<p>Anyone know much about Haverford? Specifically, how easily/well the cross registration with Bryn Mawr works? And how easy it is to get out of Haverford without a car? Do the students do much off campus? What is the social life like there? And, why is it so much smaller than the rest of the "big 10" LACs? Does the small size really make much of a difference?</p>
<p>Bless you all....</p>
<p>p.s. What do people see as the differences between Swarthmore and Haverford?</p>
<p>I am attending a Katrina benefit auction tonight with a Haverford mom and dad and will see what I can learn of their D's experience so far (freshman).</p>
<p>My sis goes to Haverford. Cross registration isn't bad at all, you just sign up for Bryn Marr classes at the same time as your normal ones, and she's happily enjoying a ballet class over there right now. She has a car because she doesn't like the shuttle much as it doesn't operate during peak rush hour.
Regarding size, I don't know why it's smaller but it definetely bonds the campus in a unique way. My sister definetely likes it, and knows pretty much everyone by sight.</p>
<p>My data is quite old, but I remember a high school history teacher who was a Haverford grad. He was the most serene, self-assured, unassuming person you could ever hope to meet, as well as being quite brilliant and charming. I was always very impressed by his academic and social breeding.</p>
<p>Cross-registration with Bryn Mawr is a piece of cake and very common between the two schools. They are only about a mile apart. They do take advantage of each other's specialties. For example, Haverford provides the studio art courses for both schools and Bryn Mawr probably the bulk of the language programs. </p>
<p>There is less cross-registration by Swarthmore students at Haverford, more between Bryn Mawr and Swarthmore. Swarthmore is two exits down the freeway, about 20 minutes door to door, so it is not quite as convenient. A lot of the Bryn Mawr/Swarthmore cross-registration takes place in areas of specialization or in some areas like low-demand languages where shared resources benefit everyone. For example, the new Middle Eastern studies/Arabic program is a joint program with all three colleges. Library facilities are shared by all. Order a book from any of the three and its delivered to your library the next morning.</p>
<p>Haverford tends to provide the "social party scene" on weekends for both Bryn Mawr and Haverford.</p>
<p>A car is not necessary at any of the three Phila-area LACs. They all provide easy commuter rail access to downtown Philadelphia and to connecting points beyond like the airport, D.C., NYC.</p>
<p>On the size: All three Quaker schools in Philadelphia have a long tradition of small size (in part fueled by the Quaker preference for all students eating in one dining hall) and a style of governence that works best on a small campus. Haverford has grown less than the other two in recent decades because financial constraints made growth impossible. Forty years ago, Haverford had a larger per student endowment than Williams, Amherst, Swarthmore, and Wellesley. In the period from about 1967-75, Haverford encountered a succession of what they describe as "crippling" operating deficits that required spending down the endowment. They have bounced back nicely, but it has required a long period of belt-tightening and left them with a smaller endowment. That relative lack of endowment made it difficult to invest in the infrastructure for growth and enrollment has been essentially flat since 1980 or so.</p>
<p>Comparison to Swarthmore: The similarities totally overshadow the differences. However, there are some small differences.</p>
<p>Haverford is somewhat more preppy; probably a function of its heritage as an all-male school plus the fact that Haverford has not been able to spend as heavily on financial aid. 43% of Haverford students qualify for financial aid versus 48% at Swarthmore.</p>
<p>Haverford is less diverse. 71% of the student body is white and US versus 62% at Swarthmore. Again, not a reflection of institutional philosophy; but rather diversity is very expensive. If you need more full-price customers to balance the budget, you are going to primarily get them from the ranks of the white and wealthy.</p>
<p>Haverford has had somewhat more of a drinking problem at least as measured by things like alcohol poisonings, probably related to the above characteristics (whiter, wealthier, more male). But, it would still be pretty moderate by national standards. Not a big difference.</p>
<p>The key differences lies in financial strength. Swarthmore's per student endowment is $739k per student verus $305k per student at Haverford. Endowment spending at Swarthmore is $29.1k per student versus $14.4k per student at Haverford. Total spending at Swat (not inc. fin. aid) is $68.3k per student versus $54.2 per student at Haverford. Yet, Swarthmore charges less after financial aid discounts: $26.6 per student (net tuition, fees, and room/board) versus $28.9 k at Haverford. </p>
<p>The difference between spending and student cost is what ultimately drives "presitige". Customers, quite rationally, tend to flock to schools that offer a $68k product for $26k. More customers in line means lower acceptance rates and higher student "stats". Do that for long enough (at least if you have a desireable northeast location) and you will be at the top of the USNEWS rankings.</p>
<p>Haverford's endowment has bounced back and they have the financial equlibrium to spend plenty for a first rate educational product. However, with one of the largest per student endowments of any college or university in the country, Swarthmore has simply been able to outspend Haverford for a very long time - four decades. This buys the extras, such as above average professor salaries, sabbatical policies and teaching loads that make it an attractive choice. This buys a high-end campus and facilities, extremely small class sizes, one of the most diverse student bodies on the East Coast, and a lot of little things like student research, travel, and so and so forth. </p>
<p>To put the extras in perspective: they are the leather seats and power moonroof of higher education. However, the luxury options are expensive (not in terms of tuition, but in a different currency -- the odds of getting an acceptance letter). The car drives just fine without the luxury package and Haverford is a great school. It would be high on my list of places to kick the tires.</p>
<p>Friends report that their D, a freshman at Haverford, takes advantage of the city and "sister" campuses quite a bit already, and she's only been there a few weeks. She frequently has gone into Phila. proper for "First Fridays" (musical performances, I think) with other students. She goes to Swarthmore weekly for a music ensemble she is in. She hasn't cross-registered herself, but reports it is easy. She has no car, and train/public transport works well.</p>
<p>Their impression is that the "Customs Program" (a kind of upperclass mentoring for freshmen which you can read about on the Haverford website) focuses quite a bit on introducing the freshmen to what's to do in Phila, nearby campuses etc. and getting the new kids out and around.</p>
<p>Haverford is all right, outta sight. What isn't all right are some of the parents here that always bring others down. W and M is a good school. I was only asking</p>
<p>Thank you all.</p>