<p>Does the proximity to Philadelphia and the access to other schools offset the effect of such a small student population? Just want to be sure that the community wouldn't start to feel claustrophobic after a while. Also, that the social life doesn't just revolve around drinking. </p>
<p>any insights welcome! Thanks.</p>
<p>I will give you the perspective of a Bryn Mawr student but it should be pretty similar to the perspective of a Haverfordian. </p>
<p>Bryn Mawr/Haverford bubble started feeling quite claustrophobic towards the end of my sophomore year. Then I discovered Penn. Now I am happy again :)</p>
<p>Does this mean you go over to Penn for parties, or what?</p>
<p>Well, initially I just took classes at Penn but I have started socializing more with Penn students since. Now I am there 3-4 days a week, 2 days for classes and 1-2 days purely for social reasons. </p>
<p>Most students are perfectly happy at Haverford. If you ever need a break from the Haverbubble, you can take advantage of the social and cultural offerings of the greater Philadelphia area. Taking a couple of classes off campus every now and then also does wonders for your sanity!</p>
<p>In my opinion Haverford offers the best of both worlds. You get a close-knight community with access to the social and cultural offerings of a big city, as well as the academic resources of a big research university (Penn). I would have probably transferred had I been limited to Bryn Mawr because the small campus feels too small at times, but I am happy with Bryn Mawr as my “base” and all of the Quaker Consortium to explore.</p>
<p>Also, have no fear that drinking is a major part of Hford’s social life. Compared to a lot of colleges, there aren’t that many parties or “thirsty thursdays”. Also, there will be a ton of Bryn Mawr students over there for parties, etc, since Bryn Mawr has a very limited party scene. Haverford students will often take classes at Bryn Mawr, and vice versa, so there’s always new people to meet. And philly is a quick and easy train ride away. Basically, the Bi-Co tries to ensure that, coupled with jaunts off-campus, it’s never overwhelmingly claustrophobic.</p>
<p>I never found it to be a problem. In fact, I liked it.</p>
<p>One difference from many other schools is that it means students become friends with people from other classes. Each year the student body turns over by 25% providing lots of new faces and new people. There’s lots of interaction between students from the differing classes.</p>
<p>I enjoyed the occassionaly trips to Philly, but not because of the size rather just a desire to get out of the suburbs.</p>