings (2 pairs).
May have pollen baskets on the legs which may be holding large amounts of pollen, as in this photo.
Often have geniculate antennae (as in the honeybee); however, solitary bees may have antennae in another form.

Report by Tawny Simisky, Extension Entomologist, UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery & Urban Forestry Program

For information about identification of weeds noted below, check out UMass Extension's Weed Herbarium .

Time is running out for the application of preemergence herbicides for the control of crabgrass and other annual grasses as the flowering period of the phenological indicator plant forsythia ( Forsythia intermedia ) has passed. In turf areas that have not yet received a preemergence application and crabgrass has germinated, the application of a sprayable formulation on dithiopyr will control seedling crabgrass while supplying preemergence control of seedlings to come in the next few weeks.

Garlic mustard , Alliaria petiolata , considered invasive in Massachusetts and other northeast states, is a biennial weed. Second year plants are beginning to flower and produce fruit. An herbicide application now will control the second-year plants before they produce seed, as well as the first-year seeding plants that are germinating below the canopy of the second-year plants.

Many winter annual weeds are coming out of winter dormancy and are beginning to flower in turf and landscape areas. The recent warm weather has pushed most winter annual weeds in turf and landscapes to full flower. Attempting to control these weeds now will decrease the number of seeds they produce. Winter annuals will complete their life cycle as the weather continues to warm. A fresh layer of landscape mulch will control them by smothering. Dense populations of winter annual weeds in turf areas that might be competing with newly establishing turf from seed may warrant the application of a broadleaf herbicide combination. Common winter annual weeds being observed now are include mouse-ear cress ( Arabidopsis thaliana ), thymeleaf sandwort ( Arenaria serpyllifolia ), shepherd's-purse ( Capsella bursa-pastoris ), hairy bittercress ( Cardamine hirsuta ), sticky chickweed ( Cerastium viscosum ), spring whitlowgrass ( Draba verna ), henbit ( Lamium amplexicaule ), red deadnettle ( Lamium purpureum ), Virginia pepperweed ( Lepidium virginicum ), knawel ( Scleranthus annuus ), common chickweed ( Stellaria media ), corn speedwell ( Veronica arvensis ), and purslane speedwell ( Veronica peregrina ).

Landscape mulch should be the first defense against weeds in landscape beds. Apply mulches at the beginning of the season before summer annual weeds germinate. Smother small winter annual weeds with mulch. Freshly mulched landscape beds will not immediately require a preemergence herbicide application because the fresh mulch should supply adequate summer annual weed control in the short term. Apply a preemergence herbicide to mulches that have not been freshly mulched. Apply preemergence herbicides on top of landscape mulches. Compost is not an effective landscape mulch.

Lesser celandine , also called fig buttercup, fig-crowfoot, or dusky maiden ( Ficaria verna or Ranunculus ficaria ), is an herbaceous, invasive, perennial plant found throughout New England. This species is a spring ephemeral, with shiny, dark green, kidney-shaped leaves and bright-yellow, glossy flowers with 8 to 12 petals. Lesser celandine reproduces by bulblets, tuberous roots, and seeds. As a spring ephemeral, it is only apparent in the spring and is dormant the rest of the year, so it is often difficult to determine if an herbicide worked or the symptoms observed are just the species going dormant later in the spring. Herbicides known to effectively control lesser celandine in turf are triclopyr and dicamba. Products that contain both herbicides are the best choice. Populations of lesser celandine in landscape beds can be controlled with directed-spray applications of glyphosate. For early occurrences of this weed in new locations, consider digging plants up and disposing of them in a manner that will prevent their further spread.

Tree seedlings are continuing to germinate in landscape beds with seedlings commonly reaching 4 to 5 inches tall. These seedlings can be treated with pelargonic acid. Another option would be to cut these seedlings with a gas, electric, or battery powered hedge shear at the soil surface, and then mulch over it. The organic/non-chemical products do not translocate and therefore will not provide effective control of these young tree seedlings. Tree seedlings in turf areas should be managed with mowing so an herbicide application is not necessary.

Do not attempt to control Japanese knotweed now, as herbicide applications are not effective when applied in the early part of the growing season. Stay tuned for knotweed management information in upcoming Landscape Messages.

Report by Randy Prostak, Weed Specialist, UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forestry Program

Pesticide License Exams - The MA Dept. of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is now holding exams online. For more information and how to register, go to: https://www.mass.gov/pesticide-examination-and-licensing .

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For a complete listing of landscape, nursery, and urban forestry program upcoming events , see our calendar at https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/upcoming-events .

For commercial growers of greenhouse crops and flowers - Check out UMass Extension's Greenhouse Update website.

For professional turf managers - Check out our Turf Management Updates .

For home gardeners and garden retailers - Check out our home lawn and garden resources .

