Haverford College

Wow, this website really is "RATE" rather than "casually discuss." I don't like that, but regardless, it's a resource I used when applying so I should give back a little. Besides that, it's not even rating stuff that's important to me, so don't pay attention to it.

Just starting my third semester here, and I'm still yet unsure what being "challenged" in a liberal arts setting entails, or really when it comes down to it what differentiates Haverford from other "academically rigorous" selective colleges and universities. My primary opinion that I want to impart is that university life is terribly confusing for someone whose parents didn't attend college and spent high school wondering trade school or expensive school was a better choice. Or maybe I just unquestionably consumed to "ATTEND COLLEGE PLZ" bullshit I was fed throughout high school. Whatever, financial aid for me was good, and you've got to love it when my rich classmates complain about their tuition when I'm essentially soakking up a micro-economy of wealth redistribution. I selected a college with an absurdly high matriculation rate because I knew I'd have a hard time making it through emotionally, and at least Haverford has committed me to attaining my degree.

I read for courses most of the time, and when I'm not doing that, I'm working at the Dining Center, relaxing with friends, playing video games, working out, or finding local events to attend. I don't think that would be much different anywhere I'd might be. My only complaint about social life is that too many students here like to take a lot of hard classes and then complain about their marginal amount of free-time mid semester. I'll be trying to keep things on the lighter end as I wade my way through the rest of my career.

The small classes and the large classes are for the most part pretty good. It's a good education when I compare it to the other bullshit public universities my high school classmates enrolled in.

Come here if you want to have classes actually want to attend! (If you actually have interests, that is.)

Don't come here if you have trouble making friends! They're kind of hard to come by, but I'm pretty introverted and I don't care all too much.

Don't get too wrapped up in the "beautiful arboretum college" suburban aesthetic. IDK, small colleges don't really exist within cities, but I'd rather be closer to Center City than I am. The city can be inaccessible at times, but if you manage schedules and finances correctly, it's a pretty nice resource. I think finding a place with more activity is generally more important than a place with pretty flowers and a nature trail.Contact me if you want to chat in person.

1st Year Male -- Class 2018

Individual Value: A+, Surrounding City: B-

Haverford is a wonderful school where I had to work very hard and learn a great deal to make it through. I am eternally grateful to my professors who were always available and approachable. I am so lucky that I got to go to such a wonderfully welcoming school.

4th Year Female -- Class 2010

Education Quality: A+, Social Life: B

Haverford College is a great idea. The Honor Code is amazing and the school's small size provides a great sense of community. However, in practice, Haverford seems to have strayed from these ideals. Most students here today either don't know or don't care about the Honor Code.

It's not like this is some unsolvable, either. For a far more successful institution, one need only walk twenty minutes away to Bryn Mawr. Bryn Mawr's student body is far more committed to the Honor Code, and there is a general sense of on-campus activism that Haverford desperately lacks.

Additionally, Haverford seems to me to be a bit of a jock school. Certainly, the students are intelligent and most (or at least some) are intellectually interested in their work, but it is undeniable that Haverford's athletic strength hurts other areas of campus life. Haverford maintains an athletic program the size of those at schools two to three times larger. About 50% of the student body plays sports. This is hardly indicative of a "jock culture," but there are still disturbing isolated incidents of jock behavior. For example, a few years ago, the Lacrosse coach called his players "fags" in front of a watching crowd. Although people protested, he was not fired. Housing on campus also strongly favors athletes. Although Haverford claims to not have fraternities, one house is basically given to the baseball team every year, and up until a few years ago, another house was also for athletes.It seems like Haverford has made some sacrifices to become what it is today. Perhaps it was better when it had 800 students and was all-men.

1st Year Female -- Class 2010

Useful Schoolwork: A+, University Resource Use/ spending: C