<p>Running out of time to decide so I was hoping someone on here might help me make the choice. I put this in the Haverford forum because Haverford was my first choice and it is what I'm leaning toward. I've loved Haverford since I have toured and there engineering program with University of Penn is a really great opportunity for a LAC. I want to pull the trigger but I have some reservations.</p>
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<li><p>The people. Although I only met about 15 people from each school (and this may be confirmation bias), but I felt that the people at Carleton were a little more comfortable. Maybe a little geekier? I went to Haverford and met a lot of really friendly, kind, smart people. They just seemed to be missing a certain edge that Carleton had. Passion or sincerity or something I'm not sure. Is there any truth to this or did I just meet too few people? </p></li>
<li><p>Does anyone have any comment on Haverford vs Carleton? I read another post that seemed to be leaning in favor of Carleton and I was hoping someone might be able to help me balance that out.</p></li>
<li><p>(This one is more for fun) If any current or past students read this. Is cricket accessible at Haverford? If I go to Haverford with moderate athleticism can I expect to be able to learn and join the cricket team?</p></li>
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<p>I’m not likely the most qualified person to help you since I haven’t attended Haverford yet, but I can give you my two cents. Carleton was my second choice actually, and I really love the school. I went with Haverford in the end for a bunch of reasons. I think Philly and the extensive consortium is a huge plus on Haverford’s side. As you mentioned, Haverford offers a 4+1 program with Penn, and even if you don’t do that you can take classes at Bryn Mawr, Swarthmore and/or Penn. Also Philly is one of the nation’s largest cities, which is a huge academic and social asset to have. </p>
<p>I never visited Carleton because plane tickets are very expensive, which also played a role in my decision, so I can’t comment on the people there. I can say, however, that the people I met at Haverford were the best. In the end the people really sold the school to me. All of them were super smart and nice. On one of my visits I listened in on an awesome discussion about a senior’s thesis, and from what I could tell these intellectual discussions were the norm there. Everyone was very interested in what they were studying, and loved learning. I met a very large spectrum of people while I was there, so I cannot say everyone on campus is very geeky because the community at Haverford is more complex than that. I think there is a very good balance of people, and you fill find your place in the community wherever that may be.</p>
<p>Academically, Haverford and Carleton are very similar and you will have an amazing experience at either one. Hopefully a current/past student will be able to answer your questions more completely. This is a very hard decision, and I wish you the best of luck. I hope I see you next year!</p>
<p>Glad Carls still have an “edge” about them. I’m an alum of Carleton. I have lots of respect for Haverford…it was another place I considered, and I’m sure it would have been good.</p>
<p>I understand Haverford is 20-25 minutes from Philly…this is good if you like big cities. Carleton is 40-45 minutes from the Twin cities area. There is likely a train from Haverford to Philly making it more accessible too.</p>
<p>I do have warning on taking the 4+1 engineering program into consideration when making your decision. The thing is that nobody does these 3-2 or 4-1 programs, and they do, they often turn into 4+2 programs. Carleton has one with Columbia University or Washington University (you can just google Carleton 3-2 engineering). What people do regularly (and what I did…I’m and engineer) is get a masters degree in engineering. In each physics class Carleton regularly sends 1 or 2 people to get masters degrees in engineering. You can get a masters degree in engineering (with a physics background) in ~2 or 2 1/2years. I even got part of it funded. I was a TA and a got a stipend and tuition waiver. </p>
<p>Not saying Haverford is a bad choice. I’m just saying don’t take the 4-1 engineering program into consideration when making decision. Unfortunately, I consider these 4-1 (4-2) engineering programs to be gimmicks that make no financial sense for students both at Carleton and other schools. Instead consider the overall experience and education you receive at the school.</p>
<p>Also, neither Columbia University, Washington Uiversity (Carleton’s engineering partners) or University of Penn (Haverford’s engineering partner) are really considered to be the best engineering schools in the country…not saying their bad schools. It’s just that if you apply to a Master’s degree you’ll have your pick of schools to apply to.</p>
<p>One more thing, if you are interested in engineering, I would look into taking engineering courses at Swarthmore or Penn while you are a student at Haverford. This will help prepare you for a Masters degree in engineering. Usually when a Science major switches to engineering they need to take about 1 to 1/2 semesters of undergrad engineering courses. </p>
<p>Thank you. I plan to send my intent to register tomorrow. I’m still anxious, but I think both schools are great options. </p>
<p>I feel like the tri/quaker consortium is a big advantage if I do want to pursue a degree in engineering. I felt like the Haverford program was the least gimmicky, though I did try to remove it based on this post. I figure you have a much better idea of what its all about. For anyone that might find this later: Distance, Philly and the Chesick Scholars Program were some of my deciding factors.</p>
<p>@jack63 I would love to hear about your experience as an engineering major from a liberal arts school if you get a chance and have any thoughts.</p>