Hi,
I am a rising senior in high school, considering Haverford as a prospective student-athlete. I’m curious about the social life at Haverford and the students who attend the school. I visited during the summer and couldn’t get a good feel for the students.
I attend a very small, academic, private high school with similar values as Haverford, however the students at my school seem to be more on the preppy side with moderate political views. I’m not a super partier, however I do like to attend some parties and be social. It seemed that Haverford students may be more introverted, as I noted with the single rooms in the dorms. I also worry that perhaps there is a bit more of an “edgy”/ “artsy” vibe than I am used to in my high school.
As an athlete, I need to apply early decision. Since ED is binding, I am really looking for some feedback before committing to a coach. I am also considering Washington and Lee, which may be too much of a party school for me with the Greek life system. I love the honor code and academics at both. I don’t mean to offend anyone, but I am looking for a school with a social life (social nerds, but not necessarily anti-social dorks:)). Thanks so much!
While both Haverford and W&L have smart, hard working kids and a strong culture of an Honor Code, they are very different communities. The culture at Haverford is more “earnest,” and the Honor Code is about building community through consensus. W&L still leans more right/centrist, with strong greek life participation. A family member attended W&L and described its Honor Code as much more unforgiving than Haverford’s, essentially 1 strike and you are out.
Social life at Hford is much like at many schools – dorm parties, arts events, music, going into Philly etc. I wouldn’t describe the community as more introverted than elsewhere, the school just happens to have more singles than many schools. As a BiCo community member back in the day, we were very grateful for those suites with singles – best of all possible worlds for a college student.
If you are considering Haverford ED, please have very direct conversation with coaching staff about admissions. If they haven’t done a pre-read, ask if Admissions will do one. If they don’t do pre-reads, ask the coach how many recruits with similar stats have been rejected or deferred over the last 5+ years. I am a huge fan of Haverford, but it seems that coaches may have less “sway” with Admissions, or that there is less predictability with admissions for recruited athletes, than at some other top 20 LACs.
Good luck in this process, and congrats on getting this far in recruiting, it is a long, sometimes exhausting and confusing process!
@KawhiGrace, agree on need for Pre-read - as you mentioned “commitment”, I assume that has already happened. While it may not lock in an ED acceptance at all schools, if the coach doesn’t offer a Pre-read it means that no support will be requested by coach in admissions process - that may be fine if you already academically profile, but if it’s a low headcount sport then there won’t likely be a roster spot regardless.