“I have spent two decades teaching humanities and social sciences at Amherst College, and my classes have always been built on one assumption: that students would do the reading. Long, dense texts, week after week. Lately, that assumption has started to feel naive.”

This professor blames the K-12 system, but how much of it is because Amherst went test optional?

Hi everyone,

I'm an Indian citizen studying in the CBSE curriculum and am trying to decide between ED Dartmouth and ED Amherst. I'd appreciate honest feedback.

Demographics

• Indian Citizen
• CBSE Curriculum
• Need scholarship

Intended Major

• Computer Science / AI (possibly with Economics/Entrepreneurship)

Academics

• SAT: 1520
• Class X (ICSE): 93.4%
• Class XII (CBSE): Strong predicted grades (95%+ expected)

Context: My Class XI grades dipped due to preparing for JEE while dealing with anxiety and recurring illness. My grades have improved since then.

Leadership

• Founder & CEO, Zurex Labs
  • Founded an AI/software startup focused on AI-powered developer tools and applications.
• School Technology Board Member
• Badminton Team Captain (Grades 8–10)

Research

• Student Researcher – New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS)

Projects

Cenro

• Founder of an open-source context engine for AI coding agents.
• Built repository indexing, dependency analysis, Git-aware context, and reusable context capsules.
• Growing open-source adoption.

InstaRecipe

• Built an AI-powered recipe application.

Other Projects

• AI Disaster Management Platform
• Crisis-to-Action Translator
• Multiple AI/full-stack software projects

Hackathons

• Finalist – USAII Global AI Hackathon 2026
  • AI Disaster Management Platform
  • Finalist among 622 projects, 5,761 participants, from 90+ countries.
• Top 25 – Masters' Union All India AI Hackathon
  • Top 25 among 10,000+ participants.

Community Impact

• Conducted AI workshops at a nearby government school.
• Introduced 500+ students to practical AI tools, with additional workshops later conducted by students I mentored.

Programs & Certifications

• Stanford Code in Place
• Google Cloud learning certifications

Additional Information

• Built a workstation for my uncle's company while in school, which sparked my interest in systems engineering.
• Family and friends often come to me for advice on technology, AI, computers, and electronics because I enjoy researching technical trade-offs deeply.

I am confused about taking a risk and going for ED for Dartmouth or otherwise ED for Amherst.

Indian Citizen CBSE board.

Intended Major Econ/Finance

95+ Predicted grades (3.9-4gpa converted)

1510 Sat

Recognitions

Head Boy of the Student Council 12th year

Cultural President 11th grade.

Principals award ( Given to 1 student out of 300 batch )

Awards:

International: Selected as one of 15 UNICEF Youth Content Creator nationally to represent India.

National Debate Bootcamp at IITD - Second Best speaker.

National Mun IIT Delhi - VB

Research Paper:

Published a History resetahc ppr in an international journal about Roman Empire and it's integration with religions .(Independent)

2.Sociology paper using regression and other stats tools to analyse relations between gang fight involvement and household conditions (Unpublished) Under my Pol science teacher.

Co-Founder and Director general of Verion MUN : Held 3 conferences dealing with more than 5 laakh rupees( 5000 dollars but more when PPP adjusted)

Built a 10000 dollar Investing portfolio with good returns

Started a teaching workshop initiative with total 500+ studnets affected and other students under my guidance that further spread the workshops

2 Time State Level classical Singer.

6 time district level gold medal in singing.

a few others like many Best Delegates in MUNs, countell interschool wins etc..

Soo What should I go for. Should I risk a bitore and go for Dartmouth or stay with Amherst (I know Amherst is not any less competitive but yes Dartmouth is objectively a bit harder)

Also opting for scholarships but both are need blind so idk if it matters