Haverford College Reviews
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female from MN
12/19/2009Reviewer is A current student here.
8 out of 8 people found this review useful. 1 of 6
Categories Comments Great for these types of students The average Haverford student is thoughtful, intelligent, modest, ambitious, laid-back, sincere, responsible, friendly, and somewhat socially awkward. Haverford is diverse on paper, but the Honor Code definitely attracts a fairly ideologically homogeneous student body. That being said, people still have plenty of opinions and talk about them.
Tips for prospective students Read the Honor Code (http://students.haverford.edu/code/). If it's interesting and appealing to you, that's fantastic. If it's not, Haverford is probably not the best fit. The community is structured around the Code, and while you don't have to agree with it, it will pervade most aspects of your life here. That being said, Haverford is not the kind of school that looks for everyone to obey and accept the standard: we value discussion, constructive criticism, changes. The Code is a living document, re-ratified by the student body every year. Past that, be genuine. Haverford students are interesting, and admissions prizes personality, thoughtfulness, character over GPA and numerical measures of excellence.
Bang for the buck Haverford is expensive, with tuition upwards of $50,000 a year. If you're not on financial aid, it can be brutal. However, Haverford has (relatively) fantastic financial aid: many students say that their financial aid package from Haverford was by far the best of their offers. If you're looking for an intellectual, socially responsible, and laid-back community, I'm convinced that Haverford is one of the best out there. By virtue of its uniqueness, I think the price is very worth it.
Am enjoying being here Haverford prides itself on its Honor Code, a unique student-written and student-enforced living document which covers both academic and social concerns. The Honor Code is logistically useful, as it allows students to take self-scheduled exams and it also creates a general atmosphere of student/administrative/faculty trust. The Code stresses personal involvement and responsibility, and the community takes it to heart. Rules at Haverford are minimal and make sense. Interactions are friendly. Haverford is an incredibly unique community where the average person has a great deal of common sense, is trustworthy, and takes time to listen and discuss concerns. All of this translates to the social environment: students know how to have fun, but are responsible and understanding of others' concerns. Issues on campus definitely carry the feeling of we're all in this together. We have a very strong ethos of student self-government, and the student body comes together once a semester at Plenary to present and vote on resolutions. These, and other forms of student input are actually taken very seriously by the administration. Haverford students are aware they live in the Haverbubble but generally enjoy it. There's a stereotype that the kids who come here are nerdy and socially awkward, but this characteristic is manifested in an endearing manner, and the vast, vast majority of Haverford students are lovely, thoughtful, respectful, and intelligent human beings. Of course, every school has its problems, but in the grand scheme of things, Haverford functions pretty well. It's a pretty good example of a real, cohesive community.
Am learning a lot Haverford is a fantastic academic environment. In my experience, professors really care about their subject and their students. Overall, they are incredibly approachable and always interested in helping you learn and eager to discuss issues that are of further interest and tangentially related to classroom work. Professors will work you hard, but the work is meaningful, productive and worthwhile. Busywork is very minimal if not absent. As a sophomore, I've already been to three professors' houses for dinner. Classes are small, allowing for involved student-professor and student-student interaction. Students themselves are thoughtful, generally interested in learning and care about their subjects. Haverford is a liberal arts college, and discussions in the classroom frequently involve related subjects and connections made to other classes. It's definitely an intellectual community: I am constantly aware that I'm surrounded by incredibly intelligent human beings and I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn from all of them, whether their lessons be academic or social.
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Freshman Female
05/08/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
2 out of 2 people found this review useful. 2 of 6
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Haverford stresses the importance of the community. Although the school strives to accommodate every type of person, I think the people who enjoy it the most are the very outgoing, usually social types.
Tips for prospective students If you're visiting, bring your homework. Although we do our best to show you around and make sure you have fun, when Sunday rolls around, we usually have quite a bit of work to do, and it's painful for you to sit and be bored while we try and work.
Bang for the buck I hear people say that Haverford has a great financial aid program, I've just seen nothing of it. Tuition is extremely expensive, but Haverford also gives its students opportunities I don't think you can find elsewhere.
Am enjoying being here They call it the Haverbubble for a reason. The social scene can be a bit suffocating. It is a very small school, and I feel that I know too much about people I don't know. Although the SEPTA is easily accessible, it can be difficult to get off campus, especially as a freshman.
Am learning a lot This is definitely a quality education. All of my classes are small, my professors know my names, and there is a wide selection of courses one can take at Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Swarthmore or Penn.
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Jasmin from Brooklyn, NY
05/23/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 3 of 6
Categories Comments Campus Safety Unbelievable. I love how secure the campus is. The Safety and Security officers on campus are always vigilant, but the real key are the people on campus because everyone can more or less recognize each other and are quick to identify threats. Not that there are very many.
Greek Life There are none, however, the sports teams act as small hubs of intense group bonding on campus. Other groups, such as affinity groups, can mirror the Greek feel as well.
