<p>Haverford College
Academics
“The academic experience is nothing less than stellar” at Haverford. “The classroom is an incredible place where I have been intellectually pushed beyond what I believed possible.” The work load can be “intense,” but “professors are always available and willing to help,” and there is “a support system to help you…composed of students and faculty.” Everyone raves about the accessibility of professors. “I have the cell phone number or house number of all my professors. An incredible number of professors live on or within a block of campus and regularly invite students over for tea or dinner.” Some students note the lack of research opportunities, but most “love how we have access to Bryn Mawr, Penn, and Swarthmore. The schools really work together to provide a wide range of courses.” Haverford is known for its honor code, which “really works, and we actually do have things like closed-book, timed, take-home tests. I honestly don’t know of anyone that who ever cheated.” The administration also receives high marks. “There is a lot of discourse between the administration and the students,” and “the deans…are pretty receptive to student opinions.” Though a few students feel “the degree of transparency between the administration and students has dropped in recent years,” the “administration does a good job of keeping us informed about important news,” and the president holds weekly office hours</p>
<p>Student Body
Many students describe themselves as a little “nerdy” or “quirky,” but in the best possible way. “For the most part, Haverfordians are socially awkward, open to new friends, and looking for moral, political, [or] scholarly debate.” The honor code draws a particular type of student-“don’t choose to go here if you’re not dedicated to the ideas of trust, concern, and respect and to making sure we are a well-run community.” Most are “liberal-minded” and “intellectual” and “want to save the world after they graduate.”</p>
<p>Campus Life
The academic demands of Haverford keep its students focused. “In general, students go to class, participate in extracurriculars, and do homework all day Monday through Thursday.” “Students are very active on campus,” “with classes, work, on-campus jobs, volunteering, running clubs, and acting on administrative committees.” “People are very oriented toward social justice, and overall, our student body is very aware.” “Conversations at meals consist of discussions on political issues, scientific breakthroughs, etc.” “But that doesn’t mean people don’t know how to have fun,” students assure us. “There are a ton of concerts, a capella shows, student theater, movies, dinners, dances, sponsored events in Philly.” “While students here do party,” many note and there’s no pressure to drink, and plenty of students don’t. There is easy access to public transportation, and students say “it’s nice to have Philadelphia so close-the music scene is amazing.” At the same time, “a lot of people never leave campus because there is so much to do there.” Thursday and Saturday are the nights to party, owing to the athletic teams’ schedules, and there’s not much of a bar scene. Most socializing is on campus, and school-sponsored events are well-attended. “Every weekend night there are at least three options-a music show, an improv show, a movie, or games.” It seems Haverford students never really disengage from the classroom, though "Don’t be surprised if you witness a discussion about someone’s senior thesis next to a keg-stand.</p>