Diagnostic Services

UMass Laboratory Diagnoses Landscape and Turf Problems - The UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab is available to serve commercial landscape contractors, turf managers, arborists, nurseries and other green industry professionals. It provides woody plant and turf disease analysis, woody plant and turf insect identification, turfgrass identification, weed identification, and offers a report of pest management strategies that are research based, economically sound and environmentally appropriate for the situation. Accurate diagnosis for a turf or landscape problem can often eliminate or reduce the need for pesticide use. For sampling procedures, detailed submission instructions and a list of fees, see the Plant Diagnostic Laboratory web site.

Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing - The University of Massachusetts Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory is located on the campus of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Testing services are available to all. The lab provides test results and recommendations that lead to the wise and economical use of soils and soil amendments. For more information, including current turn-around times, visit the UMass Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory web site. The lab is currently accepting orders for Routine Soil Analysis (including optional Organic Matter, Soluble Salts, and Nitrate testing) , Particle Size Analysis, Pre-Sidedress Nitrate (PSNT), Total Sorbed Metals, and Soilless Media (no other types of soil analyses available at this time). Check for current turnaround time . Please plan for the fact that date of receipt in the lab is affected by weekends, holidays, shipping time, and time for UMass Campus Mail to deliver samples to the lab.

Tick Testing - The UMass Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment provides a list of potential tick identification and testing options at https://ag.umass.edu/resources/tick-testing-resources .

Acknowledgements: UMass Extension gratefully acknowledges the support of the following funding sources for the production of the Landscape Message –

The Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association Fund
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Award #ISADCR28219926UMA24A
Stakeholders like you! The Landscape Message is partially supported by educational program user fees.