Clubs and Activities There are entirely too many things to do here on campus and plenty of leadership opportunities in clubs and other activities.
Great for these types of students People interested in liberal arts and sciences. A lot of students here pursue premed studies and psychology. Haverford people are also conscientious, intelligent, and modest.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus An unofficial requirement on campus is to go tunneling, which is to say to travel through the underground maze of tunnels. No one's very sure why they are there, but I suspect that it is a quaker thing.
Bang for the buck At Haverford, you're mainly paying for the one on one attention, resources, and networking capabilities. There's no way to tell how the extra money I'm spending will help me later on, but I know that this community is more than supportive enough to help me be successful.
What to do for fun There are always student bands, improv shows, visiting artists, plays, and of course, parties to go to on the weekends. All of these choices don't exist every weekend, but for a small campus, I've found that I've never had the time to do all of the things I wanted to on the weekend. And of course other college campuses are very close by. And then there's Philly.
Food and Dining Although people always complain about the food, it's really not bad. There are plenty of choices/options on most days. However, it's not your mother's cooking.
Dorm Life I loved my freshman dorm. It feels more like living with relatives than like living with people who were once total strangers.
Academic Rigor I find the work here challenging for most classes and a lot of care should be taken when choosing classes in certain departments.
Tips for prospective students Be sure to visit the school often in order to ensure that its atmosphere and location best suits you.
In three sentences A close-knit space where people of liberal tendencies really get to know one another. The faulty is superb and dedicated, and people generally look out for each other. The general air of people on campus is surprisingly reserved and polite.
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Sofie from the U.S.
06/19/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
4 of 6
Categories Comments Campus Safety 'Safety and Security' is a wonderful part of the Haverford community because they are really there to look after its students.
Great for these types of students Haverford is a great school for students looking for a smaller liberal arts school with small class sizes.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Our campus has an observatory, which I think is extremely cool. I think a really fun tradition at Haverford is the Customs Week program that is meant to welcome incoming freshmen in the fall.
What to do for fun FAB events, dances held in Founders Hall, Lunt concerts
Food and Dining The food is fine, but it gets tiring after a while.
Dorm Life The dorms themselves aren't as wonderful and luxurious as on other campuses, but living in the dorms is a wonderful experience overall.
Academic Rigor Many of the courses are extremely challenging, but I believe that they are not overwhelming or too stressful.
Tips for prospective students Haverford College is a place for those who are looking for a smaller school where professors give students the attention and help they desire.
In three sentences Haverford College is giving me the well rounded education that I was looking for when first applying to colleges. To me, the most notable aspects about Haverford are the small class sizes that create a more intimate learning environment and the more than generous financial aid that is offered to its students.
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David from Brooklyn, NY
09/04/2012Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.
5 of 6
Categories Comments What to do for fun Join their clubs
Food and Dining Food Is delicious can't get enough
Dorm Life the dorms a re roomy and they're making new one
Academic Rigor They are very rigorous but still make way for fun
Tips for prospective students Look or what you want and take a close look at the time
In three sentences I loved this school! Its environment was just so welcoming. It also has some great research
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Kayla from Bronx, NY
10/13/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
6 of 6
Categories Comments Campus Safety They are so nice and friendly and they care about everyone. They are always on the lookout for our safety and I feel like they are part of my family.
Great for these types of students It is great for all types of students ranging from jocks to nerds to hipsters, and anyone in between :)
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Screw Date is funny tradition in which you get paired up with someone for a date, and you get to embarrass yourself on stage by saying funny or sexual pick up lines!
Bang for the buck The admissions department is absolutely generous with your financial aid package!
What to do for fun Join clubs! There are so many awesome clubs on campus ranging from athletic clubs to outdoor clubs to movie watching clubs. People can also go out into the city for some great restaurants or do community service. There are definitely many parties on the weekends on and off campus.
Food and Dining Although we have one dining hall, the food is not too shabby. The deserts are really good, however the food can get boring and dull sometimes. But it is up to each individual to switch it up a bit and explore new varieties of meals that they would have never though about trying.
Dorm Life Dorm life is amazing. Each dorm building has a unique quality and theme. The people that reside in each of these building are a perfect fit for each building. They dorms are not too small, but not too large. Everyone looks out for each other on their hall and it is truly a family environment.
Academic Rigor The classes are rigorous but rewarding. However, there is so much help out there for you. The teachers are willing to extend there office hours to meet with you are just to catch up on things with you. Due to the honor code, you academic honesty relies upon yourself and effects the community as a whole.
Tips for prospective students I recommend that every person out there apply to Haverford. The people are awkward, yet friendly and unique. It is a great liberal arts college that allows you to explore yourself with the support of teachers and faculty. It is here that you can tackle anything while still being entertained and enlightened.
In three sentences Haverford is has an amazing, creative, insightful atmosphere that contributes to the success of all of its students. Its honor code is not strict-despite the opinions of others, in fact it is open to the ideas and issues that its students bring up and these issues are voted upon twice a year.
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