<p>There's a lot to handle/answer in your questions. But I'll try.</p>
<p>Let me start with the most difficult one first, which deals with academics. I think you'll get lots of perspectives on the academic intensity issue. First, I think they are both excellent and intense. IMHO, I think Haverford, Swarthmore, and Williams are in a different league than the other two you mentioned. Now, between Swarthmore and Haverford, in particular, Swarthmore has the reputation of being the most intense of all LACs in the country. In my view Haverford isn't far behind that, but it may be behind it when it come intensity. To clarify I don't think Haverford is behind Swarthmore in excellence or quality of education, but I think the culture values other things so students attracted to it are generally a bit more well-rounded, though still quirky and intellectual.</p>
<p>I think one of the best posts I've seen on this was written by StARz782, who wrote as follows: "There's a girl in one of my Haverford classes from Swarthmore (who I noticed is very smart but modest, contrary to the claim that all Swat kids like to talk about grades). I asked her what she thought was the main difference between the two schools; she replied that it seemed to her as though Swarthmore professors hold their students to almost unattainable, 'impossible' standards for the purpose of keeping them from settling for average work. Thus, this would probably result in a stressful, pressure-cooker environment that the students actually create for themselves because they want to do well and were the type of students in high school that did, in fact, do well. This of course, is not to say that Haverford students are slackers or underachievers. On the contrary, I think what has been said (but perhaps in the wrong words) is that Haverford students strive to be PARTICULARLY modest about grades due to the honor code and the intensified, hit-over-the-head pressure to be careful about students treat each other as human beings. There also seems to be more of a social presence at Haverford (this is not to say that Swarthmore students don't socialize, just the degree to which they do is not as great as at Haverford). So perhaps this explains why it seems as though Haverford students don't 'work as much' - because they're spreading their time more evenly between academics and other things than maybe a Swarthmore student, who prefers to focus more heavily on academics. And of course, this is not to generalize both of the schools as a whole- you'll find Haverford students that never leave the library and Swat students that maybe don't fit the typical stereotype of workaholics. In the end, I think Haverford students can do just as well as Swarthmore students (and they do). . . I personally was debating between the two colleges in my own college selection process; it just seems that Haverford presents a different approach of educating its students than that of Swarthmore. Naturally, for one type of person, a Swarthmore education would deem as better for what they personally need; but others might learn better in the type of environment that Haverford provides. . . So for some, Swarthmore is a better school; for others, Haverford is a better school."</p>
<p>I think Haverford College, including the faculty, affirmatively embrace the notion that the College's mission is to educate the whole person, which incorporates notions of values, ethics, social skills, social awareness in additions to academics.</p>
<p>That said, I know that my two closest Haverford friends and I all worked quite hard in College. Between the three of us, we have four graduate degrees all from Harvard University. We all found Haverford more challenging, more interesting, and more transformative.</p>
<p>Haverford is definitely committed to the envrioment. For example, the brand new athletic center is a unique "green" building and among the first sports facilities in the U.S. to qualify fr gold-level certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for sustaniable design. Here's some more evidence:</p>
<p>Haverford</a> College</p>
<p>Job posting from August 2008:
Haverford</a> College Environmental Chemistry Tenure-track Faculty Position Advertisement</p>
<p>Going</a> Green @ Haverford</p>
<p>Haverford's</a> Gardner Center Wins Praise at Clinton Global Initiative</p>
<p>With respect to the vegetarian options, all I can say is on-campus there are plenty of options. Overall, the food at Haverford could probably be better. But, it is supplmented by great off-campus options (certainly better than Williams, Middlebury, and Bates) because of its close proximity to Philadelphia. There are great vegetarian options on the Main Line where Haverford is located as well as in Philadelphia, the nations 5th largest cities. See VegPA.net</a> | Vegan and vegetarian eating in Pennsylvania</p>
<p>For outdoorsy, I think Williams and Middlebury will have Haverford beat. But I think Haverford will take Swarthmore here. About 40% of HC students play a sport, but it's not jocky. (Williams is far more jocky.) BTW, check out Haverford</a> College: Haverford Outdoors Club (HavOC)</p>
<p>Also, you should be sure to read the following post: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/haverford-college/427212-why-haverford-sciences-phenomenal-part-12-a.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/haverford-college/427212-why-haverford-sciences-phenomenal-part-12-a.html</a></p>
<p>At the end of the day, I think the visit in October, to both schools, will be particularly helpful. Good luck to your D.</p>