<p>Hey all,</p>
<p>I have the choice between going to Carleton College and Haverford College. I am planning on being a classics major. Anyone have any insight between the two that would help me make a distinction? </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I was considering Haverford and the Classics as well.
Ideally, you would pursue your studies at Bryn Mawr, which is a nice opportunity to get away and meet different people. Ford is rather limited in terms of the Classics. It felt too small for my tastes as well.</p>
<p>However, it’s decent proximity to Philadelphia, as well as its participation in a consortium with Swarthmore, Bryn Mawr, and UPenn make it a compelling choice.</p>
<p>You should visit both colleges if you can.</p>
<p>thanks. i have actually visited both colleges and like each in their own way. they still come out about equal. anything else would be greatly appreciated</p>
<p>Haverford’s Classics program is small but strong. Classics majors though greatly benefit from Bryn Mawr’s Classics department which is probably one of the top LAC programs around… I think they even have a graduate program in Classics. In addition, Bryn Mawr’s archeology department is one of the finest undergraduate programs in this field as well and being able to take a few archeology classes will greatly enhance traditional curriculum in Classics. Penn is right down the road as well if you even wanted to tap into that resource… here’s one of Penn’s professors (HC alum) who is president of the Archaeological Institute of America</p>
<p>[Penn</a> Museum || In the News](<a href=“http://www.museum.upenn.edu/new/news/fullrelease.php?which=259]Penn”>http://www.museum.upenn.edu/new/news/fullrelease.php?which=259)</p>
<p>I don’t know much about Carleton’s programs in these fields but i’m sure they’re plenty strong as well. You should choose on location as I think both places will offer plenty of resources in these fields to keep you busy for 3 years (as you will probably study abroad junior year in the olde world)</p>
<p>I think Haverford would be a great choice given Bryn Mawr’s strength in Classics plus you’ve got access to Swat and Penn.</p>
<p>Can you tell us what you liked and didn’t like about your visits?</p>
<p>Carleton has longer, darker, colder, and snowier winters than Haverford. A true Carleton grad would not think that Haverford had winter at all.</p>
<p>Yea, the weather, while harsh, isnt really a factor for me. For example: I really like the honor code at haverford, and i really like the specialty housing at carleton. the pluses and minuses keep balancing out for me. thanks and keep the insight coming!</p>
<p>kermitfrog71</p>
<p>You’ve visited. There are obvious and enormous differences between the schools in location/setting (east coast suburban vs. midwestern small town/exurb) and size (1,169 Haverford vs. 2,005 Carleton).</p>
<p>While the academic opportunities in Classics will probably be similar overall between Carleton and Haverford (when Bryn Mawr is factored in), are you comfortable with the bulk of your classes in your major coming from Bryn Mawr rather than your home campus? </p>
<p>And a weather correction: While the Carleton winters are without a doubt much brisker than Haverford’s, Northfield gets very modest snowfalls, more sun, and less than half the total precipitation of Haverford. Fall and spring are beautiful times. Winter break is intentially long, running about 6 weeks, to expand work/internships opportunities and minimize the risk of frostbite. :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the tip, but even so, the weather is not a factor for me. im looking more for the dedication to learning and teaching displayed at the schools</p>
<p>I imagine both schools have a similar culture with respect to dedication to learning.</p>
<p>well, even with all your help i still have no idea. i guess ill flip a coin or something…</p>
<p>When combined the Haverford and Bryn Mawr Classics resources are incredibly strong. The two departments plan curriculums together, share teaching, and work with students at both colleges. So, you actually have a pretty sizable base of faculty (8 or more) to study with. Also, if you are interested in the ancient world, you can also draw upon BMC’s Archaeology (offering a major with several faculty members), HC’s Comparative Literature, HC’s Religion, both colleges’ English, History, Philosophy, and Political Science departments.</p>
<p>Haverford and Carleton are actually quite similar. I’m guessing that’s why you enjoyed your visits to both and why this is so hard for you. </p>
<p>That said, Haverford is a wonderful place. Haverford has some location benefits: its proximity to Philadelphia (which translates into social opportuinties and academic opportunities). On the social side, with Philadelphia just twenty minutes away by train, the country’s fifth largest city offers easy access to bargain orchestra tickets, museums, concerts, and Flyers, Eagles, and Phillies games, along with great restaurants, and South Street. On the academic side, it makes easier to find and bring in guest visitors, speakers, and adjuncts to teach courses; you can also bring the city’s resources into your coursework (museums, etc). Also, Haverford offers the unique consortium/ exchange with Penn and Swarthmore. Finally, the Honor Code and the sense of community make it really special. If that’s something that spoke to you, I suggest Haverford. For me, my 4 years at HC were transformational and incredibly important to helping me “develop as a person.” </p>
<p>You can’t find a more rigorous, stimulating, better undergraduate education. In addition, students are happy there. My friends have all gone on to great careers and grad schools. (I can give you information about that if you are interested.) I fully realize that everything in the first three sentences of this paragraph also applies to Carleton. </p>
<p>Good luck. Know that you can’t go wrong.</p>
<p>Tough one. You can’t go wrong, I think I would prefer Haverford.</p>
<p>Haverford + BMC classics = unbeatable among LACs. Carleton’s good. Haverford + BMC is better.</p>