<p>What did everyone write about for their honor code essay? I don't know how to even start! Thanks!</p>
<p>I guess i have an advantage cause i go to a school that thinks highly of honor and maintains the honor code as an important thing. In addition, i've been on the honor council for two years so i guess i had a leg up, being very familiar with honor codes already.....I'd just talk about why you think honor is important? I actually talked about a specific honor code incident in my school last year, but that's me...do whatever..</p>
<p>not sure. Im still confused</p>
<p>how long was your essay?</p>
<p>i have no clue how to write this due today lol</p>
<p>Does it have the "nor tolerate those who do" clause like West Point's?</p>
<p>You could talk about the difficulty of turning in a friend, if it does, or glad that you wouldn't have to, if it doesn't.</p>
<p>beprepn</p>
<p>Kgordon: Are you applying to transfer to Haverford? What didn't you like about Boston College?</p>
<p>HC Alum:</p>
<p>I just wanted you to know that we received your extravagantly thorough response to the honor code inquiry. I read it over a number of times. I have come to the following conclusions. First ,it is impossible for an outsider to understand the HC honor code as much of it is intangible. Second, that the meaning of the code must be evolutionary over a student's career and becomes more mystical upon graduation. Third, to require a prospective student to write a cogent essay on the HC code is an unrealistic assignment as that prosective student has no idea whatsoever what that code means unless that student lives and breathes this code. Even reading your insightful parsing of the code left me, an attorney, rubbing my chin and saying ya hadda be there. </p>
<p>Actually my D attended a Quaker school for the first three years of her elementary schooling. This code sounds an awful lot like the Quaker philosophy that I heard during those years; equality, fraternity, trust. Teachers called by there first name even by first graders. Reviewing issues to death without reaching conclusions and praying for consensus. It had its strengths and weaknesses.</p>
<p>To think that students would fear an aggressive goal of increasing endowment which could only improve the school because of the concerns you noted is a bit extreme. I think that it would take a kid a few years before he or she realized the code was something they thrived under or was choked by. Anyhow thanks again for a very interesting post. Dana's Dad</p>
<p>What happened to HC Alum's post? It seems to have disappeared, along with others I and and other posters had made.</p>
<p>Rats but Im glad my efforts were not entirely in vain. </p>
<p>Dana's Dad,
I agree with you in many regards. </p>
<p>1) Its unreasonable to expect applicants to write about the code <strong><em>if</em></strong> the role of the essay is to reject people who dont understand an honor code. The importance of the essay is for it to be used as a tool by APPLICANTS to decide whether HC is for them. If an applicant, in formulating the essay, is annoyed by thinking about the code and issues related, chances are that they will not be happy at HC cause an important part of the HC experience is wrestling and challenging yourself with understanding what the code means TO YOU. Unless an applicant writes something freakish or exceptionally shallow, there is no wrong answer. In kgordons case, a more in depth analysis is warranted. </p>
<p>The code is an evolution for the student. Thats why the admissions committee isnt looking for a particular answer in the essay.</p>
<p>2) The code is intangible. Im normally a terse person but to describe the code in its complexity (and HC as well) requires much thought. Although intangible, I wouldnt characterize it as mystical because it is very palpable and logical for students especially upon graduation and afterwards. Youre right that it is impossible for non HC people to understand it and thats why I said its a rare and weird experience in another post. Whenever I meet alumni from any year, theres an instant connection for that reason. </p>
<p>3) Having 1st graders calling teachers by their 1st names seems excessive.</p>
<p>4) There are strengths and real challenges to HC, and Im sure youll agree, to any college and any experience worth having. Debating problems and struggling to answer them is a part of any good college education as it helps students be mature analytical thinkers. While reviewing something to death and reaching no conclusion is futile in the real world, I think it serves an educational purpose in college and is a luxury of youth worth maintaining. HC students, although an intellectual bunch, are also quite active and dont just talk. </p>
<p>Also, I'm not a Quaker, but if you are familiar with Quakerism, you will appreciate that while Quakers value consensus and pacifism, they are far from paralysis. In fact, I think Quakers are one of the most active groups around... they just do things in a modest way.</p>
<p>Praying for consensus is a religious tradition and is not a part of secular HC.</p>
<p>5) The HC students who were concerned with the material enhancement of HC were a minority and were not arguing to limit growth but rather just wanted the campus to be aware of some potential consequences of it and wanted the admissions office and administration to not lose sight of HCs values in an age of slick advertising, competitive pressure and rankings. Im sorry if I didnt make that more clear. While I can appreciate the issues raised, I, as most students, disagreed with them and believed that the pool of smart kids who would embrace an HC experience is large and HC, with greater resources, would only be enhanced. </p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>
<p>HC Alum:</p>
<p>Yes it did help and I believe we are in full agreement. I will bring this post to my D's attention as she weighs which schools to apply to next Fall. As I indicated HC is high on her list and her parent's list of great schools for her. Thank you again for you thoughtful reply. Dana's Dad</p>
<p>I noticed that too, Florus, I looked at this thread awhile ago and there were more replies. I also made a topic a couple of days ago and it's gone too. I don't know what I did wrong, but anyways, I'm too lazy to type it up again. </p>
<p>I agree about the essay being a tool to determine whether or not a college is a good fit. There were some colleges I didn't apply to because I couldn't think of much to write for their essays.</p>