Hi, I’m Cato. I’m a junior at Amherst College majoring in Economics and History and a captain on the varsity football team. I’ve been deeply involved in academics, athletics, and campus life, and I love helping prospective students and families get a real sense of whether Amherst is the right fit for them.

Hometown

Yonkers, NY & State College, PA

Major(s)

Economics, History

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Varsity Football, Amherst Investment Club, Foundations of Finance, Real Estate Club

Describe your college experience

My transition to Amherst was intense but incredibly rewarding. Amherst pushes you academically while also giving you room to explore who you are outside the classroom. Being a student athlete taught me discipline and time management, while my majors pushed me to think critically and write clearly. Over time, Amherst has felt less intimidating and more like a tight knit community where professors genuinely care and students support one another.

Tip for future students

Don’t come in thinking you need to have everything figured out. Talk to professors early, try classes outside your comfort zone, and don’t be afraid to change direction. Amherst rewards curiosity and effort more than perfection.

Favorite class

Urban Economics. It combined theory with real world questions about cities, inequality, and growth, and it pushed me to think like an economist while still grounding everything in history and lived experience.

Career goals

After college, I plan to work in private equity with a focus on operations and long term value creation. I’m especially interested in understanding how businesses actually work on the ground and how capital can be used responsibly.

Ideal way to spend a free night

Hanging out with friends in the dining hall, going on a walk around campus, playing basketball, or watching a game together and talking about everything from classes to life after college.

High school or secondary school

Phillips Academy Andover, The Kiski School