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Amherst Supplemental Essays Guide: 2021-2022
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UMass Amherst 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide
University of Massachusetts Amherst 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations. *Please note: the information below relates to last year's essay prompts. As soon as the 2024-25 prompts beomce available, we will be updating this guide -- stay tuned! The Requirements: 3 essays of 100 words each. Supplemental Essay Type (s): Why, Community.
How to Write the UMass Amherst Essays 2023-2024
The goal of this essay is to demonstrate that you are an active community member and can fit right in at UMass Amherst. It's crucial that you pick a community that is central to your life and one that you play a significant role in. Including the examples given in the prompt, here are a few examples of communities you could consider:
First-Year Application Instructions : UMass Amherst
Letters of Recommendation. First-year applicants require at least one academic letter of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should be sent by the recommender via the Common App or college counseling systems including Naviance, SCOIR, etc. or by emailing a PDF to [email protected].
Information about the Writing Supplement
Below you'll find the prompts for the writing supplement in the 2023-24 application cycle (Fall 2024 entry term). In addition to the main essays you must write as part of the Common Application, Apply Coalition with Scoir, or QuestBridge Application, Amherst requires a supplementary essay of all applicants.
Information about the Writing Supplement
Amherst College Writing Supplement Options. In addition to the main essays you must write as part of the Common Application, Coalition Application or QuestBridge Application, Amherst requires a supplementary essay of all applicants. There are three options for satisfying Amherst's supplementary writing requirement for the first-year application ...
How to Write the Amherst Supplement 2023-2024
Prompt 1: "Amherst College is committed to learning through close colloquy and to expanding the realm of knowledge through scholarly research and artistic creation at the highest level. Its graduates link learning with leadership—in service to the College, to their communities, and to the world beyond." - from the Mission of Amherst College.
UMass Amherst Supplemental Essays for Class of 2024
Hello! While I'm not applying for the Class of 2024, I'd be happy to give you some guidance on writing your UMass Amherst supplemental essays. Here are a few general tips to keep in mind: 1. Be specific and focused: Make sure your essays directly address the prompt, avoiding any irrelevant or unnecessary information. It's essential to stay focused on the question at hand and provide specific ...
How to Write the Amherst College Supplemental Essays: Examples + Guide
How to Write Amherst Supplemental Essay Option A. Respond to one of the following quotations in an essay of not more than 300 words. It is not necessary to research, read, or refer to the texts from which these quotations are taken; we are looking for original, personal responses to these short excerpts.
How I Wrote my College Essay : UMass Amherst
My best advice for writing a college essay would be to have your drafts proofread by several people. Even if it's just to double check for grammatical errors — which are so quickly overlooked you're reading your own work — having someone else revise it can save you from an embarrassing typo. I also wouldn't jump to hire a college ...
Resources : UMass Amherst Writing Center : UMass Amherst
The tutors at the UMass Writing Center are happy to support you at any stage of writing a paper—from brainstorming and outlining to drafting and revision. Below we've compiled a collection of resources and activities to help in your writing or research process. The Writing Center also has a great collection of style guides and source books ...
How to Write the Amherst College Essays 2023-2024
Students can also take classes at one of the four nearby colleges—Mount Holyoke, Smith, Hampshire, and UMass Amherst—through the Five College Consortium. To apply to Amherst, you'll have to submit two supplemental essays and two optional ones. Let's break these down. Read this Amherst essay example to inspire your own writing.
Does Umass require a supplemental essay? : r/umass
UMass Amherst is a public university with 24K undergrads, 7.8K graduate students, and #1 for Princeton Review Best Campus Food! ... Though there is no supplemental essay besides the Common App, there are two additional short answers that I believe are about 100-150 words each.
Does University of Massachusetts Amherst have supplemental essays
Hey there! Traditionally, UMass Amherst does have supplemental essays as part of their application process. That being said, I can't speak for every specific application cycle, so it's super important you check on their admissions website, as well as the Common App, to see if there are essays. In terms of how should you go about responding to the prompts, I don't know if I'm the best person to ...
Information about the Writing Supplement
Amherst College Writing Supplement Options. In addition to the main essays you must write as part of the Common Application, Coalition Application or QuestBridge Application, Amherst requires a supplementary writing sample of all applicants. There are two options for satisfying Amherst's supplementary writing requirement for the first-year ...
Amherst Supplemental Essays
Amherst College Supplemental Essays 2023-24. Wondering how to get into Amherst? The key is the Amherst essays. Your Amherst supplemental essays are a critical part of making your application stand out from other competitive applicants.. Amherst is a highly competitive liberal arts college located in western Massachusetts. The college is located in Amherst, a small city about a two-hour drive ...
Colleges change essay prompts after affirmative action ruling
The University of Massachusetts at Amherst introduced a new supplemental essay that begins, "At UMass Amherst, no two students are alike." The prompt goes on to discuss the ways "our communities and groups often define us and shape our individual worlds," noting that "community" covers a wide range of characteristics—including ...
Amherst Supplemental Essays Guide: 2021-2022
In addition to the main essay prompt found in the 2021-2022 Common App, Coalition App, or the QuestBridge application, there are three optional Amherst supplemental essays. Applicants must select only one of the Amherst supplemental essays to submit. We have provided the prompts for the Amherst supplemental essays below, along with a strategy ...
What is unique about UMass? I'm stuck writing my essay : r/umass
I would add too, that Umass strives for a diverse community, and getting the opportunity to be among such a dicerse group is a great experience. UMass has one of the highest rated linguistics programs in the world. Talking about that + the diverse perspectives you gain from going to a big state school should be enough.
Should I talk about why I like my major or specifically why I ...
They do have another "Please tell us why you want to attend UMass Amherst." supplemental but I Googled it and I think collegeessayadvisors.com said to talk about 'Why X major at UMA" for the first prompt and talk about things other than my major in the second prompt. I'm confused.
Supplemental Instruction Program (SI)
Supplemental Instruction Program (SI) SI Leaders are exceptional students who have excelled in their respective courses. Twice a week, SI Leaders hold review sessions for their peers. Leaders attend class and coordinate with faculty to develop weekly worksheets while working for the LRC. As a part of Team LRC, SI leaders attend training ...
Landscape Message: May 10, 2024
May 10, 2024. Issue: 5. UMass Extension's Landscape Message is an educational newsletter intended to inform and guide Massachusetts land care professionals in the management of our collective landscape. Detailed reports from scouts and Extension specialists on growing conditions, pest activity, and cultural practices for the management of woody ...
Amherst Option Supplemental : r/ApplyingToCollege
Check through the supps you have already written. There are a lot of different prompts, so you might have already written something that fits the bill. On the other hand, if you do have a really amazing essay you have written for school, go for it. It's all about how you think best represents yourself. 3.
Scholarships : Communication : UMass Amherst
Integrative Learning Center N310 650 N. Pleasant St. University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003-1100 Phone: 413-545-1311 Fax: 413-545-6550
Four HFA Teams Receive 2024-25 Mutual Mentoring Grant ...
Mentoring Our (Older)selves to Sustain Our Thinking and Writing Kiran Asher (women, gender, and sexuality studies) & Rachel L. Mordecai (english) Mentoring Academic Parents of Children with Special Needs Teresa Ramsby (classics), Angélica María Bernal (political science) & Maya Eddon (philosophy) View the full list of grant recipients.
All Faculty and Librarians are Invited to On Campus ...
The Office of Faculty Development (OFD) is hosting an all-day, all-faculty, and librarians writing retreat on May 30th from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. in the Life Sciences Laboratory, Rooms S320, S330, S340, and S350. The theme of this writing retreat is "Renewing your Writing Practices."
News : UMass Amherst Writing Program : UMass Amherst
1323 W.E.B. Du Bois Library 154 Hicks Way Amherst, MA 01003 (413) 545-0610 [email protected]

University of Massachusetts Amherst 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

University of Massachusetts Amherst 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations

Please tell us why you want to attend UMass Amherst? (100 words)

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Amherst College Essay Prompts

Prompt 2 (optional):

Please briefly elaborate on an extracurricular activity or work experience of particular significance to you. (175 words)

Prompt 4: Options A, B, C

Your GPA and SAT don’t tell the full admissions story

Option A4:“Difficulty need not foreshadow despair or defeat. Rather achievement can be all the more satisfying because of obstacles surmounted.” – Attributed to William Hastie, Amherst Class of 1925, the first African-American to serve as a judge for the United States Court of Appeals

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How to Write Amherst College Supplemental Essays – Option A (Optional)

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Landscape Message: May 10, 2024

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